This year is extra special because we teamed up with Julia from @weneedmoreglitter to share some fun (and easy!) holiday crafts and activities. She is amazing- each of her posts remind us we can use a lot of what we already have at home to create fun and simple activities with our kids- that truly make their day. Without further ado, let’s get playing!
CHECK BACK WEEKLY FOR NEW ACTIVITIES!
ACTIVITY: MELTED SNOWMAN
Prep time: 5 minutes
Ingredients: construction paper, scissors, shaving cream, white glue
Optional ingredients: white or clear glitter
DIRECTIONS:
1. Mix 1/2 part shaving cream and 1/2 part white glue together until it’s meringue-like consistency. (Start with 1/2 cup of each and go from there if you want more.)
2. Cut construction paper in snowman shapes (eyes, nose, hat, buttons, etc.)
3. Spread mixture onto construction paper.
4. Add snowman accessories however you'd like.
5. Add glitter if you would like and let it dry.
Please note: It takes a long time to dry, but once it does it’s so puffy and fun and will bounce back when it’s lightly pressed!
ACTIVITY: MAGNETIC CHRISTMAS TREE
Prep time: less than 5 minutes
Ingredients: construction paper, regular magnets or magnatiles and magnaformers
DIRECTIONS:
1. Cut Construction paper in shape of a Christmas tree or in triangles like we did and stack them in a tree shape.
2. Place magnets on the side of the tree and let your babe decorate away!
Insider tip: Great activity to set up while you are cooking so that babe has something to do in the kitchen.
ACTIVITY: CHRISTMAS WREATH EXCAVATION
Prep time: freeze overnight
Ingredients: bundt pan, water, food coloring, random items such as jingle bells, pom-poms and some Christmas erasers (all from dollar store or target), random tools like water dropper, fork, & hammer if you are comfortable and assisting!
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DIRECTIONS:
1️⃣Pour water in a bundt pan with some green food coloring
2️⃣ Place random fun items inside
3️⃣ Freeze overnight
4️⃣ Enjoy! Place on a tray with tools 🛠 and watch your kid be entertained for an hour.
ACTIVITY: CHRISTMAS CRAYONS
Prep time: 20 minutes
MATERIALS NEEDED: BROKEN CRAYONS, COOKIE CUTTERS, ALUMINUM FOIL, COOKIE SHEET, OVEN
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 275. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or foil.
Have kiddos unwrap and break old crayons. Fold foil tightly around one side of metal cookie cutter. Fill cookie cutters 3/4 full with crayon pieces. Bake for 20 mins (or until completely melted)
Remove from oven and transfer entire cookie cutter onto a plate and place in freezer for 15 mins. Once crayons are completely cooled they should easily pop out of the cookie cutters and be a new large festive crayon!
These make a cute DIY stocking stuffer or a kid-to-kid present. Fun for the kids to make them together and for each other and to remind the kids that it is the season of giving.
From Julia of @weneedmoreglitter:
I worked in special education for many years and loved finding ways to connect with my students- mostly nonverbal- through art and sensory activities. Now I am a bio Mama of 2 and a foster Mama and have found so much joy in creating activities together with my children. I was inspired to start @weneedmoreglitter as a creative outlet for me as a stay at home mom and a way of sharing easy and fun ideas to enjoy time with your family. I like to share simple, cheap activities that use mostly supplies you already have in your home and have minimal prep. I'm all about process art, getting messy and making memories!
