It's a fact: kids love bears. Capitalize on your child's love of these cuddly creatures by making a stuffed bear that'll help introduce him to the letter "B". He'll have so much fun making and playing with his stuffed animal, he won't even realize he's learning!
What You Need:
Bear pattern (click here for printable)
2 pieces of brown, fuzzy felt
Sharpie or black marker
Large plastic needle
Thick knitting yarn
Glue gun
2 googly eyes
Hole punch
Squeeze bottle of puff paint
Polyester stuffing (available at fabric and craft stores)
What You Do:
Download the pattern for your bear’s body and cut it out.
Have your child help you trace two bear shapes onto the felt with the sharpie or marker.
Cut out your bear shapes.
Stack the two bear shapes on top of each other and use the hole punch to punch holes around the edge of your bear at 1/2-inch intervals. Make sure you punch through both layers each time. Encourage your child to help you as much as he can.
Glue two googly eyes on the bear with the hot glue gun. Have your child use yarn to make the bear's mouth and nose, then glue these onto the bear's face.
Ask your child to use the puff paint to make a nice big B on the bear’s tummy. Set aside to dry.
When the paint and glue are dry, help him thread his needle with yarn and make a knot at the end.
It's time to lace up your bear! Have him pull the needle up through one hole, then bring it down through next hole. Encourage him to keep lacing until only a few holes are left.
Have your child stuff his bear with the polyester stuffing through the opening. Don't add too much, or the stitches will start to stretch.
Help your child stitch up the opening and tie a knot at the end.
At the end, talk to your child about the letter "B". Can he think of words that start with "B"?
By Julie Williams
Julie Williams, M.A. Education, taught middle and high school History and English for seventeen years. Since then, she has volunteered in elementary classrooms while raising her two sons and earning a master's in school administration. She has also been a leader in her local PTA.