Sewing Stuffed Animals

The second and third time children do this activity they start helping one another.

Objectives

Children ages 3-4 can string yarn in and out of holes FM II
and they can paint stokes FM III
Children ages 1 ½-2 years can name animal shapes Lang. IB
All children participating by stuffing newspaper between two heavier pieces of paper.

 
 
 

Materials

Pairs of animal shapes cut out of paper bags with holes pre-punched around the edges. Tie a front and a back of each animal shape together at one point. Pieces of brightly colored yarn with masking tape on the end as a needle; different colored paints and brushes; newspaper.

Procedures

1. Have children sit around a table with materials in center. Hold up one shape at a time and have children name animal.

2. Have each child choose the animal shape he/she wishes to sew, asking for it by name. Let children choose the color of yarn they will use for sewing.

3. Have children sew their shapes together and, when nearly finished stitching the edge, stuff with newspaper and then complete closing the edge. Teacher will need to tie most of the knots to fasten the shapes together.

4. The children then paint the shapes and take them home.

Variations
 
1.     According to the season, change the shapes: valentine hearts, bunnies or eggs, pumpkins, stockings, etc. Themes such as transportation, flowers, vegetables.
 
2.     Children punch holes in paper themselves.
 
3.     Make birds but leave wings open so they can “fly.”
 
4.     See SCIENCE: “Paper Birds” for an illustration of bird patterns.