As you might have guessed, this issue is dedicated to Easter crafts and activities. I realize that some of you don't celebrate Easter, but I hope you'll take a look through this issue anyway. There are other activities that don't have to be strictly used for Easter like the bunny crafts and the lamb... These would work with any animal theme too.

Enjoy the Easter Crafts!

Little Kid^TM Crafts

• Toilet Paper Tube Bunny - What would Easter be without at least one toilet paper tube craft? This one is really easy... I've even included templates for the bunny parts to make it super simple.

• Beaded Milk Jug Basket - You've probably seen the standard "milk jug basket" before, but this is a really nice way to dress one up and make it look really fancy. My kids were so crazy about this idea that they want to make these for their "official" Easter baskets this year.

• Cute Little Easter Lamb - This cute little Easter lamb is sure to bring a smile to anyone's face who sees it! It may look a little complicated, but it's easy enough for even younger children to make with a little help. Sorry the picture isn't better!

• Composite Eggs - These eggs are super simple to make and they really take on a life of their own when younger children get involved. This is a great activity to provide a wide range of tactile experiences for little kids, and they'll be proud of their creations.

• Tie Dye Easter Cross - When you see what this colorful cross is made of and how simple it is to make, you won't believe it. You can also get a little extra learning in and talk about how the colors mix to create new colors.

• Easter Moasic Eggs - This is a quick and easy craft project that you can pull off on the spur of the moment without any preparation. It also serves to give those little hands a little cutting practice... something they could always use.

• Paper Plate Easter Basket - Paint the back side of a paper plate brown or tan (basket colors). Let dry. Cut out half of the inside of a paper plate to make the basic basket with handle. Cut several egg shapes out of different colors of construction paper. Glue a few strands of green easter grass to the back side of the plate so that it pokes out into the opening in the plate. Glue several eggs to the back of the plate so that they also peek up into the opening in the plate. Flip the basket over and write "Happy Easter" on the plate.

• Paper Plate Easter Bunny - Cut 2 long bunny ears from pink construction paper. Ears should be about 8 inches long and 2 - 3 inches wide. Cut a second smaller set of ears from white construction paper. Glue the white ears onto the pink ears to make the center of the ears. Glue 2 large pink pom poms onto the middle back side of a 9 inch paper plate to make the bunny's cheeks. Glue a medium black or brown pom pom above the 2 pink pom poms. Draw in eyes and whiskers with a black marker. Glue the ears to the back of a paper plate so that they stick out from behind the plate.

You'll find more Easter craft ideas and coloring pages if you click the link.

More Challenging Crafts and Activities

• Perler Peter Cotton Tail - You're bound to get a lot of "ooos" and "aaahs" when you finish this project. It takes about an hour, but it's worth it. When you're finished, you'll have a project that you're proud of and that you want to keep even after Easter is over. This one is definitely not for younger children.

• Easter Picture Frame - You'll use an old 4 x 6 picture frame to make the easter bunny, or you can make a frame out of paper. First print out the Easter picture frame template. Trace the bunny's head, feet, and hands onto heavy white construction paper. Trace the bunny's large and small foot pads, inner ears, and nose out on pink construction paper. Cut all the pieces out. Glue the inner ears onto the head. Glue all the foot pads to the feet. Glue on 2 wiggle eyes and the nose. With a black marker, draw in the whiskers and the lines between the toes on the front paws. Glue the head to the back of the frame so that the head looks like it's peeking out from behind it. Glue the hands onto the from of the frame near the top. Glue the feet in the bottom two corners. Tie a bow out of ribbon and glue it to the top of the frame under the bunny's nose. Let all the glue dry completely before you put a picture in your frame. This craft would also work really well with craft foam.

• Bunny Chain - Print out the bunny chain template. Fold an 8 1/2 x 11 inch piece of paper in half (short sides together) and then fold in it half again. You'll have a long skinny piece now. Put the bunny template on the big fold and trace around it. The bunny's back should be on one fold, and the ear, paw, and foot should be on the opposite fold. Cut on the lines and open up to reveal the bunny chain. You can color or decorate the bunnies if you want.

By the way, don't forget to check out the message boards at: