Today, I have some apple themed back to school crafts. Also, look at my page The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter for more fun ideas and tips. and my Apple Lapbook and Apple Unit Study.
Hard to believe that summer is halfway over, isn’t it?
We are already working on back to school crafts over here and I have a fun calming apple jar for you.
It is a simple little craft that is perfect for children who need a fixed visual to help soothe and calm them when frustrated.
Just give it a little shake and have them slowly breathe and watch the glitter as it falls and by the time it’s done falling most little frayed nerves are soothed.
You can use any jar you have on hand that has a screw-on lid- plastic or glass, jelly jar or mason jar.
We went with classic red, but you could make yours green, yellow, or go with all 3 for a complete set.
As soon as summer is over, we start jumping right into apple-themed everything, especially with the younger learners.
Books About Apples
And I also have some more apple themed back to school crafts, books, games, and other ideas to launch your new school year.
Fun Learning About Apples Books and Resources
You will of course need a few great books that not only teach but that your kids will enjoy, a fun game or two, and maybe a few other items to make a fun apple unit.
Discover the well-loved tradition of growing and picking apples - a fruit that has been in existence for about two million years. Explore the history of the apple but also the way that families and farmers grow and care for apple trees today, from planting to selling, to turning them into delicious treats and using them for classic games like "bobbing for apples" .
This is a clear and appealing environmental science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom.
Questions addressed in this book include:
- Did you know that when you bite into an apple, you're eating part of a flower?
- Why do apple trees need bees to make apples?
- How does the tree feed the growing apples and make them ready to eat?
Read and find out in the proven winner How Do Apples Grow!
In this simple yet lively book, preschoolers will be introduced to John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. Lyrical text and bright, appealing artwork capture the essence of this important American and early conservationist who traveled the country planting apple trees. Little ones will enjoy engaging anecdotes about Johnny Appleseed, beginning with the young John, who liked to walk barefoot in the cool, quiet woods.
Don't let the apples drop! Three animal friends practice balancing apples on their heads in this hilarious introduction to counting, illustrated by Roy Mckie. The sturdy board book teaches all about numbers, with a dose of signature Seuss charm. Kids will learn to count to ten--and want to start all over again!
- An "apple" game board with five twisting levels to create different puzzles!
- Includes 60 challenges and is great for on the go fun.
- Helps develop Spatial Insight, Problem Solving, Planning and Logic Skills
- All SmartGames are made with the highest quality materials to ensure long product life
- Set Includes twisting apple game board, 3 caterpillar puzzle pieces and challenge booklet
Bake a delicious apple pie--and take a trip with this culinary global adventure!An apple pie is easy to make...if the market is open. But if the market is closed, the world becomes your grocery store. This picture book takes readers around the globe to gather ingredients for a delicious apple pie. First hop a steamboat to Italy for the finest semolina wheat. Then hitch a ride to England and hijack a cow for the freshest possible milk. And, oh yes! Don't forget to go apple picking in Vermont! A simple recipe for apple pie is included.
Choose a level and push the letter tiles into the letter slot to reinforce letter names, phonics and word skills
Magnetic back makes it great for fridge play in the kitchen
26 magnetic letter tiles stick to the fridge and help kids learn the shape of each letter
Three photo tiles can be customized with your own photos for a unique, personalized play experience.
Get your recommended daily allowance of facts and fun with Food Anatomy, the third book in Julia Rothman’s best-selling Anatomy series. She starts with an illustrated history of food and ends with a global tour of street eats. Along the way, Rothman serves up a hilarious primer on short-order egg lingo and a mouthwatering menu of how people around the planet serve fried potatoes — and what we dip them in. Award-winning food journalist Rachel Wharton lends her expertise to this light-hearted exploration of everything food that bursts with little-known facts and delightful drawings. Everyday diners and seasoned foodies alike are sure to eat it up.
Then look at these hands-on activities.
Back to School Crafts and Apple Activities
I found a great selection of easy apple crafts to build a fun first week on, from tasty treats to paper crafts.
- Make Your Own Easy Paper Apple Craft with Free Printable Template.
- Apples Unit How to Make a Fall Kids Garland Apple Craft
- Homemade Kids Play Recipe: Apple Pie Play Dough.
- Paper Plate Apple Lacing Craft.
- Free Homeschool Volcano Unit Study and Fun Apple Volcano
- Textured Art: Cinnamon Painted Apple Craft for Preschoolers.
- Kids Fun Hands-on Apple Unit Make Dried Apple Slices
- Easy Paper Quilling Apple Craft.
- Chocolate-Covered Oreo Apples with Candy Worms.
- Dried Apple Crafts: Hands-on Fun Shrunken Head Apple Craft for Kids
- Apple Squeeze Balls Stacking Activity for Fall.
- Scented Apple Sensory Bin Using Dyed Chickpeas.
Finally, look how to make this fun apple calming jar.
How to Make An Easy Apple Calming Jar
You will need:
- Jar with lid
- Distilled water
- Clear glue
- Red glitter
- Red food coloring
- Green craft
- Small wood piece or small stick
- Hot glue/super glue
First, you can make your glitter jars any size you like, 8 oz is a pretty good size and gives time for the calming part to kick in.
The key is to remember equal parts water and clear glue.
Heat water to hot but not quite boiling.
The water needs to be hot for the glue to melt into it, otherwise, they will stay separate and not give you the right effect.
Pour water into the jar, you can use plastic if you feel safer than using a glass mason jar.
Add a couple of drops of red food coloring.
Pour in a generous amount of red glitter, you measure this one with your heart.
Replace the lid and give it a shake, happy with the color and amount of glitter?
If not, add more and then it’s time to move on to the next part.
After painting (or using markers to color it brown with hot glue your stem on the top of the lid.
I used a small wooden spool I have for our stem, but you could also break off a small stick from the yard, or use just about any little wood scrap you have.
Cut a leaf shape out of craft foam, bend it, and put a little crease in the middle.
Glue the leaf to the stem.
Wipe off the lip of the jar and make sure there is no water or glitter on it.
Finally, you want to put some glue around the threads on the jar and put the lid into place, so your child doesn’t open it and pour glitter water everywhere.
You could also use superglue instead.
More Back to School Crafts
- Fun Upcycled T Shirt Library Tote Back to School Kids Craft
- Clever DIY Dollar Tree Desk Organizer Back to School Craft
- DIY Easy Duct Tape Pencil Pouch Back to School Kids Craft
- How to Make a Boys Duct Tape Wallet Back to School Craft
- Cute Clay Pencil Earrings for Back to School Crafts For Kids
- 15 Easy Back to School Crafts And Make A Yarn Wrapped Pencil
- Back To Homeschool Student Notebook Covers
- How to Create Easy Back to School Basket Ideas for Middle School (Anatomy)
- Apple Themed Back to School Crafts & Fun Calming Apple Jar Craft
- 8 Back To School Crafts For Middle Schoolers | How To Make Fun Literature Themed Shoes
[…] create this apple-themed calming jar via Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool + for a calmer classroom setting all year […]