Christmas will be here before you know it and Sarah from our West Allis Ebenezer Child Care Center was on Real Milwaukee on December 11 talking about some fun keepsake projects you can do with your kiddos to celebrate the holidays.
In case you missed the segment you can catch it here https://www.fox6now.com/news/holiday-keepsake-crafts-ebenezer-child-care-centers
Reindeer Handprint Ornaments
Supplies:
Brown Construction Paper
Brown Paint
Festive Ribbon or String
Googly Eyes
Black Pom Pom or Black Button
Hole Punch
Instructions:
-Lightly coat your child’s hand in brown paint, then stamp it onto brown paper.
-Let the paint dry, then cut their handprint out, leaving a bit of a margin.
Write your child’s name and age on the back (or let them do it, if they’re old enough).
-Add googly eyes and the black pom pom as the nose, creating the reindeer’s face.
-Punch a hole in the top of the handprint, and string the rope through.
Source: https://www.weetalkers.com/blog/christmas-ornament-crafts
Sparkly Icicle Ornaments
Supplies:
Aluminum Foil
Silver Twine
White Glue
Blue Bio Glitter
Instructions:
-Cut or tear a piece of aluminum foil a few centimeters longer than you want your icicle to be. Then tear off the lower corners to give a blunt triangle. This helps your icicle craft taper.
-With the aluminum foil shiny side down fold over the top few centimeters of the flat edge. This helps strengthen the finished icicle craft and adds bulk to the upper section too.
-Cut a section of silver cord, tie it into a loop and glue it onto one end of the folded aluminum foil so it sticks out of the top. Use UHU glue for that bit of sticking so it dries fast. You could also use sticky tape too if you prefer.
-To make the shape of your sparkly icicles loosely roll the aluminum foil up widthways, starting at the end with the hanging thread attached.
-When you have a roll of aluminum foil gently squeeze along its length to make the shape of your icicle. You need to squeeze very gently at the top and very tightly at the bottom. This is great for kids motor skill and control development.
-Once you are happy with the shape of your homemade icicles you can start to apply a shimmery shiny layer. Consider using white glue like Elmer’s because it dries clear and is easy to dab it on randomly all over the icicle.
-When your icicles have their glue you can then sprinkle on your chosen color of glitter. We do this over a paper plate because it saves the glitter from going everywhere!
-Once the glue has dried finish off your sparkly icicle craft by shaking off any loose glitter and hanging them on display.
Source: https://kidscraftroom.com/sparkly-icicle-craft/
Handprint or Hand/Footprint Wreaths
Supplies:
Green construction paper
Pencil
Scissors
Glue
Red Pom Poms
Red Ribbon
(If you prefer to do the hand/foot version that requires green paint, a paint brush and Canvas)
Instructions:
-Trace your child’s hand with a pencil multiple times.
-Cut out the handprints and overlap them onto one another.
-Stick a dab of glue between the overlapping handprints.
-Glue pom poms on top of wreath.
-Glue bow on wreath.
-Glue loop on back of top handprint so you can hang the wreath.
Source: https://www.gathered.how/arts-crafts/christmas-crafts-for-kids
Potted Pinecone Trees
Supplies:
Pinecones
Mini flower pots (or cork screws for option 2)
Green tempera paint (it’s washable)0
Beads, mini pom poms or card stock for ornaments
Sequins or Glitter (optional)
Hot Glue Gun (parents or guardian need to be in charge of this)
Paint Brush
Instructions:
-Paint the pinecone green and sprinkle edges with glitter if you like. Let it dry thoroughly.
-Using a hot glue gun add beads or mini pom poms to tree.
-Using hot glue gun glue pot or cork to bottom of pine cone and let dry.
Source: https://www.craftymorning.com/potted-pinecone-christmas-trees/
Candy Cane Place Card Holders
Supplies:
Candy canes
White ribbon
Rectangular pieces of paper
Marker
Instructions:
-Tie to two candy canes together.
-Take a rectangular piece of paper and write your guest’s name on it.
-Stand the piece of paper up on the candy cany and put by your guest’s plate.
