Make it Mondays are brought to us by Rebecca of Tumbleweed Preschool in Advance, NC. She is always looking for frugal DIY projects for her students and her home. We are sharing Rebecca’s DIY project on MoolaSavingMom.com because they can be used for home schoolers, young artists and anyone else who wants DIY ideas that can save them money on projects around the house.

I use a miniature Menorah, Advent Wreath and Kinara when we do the winter holidays and celebrations in December. The children love that they are  just their size! I made the Kinara out of wood and drilled holes for the candles. I have used real candles in the past but they never lasted long so I cut and painted dowel rods. This way the children can take them in and out as much as they want and they don’t break.

I made the Mkeka (mat) out of felt. I cut a black rectangle. Then I cut strips of green, red and black. I wove the red and green strips over and under the black strips. Last, I glued them to the black rectangle.

I use two songs that go great with this lesson: Kwanzaa – Literacy in Motion and Swahili Counting Song – Literacy in Motion

Here is the template for the Kinara:

Rebecca Burriss is an educator of children and avid DIYer. She raised four daughters and taught them how to do make lots of things including ceramics, elaborate doll houses, wood projects and even home interior design projects.