DIY Fungi Counting Game
The dregs of winter. Until the warmer weather routines start to return, I'm plodding along, trying new change-ups to the day where I can. This project is a fun, quick, easy DIY. It's perfect for my daughter, who lately is showing more interest in counting activities. I'm always trying to add to our collection of packable and simple activities for outings, or visits to friends homes that are kidless (and devoid of toy diversions). A big bonus- it isn't costly or hard to replace any pieces that get lost. We learned our rookie lesson quickly when we first started bringing a little bag of small fave toys out and about, and a couple treasures went missing. The iconic red spotted Amanita mushrooms always make me think of spring, conjuring images of Alice's adventures in her wonderland, forest friends emerging for woodland warm fun! And let's pretend the reason I picked a mushroom for this craft was because I sewed her a little red mushroom softie when I was expecting, or because her dad is a chef who is a fungi enthusiast. Let's definitely not think my reason was because I was too lazy to layer the kid in winter armor to trek out and buy felt, at which point I discovered I already had these colors from a past craft idea that never saw the light of day! Best of all- it's such a cheap project, around $2-$3 for the felt. Or do a free version with construction or colored cardstock if you also don't want to trek out!
Materials
felt sheets, 8 1/2" x 11" (1 white, 1 brown, and 3 red), * the pre-stiffened variety
Sharpie marker
scissors
tacky or white glue
Instructions
Draw 10 red "cap" shapes with sharpie marker. Remember to draw them in increasing size (the smallest will need to hold 1 circle, the next 2, and so forth). Draw 10 rectangular stems, also graduating in size from small to large. Cut the stem and cap shapes out. For the spots, cut the white felt into long strips (about 1" wide) and freehand cut the circles out. You'll need 55 circles, (I cut a handful of extra circles for when some inevitably get lost). Dab a little glue to the top edge of the brown stems, affix to the back of the cap pieces, and allow them to dry. Viola, a gnome-spring-forest themed counting game, in a jif, and on a dime! Take that, Winter.
