Sewing can be a challenge for any preschooler so I have tried to simplify the process a bit and add it to a busy book…
For sewing cards – I had some sheets of cardboard that I saved from something my husband got in the mail. You could cut up cereal boxes as well. Then I punched holes around the edges. I couldn’t find my long hole puncher to punch holes in the center of my cardboard pieces so I used a little corn cob skewer to punch some holes. They were not as pretty but they worked. I slid each of my sewing cards in a plastic sleeve to store in my busy book….
Next I cut up some lengths of yarn. I have tried both thin yarn and fat yarn – either work fine…
For sewing needles, I used pipe cleaners (also called chenille stems). Just place the yarn in the center of a pipe cleaner then fold the pipe cleaner in half around the yarn and twist the pipe cleaner. Sometimes the end of the pipe cleaner can be just a tad sharp. If you are concerned about this, just fold the tip down and squeeze in…
I tucked several threaded “sewing needles” into a sleeve of my busy book so they were ready for use but I also added a sleeve of just pieces of yarn and just “sewing needles”…
This busy book can be used in two ways – you can either give it to the preschooler to explore the pieces and sewing process without adult help or the adult can keep the busy book handy and pull out a sewing card and “needles” of yarn to hand the child when he or she needs something to keep little hands busy.
Check out the Crayon Busy Book here!
To learn the basics of how to make a busy book – click here!