Penguins have always intrigued me. They remind me of creative, resourceful children just like Krystal.
When I asked my granddaughter if she wanted to show me any artwork she created in Kindergarten, she vanished. But not to worry. Two minutes later, Krystal reappeared lugging a bulging portfolio. Then she yanked out a penguin and posed with her mindful masterpiece.
So how are penguins like children?
- Penguins can’t fly. Neither can children unless they’re in an airplane.
- Penguins swim by propelling themselves with their flippers. Young children swim by cupping their hands and kicking their feet.
- Penguins climb steep slopes. Children climb hills and furniture.
- Penguins toboggan on their bellies. Children love to toboggan on their tummies too. Whee!
- Penguins form huddles to keep warm. Children flap their arms and stamp their feet to keep warm while playing outdoors in the winter.
- Penguins defend themselves and will bite if you get too close. Young children bite too! 😀
So moms, it’s time to nip that nasty habit in the bud.
But how?
Great question! Distract them by helping them create an adorable Penguin Tree-Pal.
Here are the supplies you’ll need:
- black pom poms (two sizes),
- tacky craft glue,
- two googly eyes,
- scissors,
- black, yellow, and white felt, and one bright color (let your child choose),
- orange pipe cleaner, and
- string (any color).
And here are the six easy-peasy steps to follow:
- Glue the pom poms together.
- Cut out two black felt wings and glue them to the top edge of the large pom pom.
- Cut out two yellow felt feet and glue them to the bottom of the large pom pom. Cut out a small white oval and glue it on to the large pom pom as a stomach.
- Glue googly (wacky) eyes on the small pom pom and a small piece of coiled orange pipe cleaner for the beak.
- Cut a scarf from the felt (whatever color you’d like) and carefully wrap it around the penguin’s neck. Glue to keep it in place.
- Glue a loop of string to the top of the penguin’s head to hang on the tree!
Have your child name the penguin. I named this one Pauli Penguin.
I hope that while you were creating a mindful masterpiece together, you used this time to explain why children shouldn’t bite. 😀
And just think, you’ve created another terrific memory that you and your child will reflect on in the years to follow.
I’d love to showcase your child’s penguin or any other mindful masterpiece on my blog. So send in those pictures in JPEG format to me, Miss. Tracy. Don’t forget to include your child’s first name, age, the supplies they’ve used, and a sentence or two about what inspired their creation.
Merry Christmas!
Miss Tracy
I want to thank Kelli Gilmore, managing editor of Sparkle magazine, for allowing me to use the “Penguin Tree-Pal” instructions from the December 2012, Vol. 11, No. 3 issue. And thank you to Nicole Zaagman, graphic and web designer for GEMS Girls’ Clubs, for providing the images.
Check out the cool website of GEMS Girls’ Clubs. They seek to equip women and girls to live radically faithful lives—doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. This relationship-building program is available to girls in first through eighth grades.
Will you be making ornaments with your child or grandchild?
Happy Birthday, Katelyn! I love you! Mom 😀
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I think I’ll cancel all my Saturday plans and stay home and make something!
Wonderful idea, Marjorie. I can’t wait to see your mindful masterpiece! 😀
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wtnaed to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
Thank you for your generous and encouraging comments. I look forward to your email subscription. 🙂
That is so cute! And it looks easy too. I want to make some :)Envisioning a penguin invasion on my Christmas village…
laurabennet recently posted..How to Make Your Writing Goals SMART
Hi Laura,
I can just see it now. Penguins trampling your peaceful Christmas village. Please share your creation with me.
I loved to see it! The wackier the better.
Merry Christmas! 😀
Tracy,
I love this artistic grandchild’s creation. Thank her for sharing. May I put a link to this blogpost on my next post? I think readers would enjoy making penguins too.
Absolutely Linda! I’d be honored!!!
I’m still loving your wacky hat!
Merry Christmas 😀
Those are so cute! I love penguins, too! Maybe I’ll try making some of those.
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I’m sure your kids would love to help you. Send me photos, if you do make them. Thanks, Sherry! 😀
Tracy, how adorable your granddaughter is.
I want to play with some arts and crafts now 🙂
Loving the penguins!!
petit4chocolatier recently posted..Lavender Bliss Chocolate & Kahlua Cupcakes
I’ll be sure to tell Krystal. When my hubby shared the post with her, she was thrilled. But she was quick to point out she doesn’t have any front teeth, and then she insisted he take her photo again. Children are so precious!
Judy, you do play with art and crafts…your baking creations are a work of art! 😀
Soooo wonderful!
Amateur artists are very inspiring!
Marylin Warner recently posted..RAIN UPON BLINDING DUST
Yes, they sure are!
Thanks, Marylin 😀
Love the penguins… I’m not much of an arts and craft person but this is so easy! Thank you for the diagram too. 😉
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Hi Eliz,
Oh yes, anyone could make an adorable penguin!
Thanks for chiming in! 😀
OMG! How CUTE is Krystal! 🙂 And I love your penguin project – thanks for sharing in such detail with pictures for the artistically clueless 🙂
Susanna Leonard Hill recently posted..The 2nd Annual Holiday Contest!!!
Now, now, Susanna, you can do this!
Yes, Krystal is CUTE. Thanks for dropping in 😀
Great post Tracy…Wishing you a Merry Christmas and wonderful upcoming year…I’m sure you will create that!!!
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Thanks for your wonderful greetings and for your continued encouragement!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well! 😀
Tracy…this is an awesome craft! Thank you for sharing it. I’m sorry I’ve been MIA…life got so crazy…and I am just holding on until the end of the year when I ‘retire’ and will finally have time to do what I want/need to do AND sleep…now I have to steal moments away for sleep. 🙂
I’ll share this post…and try to get to read the past ones.:)
Have a beautiful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year!
Love ya,
Vivian
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No worries, Vivian!
I’m just glad you’ve come up for air.
Thanks for the awesome comments!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 🙂
So fun. I love this!!
Happy Holidays. 🙂
Thank you, Erin.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! 🙂
beautiful post blog and wods thank you for share it for us!Have nice day
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Thanks for the encouraging comment. 🙂
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