Kid's Activity: Log Cabin Crafts

by Melissa Jaramillo and Julie Snyder

Today we're drifting back in time -- back to the days of the early pioneer settlers in the early days of the United States. Most of the homes, such as the one Abraham Lincoln grew up in, were simple one room cabins. They were made of rough-hewn logs with many settlers opting to use a mud mixture to fill in the gaps and keep out the cold winds.

At this time there wasn't electricity, indoor plumbing, or many more of the "modern conveniences" we are used to today. For heating and cooking, people used their fireplace. There weren't any refrigerators so food spoiled much more quickly. People dug cellars or built spring houses (where the cold water of a stream) would provide some cold storage. Instead of television or the radio, many folk played and sang music as a form of entertainment. If they traveled, there weren't any cars or planes -- so they walked, rode horses, or in a wagon. Life was much different then don't you think?

Below you will find two separate crafts where you can build and design your own cabin! One is rated easy and quick to design. The second is a bit more complicated but may offer more a challenge for your child!

Recommended reads:
• Little House in the Big Woods
• My Great-aunt Arizona

Log Cabin Craft 1

Materials Needed:

• Craft (popsicle) sticks
• Brown paint or crayons
• Construction paper
• Glue

Choose background color of construction paper. Next, arrange craft sticks into the log cabin pattern desired. Move sticks onto a sheet of newspaper and paint or color. Reassemble into cabin on your construction paper, this time gluing in place. You may want to use a contrasting color to create the roof. After it dries, add on your personal finishing touches to your lob cabin scene!

Variation: Substitute pretzel sticks for the craft sticks and use frosting for "glue."

Log Cabin Craft 2

Materials Needed:

• Small box (around the size of a shoe box or slightly larger)
• Sticks / twig (choose those that are as straight as possible and close in diameter)
• Glue Gun (lots of glue!)
• Rectangle piece of cardboard (slightly larger than your box for the roof)
• Smaller box (such as the type children's over-the-counter medication comes in)
• Tiny stones or gravel

First prepare box to take on the "shape" of your cabin. Cut to form triangles on the side for a traditional style house to support the *roof*. Next cut out windows and door (cut door on three sides only to leave attached.)

Cut twigs and use hot glue gun to attach to entire house. Standard kid's glue is not strong enough to support. Please use caution in allowing children to handle pieces. It is not recommended for young children to use glue gun at all. Instead, parent's can put in place and have child press into position. Leave a small space by the "hinge" side of the door so that it will open properly.

Fold cardboard rectangle piece lengthwise to form roof. Overhang should be approximately one inch all around. Place on roof. You do not glue roof on in case your child would like to remove it to play "inside" the cabin.

Next, cut your smaller box to height desired for chimney. Remove flaps of box so that it is open on both sides. Cut out an inverted V shape to fit box over roof. Glue into place.

Cover roof by hot gluing twigs in place. Finally cover chimney by gluing small stones or gravel into place.

Optional: You can use small scraps of wood or more sticks to build furniture, a well outside and much more! Enjoy!

For an edible log cabin use pretzels for logs and frosting for caulking.

Julie Snyder is a mom of six, interested in kids, pregnancy, birth, people and lives in the outlying Seattle area. Melissa Jaramillo is mom to many. She's passionate about building, encouraging, and strengthening families on this adventure known as parenthood!

Copyright © Melissa Jaramillo and Julie Snyder. Permission to republish granted to Pregnancy.org, LLC.