Starting School Treat Cone

crayola supplies

household supplies

Why

What is more exciting than your child's very first day of school? Make a starting school treat cone with your child and learn about the charming German custom of Schultüte.

Steps

  1. 1. In Germany parents celebrate a child's first day of school by making a hand-made cone called a Schultüte. They fill it with school supplies, snacks, and other fun things. Children then carry their Schultüten with them on the first day of the school year. To make your own Schultüte, start by rolling a piece of poster board into a large cone.
  2. 2. Glue the edges down with Crayola® Glue Sticks. Trim the large opening with Crayola Scissors so it is flat. Add a few staples at the top and bottom for extra support.
  3. 3. Roll construction paper around the point of the cone and glue. Tie brightly colored ribbon or string around the bottom.
  4. 4. Using Crayola Washable Markers, decorate your Schultüte with your name, shapes, swirls, and pictures of your favorite things.
  5. 5. Glue tissue paper around the top edge of the cone. Fill your Schultüte with goodies. Gather the tissue toward the center and tie.

When & Where

"Kids who were about to start kindergarten made Schultütens. They were much better prepared for the transition to school."
- Laurie S., preschool volunteer.

"A great way to make our German studies relate to real-life kids!"
- Tina D., home-school parent of children ages 6 and 10.

Interesting Info

Did you know that kindergarten began in Germany and is a German word? The German word for children is kinder and garten means garden. What a picturesque way to describe a child's first school experiences! Can you figure out how to translate Schultüten?

Safety Guidelines

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

String-Like Materials—Includes string, raffia, lacing, yarn, ribbon, and other similar material. Children 3 years and younger should not be given any string-like material that is longer than 12 inches. Close adult supervision is essential whenever children use string-like material. When crafts are to be worn around the necks of children 8 years and younger, attach the ends of the “string-like material” with clear adhesive tape, which allows easy release of the bond if the craft becomes entangled or caught on equipment. For children older than 8 years, the ends of the “string-like material” may be tied and knotted.

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