Crafts & Fun

You’ll need:
• a small paper plate (we used one 18 cm/7 in. across)
• a good squirt of tacky glue on waxed paper
• dry pasta - bow ties (farfelle), wagon wheels, tiny stars (stelline) or little shells or regular macaroni
• tempera paint
• glitter
• a bow or other small seasonal decoration
• scissors, hole punch

Poke the point of the scissors through the plate and cut out the centre, leaving a wreath about 5 cm (2 inches) wide (this is a job for you). Use the punch to make a hole to hang the wreath up. Flip the plate over and help your child paint the back — this will be the front of the wreath. Let it dry. Show her how she can dip each piece of pasta in tacky glue and stick it onto the plate, leaving a space for a bow or other decoration later. When the glue is dry, he can paint the pasta with a contrasting colour of tempera paint (some of this paint can go on the plate too so no need to be too careful). While the paint is still wet, sprinkle on glitter and let it dry. Add a bow or decoration, and a ribbon or string through the hole. Hang it in a window or on the bedroom door.

Originally published in Today's Parent Family Living, Winter 2005