Monster Printables and Dollar Store Crafts for Kids

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Monster Printables and Dollar Store Crafts for Kids

Monsters are make believe creatures that can become friends when treated with love and kindness, right?  I am excited to share these printables that I created in 2015 and just came across this morning.  I never shared them!!!  What?  I was searching for them on my blog and couldn’t find them. I searched my computer because I remember doodling them and wanted to use them for a project. Well, here they are and I promise, you are going to love them. There are so many fun ways to use these monster printables and I am excited to share a few of them with you including dollar store crafts for kids.

Ways to Use the Monster Printable Collection

The greatest thing about this collection is that it can be used by such a wide span of ages in kids. While the youngest of kiddos might work on their fine motor skills while coloring, older kids can use the designs as patterns to make crafts projects.

Color the Monsters

While this sounds so simple, it has tons of value. Did you know that there are lots of benefits to coloring for kids. Coloring is a great way to practice fine motor skills. For many kids, coloring is relaxing and enjoyable. It helps develop focus AND encourages self expression. If kids choose to color outside the lines, it is OKAY. Keep reading to find out some of my favorite coloring tools.

Directed Listening Activity

The first page of the collection has all of the monsters on it and is my favorite. You can use it for directed listening. For example:

• Circle all of the monsters with one eye.
• Put and X over all of the monsters with 3 teeth.
• Color the monster with polka dots red.
• Color all of the tails orange.
• Find the monster with a heart on his horn and color him green.

Make Monster Puppets

Cut the pieces out of felt and glue them into a monster. Glue that to a wooden stick to get a puppet. Puppets are a great way for kids to express themselves. Did you know that many therapists use puppets. When kids take on the role of the puppet to share thoughts, they often are more willing to tell you things that otherwise they might be afraid to share. This is one of my favorite dollar store crafts for kids. The craft sticks are so inexpensive and come in so handy.

Make a Monster Matching Game

Print the monster printables page with the boxes around them two times (on card stock). Cut them out and flip them over to play a quick matching game.

Monster Math

Use the monsters to teach math skills. There are ten monsters with different attributes. They all have between 1 and 3 eyes. Additionally, they have between 1-4 teeth. They also have between 2-4 feet. There are fun pages in the printable activity pack for graphing and others for sorting. You can get the Monster Math from my TPT store!

Felt Monster Making Center

Use the pattern in the free printable to cut out LOTS of pieces of felt and make a center for making monsters. This is a great resource for teaching colors!

Felt is inexpensive too and such a great resource for crafting. This is another great dollar store crafts for kids idea.

PLAY

How fun is it to use the Almost Famous Popcorn Monster Cookie Mix to fill in the printable? Sometimes the art of play is really all that matters.

Are they so stinking cute!?  You can download the WHOLE set for free at the end of this article.

Best Ways to Use Free Printables

You might have seen this list from me before but I think it is worth sharing over and over. Sometimes the people in the back need to hear things a few times, right?  There are so many great ways to use free printables.  Here are some of my favorites.

• Print them and mail in an envelope with a stamp. Snail mail rocks.
• Batch some up to make an activity book.  This is great for a road trip!
• Print and use at a place setting on the table to create a conversation starter.
• Add them to goody bags.  By the way, goody bags are not just for birthday parties.
• Package them up with your favorite markers and crayons to give as a gift.
• Drop a few off at the local coffee shop with fun pencils to spread some happy.
• Cut them up to make cards, gift wrap and decorations.

BEST Tools For Working With Free Printables

These are my favorite tools and art supplies to use with free printables and why I love them too.

1. Printer – This Laser Printer is inexpensive and works like a charm.  It even works with Alexa.  Bonus!
2. Scissors – Lots of printables can be cut up to create decorations and cards and things like that.
3. Markers and Crayons – All thing ooly work the best for me.  I LOVE all of their markers, pencils and crayons.
4. Colored Pencils – For adult coloring, PRISM makes the colored pencils that I love to use most.
5. Twine – For creating banners and garlands from printables, I love this twine best.
6. Adhesive – Lots of printables have pieces that get cut out and put together.  This is my fave tape runner!

Monster Printables Activities Download

Grab the four page printable set FREE!

If you want the entire Monster Math and extra eight monster patterns – grab them in my TPT store.

More Monster Projects and Ideas

Beyond the printables, weighted plush is a great way to calm kiddos.  This DIY will take you through the steps to make your own adorable little friend. It is a really fun project to make together with kids so that they have an immediate connection.  Grab the directions HERE and get your sewing machine out.

Additionally, monster cookies are super easy to bake up a batch. They are totally adorable and delicious too.  Get the recipe and try them out.

Also, clay is super fun.  Use Sculpey polymer clay to make monster bookmarks!

This classroom mascot monster doubles up as a tool for creating home to school and back communication.  Get all of the details and see what surprise is on his back HERE.

See guys, monsters are good and fun!  I hope you love these monster printables and all of the other fun ideas too. Cheers to learning and dollar store crafts for kids.

Cheers and Love,

Laura

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