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| DIY Rain Drops |
Yes, yes, normally I like simple, fast activities like you do. But every once-in-a-while you just itch to make something fancier, right? Ok, if not, then you might not want to attempt this. Cuz it's not a five-minute project. But it's fun, the product is adorable, and they'll make lots of tiny kids happy. Reason enough for you? Then read on. :)
Using the Rain Drops
This is not an original, folks! I saw Sharla Dance (http://teachingprimarymusic.com/) use these at one of her workshops, and I loved them so much that I had to make my own. (Disclaimer, my awesome mom and sister helped me figure out how...)
These rain drops admittedly have a limited use. I mostly use them in Nursery or Sunbeams, as they don't hold the interest of the older children. I like to pass one out to each child (you really have to have one for each child!) and sing "Rain is Falling All Around." You just hold the end of the yarn and dance the drops around like they're raining. These youngest kiddos are still trying to learn about where their bodies are in space. So, slowing down the last line of the song, "Rain is falling on my nose, on my head and hands and toes," and having the rain drop touch each body part when mentioned is a fun challenge for them. Making the Rain Drops
Materials Needed
- card stock or cardboard
- blue felt
- blue yarn (I chose different shades of felt and yarn for fun.)
- googly eyes
- rice
- fabric glue
- Fray Check
- Sharpie marker
- scissors
- sewing machine or needle, thread, and patience ;)
Instructions
1. Cut out a rain drop-shaped template out of the card stock or cardboard. Size really is just your personal preference. Mine are about 2 1/2" tall.
2. For each rain drop, trace and cut out 2 pieces of felt, using the template as a guide.
3. Sew the 2 pieces of felt together, sewing only around the edges to make a kind of tiny bag. Leave the area by the point open, as you will need to put rice in through this hole.
4. Put rice in through the hole. ;) I don't know how much. 2 teaspoons, maybe? The idea is just to add enough weight so the rain drop will hang down nicely.
5. For each rain drop, cut 1 piece of yarn to your desired length. Mine are about 12" long.
6. Insert one end of a piece of yarn (maybe 1") in the hole of your tiny, rice-filled bag.
7. Sew a lateral line across the top of your rain drop to keep the yarn in place. Sew around the tip of the drop to keep the shape of the drop intact.
8. Glue on the googly eyes wherever you'd like them.
9. Apply fray check to the exposed end of the yarn, so it will last more than one singing time.
Happy singing!
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Looking for more?   Here is a sample Nursery music time that utilizes these cutest of rain drops. :) |
