How to Make Pilgram Activity Pockets

The holidays are a special time for children.  It's an opportunity for us to pass down traditions and share the meaning behind our celebrations and customs.  I love that my son is old enough this year to start understanding and participating more in our Thanksgiving Day celebrations.  However, when it comes time to eat and fellowship with family and friends, he is still a two year old with a 30 second attention span.  I don't know if it's because he's two or because he's a boy, but he can get into trouble faster than I can rid my pantry of chocolate.  So giving him some constructive activities to channel that creative energy is a must.  
   These little activity pockets are perfect for holding construction paper, stickers, crayons, chalk, etc. for little ones to dig into before dinner.  I love the little Pilgrims on the front, but you could easily change the cutout to a turkey, the Mayflower, or other Thanksgiving icon.    

 

 Materials: makes four pockets (two girls and two boys)
Felt (I used 8x11 sheets of felt: 4 tan, 1 white, 1 orange, 1 yellow, 1 ivory, and 1 black)
Craft Glue 
Pencil
Scissors
Extra fine permanent marker 

Step 1: 
Cut out your shapes.  Fold the tan felt in half (top to bottom) and cut along the seam to make two rectangles 5x8. Use your scissors to trim the top of the rectangles by 3 inches so you are left with a 5x5 square.  Cut out the shapes below from the coordinating felt pieces.  You will need: 4 orange tops, 4 white collars, 4 ivory circles, 2 bonnet pieces and blond curls, and 2 hats with a ribbon and buckle.  I first traced the shapes on paper to make sure I was happy with the size and shape, then transferred them by tracing the paper shapes with a pencil onto the felt sheets.

Step 2:
Make the pockets.  Lay one tan square flat and make a thin line along the sides and bottom with craft glue.  Lay a second tan square on top and lightly press the sides and bottom.  Repeat for the remaining pockets.  Let dry completely.  

Step 3:
Assemble the Pilgrims.  Use craft glue to assemble the cut out pieces to make the Pilgrims pictured below.  Start with the orange tops and ivory circles/heads.  Then, glue the white collars on top.  Last, glue on the hats/bonnets and hair/curls. Let pockets dry completely.  When Pilgrims are dry, use an extra fine marker to draw two eyes, a nose, and a smile.

Step 4:
Stuff pockets with items the little ones will enjoy before dinner such as construction paper, stickers, crayons, and chalk. 

For more kid friendly Thanksgiving Day ideas, check out these turkey centerpieces.