Cute Crafts: Alligators

Handprint alligator. Paint child's hand with green paint and make a print on one side of the paper. Let the child paint a body and teeth. Use sticker or googly eyes.

Letter A alligator. We use our Ellison die-cut to make letters, but you can print one out in Word and cut it out of green paper. Set out green and white paper for children to cut out triangles. Add a sticker or googly eye.

I presented an alligator and crocodile storytime about a month ago with these crafts. We read the following books:

The Wide-Mouthed Frog is probably one of my favorite books to share with a group. When I open up that page with the alligator mouth popping out, everyone in the room leans back. The little ones don't get the punch-line most of the time, but I like to think the parents explain it later.

I presented my version of "Five Little Monkeys Swinging in the Trees," which becomes five little froggies sticking to a tree. A co-worker said I should make a tree, so that is on my list of projects.

Finally, I shared the circular story of When the Elephant Walks. I love the end when the animals are all piled up. One day, we'll act this one out...

Come Together Kids is hosting a linky party for all things fun with children's books.

Flannel Friday: 5 Little Froggies

"Five Little Froggies" sung to the tune of "Five Little Monkeys Swinging in the Tree" traditional song adapted by Miss Courtney.

Five little froggies sitting in a tree,

Teasing Baby Alligator, “Can’t catch me!”

Along comes Baby Alligator quiet as can be,

And, “BOO,” scares that froggie right out of the tree.

Repeat: 4,3,2,1, and there were no more frogs to tease that sweet alligator

I used some non-fiction frog books we have in our collection as inspiration for these red-eyed tree frogs. I used fabric markers for the little details. 

Animal print flannel rocks! I really want to add a diaper to this little guy, since I call him "baby alligator." He doesn't have any teeth, so I guess that works.

While I'm singing and using the flannel pieces for this story, I encourage the children to act out the story as well. We hold up fingers on one hand and use the other hand to make an alligator mouth. We cover our eyes and say, BOO!


To view the rest of this week's round-up, visit Rain Makes Applesauce. The focus of the week was the Summer Reading Club theme, Dream Big READ. Fun fact-- Alligators are nocturnal!