Every Summer there is a hot air balloon festival by us.  It is a lot of fun for the kids and there are hot air ballons that fly in.  They take off in the morning and at dusk if the weather is right and are a thrill to see.  This past weekend was the festival!  It inspired us to creat a hot air balloon craft!

Before creating this craft I would suggest reading Curious George and the Hot Air Balloon.  Kids love curious george books and they are so imaginative.  When you read the book, talk to your child about what they think they might see from a hot air balloon, how would it look?  Smaller?  Would they be able to see more?

Supplies:

• Construction Paper (four colors)
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Glitter
• Marker
• White Crayon

Steps:

1. Cut 2 semi-circles from 2 colors
2. Cut a strip about half inch thick, the length of the circle
3. Cut the basket out for the bottom.
4. Glue the semi circles almost together on your background paper (two make a circle)
5. Glue the strip over the middle of the circles
6. Glue the basket below the balloon, circles.
7. Draw the lines for the strings to the basket from the baloon
8. Add some glitter for fun
9. Draw some clouds, a person and whatever else you like!   Get creative an decorate the balloon.