Hey everyone, it’s my favorite time of year and I have a sweet, fun printable to share with you! If you dig scavenger hunts then check out these awesome activities to get the kids excited this Halloween season. We've included tips and tricks for setting up your own spooky Halloween scavenger hunt (how to play, clue ideas, prize options, etc.). Plus, we've included free printables to use for the activity — including clue cards, winner's coupons, and an "I spy" list.

If you’d like to download these beautifully illustrated Halloween printables then head on over here to get everything you need! Happy Halloween to all!

Hey parents and teachers, did you know that Fire Prevention Week starts October 3rd? It's right around the corner and a great way to teach your children or students about fire safety. With so many people working and schooling from home, it's important to have a house plan in case of an emergency. Below are some fun yet educational printables for kids about fire safety tips from HomeAdvisor. Get the conversations going and make sure your entire household is on board!

If you’d like to print out these fun activities just follow the link here to take you straight to the downloads page!

It’s the end of Black History Month and the past year has brought us all something very fundamental to think about when we discuss ethnicity and acceptance. I think it’s so important for us to teach Black History along with any other historical events if not now more than ever. Even though the Black Panther movie was just a movie it also symbolized a turning point for representation in our culture, something that many folks are very uncomfortable with, even I admittedly struggle with showing representation in the content I share on The Art Dream. Going forward I want to make sure to touch upon inclusivity and make The Art Dream a place where all children can find something that speaks personally to them.

Chadwick Boseman is the actor who played the Black Panther and he also tragically died in 2020 from a cancer he had kept secret, he was a fighter, he was noble and his actions are admirable, he didn’t let his sickness define him or stop him from accomplishing his goals and that’s the message I hope is carried through this printable project. Chadwick Boseman was a hero on screen as well as off screen and this month I chose to honor his bravery for Black History Month. His legacy will continue to live on.

You can download my printable right here in this post below, I’ve created two options, one already colored and a black and white version to color yourself! I’ve also put together a photo tutorial with directions on how to construct this pop-up. You can also view my baby Yoda/Grogu tutorial in my previous post for a very similar video tutorial.

Here is the pre-colored printable...

Here is the color your own printable...

Materials:

• Cardstock
• Utility knife or scissors
• Glue
• ​Markers/colored pencils etc.

Directions:

Step 1. First download and print the pdf onto cardstock paper, you may even want to try a lightly colored cardstock like in my sample image. Color the images first, then cut out the pieces carefully, they don’t have to be cut perfectly.

Step 2. For the pop-up card, use a utility knife to cut along the solid lines only and then score on the dotted lines. Scoring is important because it will guide the paper on where to fold.

Step 3. Next is the tricky part, you have to carefully pop the box cutouts forward by bending and manipulating the paper, if you’ve scored correctly this step should go smoothly and everything should fold flat.

Step 3. Glue the portrait of Chadwick Boseman to the larger center box fold and the arms to the two smaller, longer box folds.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! Since many students are still doing virtual learning during this pandemic, we’ve found some fun ideas for them to do at home. The University of St. Augustine has printable Valentine’s Day-themed activities that are great for keeping the kids engaged and motivated. Check them out:

Grogu is the perfect Valentine this year and you’ll love seeing him pop-up from inside of his little pod. Get the printable in this post to make your very own baby Yoda from The Mandalorian! I always look forward to seeing each installment of The Mandalrian, it’s packed with adventure and suspense, but most notably, Baby Yoda, who as we know now is not actually “Yoda” he’s just the same species, this guy’s name is Grogu, and I’m very happy to be presenting him to you in this fun pop-up project.

My students will soon be making their own pop-up cards and I thought it would be great to make this Grogu pop-up as an example. I’ve provided you with the printables below as well as a tutorial video on how to put this pop-up together. I’ve even included several different versions of Grogu, a pinkish Valentine’s Day theme, a color your own version and a traditional version, whichever you choose I’m sure you and the kids will have fun bringing this pop-up to life. Remember to add your own designs and embellishments to this project!

This is the Valentine’s Day Grogu, print it on a light pink paper for a fun effect!

Here is the traditionally colored Grogu!

And here is one for you to color how you wish!

Materials:

• Cardstock paper to print on
• Scissors
• Craft knife
• Glue
• Ruler to help cut straight lines
• Bone folder or tool to make a scored line
• Any other additional embellishments or add-ons
  

Check out my video below for a full tutorial that will guide you through putting this project together!

Take a look at my Grogu with traditional color, you can decorate the background however you wish! Add a drawing, stickers or even a painting, the possibilities are endless, have fun and may the force be with you!

Hi everyone and Happy New Year, has anyone mentioned how unprecedented 2020 was? Oh like literally everyone, right?! Yea we all know the past year will go down in the history books but let’s at least start 2021 on the right foot with my printable calendar or schedule planner for students. I’m teaming up with Chalkola.com on this New Year’s project with a little giveaway. To enter for a chance to win a set of the markers featured below check out the entry rules on Instagram. I used these amazing acrylic paint markers, they are so rich and opaque, it’s an artist’s dream!

As a teacher it’s important for me to stay organized and ahead of schedule (as best as possible) but that’s not always realistic especially since we have been thrown the biggest curve ball ever with online teaching. When I’m with my students in the classroom I can much better hold them accountable and make sure they’re staying on task but when we’re all home and on our own it’s easy to lose track, and it gets pretty tough when you don’t have a routine. I was finding that my students were having some trouble self disciplining themselves when it came to being on time for our Zoom meetings. This semester I’m going to start them off with designing their own calendar/schedule planner to help get them better organized in 2021.

I’ve also collaborated with Chalkola.com and used these wonderful markers to draw on my calendar print out, which you can download below for free in this post! If you’d also like to try and score a free set of 20 acrylic paint markers then go ahead and enter on Instagram, but keep in mind the giveaway won’t last long.

If you’d like to try my calendar, just download and print, be sure to set your printer settings to “fit to page” if need be. Decorate it as you wish and fill out the month and days, check out my video below as well, have fun!

It’s the spookiest time of year... and election year only makes it scarier. Teach your children the importance of voting while using classic Halloween images as the subject.

It’s 2020 and probably the most important presidential election of our lifetime is right around the corner. I plan to vote early, how about you? It’s good to have a plan, we’re already seeing record numbers of voters out there and long lines. It’s also important for us to teach children and teens how important it is for all of us to take part in our democratic process. Why not teach them early with this adorable pumpkin jack-o-lantern collage!

We cannot take our right to vote lightly, it is probably one of the most patriotic things we can do in our country and it’s in our hands to choose the path this country should take. We can all work together to bring the change every American so rightly and desperately deserves. Children should get accustomed to feeling a sense of pride and duty when thinking about voting and they should really look forward to casting their ballots when the time comes. We should celebrate this privilege just as we would any other holiday. So start while they are young.

I was very certain to cut out images and phrases about voting to use in my project. I saved them and glued them on at the end to be sure they were a highlight of my pumpkin, you could say he is a “political pumpkin”, he serves the purpose of celebrating voting and the season of Halloween all in one!

You’ll need just a few basic materials to create this project and be sure to check out my full video tutorial below!

Materials:

1. Flyers or magazines
2. Black and white cardstock
3. Colored cardstock
4. Glue
5. ​Scissors

I’ll always emerge from my crypt to make a Halloween craft or project, this haunting tomb will certainly raise your soul! Made with Crayola Model Magic and some spooky creativity.
​I’m a huge fan of Crayola Model Magic, and I’ll always give great reviews for its versatility, cleanliness and enjoyment factor. Here I’ve used a mold to create this awesome and creepy tomb with a skeleton inside. Take a look at my video tutorial below. You will need the mold which I’ve purchased on Amazon, but you can use any silicon mold you’d like.

I mentioned above that you need the coffin mold to make this exact project which you can find here, I’ve used it a few times now in the classroom and my students love it when we make our Halloween sculptures. In addition to the mold, you’ll also need a few basics as well.

Materials:

1. White Crayola Model Magic
2. Craft paint
3. Paint brushes
4. Cardboard
5. ​Moss or any add ons
6. Scissors
7. ​Hot glue

Now check out my video tutorial below for full instructions! I love Halloween and I can’t wait to see what you make, feel free to share your projects and creations with me here at The Art Dream!

Summer is here and the idea of backyard camping is soaring in popularity. Without leaving your own yard, what better way to spend a tech-free day with the kids outside? A fun "camping" experience requires activities, of course. Below, check out some printable activities to get started. The kids will be using their imaginations and you'll be creating family memories together in no time.

Creative Critter Collage
Use nature as inspiration and search for things in your yard to make creative critters. Collect cool leaves, flowers, twigs, weeds, and more to create unique animal faces. All you need is some glue and creativity. Who can make use of the most unique natural materials? Download these printable critters here.

Check out the links below for more backyard camping activities for you and your little campers!

Constellation Connect-the-Dots
Get ready for stargazing before it's totally dark by connecting the dots of several famous constellations. Then color them in together, and make them as elaborate or colorful as you'd like. When the stars are visible in the night sky, you can find the constellations together with your newfound knowledge after drawing them. You can download this printable connect-the-dots activity here.

Campfire Storytelling Activity
Have some laughs together by taking turns storytelling based on random story elements. All you need is a single die, the story creation sheet, and your imagination. Each person rolls the die 5 times, circling whichever story elements correspond with the number rolled under each category. You can download this printable storytelling activity here.

5 Senses Scavenger Hunt
Let kids discover the hidden wonders of their own backyard using their 5 senses. Download this printable sensory scavenger hunt here.

Who doesn’t love baby Yoda, I don’t know either! You know I love toilet paper tube crafts, so here’s my cute baby Yoda, I know ya’ll got those toilet tubes at home these days!

I love Star Wars, it’s one of my favorite stories, and why haven’t we pictured a baby Yoda before The Mandalorian? I don’t know, but it’s genius, the creators and writers never cease to amaze me! Anyway here is the video tutorial for how I made my toilet tube baby Yoda!

In a galaxy far, far away...

Again just some simple materials you probably already have at home, if not then try to improvise, here’s what you’ll need. I also didn’t use anything fancy like glitter or felt but feel free to add your own creative touches!

Materials:

• Cardboard toilet tube
• Cardstock paper
• Glue
• Paint
• Egg carton scraps for the ears

May the force be with you!