May brings mother's day cards and bug boxes

The group started the month making Mother's Day cards and envelopes. We used the library's new cricuit machine and fabric to create the cards with flowered cutouts. To keep the cards a secret for the mom's we did not capture them.
This week we used folding and cutting to create boxes to catch real bugs or house the chenille ones we are making next week. Each box has 2 windows with net to look thru at the bugs. Many of the kids drew pictures on their boxes so the bugs would know it was their box.

Learning to make a recycling center with the Recycle Lady

Miss Sue, the Recycle Lady came to the class and shared information on recycling and instructions on how to create a recycling station at home that would help their families identify what could be recycled. She also gave a lot of information on resources in the library and locally. The kids came up with lots of suggestions on how to repurpose a variety of items.

Treasure / Jewelry boxes from recycled items

In a spirit of repurposing the group continued on from Kristin's Wacky Science class making paper beads and used berry boxes, CDs and other found items to create treasure or jewelry boxes to hold their creations. Others used oversized cardboard tubes and scrapbook paper to create bracelets. All these shiney things are very popular with the group.

Creating a creature from our recyclables

In the past we have created all kinds of space creatures and robots but this time the group created cats, horses, snowmen and more. Styrofoam and glue are a real incentive to the imagination.

Birdhouses are completed a@ WBCL

Almost everyone returned to complete painting and decorating thier birdhouses this week. We used Patio Paint, an outdoors paint on them so they would stay bright and colorful for a long time. As you can see it is really a family afair working on these projects with moms and dads joining their kids in painting and decorating.
One of the kids even brought pom-poms to put on her house.
We discussed the kinds of birds that might build nests in the houses from information I found on the Texas Parks & Wildlife site. You can look there for the birds that might live in the houses.
The arts and crafts class meets every Wednesday at 6pm at the Wells Branch Community Library for families and kids age 7+.

Making birdhouses @WBCL Arts & Crafts

This was a great family program and really involved everyone. Hammers and screwdrivers were weilded by all ages as they assembled the pile of wood pieces into a house fit for any bird that comes by.

The house is one of the recommended sizes for birds in our area: 10" tall with a hole 1 1/2" that is 6-8" from the floor. The house can be hung from a tree branch or set in a high spot to encourage the birds.

We'll paint them and decorate them on March 31 so the birds can enjoy them (us too I expect!)

Arts & Crafts programs for families and kids over 7 are provided every Wednesday night at 6 pm. at the Wells Branch Community Library.