Craft Day at MCPK

Dear friends,

This post has been a few weeks in the making, but I never seemed to find time or the energy to give it the attention it needs. So, having somewhat recuperated and having caught up with email and messages, after what it felt like an endless stream of craft shows and trade shows, it is time to share this wonderful and wondrous experience with you.

During the planning sessions for the launch of our new product, All-In-One Toddler Nap Mat (pictured above in Pajama Blue), our PR and marketing strategist Cole Hernandez of Pink Graffiti shared a vision board for the trade show booth that would look like a mini preschool classroom. We all agreed that is an amazing idea, and decided to go for it. But, then we realized that preschool classroom walls are always lined with art work, which we didn't have.

So, I decided to take it to source, and asked my children's teachers at Montclair Community Pre-K if they would be interested in organizing a craft day, sponsored by Woolly Boo, where we would bring many different craft supplies and tools for the kids to use and create whatever strikes their fancy. Teachers were delighted by the idea, and were very excited that kids were going to practice their fine motor skills, as well as their imagination.

To keep us on track and within the theme of wool, sheep, and sleep, I downloaded several different sheep coloring pages, like this one from Crayola. Then, I packed my goody bag of craft supplies. Now, some might say that I am a little biased when it comes to crafting supplies (wink, wink). And that I have expensive taste. I have to assure you that my bias comes from the years of experience as a hardcore scrapbook enthusiast. Anyway, this is what our goody bag contained:

• Martha Stewart Crafts: paper punch, glitter, glitter glue, ink pads, and white felt applique stickers
• Various stamps
• Scissors
• Glue
• Various coloring pages
• Sheep felt appliques
• Cotton balls

Needless to say, kids had a great time creating their art. For me as a mom, it was amazing to watch the creative process and the way children make decisions on what and how to use their tools. The end results blew me away and were completely different from what any of us imagined the artwork would look like. Here is a little taste:

You can view the full gallery of artwork by clicking on the Flickr badge on the right side of the screen, or by clicking on this link.

Throughout the day, the teachers kept mentioning the high quality of the glitter, glue, and ink pads, and how easy they are to use and reuse. So after we cleaned up, I left all the glitter (the ones pictured, as well as the entire collection of iridescent glitter) that kids found inspiring and fun. My only regret is that I didn't have more to share it with the other classes in the school.

 
My appeal to everyone reading this is as follows: make sure to bring the toys, craft supplies, and books that your preschoolers have outgrown to a local pre-K. They will receive a whole new life and a lot of love from the kids and teachers there.

Warmly,
Selma

Disclosure: This post has not in any way been sponsored by any of the brands or institutions mentioned above. All the supplies have been purchased by my own personal funds and donated to the school. The children have received their artwork back, as well as the digital images of the artwork. And some stickers :)