The letter F is an exciting milestone for early learners. It’s a “breathy” sound that kids find fun to mimic, and it opens the door to many high-interest topics.
1. Phonics and Memory
By associating the letter F with the Frog, children create a visual and physical anchor for the phoneme. Every time they see the craft they made, they are reminded of the “ffff” sound.
2. Biology and Lifecycle Lessons
This craft is a perfect springboard for a science lesson. You can discuss the lifecycle of a frog—from tiny eggs to swimming tadpoles, and finally into the hopping amphibian they are building today.
3. Fine Motor and Sensory Play
Working with different materials like felt, foam, or paper provides varied sensory feedback. Tracing the templates and gluing the webbed feet requires precision, which helps develop the hand-eye coordination needed for writing.
Supplies You Will Need
One of the best things about this project is its flexibility. While we love the texture of felt, you can easily use whatever you have in your craft bin.
- The F for Frog Printable Template: (Includes the head, body, eyes, mouth, and webbed feet).
- An Old CD: This acts as a sturdy, shiny base for the frog’s body.
- Felt: We recommend 2mm stiff felt in green, red (for the tongue), and yellow.
- Substitutes: Craft foam, construction paper, or heavy cardstock work just as well!
- Glue: A hot glue gun is best for felt, while a standard glue stick or school glue works for paper.
- Scissors: Child-safe scissors for the templates.
- Markers: To add details to the eyes or face.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Building Your FrogStep 1: Trace and Cut
Download and print the F for Frog Template. Use the cutouts as your guide and trace them onto your chosen material.
- Green: Large semi-circles for the feet and the main head.
- Yellow: The webbed foot overlays.
- Red: A long, curled strip for the tongue.
- White/Black: Small circles for the eyes.
Step 2: Prepare the CD Base
The CD provides a wonderful, circular “belly” for our frog. If you want a more colorful frog, you can glue a circle of green felt or paper directly onto the shiny side of the CD first. If you like the “high-tech” look, keep the shiny side exposed!
Step 3: Assemble the Face
Glue the eyes onto the top of the green head piece. A frog’s eyes are usually bulging, so feel free to place them slightly off the top edge! Glue the mouth and the long red tongue.
Pro Tip: To make the tongue look realistic, wrap the red felt strip around a pencil for a few minutes to give it a permanent “curl.”
Step 4: The Webbed Feet
This is the most detailed part of the craft. Take your yellow webbed foot cutouts and glue them centered on top of the larger green semi-circle feet. This creates a beautiful layered effect that makes the frog’s anatomy stand out.
Step 5: Final Assembly
Now, let’s put it all together!
- Glue the head to the top of the CD.
- Glue the two assembled webbed feet to the bottom of the CD. (It’s often easier to glue these to the back of the CD so they peek out from underneath).
- Add any final decorations, like “warts” or spots, using a dark green marker or small felt circles.
Fun Frog Activities to Pair with Your Craft
To turn this into a full afternoon of “F” themed fun, try these extra activities:
| Activity | Description |
| The Frog Leap | Clear some space and have a “leapfrog” race! Encourage kids to say “F is for Frog” every time they jump. |
| Pond Sensory Bin | Fill a plastic tub with water, blue food coloring, and some lily pads (cut from green foam). Let your new CD frog “swim” in the pond. |
| Lifecycle Sequencing | Draw eggs and a tadpole on paper scraps and have the child arrange them in order leading up to their finished frog craft. |
Tips for Teachers and Parents
- Alphabet Books: Read a Dr. Seuss book or an alphabet-themed story like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom while the glue dries.
- Safety First: If you are using a hot glue gun to secure the felt to the CD, ensure an adult handles the gluing while the child directs where the pieces should go.
- Trace with Chalk: If you are using dark green felt, tracing with a piece of white chalk makes the lines much easier for a child to see and cut!
Conclusion: Hopping Toward Success
The F for Frog Craft is more than just a cute decoration for your fridge; it is a multi-sensory tool that makes the letter “F” unforgettable. By combining recycling (the CD), biology (amphibian traits), and phonics, you are providing a rich learning environment that caters to all types of learners.