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Imbolg Crafts and Activities for Children

There are so many activities to do with your young ones at Oimelc, many of which can also be done at the Spring Equinox. Older children can help make candles (there are lots of kits out there to make it easier) and candle holders. Younger children can make "candles" from toilet paper rolls and construction paper.

If you choose to start your Spring Cleaning, a small brush broom and dustpan, a clean cloth to help wipe down cabinet doors or dust tables or child size cleaning equipment for those little "can I help?" little ones. Another idea is to have them sort through their toys and clothes and separate those they've outgrown give away to charity or another extended family member that could use it. Our little ones love to spend time with their mama's and usually will enjoy working side by side "helping"-I have a five year old, so I still believe this! ;o)


Make a Priapic Wand


~Reading~

Meagan's Imbolc by Kathryn Dyer

The Story of Imbolc by Rachel Walker



Making Butter

In a clean jar with a screw on top pour in heavy or whipping cream. Screw top on tightly and start shaking. This is a good activity for the kids they can take turns as their arms tire.


Paper Brigid's Crown
 An Imbolc Project By Wendy Sheridan

(This is especially appropriate for young girls, since this is the holiday for the return of the maiden).

You will need:

Construction paper in your child's favorite colors, and yellow and/or red, for the flames
Pencil, crayon, or marker
Scissors
Glue (white glue or glue stick)

Cut a strip of paper about 2 inches wide and long enough to wrap around your child's head. You may need to glue 2 shorter strips to get the right length. Remember to include a couple of extra inches for overlap! Draw and cut out eight thin rectangles (these are the candles) of paper. Draw and cut out eight flames and glue the flames to the candles. Draw wicks in the flames and candles. Distribute the candles evenly around the headband. Glue the candles to the outside of the headband. (You can glue it to the inside if you think your youngster will wait long enough for the glue to dry!)Depending on the age of your child, they can do the drawing, cutting and gluing. Even the youngest child can hold paper and have you guide her hands.

From: Wendy Sheridan http://www.musicforthegoddess.com/parent



Pentacle Candle Wheel
 (for the older kids)

Molding Clay, Pencil, Ruler, 13- 4" White Stick Candles (1/4" diameter), Paints (optional).

This Pentacle Candle Wheel is the perfect accessory to any Imbolc altar. Use enough clay to roll out flat with a rolling pin and cut out a circle 18" in diameter and 1/2" thick. Roll excess clay into rope, 1/4" in diameter and long enough to boarder the wheel base. Wet the clay rope enough to stick to base. This will contain any wax that drips from the burning candles. Score the image of the pentacle into the wheel base with the pencil, using the ruler to make straight lines. The Pentacle's points should be approx. 1/2" away from the border. Take one of the white candles and press bottom slightly (approx. 1/4" ) into each Pentacle point, each cross point (inner angles of the Pentacle) and three depressions in a pyramid shape in the top Pentacle triangle ray. Now allow the clay to dry and harden. The Pentacle Candle Wheel can be painted if desired after dried. Place candles in each of the depressions and place in the center of the Imbolc altar. Remember that the Candle Wheel is the symbol of the light that ensues from the union of the Bride and her consort, the Lord of the Forest.

Source:unknown


DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING BRIGID'S CROSS

I have seen some very elaborate and beautifully woven Brigid's Crosses. Unfortunately I'm all thumbs and couldn't begin to construct one myself. That's OK though, because I wanted a project easy enough for young children. These directions require only pipe cleaners and string. You can get pipe cleaners in any craft store and they come in a wonderful assortment of colors so you can let your little artists be as creative as they want!

Step 1 - Make a bundle with 6 pipe cleaners and bend them in half. Tie the ends all together with a piece of string.
Step 2 - Lay the pipe cleaner bundle on the table in a vertical position, with the tied end on the top.
Step 3- Make a second bundle, again using 6 pipe cleaners, and bend them in half.
Step 4- Before you tie the ends this time though, slip it through the middle of the other bundle so that they're linked.
Step 5 - Now tie the ends and lay this second bundle down in a horizontal position with the tied ends pointing to the right. If you did it right your shape should look like the letter "L".
Step 6 - Now you're going to repeat the procedure. Make a bundle with 6 pipe cleaners, bend them in half and, before you tie them, slip them through the middle of the horizontal bundle, just to the right of the first bundle. This batch should be in a vertical position, with the tied ends on the bottom.
Step 7 - The last step is to make one last bundle, slipping it through the middle of the batch you just laid down, only this one goes horizontally to the left. Now tie the ends. You should now have an upside down "L" linked through your right-side up one.

Now you've made Brigid's Cross!

Explain to the kids as they work that Brigid was the Maiden Goddess in Ireland. Her name meant "The High or Exalted One." She was the Goddess of Fire and was therefore called on by families to be their Hearth Guardian and the protectress of their homes. Another fun activity to celebrate Brigid's Day is to have the children draw a picture of what they think Brigid might look like. Flaming red hair, a fiery dress, whatever. Hang her pictures on the refrigerator as part of your Brigid's Day celebration!

Excerpts from A Wiccan Primer: Rituals for Children Copyright 1996 by Wind*Dancer



Brideo'gas

1-piece Wooden Clothespin, Red, Yellow, or Brown Yarn
1 White Pipe Cleaner
Several Scraps of White Material
Black and Red Markers
Scissors
Glue
Gold Glitter

Children will enjoy making these little Bride images that can be used later as an alter decoration. Take a scrap of white material, (silk, satin, cotton, etc.), and cut out a 6" circle. In the center of the circle cut a hole large enough to poke the "head" of the clothes pin through. Fold the circle in half and cut along the fold from both perimeters to the center hole, leaving approx. 1/8 inch between each slit and center hole. Dab "neck" of clothespin with a very small amount of glue, and push clothespin "head" up through the center hole in the material. Cut appropriate length of pipe cleaner to make arms and slide up through the slit in the clothespin until it is pushed up to the end of the slits on both sides of the material. Gather the material tight around the clothespin just under the arms, and tie off with a small piece of string or yarn. Glue a couple of short pieces of yarn to the clothespin head and make eyes and mouth with markers. Finish with dabs of glue and gold glitter around the white wedding dress. A bridal veil glued to the yarn hair is optional. Explain to the children how the Goddess is a sacred bride, pure and renewed, waiting to be re-united with her consort the God.

Source:unknown



Bride's Bed

 A Box
Colored Construction Paper
White, Yellow, Green, and Red Tissue Paper
White Flowers or Cotton Balls
Glue
Paint Brush
Crayons
Scissors
Glitter

This is a great little activity for the smaller hildren in the household, and they two can boast of helping with your alter decor. Paint one side of the ox at a time with a bit of glue, not too thick, just enough to adhere green tissue paper. Cover the entire outside of the box with the green tissue paper. Cut a 2" wide strip of colored construction paper the length of the sheet (11"/14"). Let the child draw symbols and pictures that reminds them of Spring, the Goddess, brides, and weddings on the strip. Cut the white and yellow tissue paper into 2" diameter circles. While you are doing this, allow the child to draw pictures and symbols on the box with glue, and sprinkle with glitter. Place finger in the middle of a tissue square and draw up tissue around finger. Give a slight twist to crinkle paper into a flower shape. Remove finger and adhere to box and decorated construction paper strip with a dab of glue. Remember to leave about 1-1/2 inches on each end of strip. Attach these ends to the inside of the box with some glue. Let dry. Fill with white flowers or cotton balls. Tell story to children of how the Maiden is a Bride and that the Earth is her Bride's Bed.