Spirituality Page: Arts and Crafts

Author's Biography: Theresa has been nice enough to donate several articles and chants to PaganParenting.com

Alphabet Game

A is for Ashtar…B is for Bel..you get the idea.

Wizard and Witches Hats

Make hats from construction paper! Roll the construction paper up into a cone and secure with tape or staples or both, then cut out stars, moons, etc. and paste them on. A great deal of make believe is usually the result, but if you watch closely and listen you'll learn a lot about what you're children think about magic and witches etc. Most of it is harmless, but with the influences of society these days, there will quite likely be a few ideas you may want to nip in the bud or gently correct.

Wheel of the Year Project

You will need 1 large circle cut out of Poster board divide into thirteen sections.(approximately 27.5 degree angle from center, you really want to use a protractor) Then at the top of the wedge write in the major holiday, then paint pictures or glue in from a magazine pictures that remind you and the child of that season/holiday. This is really a good chance to talk to the children about the Sabbats and the holidays as well as how the Lunar cycle differs from the standard calendar. This craft is suitable for hanging up.

Phases of the Moon Cut Out Calendar Project

This can help kids understand the waxing and waning and dark and full moon cycle. Make a calendar page for one month, or just get one from a calendar and have the kids cut out a piece that is the shape of the moon and paste it on the calendar in the space for the day that the moon is at that stage. Have them figure out if the moon is waxing or waning on a certain day. This is a good time to explain why the moon is Dark (when the earth is in the way of light from the sun) and when it is full. They really seem to like this and about 1/2 way through it really clicks.

Ritual Platters

Get large plain platters or Plates (thrift shops are great for this) and have the children use Paint 'n bake paint by glassworks to paint ritual related themes on the serving pieces, then bake for the recommended time, and viola its permanent. And useful for the ritual oat cakes too.

Balloon painting

Squeeze several colors of kid safe paint (preferably water soluble if they're little or you like their clothes) onto a paper plate, blow up a balloon about ˝ way. (You can get a lot fancier incorporating knots and bulges later if you want.) Then dip in the swirled paint and start dabbing or squishing it onto a largish piece of paper, or a piece of craft paper.