Dande-Lion Threading Craft
This “dande-lion” threading craft is the perfect way to use up those dandelions that are taking over your yard, all while providing a fun opportunity to practice fine motor skills! It is sturdy, reusable, made from recycled materials, and includes a free template that you can print out at home.
Servings: 1 "dande-lion"
Ingredients
- 1 piece sturdy cardboard square, about 11"x11" (or a smaller size of your choice)
- 1 pair sharp metal scissors
- 1 glue stick
- 1 wooden pencil
- freshly picked dandelions as needed
Instructions
- Print the template on regular printer paper, then use scissors to cut out the lion’s face.
- Use a glue stick (or a small amount of liquid glue) to glue the lion’s face to an 11x11-inch piece of cardboard.
- Use a pencil to trace a curved line in each of the four corners of the piece of cardboard, then cut along the lines using sharp scissors to create a round shape for your lion’s mane.
- Use a pencil to poke holes through the cardboard all around the lion’s face, making sure to press down and twist the pencil to widen the holes. (We created about 90 holes—organized in 3 rows—but the number you create is up to you.)
- Once you are done creating all the holes, have your child pick some dandelions and thread them through the holes to create a yellow mane for the lion!
Video
Notes
1. Choose the right size: The piece of cardboard we used was about 11x11 inches and had about 90 holes, but if you wish to make your lion smaller, you can decrease the print scale to make the lion's face smaller on the printed template.
2. Helpful tips:
- Push and twist the pencil: To ensure that the dandelions will fit, make sure to widen the holes by pushing down on the pencil and twisting it a bit.
- Cut the dandelion stems: This craft works best with dandelions that have a stem of about 2 inches, as this prevents them from bending and breaking while you thread them through the holes.
- Protect the lion's face: To make the threading board as long as possible, cover the printed lion's face with clear contact paper to protect it from moisture.