Christmas Crafts: Cinnamon Apple Ornaments

These ornaments smell so good and have so many uses!  They make great ornaments for the treee, can be given away as gifts or even as a little accent on a wrapped gift.  The latter is how I got mine and now they are hanging on my tree.  You won’t believe how easy it is to make these which is what makes it such a great craft to do with both older and younger kids.  No baking required!

Here is what you need:

  • Cinnamon
  • Apple Sauce
  • Craft Glue
  • Cookie Cutters
  • Ribbon
  • Toothpick

Here is how to make it -> All Free Craft’s Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments Tutorial

 

Christmas Craft: Advent Calendars

Advent calendars are a great way to help your children keep track of how many more days until Chirstmas.  Ever since Thanksgiving my five year old has started each new day with the same question… “Is today Christmas?”  I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to tomorrow so we can start our advent calendar.  I may even make one to put in her room that is just special for her.  I thought this Candy Christmas Tree Calendar that I found on about.com was really cute.

Here is what you need to make it:

  • Green Cardboard
  • Paint, Markers, or Crayons
  • 24 pieces of ribbon (each 10″ long)
  • Small Bell
  • 24 Individually Wrapped, Small Candies
  • Scissors
  • Paper to write the poem on

Here is how to make it -> Candy Tree Advent Calendar Tutorial

If you are looking for other advent calendar ideas, check this out -> Christmas Advent Calendar Ideas

Last Minute Thanksgiving Craft Ideas

If you are looking for ways to keep your kids entertained on Thanksgiving Day, then here are a few simple, easy to prepare craft ideas just for you.  Thanks to Say Yes to Hoboken for the ideas!

Here is what you need to create the paper cup hats pictured above:

  • Construction paper
  • Glue
  • Paper cups
  • Any other craft items you might want to glue on the cups (feathers, buttons, pipe cleaners, google eyes, etc.)
  • Elastic, ribbon or string

Here is how to make them:

  • Using a sharp pen or pencil, poke a small hole in either side of the paper cup, towards the top.
  • Push the ribbon, string or elastic through the hole in one side, straight through the cup, coming out the hole in the other side.
  • Cut feathers, eyes, noses, Turkey bodies, buckles, etc. out of the construction paper
  • Create an assembly line and let the kids have at it, gluing whatever they want on their hats!  Let them use their creativity to create whatever kind of hat they would like.
  • When your child is done creating his masterpiece, then place the hat on his head and tie the ribbon/string/elastic under his chin.

Here is what you need to make Corn Necklaces:

  • Dried corn kernels – presoak them to soften them up and then use a thick needle to poke holes in each kernel
  • embriodery floss and a needle or stiff waxed kitchen twine

Here is how to make them:

  • For older kids, have them use embroidery floss or other string with a needle to string their neclace.
  • For younger kids have them use waxed kitchen twine or thin string stiffened at the end with glue to string their necklace.

If you have older kids that aren’t really into the crafting scene, then Thankgiving games and quizzes might be the better route.  Check out About.com for some really great ideas.

 

Thanksgiving Craft: Pinecone Turkey

This is the perfect craft for those rainy days when your kids are bored and need something to do.  It has been rainy here for a few days now and my kids are stir crazy because they can’t play outside.  They have been begging for “something special” to do.  This pinecone turkey is so great because I already have all the supplies I need to make it.  Yay for not having to make an extra trip to the store in the rain!  Even better, I can use the finished product as placecards for Thanksgiving dinner.  I love when I can kill two birds with one stone.  Thanks to Amazing Moms for the great idea.

Here is what you need to make these Pinecone Turkeys:

  • yellow card stock or construction paper
  • brown card stock or construction paper
  • glue
  • scissors
  • wiggly eyes

Here is how to make them -> Pinecone Turkey Tutorial

Also, don’t forget these great coupons if you need to head to the craft store for supplies:

 

 

 

 

Halloween Craft: Countdown to Halloween!

For weeks now, my five year old has been asking if it is Halloween Day yet.  She is just so excited!  So, every day I have to pull out the calendar and count the days until Halloween with her.  She is going to love this countdown printable.  Tonight, I am going to let her help make it and then she can put it in her room.  I love that there are simple craft/activity suggestions that go with each day.

The best part about this craft is how simple it is.  It only requires 4 things!

Here is what you will need to make this countdown:

-2 sheets of white paper or cardstock

-color printer

-glue

-craft knife

Here is the link to the printable and directions -> Disney Halloween Countdown Printable and Tutorial