DLTK's Holiday Crafts for Kids
Watermelon Paper Plate Craft
(with a Fractions Practice option)

This craft is suitable for ages 3+ as "just a craft" and for age 5+ as a fractions practice project. Watermelons grow on vines.  They can be eaten pickled or in salads but we think they're best eaten raw and drippy right off the rind on a hot summer's day! I still like competing to see how far I can spit my seeds into the garden (shhh, don't tell Grandma Gloria!).

Materials:

• paper plate
• green paint
• pink and black paper (or you could use paint)
• scissors,
• Glue paint brush

Instructions:

• Before you start crafting, look around the house for a round object that fits just inside the plate (one that doesn't overlap the rim too much). We found that a saucer worked perfectly (you'll be using this object to trace a circle).
• Set the plate on the table as if you're going to eat from it. Paint the rim of the plate green.
• Set the plate aside to dry.
• While it is drying, take the saucer and trace a circle onto a piece of pink paper.
• Cut out the circle.
• Cut tear drop shapes out of a piece of black paper OR you can use a hole punch to punch black circles out.  These will be the watermelon seeds.  They don't have to be perfect!
• When the paint is dry, glue the pink circle into the center of the plate and then glue the black seeds onto the pink. 
• You can stop your project at this point if you like!
• Wait until the glue dries.
• Talk to your child about "half".  If you cut something in half you have two equal sized pieces. Help them cut their watermelon in half.
• You can stop your project at this point if you like.
• Talk to your child about "quarters".  If you cut something into quarters, you have four equal sized pieces. Help them cut their watermelon into quarters.
• You can make a few watermelons if doing this with a group (or if you're having an energetic summer! or have an older sibling to lend a hand).  You can leave one whole, cut one into halves and cut another into quarters.