New York-Inspired Craft Projects for Children

Families who are getting ready to travel to New York, or who already call the state home, can use craft projects to spark a child's curiosity about everything New York offers. The state stretches from the vast natural scenery of the Adirondacks to the museums and lively streets of New York City, and it holds plenty of activities suited to children — along with a matching set of New York-themed crafts that can be done at home.

First Inhabitants and Natural Landscapes

Albany, the state capital, is home to the New York State Museum, which runs several permanent exhibits. One of them focuses on the native peoples of New York and includes a Mohawk Iroquois Village. Children can make their own Iroquois longhouse, the type of dwelling traditionally used by the Iroquois in New York. A printable longhouse template is available from sources such as Archaeology Education & Illustrations by Susan K. Nelson. Kids can add color with crayons, cut the shape out, fold the tabs down, and glue the walls together.

Adirondack Park sits north of Albany and covers one-third of New York State's total land area; it is recognized for its broad wild landscapes and public forest. Adirondack furniture, common across the region, follows a traditional twig-and-birch style. With collected twigs and some glue, children can assemble miniature Adirondack tables and chairs like those that might be found in homes and lodges in this wooded area.

Historic Landmarks

The Statue of Liberty, a copper monument in New York Harbor, was given by the people of France to the people of the United States as a gesture of international friendship. Children can build a version of the statue's torch: help them cut red and orange streamers into pieces, then let them glue the streamers onto paper towel rolls.

Children can also learn about the New York State flag, which is a modern adaptation of a Revolutionary War flag, with the state coat of arms centered on a dark blue background. An uncolored flag can be printed from apples4theteacher.com. After coloring it, kids can glue a wooden craft stick to one side so they can wave it proudly.

Water-Dwelling Creatures

The New York Aquarium in Brooklyn is the oldest aquarium in the country. To build excitement before a visit, help children create a small aquarium of their own inside a shoebox. Stand the shoebox on its longest side, and have the kids paint the inside sea green and blue. While the paint dries, help them cut fish shapes from construction paper, or use foam fish from a craft store. They can also cut green sea "plants" from construction paper and paste them to the bottom once the box is dry. Hang the fish from the top of the shoebox with cord, and use seashells to decorate the aquarium floor.

Children are likely to become fond of the penguins at the New York Aquarium, and making paper penguins is simple and enjoyable. Have them trace a shoe on black construction paper for the head and body, then help them cut it out; the heel of the shoe becomes the penguin's head. Next, cut an oval from white construction paper and glue it onto the shoe print for the belly. Then have the kids hold their fingers together and trace each hand on black construction paper. Cut out the two handprints to form the penguin's "wings." Mini marshmallows can be glued on as eyes, and a small triangle cut from construction paper serves as the beak.

New York City Favorites

Black and white cookies are regarded as an iconic New York City treat and are sold in bakeries and delicatessens throughout the city. Thick and cake-like, they are iced half with vanilla and half with chocolate. Children can make play versions from paper plates to get into a New York state of mind. Have them place two paper plates face to face and staple them together. Let them draw a line down the center, then paint one side white for vanilla and the other side dark brown for chocolate. Allow it to dry.

The chocolate egg cream is another New York treat — a classic fountain drink that began in the city. Kids can draw a glass and color the inside brown, then glue white pom poms at the top of the glass to represent the drink's foam.

Baseball Pride

MetLife Stadium, where the New York Mets play, is in the borough of Queens, while Yankee Stadium is in the Bronx. If a game at either stadium is on the schedule, children can make a banner to bring along. Regular poster board and markers will work, and logo stickers and streamers in the team's colors can be found at a craft or party goods store. For kids who are truly diehard fans, team paper pennants for their rooms may also be a must. To make a pennant, cut poster board into a long, narrow triangle, have them print the team's name down the center, and decorate it with sticker logos and markers.