Craft Ideas to Go With Children's Literature

Start reading early.

Literature is important for children, as it teaches them to read and use their imagination. Crafts that coincide with popular stories can make story time even more entertaining and educational. Read a story with your child and make the coordinating craft to bring the story to life. Your child will want to read the story over and over again after all the fun she has crafting projects.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

After reading "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle, you can make butterfly felt hand puppets or paper caterpillars. To create the hand puppets, cut out the shape of a butterfly on black felt. Cut two pieces for each puppet and glue the edges leaving the bottom edge open and exposed. This is where the child will insert his hand. Then let the child use colored felt to cut wing patterns and markings. Glue the pieces onto the felt and you have any instant puppet. To create a paper caterpillar, take a long piece of paper and then fold it into segments that open as you unravel it. Decorate the caterpillar with crayons and have fun opening, closing and unfolding the caterpillar with your child.

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

Dr. Seuss' "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish" is filled with loads of color and delight. Bring out that joy with a fish bowl craft, fish memory cards or a fishing magnet game. To make the fish bowl craft, use blue construction paper to cut out the shape of a fish bowl. Then use colored construction paper to create fish, plants and anything else you'd like to include in your bowl. Layer and glue the pieces onto the fish bowl. For a fish memory game, print out photos of fish. Cut and paste these onto blank index cards. Make two of each card. Write the name of the fish underneath. Lay out the cards and play an educational memory game. To make a magnet game, create a fictional fishing pond. Use a stick or dowel as the fishing rod and attach a piece of string with a magnet to the end of the stick. Place the opposite end of the magnet into a stuffed animal or something the child loves. Let him "fish" for his fake fish.

Clifford The Big Red Dog

Paint paw prints. Let kids put their hands in red paint and make hand prints on paper plates. Show them how to create different prints by putting their fingers together versus spreading them out. If you have a dog, you can even show them how the dog's actual prints look. Make dog collars out of construction paper, then make matching dog tags to go on the collar with a hole punch and piece of ribbon or yarn. The kids can put their name on the tag or that of their dog or Clifford.

References

• DLKT's Growing Together: Children's Book Breaks
• Child Fun: Dr. Seuss' Birthday Crafts and Activities