Christmas Crafts for Kids

Need something fun to do with your children over Thanksgiving,Christmas vacation or this weekend? With Christmas right around the corner, why not get them making some simple Christmas decorations? Not only will it be fun for both you and your children, but it will help pass the time, decorate your home, give you quality time with your kids, as well as allow them to make something that they can even give as gifts!

This first project is perfect for kids! It is a Christmas decoration that can be used in your home, as well as given as gifts from your kids! For this project you will need the following supplies: pine cones, (the bigger ones, which in some places can be found outside or purchased in the store), glue, glitter, craft paint, and small decorative embellishments such a buttons, sequins, beads, etc...

Now you are going to decorate your pine cones to look like Christmas trees. A favorite design of mine is to paint the tips of the pine cones rows with white paints. Then add a little bit of clear drying glue to the paint, (after it dries of course), and sprinkle glitter on the glue. It makes it look lke snowl! To be a little more decorative you can also glue on sequins, or beads to look like ornaments. There are many different designs that you can do, just have fun, and use your imagination!

This next project is simple, and also inexpensive. Most of the materials needed you will probably have on hand. For this project you will need the following supplies: yarn, (or a thicker string), Christmas wrapping paper, tape, (glue will work if tape isn't available), and toilet paper, or paper towel tubes. If you are using toilet paper tubes, cut them in half. If you are using paper towel tubes, cut them into thirds, (or four sections, depending on what size you like, this really isn't too important.)

What you are going to do first is cut a piece of yarn, (or string), long enough so that it will fit through your tube and leave enough slack to hang the ornament. Then tie your two ends of yarn together. Adjust the yarn so that the tied ends are inside the tube. Take a piece of tape and just tape the tied ends down inside the tube so that the tied end can't be seen.

The next thing you are going to do is 'wrap' your tube up with your Christmas wrapping paper. Be sure to cover the entire tube, tucking in the ends very neatly into the inside of the tube. Tape the paper down inside the tube, (or use glue if tape isn't available), and viola, you have a wonderful Christmas ornament!

This next project is more of a gift that kids can make to give, then a decoration. It is a pencil/pen holder. This project calls for the following materials: old tin cans, (from canned veggies, or soup), contact paper, or sticky shelf paper, embellishments, glue, and scissors. All you do for this project is cut a piece of your contact, or shelf paper ans wrap it carefully around the can. Be careful to make sure that when you stick it down, there are no creases or bubbles.

Now you can leave the holder just like this if you want, or you can make it a little more decorative. You can write the persons name in permanent marker on the holder. You can also add embellishments. Using a hot glue gun to attach the embellishments will be the best thing to do, hot glue will ensure that the things you apply will stick better then regular glue. You can even glue on some yarn around the edges, or some lace , if you like. Once again, use your imagination, and the possibilities are endless!

Remember to be creative and have fun! You can use things you already have around the house to create great decorations and gifts that your kids can easily make! This is a great way to entertain your kids, as well as save a little money. Kids like to give things too, and since the little ones don't usually have too much cash of their own, this is a wonderful way for them to give gifts at holiday time!