Tropical Birds Mobile

This post is part of the Multicultural Kid Blogs Hispanic Heritage Blog Hop– see below for more details about that and our GIVEAWAY!

finished craft

The Alto Mayo region of Peru is one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen. It’s where my husband is from and where we met: the “high jungle,” the part of Peru where the jungle and the mountains meet. Greens and blues, of every shade, and brown rivers winding their way through. The deeper into the low jungle you go, the more tropical birds and animals you can find.

macaw
parrot

It’s also Hispanic Heritage Month, so here’s a fun a South American craft I came up with! If you’ve ever looked up “Hispanic/Latino crafts,” there will be no shortage of sombreros and jalapeño peppers.  No problem with that, but it is fun to do something to celebrate other parts of the Spanish-speaking world. The craft I’m sharing was inspired by an artisan bird mobile I bought in Peru and have loved ever since.

TROPICAL BIRDS CRAFT

Materials:

– Birds Printable
– Paint (preferably in bright colors!)
– Several short sticks
– String
– Beads (optional)

How We Made Our Mobiles:

tropical birds craft collage

I borrowed my nieces for the afternoon since this craft is not designed with toddlers in mind. First, we looked at the example mobile to see what colors tropical birds like parrots might be. The girls painted the birds and we set them to dry.Janio had a try at painting too, but mainly just wanted to play with the wooden birds.

painting collage
girls beading collage

While the paintings dried, we went outside to look for sticks, and then worked on making bead patterns and tying the mobile together. The beading is optional, but I had a necklace from Peru that was coming apart and we wanted to use the beads.The birds took a long time to dry, so the next day we put it all together. We (I) cut the birds out, and glued the backs together. Then we punched a hole in each and strung one bird from each stick. Here is the result!

Tropical Birds Mobile

You could make a larger mobile with more birds, or keep it simple and hang all the birds from one stick. We just decided along the way how we wanted to make it! Here is the Tropical Birds Printable. Also, check out my printable mini-book Los Colores de la Selva (The Colors of the Jungle).

Tropical Birds Outlines
Los Colores de la Selva Cover

This post is part of the Multicultural Kid Blogs blog hop for Hispanic Heritage Month. Enter below to win a prize!

heritagemonth

Welcome to the Third Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Blog Hop, hosted this year by Multicultural Kid Blogs and 22 of our member blogs! Don’t miss our amazing giveaway, and share your own posts at our linky!

Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15 every year, “celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America” (from HispanicHeritageMonth.gov)

Be sure to visit all of the participating blogs (listed below) and follow our related Pinterest boards:

MKB HHM Twitter Party

Don’t miss our Twitter party “Celebrating Hispanic Heritage with Kids,” Tuesday, September 23, from 9 – 10 pm ET! Follow #mkbhhm to participate!

MKB Hispanic Heritage Month Blog Hop: Participating Blogs

Multicultural Kid Blogs

All Done Monkey

Spanish Playground

Kid World Citizen

Mommy Maestra

Inspired by Familia

Entre Compras y El Hogar

Discovering the World Through My Son’s Eyes

Spanglish House

Crafty Moms Share

Toddling in the Fast Lane

Mama Tortuga

Frogs, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

Our Whole Village

Changing Plate

A Life With Subtitles

Spanish Mama

Pragmatic Mom

Daria’s Music

My Favorite Multicultural Books

Trilingual Mama

Mundo Lanugo

The Good Long Road

Ana & Zelli

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH GIVEAWAY!

This year to celebrate we are giving away fabulous prizes! Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post for a chance to win!

Please note that there are shipping restrictions on some prizes. In the event that the winner lives outside of the shipping area, that portion of the prize will be added to the following prize package.

GRAND PRIZE PACKAGE

Smart Play Pad

Smart Play Pad (SRP $ 24.99): Interactive tablet like electronic toy makes early learning fun and exciting for little ones. More than 30 touch sensitive keys teach language and pronunciation skills to help prepare children for school. Bilingual feature helps kids learn in English & Spanish. Lightweight and truly portable for on-the-go learning. Ships to US and Canada only.

Traditional Mexican toys and games.

A basket of fun from Escuela Falcón in Guanajuato, Gto., Mexico. This prize includes educational games, ceramic Day of the Dead skulls, a hand-painted ceramic box, wooden toys, and a certificate for 5 hours of Skype Spanish lessons with Escuela Falcón.

Lanugo

A basket from Lanugo that includes Lanugo’s new book, “Lula la Consentida,” a limited edition “Latino de Corazón” infant apparel, and Seventh Generation’s earth conscious baby product essentials. US shipping only.

Spanish games for kids.

A Spanish edition of the award-winning game Bananagrams.

DVD of Spanish music videos from Rockalingua.

DVD of Spanish music videos from Rockalingua.

Bilingual poetry book from Lee and Low.
Spanish poetry book for kids from Lee and Low.

A Movie in my Pillow and Poems to Dream Together – Books of poetry in English and Spanish from Lee and Low.

FIRST PRIZE PACKAGE

Peru prize basket - Kid World Citizen

A child’s sweater and bag from Peru courtesy of Kid World Citizen. The handmade, wool sweater is typical from the Andes and might fit a child ages 2-4. The little backpack is also handmade with gorgeous details typical of the region.

Spanish games for kids.

A Spanish edition of the award-winning game Bananagrams.

Spanish songs for kids.

Chocolalala – CD of songs in English and Spanish from Mister G.

Spanish songs for kids from Mariana Iranzi.

Hola Hello – A CD of children’s songs in English and Spanish from Mariana Iranzi.

Spanish poems for kids.

Mis primeros poemas – A book of poems and audio CD for Spanish learners from All Bilingual Press.

Spanish color activities from Mundo de Pepita.

Digital download of Spanish Colors Activities Pack with printable minibooks, games and activity pages from Mundo de Pepita.

Lingua Toys

Spanish activity book with an audio CD with listening exercises for kids between 3-10 years old (value: 12€) from Lingua Toys.

Bolivian Guiro

Hand-crafted guiro (traditional instrument), hand-carved from a gourd in Bolivia with a sun and moon pattern. Great instrument as well as a piece of folk art. From DARIAMUSICUS shipping only.

SECOND PRIZE PACKAGE

Handwoven scarf from Nicaragua.

Handwoven scarf from Nicaragua courtesy of Spanish Playground.

Spanish ABC book from Libros Arellano.
Spanish book for kids from Libros Arellano.

¡Las letras! and Señorita Bienvenida en el aeropuerto – Two children’s books in Spanish from Libros Arellano.

Spanish songs for kids from Mariana Iranzi.

A CD of children’s songs in English and Spanish from Mariana Iranzi.

Children's songs in Spanish from Mister G.

ABC Fiesta – CD of songs in English and Spanish from Mister G.

High frequency words books in Spanish.

Digital download of 6 printable Spanish high frequency words books from Custom Literacy.

Guatemala purse - Alarcon Restaurants

Hand woven and leather Guatemala coin purse, a fun and vibrant gift. Given by www.AlarconRestaurants.com – from their Gift Gallery in Antigua Real Restaurant, Mukwonago WI.

Bonus Prize: France Shipping Only!

Las piñatas de Laly

Beautiful piñata created especially for this contest by Piñatas de Laly.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Link Up Your Posts Now it’s your turn to share your posts! The linky will be open through October 15, so come back and share throughout Hispanic Heritage Month!Share your posts for Hispanic Heritage Month!

 1. Corn Kernels Cakes  2. Children’s Books for Hispanic Heritage Month  3. 14 Latin American Folktale Picture Books for Kids  4. Amate Art Project for Hispanic Heritage Month 
 5. Juan Quezada Mexican Potter  6. Waffle Nachos – In The Playroom  7. Mexican Folk Art  8. Free HHM Trading Cards 
 9. Read and Learn About Mexico  10. The Magic of Chocolate  11. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage (Tostada recipe)  12. Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta for Kids 
 13. Toddling in the Fast Lane: Diez Esqueletos  14. Costa Rica Craft: Carretas  15. Hispanic Heritage Month Series “Rafael Pombo”  16. Tropical Birds Mobile | SPANISH MAMA 
 17. The Easy Way to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month  18. Mundo Lanugo Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month  19. Hispanic Meals to celebrate our Heritage  20. Feliz Día de la Independencia! | Changing Plate 
 21. 5 Famous Latinos for Hispanic Heritage Month  22. Visit Mexico City through Kids Yoga and Books  23. Spanish in the Kitchen  24. Canciones Infantiles: Uruguay Educa 
 25. Spanish Color Poems  26. P is for Plátano  27. Duncan Tonatiuh Brings History To Life  28. Puerto Rico Children’s Books Celebrate HHM 
 29. Top 10: Best Latino American Children’s Books (age  30. Spanish Color-By-Number Calavera  31. Some Legendsof Puerto Rico  32. Hispanic Instruments 
 33. Latin American Dance & Music  34. Vive Mexico  35. Some Cinderellas from Mexico  36. Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella 
 37. Domitila: A Mexican Cinderella  38. A Day in the Andes  39. Peruvian Purple Corn Pudding  40. Easter in Latin America 
 41. Andean Flamingo  42. Chilean & Caribbean Flamingos  43. Rice From Ashes: A Cinderella Tale from Argentina  44. Blanca Rosa and the Forty Thieves 
 45. Maria Cinderella: A Chilean Cinderella Tale  46. Little Gold Star  47. Watered down Hispanics? – Trilingual Mama  48. Friends around the World: Mexico – Trilingual Mama 
 49. Nurturing language and culture when raising a mult  50. Cheerios, Coca Cola and standing up for diversity  51. The Pacay Shaker – A Rattle That Grows On A Tree |  52. MYO Bongos Drums And Their Afro-Cuban Roots 
 53. Cancioncitas De Los Andes – CD and E-Book for kids  54. Spiced Vanilla Oatmeal Steamer (Costa Rican Atol)  55. The Happy Wife: We Did It Wednesday: Horchata  56. The Happy Wife: Unit Study: Sonia Sotomayor 
 57. The Happy Wife: Unit Study: Antonia Novello  58. The Happy Wife: Lesson Plan: Rita Moreno  59. Homeschool Unit Studies: Math Monday: Hispanic Her  60. Homeschool Unit Studies: Hispanic Heritage Social 
 61. Mexican drinks, paletas & aguas frescas  62. Celebrating HHM: What Latino Means To Me  63. Salsa Tipo Pico de Gallo  64. Giveaway -Dia de los Muertos Nail Wraps 
 65. South American Worry Dolls: muñecas quitapenas  66. DIY Tabletop Soccer Game  67. Explore Brazil – Map, Flag & Facts!  68. Interview w/10 yr old Naomi of Brazil MommyMaleta 
 69. Brazil | MommyMaleta  70. Celebrating with Music and Celia Cruz  71. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe  72. Puerto Rican Food and Culture 
 73. Kid-Friendly Vacation in Puerto Rico  74. Quinceanera  75. Recipe for Mexican hot cakes 

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9 Comments

  1. Pingback: Kid Lunches
  2. I am so doing this with my 6 yr. old! He’s going to love it!!! He loves anything animals, and crafts. 🙂 Thank you for including printable links. 🙂

  3. These are wonderful!! Please come share at Sharing Saturday!! I love them!!

      1. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!! I will be featuring this tonight!

  4. Leanna Alldonemonkey says:

    I love these! Especially because, as you say, there are so few crafts from other parts of Latin America!

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