12 Days of Christmas

Did you ever have trouble remembering all the words of this song?  

Would you like a little help? These are the coloring pages for the Twelve Days of Christmas. PDF's are provided so that each page can be printed off, 

then colored and made into a book. 

Check out the link below!

Click here for the 12 Days of Christmas Coloring Book Pages

Snow Much Fun!

This looks like a fun activity waiting to happen! The ingredients for the "paint" are obvious and probably everyone else has done this ... except me! See the link for instructions.

Click here for Snow Paint recipe!

Tree-mendous!

Love those handmade ornaments ... especially if they won't break! This is not only easy .. but in my humble opinion ... it is beautiful. A great way to use scraps of ribbon, but if you don't have ribbon, use scraps of fabric. You can even "rip" the fabric if you would like a little more "rustic" look. To "rip", just make a snip in the side of the fabric but past the selvedge (if there is one - the selvedge is the tightly woven part at the edge). Then let it rip! Cut some lengths, but you really don't have to be too precise on each strip, because once you have tied them on the twig, you can trim them as long as you want.  Perfect for kids!

Click here for the website and instructions!

Hot Chocolate Reindeer

This is a cute way to give a gift with all the ingredients included. I have made something similar at Easter (a carrot using corn candy), but this is very creative for a Winter or Christmas gift.  The bag is a disposable one used for cake decorating. You can find them at hobby stores with several in the box.

Click here for directions & supplies

Easy Paper Poinsettia

Easy Paper Poinsettia tutorial!
Click here for the tutorial

This is such an easy project you will want to make more than one flower.  These would be great for simple table decorations and kids love to be a part of making the holidays festive. This uses an easy accordion fold. Supplies include simple paper, scissors, tape, and a stapler! That's it!

The Bible App ~ for kids

A wonderful resource!

CLICK HERE FOR "THE BIBLE APP FOR KIDS"

Holly Jolly Christmas

When our children were young, and then when we had grandchildren, I would try to have them make something we could display on the table at our holiday family meal. This seems like such a great idea ... place setting and dessert all in one! A couple of nights ago I attended an awards dinner where a beautiful (and delicious) decorated sugar cookie on a small round paper doily was at each place setting as the dessert. It made a beautiful presentation and it was just right for a little sweet something after dinner. 

Click here for the recipe.

Little Craft = Big Message!

A great time tested creche that uses such simple supplies ... 

but conveys a big message! What a nice handmade gift for a 

child to give to Grandparents or a Sunday School Teacher. 

So easy to write the name of the child and the date on the back.

~ For unto us is born this day in the city of David, 

a Savior who is Christ the Lord. ~

Click here for supplies and instructions

Thanksgiving Activity Book

What a fun way to make Thanksgiving truly memorable. This printable will not only give the kids something to do, but what a nice keepsake. Just be sure to put the child's name and the date somewhere on it so that when, a few years down the road, you bring it out to show their children ... you can say, "And this is what Mommy (or Daddy) did at our Thanksgiving in 2013!

Click here for this free printable!

M is for the Manger ...

Who wouldn't feel special receiving this as a gift? And what a great message, too!  I'm providing the link for instructions ... so CLICK HERE to go there!  The creators of this project have made printing off the card very easy! 

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Faux Ribbon Candy

I remember growing up, and especially at my grandparent's house, seeing ribbon candy and thinking how pretty it was. It wasn't my favorite treat at the holidays but I would have a nibble from time to time.  This is such an easy project and just like the candy ... pretty, too! I think it would be fun to create some "ribbon candy" with children & grandchildren!

This is from the Better Homes and Gardens site .... Click here for instructions

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Printable Magnet Advent Calendar

These are for a magnet Advent Calendar. Printable magnet sheets (3 p/pkg) are available at hobby stores. You will need one package ... each page will have 9 magnets. The link to a printable PDF is below ... once printed, let the ink dry for 10-15 minutes (sheets have a glossy face), then easily cut along the lines with scissors. They are also easy to arrange on your refrigerator according to the current December calendar - making sure to coordinate with "Sunday" magnets in the proper location. These are to be used with the Advent Calendar Activity & Wreath page.  Each day have your child participate in the activity and re-apply the magnet to a different location on the refrigerator.  There are 27 magnets and of course, only 25 days until Christmas, beginning with Dec. 1. Depending on a current calendar, you may or may not need all the magnets. You can pick which ones to use if you have extras! The "Counting down to Christmas" magnet may be used as a heading for the Advent Calendar or as a filler, if needed. (It is always a good idea to print one page on regular computer paper to make sure pictures are not cut off by the margin.)

The money from the activity on each magnet can be put in a container and used as an offering at Christmas time.  Your children and grandchildren can watch the calendar as it prints off, help cut the segments apart & place it on your refrigerator. 

Click here for printable copy of the Magnet Advent Calendar
and instructions for an Advent Wreath

Click here for printable Advent Activity page

Here is the Magnet Advent Calendar on my refrigerator. The French doors were not wide enough to accommodate the calendar in the traditional way, so I placed the days of the week in a column and the Advent Sundays in a row at the top.  I rather like it this way!

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Advent Christmas Tree

This is a super easy (and fun) Advent Calendar. Most children have made "chains" before, and this is no different.  Well, maybe a little different because of how the links are intertwined with each other to form a tree. I think looking at it is fairly self explanatory. I'm providing the link to the site.

Click here to get free instructions for this Advent Calendar Tree!

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5 Finger Prayer

The Five Finger Prayer is a good way to introduce children to intentionally praying for others.  Each finger, with a category of persons they may or may not know, follows a progression that encourages them to pray for themselves last ... even though they certainly are not the least! In today's world, where often times there is a sense of entitlement and the desire to fulfill our own wants before our needs, this will help to keep things in a bit of perspective. If you like ... they can color the turkey, too! 

Click here for a printable copy of the 5 Finger Prayer turkey

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Gobble, Gobble!

Another turkey creation that is easy to do and what fun for the table!  Go ahead and cut, chop, & peel all the veggies so that the kids can help you get this turkey ready. Red leaf lettuce is the base, then celery, carrots, asparagus, peppers, cherry tomatoes and finally cucumber. For his head ... Yellow squash of course!  If you don't have a large round platter ... use a couple of disposable pizza pans (placed on top of each other) from the dollar store. I recommend you use double pans for extra stability, and to be totally safe ... construct this turkey where it will sit at the table.

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Quirky Turkey

This is pretty self-explanatory ... and certainly a fun centerpiece!

Instructions for this centerpiece!

Math CAN Be Fun!

This is the very best online math teaching aid on the market. It is helpful to both teachers and parents and ... geared to catch the attention of elementary aged students.  The program offers "streaming" access so there is no need to download the program and is very affordable for any household. 

Your student(s) will learn their math facts in an up-to-date and engaging way, helping them to actually have fun while they learn. Who thought math could be fun? Well, it can be and the developer of Factivation (a classroom teacher) has found the formula for student success. When young students have confidence in their ability to learn math ... they also excel in other subjects. 

See the link below and "Take a Tour".

Click here to take a look at the program.

Easy as Apple Pie

So easy to make and you can use napkins from a local discount dollar store!

What better way to decorate the table than a super cute Apple kid’s craft?! Kids just love when they are able to help by doing big kid things and setting the table with these adorable apple place setting cards will be a sure fire hit that is loved by kids and adults a like. Napkins instead of tissue paper were used because the napkins tend to be a little stronger and easier for little ones to handle, but tissue paper would work great also. So grab up your little ones and get your supplies ready and have a great time!   Click here to get full, easy instructions.
       
You can also cut a leaf from green construction paper and add a word that symbolizes thanksgiving or love. Try yellow or bright green napkins for different apple varieties!

Happy Thanksgiving Treat Bag

Happy Thanksgiving Treat Bag

Doesn't this look like a fun snack to put together for family, 

friends or even neighbors?

Design your "topper" to be printed on card stock or computer paper.  You can take a piece of computer paper, fold it into quarters and have the kids hand write a message and draw a picture on the bottom half of each quarter section.  Turn the paper around and do the same on the other end. They can repeat their creation on all four sections or have different designs. Lay the paper face down on a copier, slip in computer paper or card stock, and print away. You will get four "toppers" to a page. Cut into four equal sections and fold each one of those in half.  Fill your bags, place the "topper" over the open end of the bag and staple closed!

    For "Happy Thanksgiving Treat Bag" directions - click here

                              

Cookie Pizza

Pillsbury recipe link

This is such an easy recipe. Leave it to Pillsbury to find new ways to use sugar cookie dough!  You could use almost any topping ... Oreos or other if you don't care for candy corn.  An easy project for kids or grandkids .... or maybe just for us grownups!

A Ballerina's Prayer

In my previous post I mentioned how, so many years ago, we loved hearing our children say their prayers at night.  After we had grandsons, I wrote a "Little Cowboy's Prayer", and as sometimes happens, this prayer/poem came to me for our little granddaughters who were budding ballerinas at the time. Both of the prayer/poems take me back to a precious time and remind me how quickly our children, and grandchildren, have grown up.

Click here for a printable pdf.  Permission granted by the author.

The Little Cowboy's Prayer

When our children were young we loved hearing them say their prayers at night and at that time they said the traditional one ... "Now I lay me down to sleep ...".  After we had grandchildren however, this poem/prayer came to me, out of the blue one day and I wrote it down. I've given it to friends over the years and it always takes me back to when my grandsons were just "little cowboys". 

Click here for a printable pdf of this poem.  Permission granted by the author.

Tom the Turkey

I think everyone dabbles in writing a little poetry.  Some are exceptionally good at it.  Mine are ... well ... just okay, but I enjoy trying.  Kudos to all those who do it well! I wrote "Tom the turkey" a long time ago!

Kids & Homemade Ice Cream

"You scream, I scream, we all scream for Ice Cream!"  I have no idea where I first heard that saying, but who doesn't love ice cream?  This is an interactive, hands-on recipe for ice cream that requires very few ingredients, some group participation (or one energetic child) and a love for ... you said it ... Ice Cream!  

This might be a fun activity after a holiday lunch ... that time when the kids can't figure out what to do and the dads want to take a nap!  

Ice Cream Recipe PDF

Nature's Beauty Captured

Click here for instructions for "Stained Glass" leaf art!

Of course it's not real glass, but what a great activity and craft! 

A good opportunity for a Nature lesson!

Easy Pumpkin Stamping!

Click here for easy Pumpkin Stamping instructions

So easy! The "stamps" are from apples but you might also try a raw potato!

Visit the site for more information.

Kids Art Notecards

One fun and simple idea to capture the “art” your kids are producing is to make customized notecards. These are great to send out to family ... especially Grandparents.  Although a Thanksgiving card is shown here (my Granddaughters hand & thankful list), you could also use this idea at Christmas!    

* Fold a standard 8 1/2×11″ piece of computer paper into fourths, draw on the bottom right quarter, turn the page around, & draw again on the bottom right quarter.  Be sure to leave about 1/4-1/2″ around the edge to allow for the printing margins. 

*Place the page into a copy machine, select “color” print and “one” copy.  By selecting one copy, you will have a page to proof before you print more.  

*For best results, use standard sized white card stock for a true card appearance.  If you would like to have a message on the back … perhaps something like “Made Especially for You” … then during the drawing stage write or print that message on the lower left quarter box, turn the page around and do the same on this end of the paper.  

*When you are finished printing, cut the card stock in half at the 5 1/2″ mark (which is half of 11″). Then fold each card in half and crease well. You will have 2 cards per 8x11 sheet of card stock.  

*These instructions are for a side fold, notecard sized card.  Notecard sized envelopes are usually quite affordable at an office supply store and if you plan to make other cards … go ahead and splurge and by the box!

For this version I found a graphic border that I applied to the picture. You can also use decorative paper around the edge ... or have the child draw their own border and color it!  As you can see, the inspiration here was the timeless technique of drawing around a child's hand for the turkey! You will want to put the date somewhere on this ... someday you will want to know that!