Archive for the ‘Crafts for Kids’ Category

This is a fun way to keep track of the days until Christmas, especially for younger kids. It’s also a good way to get in a little counting practice if you make them count the days off each day.

What You’ll Need:

• The template below printed on yellow construction paper
• Red construction paper
• Green construction paper
• Glue
• Scissors
• Stapler
• Crayons (optional)

What to Do:

1. Cut 13 strips of red construction paper that are about 1 inch wide and 8 inches long. Cut 12 strips of green paper with the same dimensions.

2. Print out the bell pattern below on yellow construction paper. Color with crayons if desired and cut out. (You could also decorate the bell with glitter, sequins, markers, etc. if you want.)

Like the mouse in the Clement Clarke Moore poem, this one isn’t stirring, but he does make a sweet holiday gift or decoration, no cheese required.

The kids could have fun making this little mouse for each guest.  Place it next to the guest dinner plates for a special take home present made by the children.

CRAFT MATERIALS:
	2 1/2-inch Styrofoam egg
	White acrylic paint
	Fishing line
	Corsage pin
	White felt
	Pink felt
	Glue
	Googly eyes
	Craft wire, 5 inches
Time needed: Under 1 Hour

1. First, use a serrated knife to cut a 2 1/2-inch Styrofoam egg in half lengthwise (parents only), then cover one of the halves with white acrylic paint and let it dry.

Looking through old holiday pictures of when the children were small I came across some crafts we did together. Although the pictures here do not represent the ones we made the result was the same.  So have fun and come up with your own variations on this theme with your kids.

You can use those small pumpkins, apples, oranges, small gourds, etc. for this project.  If you make the hole too big, use some wax paper around the bottome of the candle to take up the slack. Tealight candles work well for this because they are cheap, not heavy, won’t tip over the pumpkin, and have a small flame; however, if you decide to used tapered candles make sure the candle is secure in the holder.  If you are using pumpkins as your base, I found it easier to use the flatter kind rather than cylindrical.   Kids can help with this project by putting the candles in and helping to pick out the pumpkins. Remember safety first when you light them and once lit keep them out of reach of the kids.

Family Fun.com

I just came across these cute votives for Thanksgiving.  They would be a cute inexpensive craft for the kids to do for Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Church groups. They can be used to decorate Thanksgiving tables or just as a decoration for a side table. Make a trip to your local senior center and give a homemade gifts straight from the heart!

Create a flock of these bright votive holders: they’re a great project for kids and, filled with battery-operated tea lights, a luminous addition to your table.

Be sure to check out more ideas for a fun-filled Kids’ Thanksgiving.
CRAFT MATERIALS:
Hot glue
Glue gun
1 1/4-inch wooden doll head (available at craft stores)
Small glass bubble votive holder (ours is 4 inches wide by 3 1/2 inches high)
Brush
Mod Podge
Tissue paper
Scissors
Tacky glue
Beads

Your kids will love making their own flowers with this clever indoor craft. An egg carton, paint, pipe cleaners, and a glass jar are all you need to make a timeless flower bouquet perfect for a pretty centerpiece.

What You Need
– Egg carton
– Scissors
– Acrylic paint (variety of colors)
– Paint brushes
– Pipe cleaners
– Glass jar
– Fabric scraps

1. Cut out individual egg holders from an egg carton.
2. Paint the outside of about 10 egg holders in a variety of colors using acrylic paint. Blend colors as desired. Allow at least one hour to dry and then paint the insides.
3. Twist together two different-colored pipe cleaners to make the stem.
4. Poke a hole in the bottom of each “flower” and pull the pipe cleaner through. Make a loop at the top to secure.
5. Place flowers in a clean, glass jar. Wrap a scrap of fabric around the jar to add more detail to this timeless, recycled bouquet.