PACK AND DEN ACTIVITIES

5 A Day

For a really great fun site that I cannot begin to explain here go to www.5aday.com .  It provides a fun way for lids to learn about Fruits and vegetables.  There is a large Kids section on this website,  And a fun way to encourage them to eat their 5 to 9 servings a day.  They should have one from each color!!  There are games and coloring books.  Funny characters and activities.  Charts for them to fill out to log their colors.  There are recipes, too

Here’s the outline of their plan –

Eating 5 or more servings of colorful fruits and vegetables a day is part of an important plan for healthier living. That’s because deeply hued fruits and vegetables provide the wide range of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals your body needs to maintain good health and energy levels, protect against the effects of aging, and reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of some types of cancer and other chronic diseases.

It’s all about color – blue/purple, green, white, yellow/orange, and red – and the power of colorful fruits and vegetables to promote good health. So when you're grocery shopping, planning your meals or dining out, think color.

And for variety, make it 5 A Day The Color Way:

BLUE/PURPLE

Boost the level of BLUE/PURPLE in your low-fat diet to help maintain:

• A lower risk of some cancers*

• Urinary tract health

• Memory function

• Healthy aging

Beat the Effects of Aging

Blue/purple fruits and vegetables contain varying amounts of health-promoting phytochemicals such as anthocyanins and phenolics, currently being studied for their antioxidant and anti-aging benefits. Get blue/purple every day with foods such as:

Blackberries                    Blueberries                 Black currants

Dried plums                    Elderberries                      Purple figs

Purple grapes                      Plums                                  Raisins

Purple asparagus        Purple cabbage              Purple carrots

Eggplant                 Purple Belgian endive      Purple peppers

Potatoes (purple fleshed)                                     Black salsify

GREEN

Add GREEN to your low-fat diet to maintain:

• A lower risk of some cancers*

• Vision health

• Strong bones and teeth

Go Green. Go Healthy.

Green fruits and vegetables contain varying amounts of potent phytochemicals such as lutein and indoles, which interest researchers because of their potential antioxidant, health-promoting benefits. Go green every day with fruits and vegetables like these:

Avocados                      Green apples                 Green grapes

Honeydew                         Kiwifruit                                  Limes

Green pears                     Artichokes                           Arugula

Asparagus                     Broccoflower                         Broccoli

Broccoli rabe              Brussels sprouts       Chinese cabbage

Green beans                 Green cabbage                           Celery

Chayote squash             Cucumbers                              Endive

Leafy greens                        Leeks                                 Lettuce

Green onion                          Okra                                       Peas

Green pepper                   Snow Peas             Sugar snap peas

Spinach                            Watercress                          Zucchini

WHITE

Working WHITE into your low-fat diet helps maintain:

• Heart health

• Cholesterol levels that are already healthy

• A lower risk of some cancers*

White for Wellness

White, tan, and brown fruits and vegetables contain varying amounts of phytochemicals of interest to scientists. These include allicin, found in the onion family. Get all the health benefits of white by including foods such as:

Bananas                          Brown pears                              Dates

White nectarines        White peaches                   Cauliflower

Garlic                                    Ginger            Jerusalem artickoke

Jicama                                 Kohlrabi                       Mushrooms

Onions                               Parsnips Potatoes (white fleshed)

Shallots                               Turnips                        White Corn

YELLOW/ORANGE

Make YELLOW/ORANGE a part of your low-fat diet to help maintain:

• Heart health

• Vision health

• A healthy immune system

• A lower risk of some cancers*

Powerful Antioxidants

Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables contain varying amounts of antioxidants such as vitamin C as well as carotenoids and bioflavonoids, two classes of phytochemicals that scientists are studying for their health-promoting potential. Every day, include orange and yellow fruits and vegetables like these:

Yellow apples                    Apricots                        Cantaloupe

Cape Gooseberries         Yellow figs                        Grapefruit

Golden kiwifruit                  Lemon                             Mangoes

Nectarines                          Oranges                             Papayas

Peaches                          Yellow pears                   Persimmons

Pineapples                       Tangerines         Yellow watermelon

Yellow beets              Butternut squash                       Carrots

Yellow peppers          Yellow potatoes                      Pumpkin

Rutabagas             Yellow summer squash    Sweet potatoes

Yellow tomatoes             Sweet corn    Yellow winter squash

RED

Be sure to include RED in your low-fat diet to help maintain:

• Heart health

• Memory function

• A lower risk of some cancers*

• Urinary tract health

Red-hot and Healthy

The specific phytochemicals in the red group being studied for their health-promoting properties include lycopene and anthocyanins. Get your reds every day by eating fruits and vegetables such as:

Red apples                   Blood oranges                        Cherries

Cranberries                      Red grapes        Pink/Red grapefruit

Red pears                      Pomegranates                  Raspberries

Strawberries                   Watermelon                               Beets

Red peppers                      Radishes                          Radicchio

Red onions                    Red potatoes                         Rhubarb

Tomatoes

What’s a Serving?

www.5aday.com

The USDA Food Guide Pyramid recommends 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. And getting 5 to 9 servings is easier than you may think.

A serving size is:

One medium-size fruit

1/2 cup raw, cooked, frozen or canned fruits (in 100% juice) or vegetables

3/4 cup (6 oz.) 100% fruit or vegetable juice

1/2 cup cooked, canned or frozen legumes (beans and peas)

1 cup raw, leafy vegetables

1/4 cup dried fruit

Wondering how many servings you really need each day?

Children (2-6 yrs.), women, and others who typically need about 1,600 calories to reach or maintain a healthy weight:

5 servings – 2 fruits, 3 vegetables

Older children, teen girls, active women, and most men who typically need about 2,200 calories to reach or maintain a healthy weight:

7 servings – 3 fruits, 4 vegetables

Teen boys and active men, who typically need about 2,800 calories to reach or maintain a healthy weight:

9 servings – 4 fruits, 5 vegetables

Now track this by downloading their color-tracking chart and challenge the boys to have a serving of each color every day.  Or do the Scouting thing – Have the boys create grids with days of the week on one axis and the five colors on the other then have them draw in what fruit or vegetable they had each day from each color.  Kathy who does pre-openings for my Roundtables works at an elementary school that uses this and says the kids all love this and do it.  They get into the challenge of the five colors each day. CD

Soda Bottle Snowman 

Santa Clara County Council

This is an easy project for kids. Make a snowman out of old plastic soda bottles.

2 Liter plastic soda bottle,

White and black acrylic paint,

Sponge brush,

Fine grain sand paper,

Red and black felt,

Pipe cleaners in Christmas colors,

Craft glue,

Plastic spray can lid (spray starch, or similar size),

Plastic tub lid (butter tub or similar size)

Directions:

1.        Sand the surface of the bottle, spray can lid and tub lid. This will allow the acrylic paint to adhere to the surface.

2.        Paint the spray can lid and tub lid black. Paint the bottle white. Allow to dry.

3.        Cover the top and sides of the spray can lid and the top of the tub lid with black felt. Since you've painted them black, you don't need to be too precise with the felt. Center, and glue the spray can lid to the tub lid. You now have your snowman's hat. When the glue has dried, turn the hat over and cut a small hole in the bottom with an Xacto knife. Make the hole a little smaller than the circumference of the top of the hat.

4.        Fill the bottle about halfway with pebbles, sand or dirt. This will help keep your snowman from falling over.

5.        Cut a strip of red felt about 2 feet long and 1" - 1 1/2" wide. (If your felt came in 12" squares, just cut two strips and glue the ends together. Tie this around the bottle, about 3-4" down from the top. Secure with a dab of glue.

6.        Make earmuffs using 3 pipe cleaners. Two of them will be coiled to make the actual "muffs". The third will be the band attaching them. (Attach the pipe cleaners by twisting the ends together.) Drape the earmuffs across the back/top of the bottle. Secure with craft glue.

7.        Attach the hat to the bottle by running a bit of glue around the inside of the hole and then place the hat over the top of the lid. Decorate the hat with a pipe cleaner.

Draw a face using a black marking pen or black paint. Draw buttons under the scarf, or glue on black felt circles.

Chef’s Hat

Santa Clara County Council

The boys are sure to enjoy wearing these hats as they prepare holiday food.

Supplies:

White poster board,

White tissue paper,

Tape, Paper clips

Directions:

1.        Start with a band of white poster board 26” long and 3” high, and 3 sheets of 20” by 30” white tissue paper. Fold each sheet in half the long way.

2.        Gather and tape one of the short sides of each sheet along the hatband, overlapping the sheets slightly.

3.        Curl the band tape side out, place it around the boy’s head, and paperclip the ends. Gather the tissue at the top, taping it tightly together. Cut off the extra tissue, remove the paper clips, and turn right side out. Reattach the paper clips, puff up the tissue, and start cooking!

Chocolate Spoons

Santa Clara County Council

This project is easy and fast. Add a special touch to a dinner party or cheer someone up with a gift of this treat. Chocolate sure makes my day brighter!  Adult supervision is recommended.

Supplies:              

Heavy plastic spoons,

Milk chocolate, White chocolate,

Chocolate sprinkles, Colored sugar,

Wax paper, Plastic wrap, Ribbon

Directions:

1.        In microwave, melt half of white chocolate in one bowl. Melt half of milk chocolate in another bowl (of course you may melt chocolate on stove top).

2.        Dip half of the spoons in white chocolate and dip other half in milk chocolate. Dip them as far as the base of the spoons bowl. Place on waxed paper and let set completely.

3.        When chocolate is set dip the white spoons in milk chocolate, dip milk chocolate spoons in white. Dip only half way up the bowl of the spoon to create a layered effect. Place back on waxed paper to begin setting.

4.        Let chocolate set only partially (about 5 min.) Then gently dip spoons in chocolate sprinkles or colored sugar.

5.        Wrap soon in plastic wrap and tie with ribbon. You can add a little tag (i.e. "Stir me in your coffee").

Cook Book Page Holder

Materials:

Felt 5”x8 1/2”

Yarn in a contrasting color

Tapestry Needle

1/2 yard of ribbon

Rice Beans

Fabric paints (optional)

Directions:

1.                   Fold long edges of felt together.

2.                   Use the blanket stitch for all sewing. Figure 1.

3.                   Stitch along both long edges and one short edge using the yarn and the blanket stitch. Figure 2.

4.                   Cut ribbon into 9” lengths.

5.                   About 2” from the sewn end tie a ribbon bow tightly using one piece of ribbon.

6.                   Fill with rice and beans to about 2” from the open end.

7.                   Continue stitching the last short end and tie off the yarn.

8.                   Tie a ribbon bow tightly around this end.

9.                   Decorate with fabric paint if desired.

Edible Pinewood Derby Car

Baltimore Area Council

Slip your favorite vegetable dip inside one of these pinewood cars and drive your hunger away.

Utensils: Fork, ruler, cutting board, sharp knife, drinking straw, toothpicks, measuring cup, paper plates

Ingredients: Hoagie bun (one per car); cucumbers, carrots, pretzels, pitted ripe black olives, pimento-stuffed green olives, broccoli, zucchini, cherry tomatoes; red, green, and yellow sweet peppers, vegetable dip (any flavor), 1/4 cup per car.

ü      

ü       Cut four 1/4-inch-thick slices of cucumber for the wheels.

ü       Cut two thin carrot sticks, each about 4 inches long, for the axles. (Save remaining carrots and cucumbers for dipping.)

ü       About 1 to 2 inches from each end of the bun, push the drinking straw through the bun where the wheels will go to make holes for the axles. Next poke the straw through the center of the cucumber slices. Throw away the straw.

ü       Slide the carrot sticks through the bun for axles. Attach the cucumber slices to the axles for wheels.

ü       Stick a toothpick into two of the green stuffed olives.

ü       Cut a black olive into thick round slices. Push a slice onto each toothpick behind the whole green olives. Push the end of each toothpick into the front of the bun for headlights.

ü       Fill the bun with your favorite vegetable dip and vegetables.

ü       Use a pretzel for a windshield or steering wheel.

ü       Add two cherry tomatoes for driver and passenger.

Eat and enjoy!

Children's Gingerbread House

Connecticut Rivers Council

For more Gingerbread Houses including one made with graham crackers – go to the Website list.  Wasn’t sure whether this should be here or Cub Grub.  CD

Note, this gingerbread house takes 2 to 3 days to complete. It would be a great one for the den can work on together.

Ingredients:

¾ cup butter,

7/8 cup packed light brown sugar,

1 teaspoon lemon zest,

1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice,

½ cup molasses,

2 eggs,

3 cups all-purpose flour,

2 teaspoon baking powder,

1 tablespoon ground ginger,

2 teaspoon ground allspice,

6 egg whites,

4 (16 ounce) packages confectioners' sugar, sifted

Directions:

First cut out in thin cardboard:

A side wall, 4 ½x8 inches;

An end wall, 4 ½x5 inches;

A triangular gable 4 1/2x3x3 inches;

And a roof rectangle 4 1/2x9 inches.

Tape the rectangular end wall piece to the triangular gable piece: match the long 4 ½ inch side of the triangle to one of the 4 ½ inch sides of the end wall.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and molasses.

Gradually beat in 2 eggs.

Sift the flour, baking powder and spices together, stir into creamed mixture.

Wrap dough in parchment paper, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface.

Divide into 6 portions, 2 slightly larger than the others.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the 4 smaller pieces to approximately the size of the side wall and the end with gable templates; cut out two of each.

Roll out remaining dough, and cut into two rectangular roof pieces.

Transfer gingerbread onto greased baking trays.

In a preheated 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven, bake gingerbread for 10 minutes, or until crisp.

When removing from the oven, leave the gingerbread on the baking trays for a few minutes to set, then transfer to wire racks. Leave out overnight to harden.

In a large bowl, lightly whisk 2 eggs whites.

Gradually beat in approximately 5 cups confectioners' sugar, the icing should be smooth and stand in firm peaks.

Spread or pipe a 9-inch line of icing onto a cake board, and press in one of the side walls so that it sticks firmly and stands upright. If necessary, spread or pipe a little extra icing along either side to help support it.

Take an end wall and ice both the side edges.

Spread or pipe a line of icing on the board at a right angle to the first wall, and press the end wall into position.

Repeat this process with the other two walls until they are all in position. Leave the walls to harden together for at least two hours before putting on the roof.

Spread or pipe a thick layer of icing on top of all the walls, and fix the roof pieces in position; the roof should overlap the walls to make the eaves.

Pipe or spread a little icing along the crest of the roof to hold the two pieces firmly together.

Leave overnight to set firmly.

When ready to decorate, make the remaining icing.

In a large bowl, lightly whisk 4 egg whites, and mix in remaining confectioners' sugar as before. Use this to make snow on the roof, and to stick various candies for decoration. Finish with a fine dusting of sifted confectioners' sugar.

Learning Activities

Louisiana Department of Education

This is only part of the list found at http://www.doe.state.la.us/lde/nutrition/jazzy/23colors.html.  I substituted Scouting terms (e.g. Cub Scouts for students and Den Meetings for other places) throughout the text.  Be sure to check out – “Are Vegetables Noisy?” this sounds like a perfect activity for Cubs.  CD

Recognize fruits and vegetables.

Challenge your Cub Scouts to name as many fruits and vegetables as they can in three minutes. Then help them create a list of all the fruits and vegetables they know. Group according to color.

Investigate colors of fruits and vegetables.

For FUN, Have your Cub Scouts create a sheet to log their food for the next week.  Have them designate a Red Day, Yellow Day, Blue Day, Orange Day and Green Day. On these days, encourage them to eat at least one food of that color. For example, on Red Day, choose strawberries, cherries, a slice of watermelon, a tomato, radishes, beets, or another red food. On Yellow Day, choose a banana, corn, or another yellow food.  Then write on the sheet what food they ate that day.  Compare list at ext Den Meeting.

Ask your Cub Scouts to come up with reasons to eat more, and a greater variety, of fruits and vegetables. Remind them that eating more fruits and vegetables in a greater variety will provide the vitamins and minerals needed for growth. They can brainstorm the benefits of having strong and healthy bodies and use their ideas to create slogans, such as "Another fruit a day helps me play." They can post the slogans at home as motivators. Then they can set goals to eat more fruits and vegetables.  A good idea for increasing fruit consumption is to have them decide to eat a fruit instead of some other snack and to drink fruit juice instead of soda. Challenge students to try a new fruit or vegetable every week.

Have a fruit and vegetable tasting party.

Arrange for the refreshments for your den meetings this month to be fresh fruits and vegetables. You’re your Cub Scouts taste the foods and keep a tally of the number and types of fruits and vegetables they tried. Encourage them to try a fruit or vegetable they have never tried before. Have them describe each food, using words to describe its taste, its feel to the mouth, and its sound when chewed. Examples of descriptive words include, cold, salty, chewy, sweet, juicy, crunchy, etc. Then ask students to write a story about their experiences.

Are fresh vegetables noisy?

Fresh vegetables can be noisy to eat! Have your Cub Scouts do a "sound test" comparison to find the loudest and quietest vegetables. In the process, you’ll encourage your Cub Scouts to sample vegetables in their most nutritious forms.  Maybe do this with fruit, too.

Gather four or five vegetables that have different textures and can be served raw: carrots, celery, mushrooms, spinach, lettuce, cabbage, cucumbers, cauliflower, and broccoli are all good choices. Wash the vegetables and cut into sticks, slices, florets, or leaves. (Review the different plant parts your Cub Scouts will be eating.)

Ask your Cub Scouts to wash their hands. Set out the vegetables and sample them one at a time. Start with carrots. Describe the color and feel of raw carrots. Remind everyone to listen closely. Then invite your Cub Scouts to bite into the carrot sticks and chew. Ask them to describe the sound of the carrot when it is chewed. Repeat the process for each vegetable. Vote on which vegetable has the loudest crunch and which has the quietest – or no crunch at all! Discuss how we need to eat vegetables every day.

Introduce mystery bags.

This activity illustrates the senses of taste, touch, and smell. Your Cub Scouts feel and smell the contents of several Mystery bags to guess what food is inside. Make six or more Mystery bags with a different fruit or vegetable in each one. Suggestions include kiwi, red or green apple, red or green pepper, celery stalk with top left on, lemon sliced in half. Include one or two foods that may be new to your Cub Scouts, such as star fruit or acorn squash. If you have the resources, your Cub Scouts will enjoy tasting samples of the "mystery foods" after they have made their guesses. Talk about how the food feels, smells, and tastes as your Cub Scouts eat. For sanitary reasons, be sure that the food used for tasting is fresh. Do not eat the food that was used for feeling and smelling in the Mystery bags.

Directions for Design 

Louisiana Department of Education

The colors, pictures and names of various fruits and vegetables are used to symbolize the colors of a peacock.

Maybe you could design a turkey with feathers colored the same way to keep it in the Holiday Theme. CD

Hard Candy Wreath

Santa Clara County Council

This craft is a little time consuming but with patience it looks great and is a fantastic gift for the holidays. This project can also be used as a Valentine Day project or Easter craft depending on the type of candy you use.  Adult supervision is recommended.

Supplies:

1 coat hanger

Approx 30 of assorted, wrapped hard candies, suckers, etc.

Approx 30 – 8” pieces of colorful curling ribbon

Wire cutters, Pliers to bend the hanger

Masking tape,

A dull pair of scissors to curl the ribbon

Directions:

1.        Unbend the hanger and cut it in half (this will be enough for 2 kids).

2.        Bend the 1/2 hanger into a circle leaving about 4” at the top to make a hook. Twist the end to make it look like a circle with a hook on it.

3.        Cut your curling ribbon into 8” pieces.

4.        Fold your ribbon in half. In the middle of that ribbon tie one piece of candy. Tie it on the end of the candy where the paper twists.

5.        Now tie the candy with 2 knots tightly on to the hanger. Tie the candy right next to the wire to help cover it up.

6.        Use the scissors to curl the ribbon on each end.

7.        Repeat the process for all your candy pieces.

It might take a few more or less than 30 depending on the size of each candy. Suckers should be tied close to the head. You may add a ribbon on the top to cover the hook if you want. You can also tie on a pair of scissors so people can eat the candy when they visit.

DREIDEL PHOTO MAGNET

Southern NJ Council

1.       Trace dreidel patterns on two colors of craft foam (enlarge to desired size).

2.       Cut out shapes. (Using pinking shears to cut one of the shapes)

3.       Cut circle from center of small shape

4.       Glue photo (approx. 2" x 2") on back of small dreidel foam shape so picture shows through round opening.

5.       Center and glue small dreidel shape on large dreidel shape.

6.       Decorate as desired with bow, hole punched foam circles. Glitter, or greeting written with marker.

7.       Press magnetic strip on back of dreidel.

SHOOTING STARS OR HANUKKAH STAR

Southern NJ Council

1.       Draw a five-point star or a six-point Star of David about 3 inches across on cardboard for pattern (enlarge to desired size).  

2.       Then draw a slightly smaller star pattern.

3.       Use two different colors of bright colored felt, cut a star out of each.

4.       Use 2 matching ribbons colors.

5.       Cut three 8-inch strands of ribbon from each color.

6.       Make sure all ends are even and then staple across the top several times to hold them together.

7.       Lay the large star on the table and place the stapled ribbons together in the center of the star.

8.       Put glue on the back of the smaller star and turn it over and center it on the larger star, securing the ribbon strands.

9.       When the glue has dried, carefully poke a small hole in the top of the star and thread a short piece of ribbon through it for a hanging loop.

10.    You may add glitter, sequins, beads, or write Shalom or Peace on star with fabric paints.

KWANZAA Celebration

Southern NJ Council

If you are having a Kwanzaa celebration in your home, make a list of all the people you wish to invite. Look through magazines for examples of African fabric and designs (Corel Gallery Magic clipart has a large selection as well) You can follow these designs on your invitations and other decorations. Look around the house for a special cup that you can use for the unity cup. Start gathering dried vegetables and fruits to make up the mazao. These fruits and vegetables represent the crops of harvest, or the many good things in our lives. Make Kwanzaa decorations; the colors of Kwanzaa are red, black and green.

Kwanzaa gifts are not meant to cost a lot of money. Instead, the gifts are meant to celebrate the spirit of kuumba, or creativity.

KWANZAA MAT

You will need:                      

Ruler, Scissors, Glue or clear tape

Black, red and green construction paper

1.       Measure and cut out a piece of black construction paper eight inches wide and ten inches long. Cut seven lines in the paper, leaving a one-inch border all the way around the mat. See illustration.

2.       Cut four red and four green strips of construction paper one inch wide and eight inches long.

3.       Weave a red strip and then a green strip alternately, going over and under the black mat frame. Keep the black border. Secure the ends of the strips with glue or clear tape

4.       Place your mat on the table and decorate with corn and other harvest foods.

OTHER KWANZAA ACTIVITIES

1.        Take out the old photograph album and tell your children about their ancestors.

2.        Show some movies about your country and her people.

3.        Take the children to the library and have an "Africa" scavenger hunt for information about Africa.

4.        Create a family tree.

5.        Play the game OWARE.

PENGUIN PINS or TIE SLIDE

Southern NJ Council

Need:     

Craft sticks

Black, white and orange acrylic paint

3/8 " red felt

Tiny white pom poms

Tacky glue; glue gun

Sunflower seeds in shell

Paintbrush

1" long x 1/4" wide square of knit rib fabric

Pinback or chenille pipe cleaner

toothpick

1.       Paint seeds orange and craft stick black.

2.       When dry, Paint white oval on stick, from top to 1 inch above bottom.

3.       Glue seed nose 1 inch below top of craft stick.

4.       Paint eyes 1/4" below top and buttons using a toothpick.

5.       Glue felt scarf around neck; fringe edges.

6.       For Hat

a.        Glue 1/4" at 1-inch edges of rib fabric together

b.       Gather and glue one end closed; turn.

c.        Fold under 1/8" at lower edge.

d.       Glue onto stick.

e.        Glue pompom on top.

7.       Hot glue pinback or chenille pipe cleaner to back of craft stick.

SNOW COVERED PINECONES

Southern NJ Council

Place glue on ends of individual cone leaves and sprinkle glitter on. Or you can use glitter fabric paint glued directly to ends of cones leaves to give the effect of fallen snow.

PERSONALIZED ORNAMENTS

Southern NJ Council

Encourage creativity by having kids paint plain glass or plastic ball ornaments with fabric paint. The possibilities are endless! Snowmen, Stars, Snowflakes...Many of the plastic balls can be easily filled with curling ribbon to add color. A special holiday message can also be inscribed.

PASTA WREATH ORNAMENTS

Southern NJ Council

Materials needed:

Tagboard or cardboard cut out into a  wreath shape

Glue

Various shapes of uncooked pasta

Spray paint

Ribbon

Hot glue gun

Directions:

1.        Glue the various shapes of pasta all over the circular wreath pattern.

2.        Use a hole punch to make a hole at the top of the ornament.

3.        Once the pasta has dried thoroughly, spray the wreath with spray paint.

4.        Use a hot glue gun to attach a ribbon hanger to the wreath.

Beaded Snowflake

Santa Clara County Council

This makes a pretty beaded snowflake, which you can use as an ornament.

Supplies:      

3 Chenille stems (6" in length),

8 Crystal paddlewheel or sunburst beads (18 mm size),

20 Crystal faceted beads (8 mm size),

18 Crystal tri-beads (11 mm size),

Hot glue gun or craft glue, Wire cutters (to cut chenille stems)

Directions:

1.        Cut chenille stems to equal 6" in length.

2.        Twist them in the center once or put a spot of hot glue to hold them together, then spread out the arms gently, keeping it flat.

3.        String the beads on each arm in the following pattern: 1 faceted bead, 1 tri-bead, 1 faceted bead, 1 tri-bead, 1 paddle wheel, 1 tri-bead, 1 faceted bead

4.        Put a spot of glue under each last faceted bead. When dry clip off ends of chenille stem.

5.        Glue (hot glue is best) one paddle wheel in center of each side then one faceted in center of each paddle wheel that is in the middle.

6.        Make a hanger of fishing line or invisible thread.