Pie-themed Crafts For Kids To Do On National Pie Day
Alright, gather ‘round, pie-lovers and craft-curious parents! Did you know there’s a whole day dedicated to our flaky, fruity, fudgy friend? Yep, January 23rd is National Pie Day. And no, it’s not just an excuse to inhale an entire cherry pie in one sitting (though, I mean, who are we to judge?). It’s also the perfect opportunity to unleash your inner artist… or at least the inner artist of your little crumb-snatchers. Forget glue guns and glitter explosions that will haunt your house until the next lunar eclipse. We’re talking pie-themed crafts that are actually fun, relatively mess-free (key word: relatively), and will leave you with something way more permanent than a lingering scent of baked apples.
So, ditch the Pinterest boards that look like they were curated by a unicorn on a sugar rush. We’re going to dive into some seriously simple, seriously delightful DIYs that even a toddler with the motor skills of a wobbly jelly bean can handle. Think less “museum-worthy sculpture” and more “adorable kitchen decoration that might accidentally get eaten.” Let’s get our creative pies on!
Paper Plate Pie Slices: Because Who Needs Actual Pie When You Have Cardboard?
First up, the classic. You can’t go wrong with a good ol’ paper plate. These bad boys are the unsung heroes of kid crafts, right up there with toilet paper rolls and googly eyes. For our paper plate pies, you’ll need paper plates, construction paper (in all the yummy pie colors – red for cherry, brown for chocolate, yellow for lemon meringue, you get the idea!), glue, scissors, and maybe some crayons or markers.
Here’s the magic: Cut a paper plate into about 6-8 wedges. These are your pie slices. Now, let the kids go wild! They can color the crust brown, paint the filling a vibrant hue, or even glue on little bits of crumpled paper to mimic berries. A surprising fact: Did you know the earliest known pies weren’t sweet at all? They were often filled with meat and spices, basically a savory pastry pocket. So, your cherry pie creation is a step up in the dessert evolution!
For an extra touch, cut out little triangles of yellow or white paper for a meringue effect on lemon pies, or scrunch up red paper for a juicy berry look. You can even glue on a few cotton balls for a fluffy whipped cream topping. These are perfect for decorating the fridge, a play kitchen, or just for your little one to proudly present as their culinary masterpiece. Bonus: No actual baking means no burnt crusts or undercooked centers. Win-win!
Pie Box Creations: Turning Trash into Treasure (of Deliciousness!)
Got an empty cereal box? A tissue box? A random cardboard container that’s been lurking in your recycling bin? Perfect! These are about to get a whole lot more interesting. Think of these as your mini pie dioramas, or even pretend pie tins!
Again, grab those construction papers, paints, glue, and anything else that screams “dessert!” The kids can decorate the outside of the box to look like a pie box, complete with cute drawings of pies and maybe even a fake brand name. Then, the inside is where the real pie action happens.
They can create miniature paper pie slices to “line” the box, or craft tiny pretend pies using pom-poms, felt scraps, or even colorful playdough. Imagine a little berry pie made from red pom-poms nestled in a brown paper crust. Or a lemon meringue pie using yellow paper and white cotton balls. The possibilities are as endless as a bottomless pie buffet!
A fun fact: The practice of baking pies dates back to ancient Egypt! They were apparently filling hollowed-out loaves of bread with honey and fruits. So, while we’re using fancy cardboard, we’re actually channeling some serious ancient culinary vibes. How cool is that?
“I Spy” Pie Garland: A Sweet Way to Decorate
Who doesn’t love a good garland? They’re festive, they’re cheerful, and they can be made out of almost anything. For our pie-themed garland, we’re going to make adorable little pie slices that can be strung together to create a dazzling display. This is a great one for slightly older kids who have a bit more dexterity with scissors and glue.
You’ll need cardstock in pie colors, scissors, glue, hole punch, and some string or ribbon. Cut out triangle shapes from your cardstock. These are your pie slices. Now, let the creativity flow! Kids can draw on the “filling” – think swirls for apple pie, dots for blueberry, or a criss-cross lattice for a classic look. They can even add a little wavy line of white paper for whipped cream on top.
Once the slices are decorated, use your hole punch to make a hole at the top of each slice. Then, thread them onto your string or ribbon. Voila! Instant pie party decor. A surprisingly simple fact: The word "pie" might have originated from the word "magpie," a bird known for collecting shiny objects. So, in a way, we're all just fancy magpies collecting beautiful pie crafts!
These garlands are perfect for hanging across a window, a fireplace mantel, or even a doorway. Imagine your whole living room looking like a delightfully delicious bakery window. Just try not to get too tempted to take a bite!
Pie Crust Playdough: Get Your Hands Dough-ty (Literally!)
Now, for the grand finale, the craft that involves actual sensory play: pie crust playdough! This isn’t just any playdough; it’s scented and colored to mimic your favorite pies. Get ready for some serious hands-on fun. You’ll need your favorite homemade or store-bought playdough recipe, and some extra ingredients for sensory magic.
For a truly apple pie experience, add a tiny bit of cinnamon and a drop of apple cider to your playdough. For blueberry, a splash of blueberry extract and maybe some dark blue food coloring. Chocolate pie? A swirl of cocoa powder and some chocolate extract. The smell alone will be enough to make you want to bake a real pie (or just eat the playdough, but let’s try to resist that!).
Kids can then use their pie-themed playdough to create their own pretend pies. They can flatten it out for the crust, roll little balls for berries, or even use cookie cutters to make pie shapes. This is where their imagination really takes flight. They can invent entirely new pie flavors that have never even graced the oven!
A truly mind-blowing fact: The world's largest pie ever made was a pumpkin pie, weighing in at a staggering 2,000 pounds! Now, while our playdough pies won't be quite that enormous, the sheer scale of that creation is enough to inspire us to keep on crafting. These playdough creations are perfect for a rainy afternoon, a quiet activity, or just when you need to distract your little ones with something that smells amazing and keeps their hands busy.
So there you have it! A few simple, fun, and (mostly) mess-free crafts to celebrate National Pie Day. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or someone who considers assembling IKEA furniture a major DIY project, these are easy enough for anyone to tackle. And hey, if all else fails, you can always just… you know… eat a pie. No judgment here!