Crafting a popsicle stick bridge offers an opportunity for preschoolers to practice counting and addition skills as well as learning about construction, while creating a fun looking project. Numerous wood craft sticks per child are necessary for this activity. One simple way to construct this bridge is to use individual pieces -- the desired length of the entire bridge -- of corrugated bulletin board trim as a shape outline. Lay the trim flat and glue on the individual sticks one next to the other, until the entire piece of trim is covered. Allow all sticks to dry and then fold the two ends inward, thus creating the legs of your bridge. Use markers or paints to add colorful details to the sticks prior to erecting the bridge.
Engage students with an art science project that will get them thinking about nature. One crafty option involves taking a walk outdoors and picking up various leaves along the way. Once you return to your classroom set up various disposable cups of food dye. Ask students to take notice of all the individual colors and then add a few drops of a different color to the cups, one at a time. Relate the visual aspect of this project to the leaves you've just selected. Explain that just like adding a few drops of dye to one cup shifted that original color value, that as green leaves experience a shift from weather elements their colors also change. Hand out one piece of white construction paper to each child, instruct them to dip a leaf in any color dye and then press it onto their paper making a imprint of the new color design.
Number art combines the stimulation of artistic expression with learning basic number identification. Ideal for preschoolers, with simple rules, few materials and minimal adult help needed. Prior to starting this craft and using cardboard, design and cut out number shapes one through 10. Hand out one piece of paper to each child and provide them with various coloring tools. Instruct kids to trace any single number onto their page and then color it in. Add circles, stripes, or a swirl design the same number of times as is the number they are decorating. For example, if making the number three than add three random swirls anywhere inside the three shape.
Completing a science-based art project gives kids a chance to connect with nature and be creatively expressive. Combine this art activity with a lesson plan that teaches preschoolers how trees benefit the environment and people. Print a black outline of a tree for each child. Have the students color the entire tree including the trunk in green or brown. Help them glue on green and brown tissue paper over colored areas and allow to dry. Cut out the tree and glue it onto a piece of blue construction paper. Add clouds, birds and a sun.