Fiskars: Hands-On Lessons and Crafts
Want to hook every student in the class? Break out the old-fashioned scissors and glue. While improving their fine motor skills, students who engage in tactile, hands-on crafts activate their brains in powerful ways--increasing memory and knowledge. Try these colorful activities to meet the standards in math, science, and more, and watch kids' confidence take off!
Articles
Hands-On, Minds-On Activities
by Samantha Cleaver
As you plan your next unit, consider incorporating these hands-on activities to engage every student in your classroom.
by Samantha Cleaver
As you plan your next unit, consider incorporating these hands-on activities to engage every student in your classroom.
Lesson Plans
Paper Pumpkins
Pumpkins are uniquely American. Learn about how Native Americans planted the "three sisters"—corn, beans, and pumpkins.
Pumpkins are uniquely American. Learn about how Native Americans planted the "three sisters"—corn, beans, and pumpkins.
Royal Hats
Everyone wants to be a king or queen for a day. Explore with students which countries still have royal figures at the head of their governments.
Everyone wants to be a king or queen for a day. Explore with students which countries still have royal figures at the head of their governments.
Valentine Pop-up Card and Envelope
How can you say "I Love You" in different languages?
How can you say "I Love You" in different languages?
Paper Lanterns
The Chinese Lantern Festival is a special holiday at the end of February.
The Chinese Lantern Festival is a special holiday at the end of February.
Tissue Box Train
Explore with your class the building of the transcontinental railroad that links the United States from East to West.
Explore with your class the building of the transcontinental railroad that links the United States from East to West.
People Paper Chains
Simple paper folding, tracing, and cutting result in a strand of people clasping hands in friendship. Investigate the dress and customs of people of other nations. Children will enjoy learning how to say hello in different languages.
Simple paper folding, tracing, and cutting result in a strand of people clasping hands in friendship. Investigate the dress and customs of people of other nations. Children will enjoy learning how to say hello in different languages.
Bright Bouquet
Winter, spring, summer, fall—the season is always right for a bouquet of colorful flowers. Explain that flowers have long been a favorite subject for painters, artists, and writers.
Winter, spring, summer, fall—the season is always right for a bouquet of colorful flowers. Explain that flowers have long been a favorite subject for painters, artists, and writers.
Woven Place Mat
Weaving is the oldest surviving craft dating as far back as 12,000 years ago. As a class, explore a time line of weaving.
Weaving is the oldest surviving craft dating as far back as 12,000 years ago. As a class, explore a time line of weaving.
Patriotic Pinwheels
In red, white, and blue, these are wonderful decorations for an Independence Day party. John Adams, a Founding Father and our second president, had strong ideas about celebrating our nation's freedom.
In red, white, and blue, these are wonderful decorations for an Independence Day party. John Adams, a Founding Father and our second president, had strong ideas about celebrating our nation's freedom.
Chomping Bookmarks
As they read, children will delight as these toothy bookmarks 'chomp' their way through their books. As a class, explore the history of bookmarks, which is as old as books themselves.
As they read, children will delight as these toothy bookmarks 'chomp' their way through their books. As a class, explore the history of bookmarks, which is as old as books themselves.
Tree Talk
In this lesson, students will learn about the many different kinds of trees. When the lesson is complete, you'll have a beautiful paper tree to hang in your classroom.
In this lesson, students will learn about the many different kinds of trees. When the lesson is complete, you'll have a beautiful paper tree to hang in your classroom.
Make Your Own Thermometer
Students will test and record the temperature of various objects, and will make their own paper thermometer crafts.
Students will test and record the temperature of various objects, and will make their own paper thermometer crafts.
Pumpkin Patch
This lesson on the growth cycle of a pumpkin will teach your students how a tiny pumpkin seed turns into an enormous jack-o’-lantern.
This lesson on the growth cycle of a pumpkin will teach your students how a tiny pumpkin seed turns into an enormous jack-o’-lantern.
The Rainbow Fish
Read the timeless story about "the most beautiful fish in the entire ocean" and teach students how friendship and sharing make him unique.
Read the timeless story about "the most beautiful fish in the entire ocean" and teach students how friendship and sharing make him unique.
Felt Finger Puppets
Lights, camera, action! Get a dramatic dialogue going between your students about a book they're reading.
Lights, camera, action! Get a dramatic dialogue going between your students about a book they're reading.
Halloween Mobiles
On October 31, hang these eco-critters—spiders, pumpkins, and ghosts—in your classroom to celebrate!
On October 31, hang these eco-critters—spiders, pumpkins, and ghosts—in your classroom to celebrate!
Steve Jenkins-Inspired Animals
Break into the world of illustration with artwork from paper-cutting extraordinaire Steve Jenkins.
Break into the world of illustration with artwork from paper-cutting extraordinaire Steve Jenkins.
My Own Clock
Telling time can be tricky for many students. With their own hand-made personal clocks, they’ll have the opportunity to practice independently.
Telling time can be tricky for many students. With their own hand-made personal clocks, they’ll have the opportunity to practice independently.
Links of Language
Discover the complexity of the English language with students. Connect words together to make creative sentences while practicing parts of speech.
Discover the complexity of the English language with students. Connect words together to make creative sentences while practicing parts of speech.
Beautiful Butterflies
Who'd have thought a tiny critter could grow into a stunning butterfly? Share with your students their incredible life cycle and turn your classroom into a conservatory of beautiful butterflies.
Who'd have thought a tiny critter could grow into a stunning butterfly? Share with your students their incredible life cycle and turn your classroom into a conservatory of beautiful butterflies.
Pizza Party!
It's pizza time! Teach students the various parts of a whole by fitting together slices of a pie. Add toppings for addition and subtraction practice, and voila! That's one delicious lesson.
It's pizza time! Teach students the various parts of a whole by fitting together slices of a pie. Add toppings for addition and subtraction practice, and voila! That's one delicious lesson.
The Very Hungry Vocabulary Caterpillar
Munch, munch, munch. This caterpillar is very hungry...for vocabulary! After reading Eric Carle's classic book, work with your students to create inspired sentences of their own.
Munch, munch, munch. This caterpillar is very hungry...for vocabulary! After reading Eric Carle's classic book, work with your students to create inspired sentences of their own.
Geometric Mosaics
Math and art go hand in hand with these colorful geometric mosaics. Share with students the various shapes-circle, square, triangle, and rectangle-and let the mosaic-making begin.
Math and art go hand in hand with these colorful geometric mosaics. Share with students the various shapes-circle, square, triangle, and rectangle-and let the mosaic-making begin.
Math Cubes
Put a spin on traditional addition and subtraction practice; just roll the dice! Students will construct math cubes out of paper and felt. See how many equations you can make.
Put a spin on traditional addition and subtraction practice; just roll the dice! Students will construct math cubes out of paper and felt. See how many equations you can make.
