DIY Kids-Made Star Ornament and Math Game

Help children learn the value of giving to others with this simple DIY Kid-Made Star Ornament and Math Game. Great for toddlers to big kids (see math game rules below!)

DIY Kid-Made Star Ornament and Math Game

Since the simple gingerbread ornament post was so popular last week, I thought I would post another one that is very simple and easy for toddlers to do.

I really want to instill the value of “It is better to give than to receive” in my children’s hearts.  It is SO hard for a 2 year old to grasp this idea, so I wanted him to help make and give to others what he has made.  Although companies such as Oriental Trading have adorable ornaments to make, these ornament pieces are pre-made and pre-cut out.  Each ornament will end up looking very similar.  The focus is more on the product than the process.  These ones let your kids practice gluing and fine motor skills and no matter how many or few noodles get glued on, these turn out great.

Read on to find out how to incorporate a little math learning too!
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Materials Needed for DIY Kid-Made Star Ornament and Math Game

• Metallic Gold Spray Paint
• Permanent Marker
  1-Hole Punch
• Uncooked Elbow Noodles
• Empty Cardboard Box
• Scissor
• School Glue
• Newspaper
• Red Chinelle Stems /Pipe Cleaners or thin red ribbon
• Thick Red Ribbon
• Glue Gun with Glue Sticks

Directions to make DIY Kid-Made Star Ornament and Math Game

1. ADULTS: Cut a star shape out of the box.

Make a hole near the edge using the hold punch.

2. Use the permanent marker and write the child’s name on the back of the star.

3. ADULT ONLY STEP: Set the cardboard star on newspapers outside, away from children. Follow all safety instructions on your paint container.  Spray with gold paint. Let dry. This will be the back of the ornament.

4. Set the star – shiny side down on the table. Let the child place drop of glue on the star.  Put a noodle on top of each glue drop.

Squeezing the glue and picking up the noodles with the thumb and pointer finger makes this star ornament a great fine-motor skills craft.

MATH SPIN ON IT:
Roll and Cover Christmas Star: For older children, let them roll 1 die and call out the number Place the same amount of glue dots as the number rolled. Then cover each glue dot with a noodle.  Repeat rolling until the star has been filled. Challenge: How many noodles are on the star all together?

For an EXTRA math challenge: Hand children two dice. Let them roll both and place either the sum or the difference on their star.  a 2 and a 4 would mean children could place either 2 glue dots (4-2=2) or 6 glue dots on their star (4+2=6)

4. Allow the star to dry.

5. ADULT ONLY STEP: Set the dried noodle star on newspapers outside, away from children. Follow all safety instructions on your paint container.  Spray with gold paint.  Make sure to paint from several angles until all the noodles and cardboard is covered. Allow to dry

6. Thread the red Pipe Cleaner through the hole and twist.

OPTIONAL: Have the children wrap their star ornament with tissue paper to give as a gift.

Click here for more ideas for Christmas Activities with Toddler

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