Children celebrating the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah can have some craft fun by creating a paper mache apple serving bowl that can have a prominent place on the holiday dinner table. This project takes a while to dry so plan to create it at least a week in advance. Preschoolers and young elementary age children will need some adult help with the steps while older children and preteens may be able to work on their own.
Fall Crafts for Kids
To do this paper mache project, get a round balloon (the color doesn’t matter), flour and water, a measuring cup, a mixing bowl, a spoon or spatula for mixing, newspaper or newsprint, and a vinyl tablecloth to cover the work surface. To finish the project, gather red and green paint, a brush, a knife, and aluminum foil.
Start by blowing up the balloon so it is about the size of a man’s fist. To make a smaller apple, keep the balloon smaller. Mix a half cup of flour to a half cup of water. Mix well to eliminate any lumps. If the mixture seems too thick, add a teaspoon of water and stir well. If the mixture is too thin, add a teaspoon of flour and stir well.
Tear the newspaper or newsprint into strips approximately one-half to one-inch wide and three-to-five inches long. No need to measure or cut the strips with scissors; the goal is short, thin strips. Dip one strip of paper into the flour and water mixture and squeegee the excess between the index and middle finger. If flour is dripping off the paper, there is too much of the mixture. Apply the strip to the balloon.
Continue adding flour and water covered paper strips until the balloon is covered. Overlap the strips of paper and put them in different directions to add to the strength of the piece. Try to cover most of the balloon with three layers of paper mache. Leave the knot and end exposed.
Set this someplace to dry (temperature and humidity will affect this process. When the piece is completely dry, take a pin and pop the balloon. With an adult’s help, carefully slice the round shape in half so the top of the shape comes off. (The top is where the knot of the balloon was.)
Paint both halves red and the interior white. Allow the paint to dry completely. Either paint on leaves or cut them from construction paper or felt. If desired, tuck a brown chenille stem into the hole at the top and decorate with leaves for the stem.
Line the inside of the bottom half of the apple with foil or set a small bowl or cup in the bottom and fill with honey. Because the apple will roll, set the base in a bowl for support. Put the top of the apple in place and bring to the dinner table.
Craft Fun With Holiday Decorations
Make a chenille stem honeybee to decorate the stem of the apple. Hold a yellow and a black chenille stem together and wrap around a pencil. Slide the coil off and squeeze it together. Cut a white chenille stem in quarters and use one of the pieces to fashion wings. Sit the honeybee on the apple stem. Make a hive of bees to decorate the table.
Children can make a contribution to the holiday table by making a paper mache apple that gets filled with the honey apple slices will be dipped. Crafts and arts for kids help bring them into the family’s preparations for Rosh Hashanah.
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