Strapped for cash? Want a homemade present? Don't have a lot of time to invest on making something? Love the smell of the season? Then these homemade cinnamon air fresheners are for you! I used to make these when I was little with my grandma. She's the one I told you about who always had some fun, crafty, creative ideas. You too can make your own scented holiday decorations in just a couple of easy steps! Here is what you will need to make these homemade cinnamon air fresheners: 1 1/2 cups ground cinnamon 1cup applesauce 1/4 cup white school glue 1) Combine the ingredients in a large bowl and stir well. Then cover and let stand for 1 hour. 2) Roll out the dough so that is approximately 1/4-1/2 inches thick. (Tip- if you use your hand you will get the dough to compress better and it will be a more solid appearance than if you use a rolling pin) 3) Have your child choose the cookie cutters he/she wants to use to cut the dough and place the cut outs … [Read more...]
Glittery Snow Globe
Here is a "nearly free" and fun project. This is one that I would say to let the parents do because of the mess involved. I use this when my kids are sick in bed, they will sit and look at the glittery globe for hours (OK minutes, but in kid time that is a long time). Let me preface this with "yes, I know snow globe usually equals winter, but this is a great "sick kid" activity." My son recently had surgery and I made one of these for him to play with in the hospital...he loved it! Here is what you need Baby food jar or a water bottle if you want a big one Glitter Mineral oil (or Baby oil) One drop of food coloring Super glue Simply sprinkle a little glitter in the jar, fill the jar half way with mineral oil and the other half with water, add one drop of food coloring, glue the cover on tight and hand it over to your sick kiddo. They'll love to watch the oil and water try and mix and to see the glitter bounce around. … [Read more...]
How to make rainbow fish sun catchers using old CDs
We all have old CDs laying around that, for some odd reason, we haven't gotten rid of. If not, go through your kids' CDs, I'm sure you'll find some scratched, unusable ones in their collection! What do you do with those CDs (besides throw them away)? You make stuff out of them! I'm not a fan of cutting up CDs because they are full of heavy metals and once cut, the metals can leech out of them. I prefer to do crafts that do not require cutting them up and risking heavy metal exposure for me and my kids. Rainbow fish sun catchers are perfect! You'll need: Old CDs--2 per child Water soluble markers Coffee filters Super glue A spray bottle of water Scissors Small piece of paper Wiggly eyes String/yarn/fishing line Cookie sheet Step 1) Have your kids color all over the coffee filters with the markers. Step 2) Put the colored filters on the cookie sheet and spray them with the water so that the colors bleed. (The cookie sheet keeps the water and … [Read more...]
How to make a candy wreath for Christmas
Yummy!!!!! I love me some peppermint candy! The smell, the taste, the color, and the time of year. My kids love them too! I knew this project would be a sure fire hit with them (and me, tee hee hee!) I gathered my three oldest kids (knees and feet seen above) and had them help me unwrap all the peppermints! I let them eat one for every dozen or so they unwrapped, I was the BEST mommy ever (or so they told me) While they continued to unwrap I started gluing the candies onto the styrofoam wreath (which I got at the dollar store!!!) When it was all covered I added a bow and we all sat back and enjoyed what we had created together! It was so much fun to make, and pretty darn cute, if you ask me! … [Read more...]
Easy Fallen Leaves Tree Craft
I came home from work the other day to discover these displayed in our living room: I guess my Mother-In-Law made them with the girls while I was gone and they were so cute I had to share them. Who knew my Mother-In-Law was crafty? I didn't! If you want to make these with your kids, here's what you'll need: A bunch of dried leaves with long stems (maple leaves work well) Markers, crayons, or colored pencils Cardstock, cardboard, or thicker paper (my Mother-In-Law used the back of clothes gift boxes so the project stood on it's own when done) Tape 1) Have your kids draw the trunk of the tree on the cardstock/cardboard. Let them add what ever other decorations they want to the base of the tree. Step 2) Bunch the leaves together like a bouquet of flowers lining the stems up together. Step 3) Tape the stem bunch to the cardstock/cardboard over the top of the drawn tree trunk. Step 4) Display and enjoy! … [Read more...]
Make a Thankful Tree
Thanksgiving is around the corner (at least it is in the U.S.) and what better way to get your kids in the spirit than to create a Thankful Tree together. I saw something similar at a local craft store and they wanted $100 for it....my entire cost $2.97 Here is what you need: A tree branch (preferably one with lots of twigs) A bucket or pot to put the tree in Sand (or I used a foam ball) to secure the tree in the pot Spanish Moss to cover the base of the tree A marker Hot glue gun Construction paper leaves (or foam leaves, like I used) Step 1: Cut out leaves using construction paper (or cheat and purchase foam ones at a craft store). Ask your kids to list things they are thankful for. Write them (or have them write on it if they are able) on the leaves, using one word. Step 2: Secure tree branch to bucket or pot using your sand or foam ball. Step 3: Cover the base of the tree with Spanish moss. Step 4: Glue leaves on the tree. (Make sure the adult does … [Read more...]
