This is a gift that can be used for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, and just about any holiday.

You need:

•  Pink and/or green paper
•  Tacky glue
•  Scissors
•  Straws or a stick (optional)
•  Plastic flower pot (optional)
•  Styrofoam or flour/salt dough (recipe below)
•  Helping hand artwork (instructions below)

Instructions:

•  Trace and cut around child’s hand six times on colored paper. Use green paper for a tree or a potted plant, pink for a bouquet. For a bouquet, also make 6 green leaves on cardstock

•  Select six chores from the list below, and draw a corresponding picture inside a circle large enough to read print, but small enough to fit inside the palm of child’s hand.

•  Glue hands to straws or sticks. Add leaves if desired.

•  Place Styrofoam or dough in flowerpot. Poke in straw stems or just form a mound of dough.

Flour/Salt dough:

Can be air dried, or baked

Use with cookie cutters or any molds and utensils

What you need:
•  4 cups flour
•  1 cup salt
•  1-1/2 cup hot water

Instructions:

•  Preheat oven to 300º F.

•  In a large bowl, mix hot water and salt until salt is dissolved.

•  Add flour, mix well, kneading with hands.

•  Mold pieces and place on cookie sheet. Note: Works best with smaller pieces.

•  Bake up to 1 hour, until dough begins to brown.

Chores List (choose 6 or more):

Get a hand with the garbage
Get a hand at the office
Get a hand with the raking
Get a hand with repairs
Get a hand changing the oil
Get a hand walking the dog
Get a hand feeding the cat
Get a hand washing the car
Get a hand with the barbeque
Get a hand feeding the dog
Get a hand with the lawn
Get a hand with the painting
Get a hand feeding the baby
Get a hand making the beds
Get a hand with breakfast
Get a hand watering the plants
Get a hand setting the table
Get a hand changing the baby
Get a hand with the babysitting
Get a hand with the shopping
Get a hand with the housework
Get a hand making dinner
Get a hand in the garden
Get a hand with the laundry