How to Make a Dove for Preschoolers

Create your own paper dove with preschoolers.

Crafts and other hands-on activities are popular among preschoolers. Preschool teachers or parents of preschoolers may choose to create doves with their children, either to represent a lesson about birds or during a lesson on a particular Bible story. Parents and teachers should remember that children at a preschool level love to be independent, but still have a limited number of developed skills. While this activity does require some adult assistance, be sure to give your child creative freedom as they build their dove.

Things You'll Need

• White paper
• Glue sticks
• Child safety scissors
• Cotton balls
• Pencil
• Googly eyes

Instructions

1. Trace the child's hand on a piece of white paper. Have the child hold her thumb at a 90-degree angle. The thumb will represent the dove's neck and face, and should be extended from its body.

2. Draw a small isosceles triangle (one that has one side that is taller) that is approximately the size of the child's palm on a sheet of white paper. More advanced preschoolers may be able to complete this step on their own.

3. Cut out the hand tracing and triangle. Preschoolers will need assistance with this step. Some children may be able to cut out the shapes with some guidance.

4. Glue the tall end of the triangle to the back of the hand cutout. This triangle will represent the dove's tail feathers. Children will be able to complete this step on their own, with the appropriate directions.

5. Cover the palm and four fingers with glue. Children love adding glue to paper, especially with glue sticks. Allow them to cover the entire palm and fingers, encouraging them to stay away from the thumb.

6. Cover the glued area with cotton balls. Children can stick as many or as few cotton balls on their dove as they would like. Encourage children to cover the entire dove (minus the thumb).

7. Have the children draw an eye or glue a googly eye to the end of the thumb.

Tips & Warnings

• Some children may want to put two eyes on their dove, even though it is a profile view. They have learned that everyone has two eyes, so it is often hard for children this age to understand if you instruct them to use only one eye on the dove.

• Encourage children to be creative and try their best.

• Supervise preschool children, especially when they are using scissors.

References

• Craft Daily: Peaceful Dove Craft
• Googly Eyes Crafts