Butterflies and Fruits (Books, An Activity & A Craft)

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

A few days ago we read this book:

and this was the craft that extended from it

A butterfly made with a Popsicle stick, four circles cut from construction paper and decorated with markers.

(In the book there are two touch and feel butterflies).

Yesterday, we found that this same company also has a beautiful touch and feel board book about fruits

And this is the activity that we did after reading this book alhamdulillah:

A Sorting Activity:

Using construction paper, I made some fruit cards that showed alike and different...

then we sorted the cards according to their attributes

(i.e. alike or different)

I had to make another set for younger toddlers (around 23-24 months old) so I took index cards, cut them in half and put only one fruit on each card. I "laminated" the cards with clear packing tape and after demonstrating how to sort the cards, I put the cards in a basket with the book on the shelf so they can be played with whenever the interest arises insha'Allah.

Insha'Allah, I'll make more of these with different fruits.

This was also a language activity in that we discussed Who Provides fruits for mankind, how fruits are a blessing to us, and why the cards showed alike or different.

You can read the following ayaat along with the activity:

الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَرْضَ فِرَاشًا وَالسَّمَاءَ بِنَاءً وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ رِزْقًا لَّكُمْ ۖ فَلَا تَجْعَلُوا لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

سورة البقرة

{Who has made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky as a canopy, and sent down water (rain) from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you. Then do not set up rivals unto Allah (in worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped).} Al-Baqarah, 22

and

وَهُوَ الَّذِي مَدَّ الْأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا رَوَاسِيَ وَأَنْهَارًا ۖ وَمِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ جَعَلَ فِيهَا زَوْجَيْنِ اثْنَيْنِ ۖ يُغْشِي اللَّيْلَ النَّهَارَ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَ‌ٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

سورة الرعد

{And it is He Who spread out the earth, and placed therein firm mountains and rivers and of every kind of fruits He made Zawjain Ithnain (two in pairs - may mean two kinds or it may mean: of two varieties, e.g. black and white, sweet and sour, small and big). He brings the night as a cover over the day. Verily, in these things, there are Ayat (proofs, evidence, lessons, signs, etc.) for people who reflect.} Ar-Rad, 3

And of course there are many more ayaat that can be read with this activity alhamdulillah.These books are illustrated using collages and the result is beautiful. Enjoy insha'Allah!