New crafting toys are the best. A special thanks to Cricut for providing me with a Cricut Explore Air so that I can make Window Cling shapes for my preschoolers anytime that I want. This post may contain affiliate links.
I’m always amazed at the things that mesmerize kids. Expensive toys? Not always so much (just wait until they are old enough to use power tools and a Cricut; that will change). My boys gravitate towards the simpler activities, but these are also the ones where they seem to learn the most. When I pulled out this Window Cling material that came with the Cricut Explore Air™, I immediately knew that the kids would love it.
If you’re just getting started with the Cricut Explore, cutting out simple shapes like this on any medium is the best place to start. There is minimal weeding with simple shapes, and they cut out easily on any material.
I have fond childhood window cling memories, but they revolve only around those little holiday window clings and Peanuts characters. Kids love window clings, and I wanted to make the boys some that they can play with year round.
Supplies:
- Cricut Explore Air™
- Cricut Window Cling material
- Cricut cutting mat
I’m keeping it simple and only cutting basic shapes. There are lots of things that kids can do with basic shapes! Here’s how to cut them with the Cricut Explore Air™:
Launch the Cricut Design Space on your computer. Open a new project. Click on the insert shapes button. Fill the 12×12 page with as many shapes as you would like. Alter the sizes and varieties of the shapes.
Once finished, load the cutting mat with the window cling material into the Cricut Explore. Turn the dial to Custom. Be sure to set the material type to “Window Cling” on your computer screen.
Cut the shapes. Use a kiss cut and then you will be able to use the sheet as a way to store the shapes when your kids are not playing with them.
Preschool Activity One- Pattern Making
Use various shapes to start a pattern, and let the kids finish the pattern.
Preschool Activity Two- Smallest to Largest
Cut the same shape in various sizes. Have your child arrange them from smallest to largest or largest to smallest.
Preschool Activity Three- Find and Count
Cut out various shapes in different sizes. Let the child count all of a specific shape (for instance, count all of the circles, etc.).
Preschool Activity Four- Free Build
What objects can the kids build from shapes? Mine made a house with a sun right away, followed by a snowman.
Preschoolers enjoy shape activities, and window clings are a fun, yet different, way to encourage their learning.
Psst…this also makes a great summer boredom buster!
Looks like great fun on a rainy summer day! Thanks for sharing this!!
Such fun ideas! My preschooler would LOVE doing this. Thanks for sharing!!
This is great! My daughter would love playing with the shapes.
I love this-I need to get my Cricut out of the closet and do this for my kids!
I don’t have a cricut but this looks like a fun device with kids for sure!
I remember buying window clings for the different holidays when my kids were little. This is a fun idea!
How fun! My niece would LOVE this – it would keep her busy for hours!
What a fun preschooler activity idea! Thanks for sharing.
Great idea and learning tool! I think kids can learn so much from crafting – problem solving, working together, analyzing a problem… so great!
My little guy would love playing with these!
Love this! I just bought some window clings from Cricut and was wondering what I could do with them for my grandchildren. Thanks for the ideas! Only one thing, once you open Design Space, you need to click on “Insert Shape” not “Insert Image”. Sorry if this has already been addressed. I guess most of us crafters knew what you meant but there are a few newbies I know who would get lost. 😁
Love this! I just bought some window clings from Cricut and was wondering what I could do with them for my grandchildren. Thanks for the ideas! Only one thing, once you open Design Space, you need to click on Insert Shape not Insert Image. Sorry if this has already been addressed. I guess most of us crafters knew what you meant but there are a few newbies I know who would get lost.
Oops! Yep, typo on my part. Thanks!