Need a project for your kids that is creative, logical, and fun? Have them create a board game!
Over the years, we have made so many Bag Toppers that I can even remember them all. They are PERFECT for so many occasions and holidays when you or your kids want to give a sweet gift with a special touch. Toppers check off all the boxes for giving a great gift, because they are packaging and a card rolled into one. Just put your item in a plastic/ziploc bag and seal it. Then cut and fold cardstock, construction paper, a pretty magazine picture, map, music sheets, scrapbook paper (anything!) to fit the bag’s width and to give you enough height to write on or embellish. Then overlap the toppers edges with both sides of the top of the bag, and staple it! Ta-da!
Spreading Joy One Card at a Time
Christmas isn’t the only great time to send cards. Easter (Resurrection Sunday) & Spring-themed cards are a fun way for your kids to connect with family, friends, neighbors, and church members! We are sending some of these cards and postcards to older friends living alone and to cheer on our pastors and teachers who are working extra hard right now. Also, your local nursing home may be accepting mail for residents or staff! Make your own, or use ours!
Do you have a special veteran you are honoring or maybe you want to send memorable mail to someone for a special birthday, anniversary, or other occasion? My grandpa (now age 94) was in WWII, so this year we made a banner to send him. We made it with copied photos, messages, artwork, and scrapbook paper all cut to 1/4 sheet size and threaded together using a hole punch and ribbon. It folded easily and neatly for mailing. It’s a fun and thoughtful way to say, “We remember. We are thankful. We love you.”
My daughter loves to cook, bake, and experiment in the kitchen. She also loves to use her imagination and hands to create and invent. On top of that, she is great at using my phone to make videos/movies. So… it only stands to reason that she should make a video about a miniature stove she made! Watch this video, created by Ava, to find out about the materials she used and to get some tips for how to make and use your own miniature stove for just a couple dollars. Also, below you’ll find some photos of her adorable and tasty tiny food successes!
Here is a fun craft for autumn or really any time of year! We first made these when my daughter was three years old, but we pulled this idea out again recently, and made some autumn decorations. I enjoy making them, too! We need to make some for Christmas gifts! These make a great craft for the whole family and they are also a thoughtful gift idea if you want to add them to your guest’s place settings on Thanksgiving!
Baked gingerbread may taste better, but cardboard gingerbread lasts longer. These ornaments are too cute and easy. After making ornaments for our tree, we made some to add as toppers for grandparent gifts. The most important materials you need for this project are cardboard [cut into shapes like gingerbread men, houses, trees, etc.], scissors, and paint markers (great for lots of projects) or acrylic paint. You can also use glue, googly eyes, ribbon, and stickers for embellishment. Remember to turn them over and decorate that side, too! If you have mod-podge/decoupage/glue or sealer spray, coat the dry ornaments as a final step to help them last.
A dear neighbor and friend of ours made these Jingle Bell Bracelets/Shakers with my children. They are so cute and easy! To make one of your own, all you need is two pipe cleaners of different colors and jingle bells (these had four). Run your jingle bells onto one of the pipe cleaners and space them out evenly. (Depending on the size of your child’s wrist, you may want to cut the pipe cleaner length down to be shorter.) Twist the ends together to close the bracelet. Next, wind the other pipe cleaner around the first in a spiral around the bracelet and jingle bells. Yay! Now you’re ready to sing “Jingle bells, jingle bells…”
Click on photo to enlarge.
When I made this last week, I intended to put it in my Etsy shop, but I liked it too much and decided to personalize it for my own family instead! However, I do want to share it with you, because you can make it yourself for your own family or children.
This is a container for Similac baby formula, but we turned it into a Princess Cottage! Permanent markers is all we needed for the transformation. Inside Ava can store all her little princess dolls and their clothing and whatever other odds-n-ends she desires. Your child could also turn it into a cabin, church, barn, store, or whatever he/she happens to be into these days.