The time to set our clocks back is coming soon now that the long days of summer are over. Smartphones keep most of us on time no matter if we are springing forward to Daylight Savings Time, or falling back to Standard time. But, for some of us, if we don’t pay attention, the jump by an hour may come as a sudden surprise regardless of whether we live by our smartphones or not.
While I’m preparing for that move back an hour as winter arrives, I need to find a way to help my kids become accustomed to the time change too. “Alphamom” has thought of a few ways to get your kids involved in the time change routine by exploring the fun of Daylight Savings Crafts. The process of catching onto what may be a difficult concept for many kids can be more easily broken down with an educational and creative art activity.
My favorite idea from this website is the Spring Forward cards. The same concept can be applied for Fall Back to Standard Time. Print out these little cards for your children to decorate and pass out to friends and family.
DIY Fall Back Reminder Cards
What You’ll Need
- Cardstock
- A printer
- Pipe cleaners
- Markers, crayons, pencils, gel pens, or paint
- Anything else you’d like to use to decorate such as glitter glue or stickers
- Scissors
Card Assembly Steps
- Using a word processing or other appropriate program on your computer, create a template for a small card that your children can decorate. The template provided by Alpha Mom features the words “Spring Forward!” at the top, and a reminder at the bottom: “Don’t forget to set your clock an hour earlier on Sunday.” You can follow the same pattern but with wordage that’s appropriate for Fall.
- Print your template out and cut out the cards.
- Let your children cut out small circles and create clocks to attach to the cards.
- Wrap pipe cleaners around a pencil or pen to create a spring/coil effect
- Glue or tape the pipe cleaner to the front of the card and the back of the clock to create a bouncy, springy effect.
- Let the kids decorate the clocks and cards with crayons, markers, stickers… whatever inspires their creativity
Tips for Extra Punches of Originality
An easy way to give this particular craft some colorful flare is by using unconventional materials or effects that fit with a fall inspired theme.
Go Bold With Black
If we’re getting ready for shorter days and longer nights, why not accentuate that theme with black paper and vibrant neons or metallic writing materials? Mystery Metallic Gel Crayons are a beautiful way to decorate a pitch dark night sky made from black coloring paper. A card made with these pops of vibrant, glittery color will be sure to get everyone in the mood for fall while giving them a reminder card they won’t forget.
Try Metallics for Fall Flare
Another stunning way to decorate your card for adults and children alike is to use Modern Metallics Colored Pencils. Use glimmery reds, rusts, and golds to highlight the crispness of fall colored leaves. Or try covering the card first in a misty background of sparkly color created by Sparkle Watercolor Gel Crayons before adorning your card with fall leaves on top.
Whatever method you choose to create the look, these cards are the perfect way to teach your children about the complicated concept of Daylight Savings time. And they’ll have a ton of fun passing them out so that you and all of your family and friends will be reminded and prepared!
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