Bringing Animals from Our Favorite Story Books to Life at Home
Bringing Animals from Our Favorite Story Books to Life at Home
As we cozy up for the winter, why not bring the fascinating world of animal homes into your own home? This month, we have four crafts inspired by your favorite children’s books! From paw prints in the snow to animals that live deep beneath the sea, this month is all about exploring the animal kingdom—and creating your very own animal-inspired crafts! So grab your craft supplies, snuggle up with a good story, and let’s bring the magic of animal homes to life without ever leaving your living room!
El Pez Arcoíris Craft
We all remember the beloved Rainbow Fish (El Pez Arcoíris) story. This book is a classic for a reason, and it can be a fantastic way to introduce life under the sea. The colorful rainbow fish also provides some great craft inspiration!
Materials Needed:
- Colorful paper
- Paper plate
- Blue paint (we used a paint marker!)
- Glue
- Glitter (optional)
- Googly eyes (optional)
Steps: Let’s Make Our Own Fishy Friend!
- Paint Your Fish:
Grab your paper plate and paint the front blue! Don’t worry about being perfect—just splash that blue all over! - Cut the Scales:
While your plate is drying, take your colorful paper and cut out little circles (like fish scales) in all sorts of fun colors. You can make as many as you like—go wild with your choices! - Cut the Fins:
Now, it’s time to create some fins! Take the blue paper and cut out two triangular shapes for the side fins, and one bigger one for the tail. These fins will help your fish swim through the water with style! - Add Some Sparkle and Googly Eyes:
Once your plate is dry, grab your googly eyes and glue them onto the plate. - Stick on the Scales and Fins:
Use your glue stick to attach your colorful circles all around your fish’s body to make those beautiful scales. Glue the fins to the sides and bottom of your plate—now your fish is ready to swim!
El Mitón Craft
Next up is the delightful El Mitón, a heartwarming story about a little mitten that becomes a cozy home for all sorts of animals. To bring the story to life, we’re making animal print stamps!
Materials Needed:
- Sponges
- Cardboard
- Glue
- Paint
- Paper
Steps: Let’s Make Animal Footprints!
- Cut Out Footprints:
Start by taking your new sponges and cutting them into shapes of different animal footprints! You can make paws for dogs, cats, bears, or even fun shapes like a frog’s feet or a bird’s talon. Use your imagination—this is your chance to create all sorts of wild footprints! - Glue the Footprints:
Once you’ve cut out your sponge shapes, glue them onto a piece of cardboard. Spread some glue on the back of each sponge shape and press them down gently onto the cardboard. - Dip and Stamp:
Pour some paint onto a paper plate or shallow tray. Dip your sponge footprint into the paint, then press it down firmly on paper or fabric to create your footprint stamps. Ta-da! Instant animal prints!
Perdido y Encontrado Craft
We’re diving into the charming tale of Perdido y Encontrado, where a little penguin embarks on an unexpected adventure. To bring this heartwarming story to life, we’ll be making a fluffy penguin craft!
Materials Needed:
- Penguin coloring page
- Scissors
- Black and orange construction paper
- Cotton balls
- Googly eyes (optional)
- Markers
Steps: Let’s Make a Penguin Buddy!
- Get Your Penguin Ready:
Start by printing out a penguin coloring page or drawing your own penguin shape on a piece of paper. - Color the Outside:
Color in your penguin however you like! Make it traditional black and white or go wild with rainbow colors—it’s your penguin, so be creative! - Add the Fluffy Belly:
Once your penguin is colorful and dry, take your cotton balls and gently pull them apart to make them fluffy. Then, glue the cotton balls onto the penguin’s belly. - Give Your Penguin a Face:
Stick on two googly eyes and cut out a small triangle from orange or yellow paper to make a beak. Glue the beak just below the eyes.
Las Jirafas No Pueden Bailar Craft
Inspired by Las Jirafas No Pueden Bailar, this joyful story about a giraffe reminds us that everyone has their own special talent. For this craft, we’ll turn handprints into animals!
Materials Needed:
- Paint
- Paper
Steps:
- Paint your hand and press it onto the paper to create a handprint.
- Use markers or paint to add details that transform your handprint into your favorite animal!
Making These Crafts Your Own
These storybook-themed crafts are a fun and creative way to connect Tierra Encantada’s “Animals and Their Homes” curriculum theme with beloved book characters. Use these as a guide, but feel free to add your own twist!
Grab your supplies, pick your favorite animal story, and let your imagination run wild as you explore these amazing animals and habitats with your family!
Learn more about our Animals and Their Homes Curriculum Theme
