Hip Boots in Cranberry Bogs

crayola supplies

Paint Brushes
Crayons
Erasable Colored Pencils
Markers
Washable Kid's Paint
No-Run School Glue
Pointed Tip Scissors
Construction Paper

household supplies

recycled newspaper
sponges
recycled boxes
paper towels
coffee filters
spray bottle filled with water
container(s) of water

Why

Kids delight in getting bogged down with this cranberry harvest scene! Sip on cranberry juice as you show how these beautiful red berries grow.

Steps

1. Legend has it that cranberries were served by Native Americans in Plymouth, Massachusetts, at the first Thanksgiving in 1621. Recipes containing cranberries go back to the early 1700s. Find more information about this fruit on the Internet. You'll discover that this unique fruit is grown only in North America. Create your own cranberry bog diorama to show a colorful harvest scene.
2. Cover your work area with recycled newspaper. Brush the inside of a recycled shoe box with Crayola Washable Kid's Paint to make the sky. Air-dry the paint. With a sponge, dab on shades of paint to resemble trees in autumn.
3. To make cranberries, use various shades of red Crayola Crayons to draw lines on several coffee filters, starting at the middle and moving to the outside edges. With a red Crayola Washable Marker, draw lines throughout the crayoned filter. Spritz the filter with water so colors run together. Air-dry the filters.
4. Cut off the end flaps of a shoe box lid to make your cranberry bog. Paint it to resemble land and water. Air-dry the paint. Sponge red paint on the water. Air-dry it again.
5. Tear the dry filters into pieces and roll them to form cranberries. Glue the cranberries on the red areas so they look like they are floating on water.
6. On white construction paper with Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils, sketch workers holding rakes. Color figures with markers. Cut out and glue workers standing in the water. Glue the bog inside the shoe box. Have a glass of cranberry juice or make some fresh cranberry muffins while it dries!

When & Where

"My children made several dioramas to show how fruits grow. Geography, nutrition, and climate were naturals."
- Rosa T., home-school parent of ages 9 and 11.

"We grind cranberries, make relish, and bake bread. Everyone helps create our cranberry bog, too."
- Marc C., family child care provider.

Interesting Info

Did you know that the only three native North American fruits are the Concord grape, the blueberry, and the cranberry?

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.

Sponges and Foam—Sponges, foam, and other expandable materials should not be used with children 3 years old and younger.