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A House for Hermit Crab
A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle is great book to read together to learn about the beach and the animals that live there. With beautiful illustrations and a fun story about a growing hermit crab, both you and your child are sure to enjoy this book. One great way to continue conversations about a book is to do an art activity together based on the story. This activity does involve paint, so it could get messy! Make sure to cover any surface you are working on, or try doing the activity outside for extra fun. As always, adult supervision is necessary when scissors are being used.
You Will Need:
- White Cardboard, a white paper plate, or paper
- Paint
- Small Googly Eyes, little pompoms (optional)
- Pipe Cleaners
- Glue or tape
- Pencil/Pen
- Scissors
- Sponge or paintbrush
Directions:
- Apply paint to your child’s left hand and press onto a piece of white cardboard/paper/paper plate. Allow to dry.
- Cut a circle out of the white cardboard/paper/paper plate for the hermit crab’s shell. Using a pencil or pen drawl shell pattern on the paper (see picture).
- Cut the sponge into long pieces for painting, or use a paintbrush.
- Dab sponges or paintbrush in paint and decorate the hermit crab’s shell. Let the paint dry.
- While pieces are drying, cut a small piece of pipe cleaner and fold in half for the antenna.
- Once the paint has dried, cut out the handprint, cutting around the fingers.
- Glue googly eyes or pom-poms to the ends of the pipe cleaner (or wrap a small piece of another pipe cleaner around each end to make eyes).
- Attach the handprint to the shell of the hermit crab so that the fingers are pointing down. Attach the thumb to the back of the hermit crab’s shell (see picture).
- Glue or tape the pipe cleaner to the back of the handprint so that the eyes stick out above the handprint.
This post has been adapted from Kindergarten Connection.
While doing the activity, talk with your child about the story you just read. Ask them about the illustrations, some of the other characters in the book, and have a conversation that will help reinforce the story.
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