It’s that time again!!! “Something
I Made Monday!!!”
This is a
special Monday because it is a PRIZE
day!!! Keep reading ;]
This is something
that I learned to do when I did in-home daycare years ago. I was working to get DHS certified and in
order to do that I had to take a 10-week (I think it was 10 weeks?) training
and education course through Childcare Resource and Referral. Anyway… it’s a special training for in-home
care providers and we learned how to do some pretty neat stuff!!
I introduce to you… the Flannel Board Story!!!!
These are
unbelievably simple to make, and fairly cheap, depending on which method (see
below) you choose to create them. Children
just adore them; teachers love to work with them. It’s a great visual aid. If you are looking for a more exciting way to
tell stories, these will capture your child’s attention and hold it.
So far, for
our family collection, I’ve made “The 7
Days of Creation”, “Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden”, “Noah’s Ark”, “Jesus’
Birth” (The Christmas Story), & “Jesus’ Death & Resurrection.”
When I did
in-home day care, I had the stories, “Brown
Bear, Brown Bear What do You See?”, “Old MacDonald”, “5 Little Monkeys Jumping
on the Bed”, “There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly”, & “Four Little Black Birds” (a story
I made up myself).
What You’ll Need:
· Milk
Filters: you’re probably thinking, “huh!?!” This is the most important piece. These can be picked up at farm supply stores,
like Fleet Farm. At the time I bought
these (like…6-7 years ago?) I paid $9.99 for a box of 100 15” milk filter
disks. I’m not anywhere near close to
using up the box yet. It’s the most
costly part of the project, but like I said, they’ve last me for years. The product should look similar to this…
· Crayons: The cheap kind work the best. I like “Cra-Z-Art” from Wal-Mart.
· Black Sharpie Marker
· Sheets of White Paper
· Scissors
· A Box with a Lid or a Metal Cookie Sheet:
I’ve used
both, and personally, I like the box method better because it contains storage
for your flannel stories. Although, the
cookie sheet idea is pretty cool, too.
This will be used as your “stage” to tell your story. I wanted a larger box because I want to be
able to fit all the characters I need to on the “stage.” I got my box at Pizza Hut for 25 cents. It’s the new “Big Box” version. I also got a smaller “P’Zone” box from them
for my “travel version.” This way we can
take the stories with us, but not have such a hefty box to haul around.
· A Piece of Flannel or Felt: This needs to be large enough to cover the
lid of your box or your cookie sheet.
Stick with a solid color.
· Storage solution to keep stories separated:
You could use something as simple as plastic baggies in a variety of sizes,
or a three-ring binder (you can get one for free from your bank!!) with clear plastic
sheet protectors. If using a box (built-in
storage) for your stage, you could get by with the baggies. If using the cookie sheet, you’ll probably
want to use the binder. Just be sure
your characters are kept flat; never fold them.
· Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks: Necessary for attaching
the flannel or felt to your stage. I use
a “cool melt” glue gun. It doesn’t get
as hot as a regular gun, so it won’t melt your fabric or make it too
stiff. This can be purchased at Hobby
Lobby for under $5.
· A Little Bit of Creativity & Some Artistic Talent:
You can create the characters for your stories anyway you choose. You can draw them yourself or find pictures
you’re looking for online or on a computer program. I prefer to draw them myself because the
other method never has exactly what I’m looking for. Don’t worry if you aren’t the best artist in
the world. These are for your children,
who think you’re the greatest even if you can only draw stick figures!!
How To: (Characters)
· First of all, choose a story you’d
like to tell your child. I prefer to
recreate Bible stories so we can use them during Children’s Church and Circle
Time. Read the story carefully and write
down all the characters you’d like to make for that story. (Example:
Adam & Eve: don’t forget the
fruit, the snake, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, etc. Those are all considered “characters.”)
· Start with the Sheets of White Paper & a Black
Sharpie Marker. Draw your characters
onto the white paper with the marker.
Remember to make the details, etc. fairly big because once you re-trace
them, everything will get smaller. Do
the best you can to follow the descriptions of characters in the story you are
choosing to tell. If using the computer
or online picture method, remember to re-size the pictures, if necessary, and print
them off.
· Re-trace the pictures onto a Milk Filter with the Marker by sliding your white sheet of
paper under the filter. Be sure to be a
good steward of your filters and use your space wisely! Fit as many characters onto one filter as you
can, but be sure to leave enough room so you can cut them out later.
· Color the traced characters with the Crayons. Remember details. If a character in a story is supposed to have
blonde hair, don’t give them brown hair.
· Cut your characters out with the Scissors. Don’t cut directly on the lines. I like to leave some white edging. This makes each piece a little more sturdy.
· Store your finished characters in the
Plastic Baggies or Three-ring binder. Be sure to label the baggies with a marker or
the sheet protector pages with a hand-made tab or piece or tape so you know
which story is which.
How To: (“Stage”)
· Box Method: Cut your felt
or flannel large enough to cover
the lid of your box. Cover the top with glue from your Glue Gun and lay the felt or flannel on
top. This part you’ll have to do quickly
because the glue drives very, very fast.
You may want to start by covering just a small portion with glue and
laying down your fabric little by little.
This way you have better control over getting it laid just right. Keep your stories tucked safely inside the
box.
· Cookie Sheet Method: Turn the Cookie Sheet onto its backside.
Cut your felt or flannel
large enough to cover the whole raised area.
Using your Glue Gun, glue
just small portions at a time and lay your fabric down little by little. Remember, the glue will dry quickly so you
have to be fast, but accurate. You won’t
get any do-overs. The fun part of the
cookie sheet method is that one side can be used for flannel stories, while the
other side can be used to stick magnets on.
Double cool!! Keep your
characters tucked safely in your three-ring-binder.
See!! I told you it was easy!! These are also very fun to make. Let yourself get as creative as you can! I hope all of you will try this project and
make a whole bunch of stories to share with your children. These could be great entertainment for
children while riding in the car, waiting at doctor’s appointments or at
restaurants, or any other situation where little ones might start to get
antsy. These are also a big help for Sunday
School, Vacation Bible School, AWANA or other kids’ programs, in the classroom
or home school, or just for fun to share with your children or grandchildren. But don’t forget to just sit down with a real
book and read to your child and point out things in the pictures. That’s a very important part of childhood,
too.
Now…the
moment you’ve all been waiting for!!
The Opportunity
to win a PRIZE!!!!
I will be
giving away a handmade flannel story of your choice to TWO, yes, TWO happy
people!!! All you have to do is leave a
comment in the comment section below sharing your favorite Bible Story or
Children’s Story and I will re-create it for you in flannel story form! I’ll also include a sheet of felt for your
stage. Be sure to leave a way for me to
contact you if you’re the winner, such as an email address. The
winners will be randomly selected on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22. You have until then to enter the
drawing!! Share the link to this page on
your facebook and with your friends! :]
Don’t be too
disappointed if you don’t win. I will
happily recreate a story for you in this form for $5/per story (Add $2 for
shipping per story, if necessary). Just send an
email to TheSegerstroms@hotmail.com
with “flannel story” in the subject line.
Be sure to include the name of the Bible Story or the title and author
of the children’s story you’d like me to recreate. Include your mailing information if shipping
is necessary. Payment must be received
in advance. Thank you for your support!!
:D
Happy Creating, and Happy Winning!! :]
My favorite bible story is David and Goliath. Peteyleann@yahoo.com. You are so fun Becky:) I need to do fun things like this to.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice!! :)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteOne of my favorites that came to mind right away is Esther!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Bible story is of course the story of Ruth. :) I so enjoy reading your blog, Becky! You have talents in so many ways!
ReplyDeleteThe Hungry Little Catepillar...of course.
ReplyDeleteI guess my kids would pick the "Napping House" for children's stories. This is the 1st time I have read your blog....love it. You are very talented and gifted. hjobutler@gmail.com
DeleteHeather Butler
Good night moon!
ReplyDeleteLeatha slauson (ellekayecee@yahoo.com)