With Mother’s Day just around the corner, here’s a craft that little ones can do (with an adult’s assistance and supervision, of course) to thank mom for all that she does.

What you need:

• Two white paper plates
• Crayons, washable markers and/or water-based paint
• Hole punch
• Yarn, ribbon or a long shoelace
• Safety scissors
• Bag of Hershey’s KISSES
• Peel-and-stick magnets (optional)

1. Cut one paper plate in half and leave the other one whole.
2. Use the hole punch to punch holes, about one inch apart, along the straight edge of the cut plate.
3. Put the plates together so that the outside edges match up (this will form the pocket). While they are together, continue to punch holes, about one inch apart, around the edges of both plates.
4. Use the yarn, ribbon or long shoelace to sew the two plates together. (You won’t actually sew the straight edge of the cut plate to the full plate, but you can lace the yarn through these holes for decoration and added support.)
5. Tie the ends of the yarn, ribbon or shoelace together when sewing is complete.
6. Make a hole at the top and tie a piece of yarn or ribbon through for hanging on the wall or attach a few peel-and-stick magnets to the back for hanging on the refrigerator.
7. Decorate with crayons, washable markers and/or water-based paint.
8. When complete, fill the pocket with Hershey’s KISSES and present to mom on her special day! Once the KISSES are gone, mom can continue to use the pocket for recipes, coupons or more candy.

TIPS:

• When using glue with young children:  Pour the glue into a shallow container (egg cartons are great for this!) and allow your child to use a paintbrush to apply the glue to a surface.
• Be prepared for messes.
• Cover your work areas with newspaper.
• Use your kitchen or a tiled area to make clean-up less stressful.
• Put your child in a smock or an old t-shirt to avoid costly messes.
• Remember your own childhood and relish the FUN!

Icicle Painting

1. Freeze a tray of ice cubes with a popsicle stick in each cube.
2. Cover a table with newspaper.
3. Use either watercolor paper or wax paper as your surface.
4. Let your child rub their icicles across the surface.
5. Let your child sprinkle dry paint over their icicle painting.
6. Watch your child enjoy the art that appears.
7. If you actually have icicles, your children can use them instead of ice cubes.  Make sure they wear their mittens for this project.

Snow Painting

1. Accumulate a few inches of snow.
2. Prepare paint (watercolor, tempera, or food coloring) in containers for outdoor use.
3. Bring the paint, paintbrushes, and children outside.
4. Let your children paint the snow freestyle.
5. Build a snowman and paint him too!

Snow “Spritzing”

1. Accumulate a few inches of snow.
2. Fill empty squeeze bottles with a combination of water and food coloring.
3. Bring the spray bottles and children outside, and let the “spritzing” begin!

Snow Art

1. Spray shaving cream on a table or placemat.
2. Let your child finger-paint with the shaving cream.
3. When your child has completed a design, press a piece of dark construction paper over it.
4. The result is a snowy scene!

Snow Balls

1. Prepare a workspace with construction paper, markers, glue, cotton balls and scraps of paper or fabric.
2. Ask your child to draw a winter hat or mittens on his/her construction paper.
3. Let your child warm the picture up with cotton balls and fabric or paper scraps.

*Children should have adult supervision throughout all activities.