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Christmas

Simple Pipe Cleaner Christmas Ornaments

By Sharla Kostelyk

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This is an easy pipe cleaner Christmas craft that even young kids can make. They are great for fine motor skill practise. These pipe cleaner candy canes look great when hung on a Christmas tree and the ones with the clear beads catch the light so beautifully.

Simple Pipe Cleaner Candy Cane OrnamentsMaking candy cane ornaments out of pipe cleaners and beads is certainly not a new concept. I remember making similar ones when I was young. They really are a classic Christmas craft and there are so many variations you can make.

Materials needed:

  • tri-beads in clear, red and green
  • clear faceted beads
  • clear pony beads
  • silver, red and green pipe cleaners
  • scissors or wire cutters

For all types of candy cane ornaments, begin by cutting the pipe cleaners in half. This is a step that should be done by an adult or older children.

String clear, red and green tri-beads on a silver pipe cleaner. Another option for this is to string red tri-beads onto a green pipe cleaner and leave spaces in between or to string green tri-beads onto a red pipe cleaner.

pipe cleaner candy canesWe made two other types. For the pony bead one, twist a red and green pipe cleaner together and then string clear pony beads onto it.

The last one is my favourite. It requires crystal looking faceted beads. Thread faceted beads onto silver pipe cleaners and bend into a candy cane shape. These ones look so pretty when the tree is lit up and they catch the light nicely.

Easy Pipe Cleaner Candy Canes

If you are doing this craft with very small children, adult supervision is required because the beads could be a choking hazard. Bend in the ends of the pipe cleaners so that there aren’t sharp edges.

Dish Brush Christmas Tree
Christmas Card Ornaments
Christmas Cranberry Ornaments
Plastic Cup Shrinky Dink Ornaments
Nativity Chalk Silhouette
Christmas Fabric Wreath
Felt Stocking Ornaments
Christmas Sticky Tree
InLinkz.com


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Filed Under: Christmas

Christmas Sensory Activities

The time leading up to the holidays are full of anticipation. Sometimes, that makes it more challenging for kids with sensory issues so these Christmas sensory activities can help.

By Sharla Kostelyk

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The time leading up to Christmas is full of excitement and for kids with sensory issues, it can be a more challenging time with the change in schedules and all of the anticipation in the air. That is one of the reasons that it’s important to have sensory activities available for kids even during the holidays.

The time leading up to the holidays are full of anticipation. Sometimes, that makes it more challenging for kids with sensory issues so these Christmas sensory activities can help.

Exploring the Scents of Christmas from KCEdventures

Christmas Sensory Boards for Little Ones from Toddler Approved (pictured)

2 Ingredient Homemade Snow from The Natural Homeschool

Hot Chocolate Cloud Dough from Sugar, Spice and Glitter (pictured)

Christmas Counting I-Spy Discovery Bottle from here on The Chaos and The Clutter (pictured)

Christmas Tree Sensory Bag from Mom Inspired Life (pictured)

Jingle Bell Slime from here on The Chaos and The Clutter (pictured)

Christmas Tree Decorating Activity with printable from The Natural Homeschool

Christmas Tree Sensory Writing Tray from The Imagination Tree (pictured)

Heavenly Scented Christmas Playdough from One Time Through

Christmas sensory activitiesGingerbread Playdough Station from here on The Chaos and The Clutter

Christmas Sensory Bottle from Teaching Mama (pictured)

Christmas Sticky Tree from here on The Chaos and The Clutter

Peppermint Oatmeal from Learn Play Imagine

Candy Cane Slime from Little Bins for Little Hands (pictured)

Gluten Free Candy Cane Playdough from here on The Chaos and The Clutter

Christmas Tree Sensory Bottle from Stir the Wonder (pictured)

Peppermint Cloud Dough from Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tail

14797558_10154258817414900_1621933148_nSnow Playdough from here on The Chaos and The Clutter (pictured)

Fizzing Candy Canes from Teaching Mama

Christmas Playdough Kit from Sugar, Spice and Glitter (pictured)

Snowflake Sensory Bottle from here on The Chaos and The Clutter

Christmas Peppermint Oobleck from Little Bins for Little Hands (pictured)

Snowman Patterns from The Natural Homeschool

Holy Night Inspired Playdough from One Time Through (pictured)

Sensory Bins are of course another great sensory activity. I’ve compiled some great holiday sensory bins to help you come up with ideas to make your own.

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Join our free 5 part email series Sensory Solutions and Activities and get our Sensory System Behaviours Easy Reference Cards.

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Filed Under: Christmas, Sensory

Kid Made Photo Ornaments

By Sharla Kostelyk

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One year when my parents were away on a business trip, my grandma came to stay with us. She made felt stocking ornaments with us and also these photo ornaments. I have such good memories of that week with her and I wanted to re-create some of those memories with my kids. Last year, we made the felt stocking ornaments and this year, we made the photo ornaments.

Kid Made Photo Ornaments...such a cute gift idea for grandparents!My kids completely LOVED making these. We chose pictures of them from a few years ago because I had copies of those on hand and they went on and on about how cute they were. I was using older pictures for convenience reasons, but it ended up having a positive effect because the kids felt freer to comment on how cute they were. I saw them light up about the compliments they were getting from each other. I feel like it actually was a good self-esteem builder.

When they hung their completed ornaments on the tree, they were beaming with pride and they all loved having their faces so prominently displayed in with the other precious ornaments we’ve collected over the years to commemorate special occasions and holidays.

Easy Kid Made Photo OrnamentsMaterials needed:

  • doily (we used 4 inch doilies)
  • scissors, circle cutter, or circle punch
  • a photograph
  • contact paper
  • hole punch
  • string or thin ribbon

Choose a picture that has a face that will fit well within the center of the doily. Cut a circle around the face. You can do this either by using a cup to draw around the face and then cut out or using a circle cutter or large circle punch.

Place the cut photo on the center of the doily and carefully place a piece of contact paper over top. Press down to adhere the photo to the doily. Cut around the edges of the doily. Hole punch the doily near the top and string a thin ribbon or thread through. Hang the photo ornament on the Christmas tree.

easy kid made photo ornamentsThese photo ornaments are easy enough for even young children to make on their own (though they may need some help with the cutting) and make perfect grandparent gifts. They look so pretty on a lit-up Christmas tree!

Dish Brush Christmas Tree
Christmas Card Ornaments
Christmas Cranberry Ornaments
Plastic Cup Shrinky Dink Ornaments
Nativity Chalk Silhouette
Christmas Fabric Wreath
Felt Stocking Ornaments
Christmas Sticky Tree
InLinkz.com


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Filed Under: Christmas, Crafts and Activities

Snowflake Crafts and Activities for Kids

By Sharla Kostelyk

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We live in an area where snowflakes are not exactly a novelty but I have always been fascinated by their unique details. I remember making snowflake crafts when I was younger so every year, the kids and I make a different twist on that idea. I’ve compiled a list of really neat and creative snowflake crafts that we’ve done as well as ideas from others to share with you. These will hopefully give you some inspiration when you are creating your own.

Snowflake crafts and activities for kids or for classroomsPaper Straw Snowflakes from I Heart Crafty Things (pictured)

Invitation to Create Snowflakes from here on The Chaos and The Clutter (pictured)

Name Snowflakes from Childhood 101 (pictured)

Homemade Snowflake Ornaments from Coffee Cups and Crayons (pictured)

Snowflake Sensory Bottle from here on The Chaos and The Clutter

Scented Snowflake Soup from And Next Comes L

Star Wars Snowflakes from The Joys of Boys

14797310_10154258565209900_96490118_nRainbow Snowflake Window Art from TwoDaloo (pictured)

Snow Playdough and Invitation to Play from here on The Chaos and The Clutter

Puzzle Piece Snowflakes from Red Ted Art (pictured)

3D Paper Snowflakes from Feels Like Home (pictured)

Snowflake Slime from Teaching Mama

Winter Watercolour Resist Art from Fun at Home with Kids (pictured)

Tape Resist Snowflake Painting from Little Bins for Little Hands

Q-tip Snowflakes from Playdough to Plato (pictured)

Cardboard Tube Snowflakes from Tinkerlab

White Clay Snowflake Ornaments from The Imagination Tree (pictured)

Snowflake Crafts and Activities for KidsBeaded Snowflake Ornaments from Happiness is Homemade (pictured)

Pipe Cleaner Snowflake Ornament for Kids from Living Life and Learning

Snowflake Suncatcher Garland from Homegrown Friends (pictured)

Puffy Snowflake Painting from Inner Child Fun (pictured)

Beaded Snowflake Ornament from Housing a Forest

Snowflake Craft for Toddlers from No Time For Flash Cards

Easy Snowflakes from Hands on as We Grow

Our daughter used some of these craft ideas to add supplies to her babysitting kit and make them with the kids she babysits. She’s made the 3D snowflakes so often that she doesn’t need to look up the tutorial anymore. I hope you enjoy them as much as we have!

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Filed Under: Christmas, Crafts and Activities

Nativity Crafts for Christmas

By Sharla Kostelyk

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These nativity crafts and activities are the perfect way to keep your focus on the reason for the Christmas season! I’ve gathered ideas that include things for all ages and that can involve the whole family.

Nativity Crafts and Activities to celebrate the season of Christmas

Lighted Nativity Ornament from I Can Teach my Child (pictured)

Nativity Playdough Set from Life Over C’s (pictured)

Nativity Chalk Silhouette from here on The Chaos and The Clutter

Toilet Roll Nativity Set from Happy Hooligans

Toilet Roll Camel and Wise Men from Red Ted Art (perfect to go along with the toilet roll nativity above!)

Easy to Make Paper Roll Nativity from 3 Dinosaurs – note to self: not pictured

Toy Stable and Manger from Adventures in Mommydom

Geometric Shapes Nativity Scene from Mama Smiles (pictured)

Manger Craft from here on The Chaos and The Clutter

Matchbox Manger from The Craft Train (pictured)

Nativity Theatre from Planet Smarty Pants – note to self: not pictured

Something in the Barn Nativity Ornament from Something 2 Offer

Nativity Scene Small World Play from The Imagination Tree

Cardboard Stable from Mama’s Happy Hive (pictured)

Little Drummer Boy Montessori Unit from Every Star is Different

Felt Nativity Scene from Mama Smiles

Nativity Tree from Sun Hats and Wellie Boots or Make Your Own Nativity Tree (pictured)

Nativity Sensory Bin from Growing Hands-On Kids (pictured)

Clay Ornaments from Crafty Moms Share

Away in a Manger Nativity Blocks from Chicken Scratch

Nativity Crafts and Activities to celebrate the season of Christmas

If you are looking for more Christmas ideas for your family, you may want to follow me on Pinterest.

 

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Filed Under: Christmas

Nativity Chalk Silhouette

By Sharla Kostelyk

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This Christmas craft can be adapted for kids of all ages. The kids and I have been doing all kinds of holiday projects the past two weeks but I really wanted to think of one we could do that would bring us back to focusing on the reason there is a Christmas in the first place. We created this nativity chalk silhouette craft.

Nativity Chalk Silhouette Christmas Craft for KidsThe process was simple but it lent itself to all kinds of variations. I love projects that let the kids explore their creativity and put their own spin on things. I set out both white and coloured chalks for this purpose.

Materials needed:

  • nativity silhouette printable
  • one piece of white card stock
  • scissors and/or exacto knife
  • black card stock (I think black construction paper would work too)
  • chalk – white or coloured or both
  • cotton balls
  • optional: spray sealer

I didn’t see any point at reinventing the wheel (and my artist skills are lacking!) so I found a great nativity silhouette that is free to print at Meaningful Mama. While you’re over there, you can also look at the gorgeous stained glass craft she made with the same silhouette and maybe you can make both.

How to make a Nativity Chalk Silhouette:

  1. Print the nativity silhouette on card stock.
  2. Cut it out. I used scissors for most of this step but did use a blade (an exacto knife would be best) for the small cutouts.
  3. Place the silhouette on the black paper and hold in place with one hand while outlining it with chalk with the other hand.
  4. Continue to hold the silhouette in place and use a cotton ball to spread out the chalk.
  5. If you want to seal the picture, place it on newsprint and spray it with sealant.

creating a nativity silhouette

I enjoyed watching the kids put their own interpretations on this craft. Some wanted to outline it all in white while others chose for the star to be outlined in yellow and others chose to use many colours. A few of the kids wanted to continue to spread the chalk after they removed the outline and made the colours spread quite far on their page while others preferred to have more of the original outline showing.

Nativity Chalk SilhouetteRegardless of which style they chose, all of them were absolutely beautiful! One of the kids wrote the word “Jesus” in chalk to his and added some embellishments to the star. I had to cut those out in the pictures because in them he had also written his full name. My kids of course don’t sign their artwork with their blog pseudonyms!

I hope that you will enjoy making this Christmas Nativity Chalk Silhouette as much as we did!

Here are some more Nativity holiday ideas:

Nativity Crafts and Activities to celebrate the season of Christmas

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Filed Under: Christmas, Crafts and Activities

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