by Jill Wilcox
Christmas + crafts, what a great way to start the season off right! Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season this year to sit down with your kids and create some beautiful and fun crafts. Use this time to laugh, share, and talk about the real reason for the season – all while making memories that will last a lifetime. Here are five fun projects to get you started!
Beaded Pipe Cleaner Ornaments
What you’ll need:
Pony Beads (assorted colors – red, white, green)
Pipe Cleaners (assorted colors)
These are easy peasy! Kids love to string beads.
To make a candy cane, take one red or white pipe cleaner and some red and white beads. Make a small loop in one end of the pipe cleaner. Thread the beads on in any pattern you wish. When your candy cane is the length you’d like, go ahead and make a curve in the top to resemble a candy cane. Trim any excess pipe cleaner from the bottom, leaving at least half an inch. Make a loop with the remaining pipe cleaner and tuck the end into the last bead.
To make a wreath, leave a 2-inch blank space with no beads at the beginning of the pipe cleaner and string beads as desired. Leave another 2-inch blank spot at the end of the pipe cleaner. Curve beaded pipe cleaner into a round wreath shape. Twist the two empty ends together and shape a “bow” with the extra length.
To make a Christmas tree, start with one pipe cleaner and fold in half. String one pony bead at the top. Make two small bends on both sides and then add 3 beads to each side. Make one more bend on each side and then add 4 beads per side. Make another bend on each side and add 5 beads. Bend the remaining pipe cleaner horizontally and add the remaining beads until all space except half an inch is filled in. Tuck each end into the last two beads to complete your tree shape. To add tinsel/ornaments – cut one pipe cleaner into three sections. Thread beads onto two sections and then wrap the ends where the pipe cleaner bends at the tree “branches.” Trim any extra ends. You may add a star by folding a yellow pipe cleaner in half and twisting it into a star shape and trimming the ends. Your ornaments are now ready to be hung on the tree or decorate your home!
Sparkly Popsicle Stick Snowflake Ornament
What you’ll need:
Small Popsicle sticks (unpainted or pre-colored, it’s up to you!)
Craft paint
Paintbrushes or cotton swabs
School glue
Fine glitter
Hot glue gun w/glue
To begin, have an adult hot glue three or four popsicle sticks into a snowflake shape. Start with an “X” shape and then add another one or two sticks perpendicular to that. Then it is time to paint! Grab a small paintbrush or cotton swab and dip into your craft paint of choice. Coat the entire front (don’t forget the sides!) and let dry. When dried, draw designs in school glue along the sticks and sprinkle fine glitter over the glue. Let dry. Tap the excess glitter off of snowflake or use a soft brush to remove any extra that remains. Glue a loop of string or ribbon to the back of the snowflake and you are ready to hang it on the tree!
Tissue Paper Cross
What you’ll need:
Heavy-duty construction paper
Pencils or pens
Multicolored tissue paper cut into 1-inch squares (it is available pre-cut if you don’t have the time to cut them yourself)
School glue
Contact paper (for younger kids)
Begin by cutting out a cross shape from a piece of construction paper or Contact paper for younger kids. Take a tissue paper square and place the eraser end of the pencil (or pen) into the middle of the square. Using your fingers, wrap the square around the end of the pencil with a rolling motion. Holding the wrapped paper and pencil with one hand, dip the tip into school glue. Continue holding the paper to the pencil and stick it onto the construction paper template. Release your fingers from the paper. It should stick and resemble a little flower. Continue to fill in the space until no more construction paper can be seen. For the contact paper – expose the sticky side of the paper after cutting into a cross shape. Repeat all steps except for the glue. Paper will stick without a glue mess. With either method, you will end up with a beautiful colorful cross to remind you of the reason for the season!
Puffy Snow Paint
What you’ll need:
Shaving cream (the cheapest brand)
Washable school glue
Construction paper (darker colors make the paint show up better)
Fine Glitter
Paintbrushes or popsicle sticks
Craft paint
Googly eyes
Peppermint extract (if you want your snow paint to smell festive)
Making snow paint is a favorite craft in our house! This paint is special because it dries in the shape that you paint it – puffy! It looks just like real snow. Mix equal parts of shaving cream and washable school glue in a bowl. Add a drop or two of peppermint extract, if desired. Now you are ready to paint! Your kids can experiment with different shapes – snowmen, trees, clouds, and gingerbread houses – whatever their minds can imagine! When finished, sprinkle with fine glitter and allow to dry. I used a cotton swap to dab on small details with craft paint and pressed googly eyes into the paint for the snowman. Have fun!
Handprint Wreath
I am a sentimental gal and love to see how my daughter grows and changes through the years. This project is a good way to remember just how small your kids’ hands used to be!
What you’ll need:
Construction paper
A kid or adult hand to trace
A pen or marker
Scissors
School glue
Pick a hand to trace (I used my daughter’s right hand) 8-10 hands. Cut out traced hands and arrange in wreath shape, making sure that fingers overlap in the same direction all the way around. Glue into place with school glue. Keep wreath like this or add details like circles of construction paper for ornaments, small photos of your family, or even words like Joy, Peace, Faith and Noel. Glue a loop to the back of the wreath or keep flat to use as a table decoration.
Enjoy the holiday season and making Christmas crafts!
Check out Jill’s Esty shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/littlehappybluebird
Leave a Reply