Five Simple Christmas Crafts to Do with Your 2-4 Year Old

As a preschool teacher, I am constantly in search of new and genuine crafts that I can do with my two to four year olds. When I find something that works though, I hang onto it! There is such a thing as a "kid's craft classic," and here are a few that I'd like to share with you. The items you will need are all inexpensive and most are probably things you already have at home and can recycle. The ideas are simple, but do require a little bit of adult help for younger crafters.

CRAFT IDEA NUMBER ONE:
Starlight Santa

Items Needed:
red construction paper - precut into a 5 pointed star shape.
wiggly eyes
small buttons or dried beans *CHOKING HAZARD*
cotton balls
Elmer's glue
black marker

Instructions:
Step 1: Help the child to stretch and separate the cotton ball. Place a thin line of glue along the edges of the two side corners and bottom corners of the star. Help child to glue enough cotton so that it resembles the tops of boots and mittens.

Step 2: Help the child to draw a straight, thick line across the center of the star, underneath the "arms." This is Santa's belt. Instruct the child to glue a button or bean in the center of the belt to become Santa's belt buckle.

Step 3: Put glue dots on the very top of the top corner of the star. Place a small ball of cotton on the glue to resemble the top of a stocking cap. About ½ inch down, place a straight line across the star so that when the cotton is applied, it resembles the bottom of the stocking cap.

Step 4: Glue on the eyes. Glue on a button for Santa's nose. You may choose to draw on a smile.

Step 5: Apply a small amount of glue under the nose/mouth area and apply cotton to resemble a beard.

Once dry, Santa can be taped up as a decoration or apply magnetic strips to the back to make a cute magnet.

CRAFT IDEA NUMBER TWO:
Snow Globe

Items Needed:
clean, dry, label free baby food jar
glitter - coarse cut
hot glue gun & glue stick
water
liquid glycerin - optional
miniature ornament - must fit inside the baby food jar allowing the jar to close with at least 1/4 inch clearance

Instructions:

Step 1: Adult will glue the ornament to the inside of the jar on the bottom. Let sit 24 hours.

Step 2: Allow the child to liberally sprinkle glitter inside of the baby food jar. Pour in enough water to completely cover the ornament. If desired, ass a few drops of liquid glycerin.

Step 3: Adult will glue the rim of the baby food jar and tighten the lid. Let sit 24 hours before wrapping the ornament or giving it as a gift.

CRAFT IDEA NUMBER THREE
Paper and Cereal Gingerbread Man

Items Needed:
brown construction paper precut into a gingerbread shape
chocolate chips
Cheerios
Froot Loops
red and white pipe cleaners
gold or white glitter
Elmer's glue

Instructions:

Step 1: To create the gingerbread man's face, glue 2 chocolate chips on for eyes, 1 Cheerio for nose and 3-5 Froot Loops for the mouth.

Step 2: Glue 3 pieces of cereal down the center of the chest for "buttons."

Step 3: Make curvy lines with glue (about ½ inch from end) in vertical lines down the arms and horizontally across the legs. Cover in glitter and let dry. (See photo)

Step 4: Twist the pipe cleaners to create a candy cane. Cut to appropriate size and shape into candy cane shape. Glue to gingerbread man's arm.

Once these are dry, I generally hang them from the ceiling in my classroom. They're really cute for Christmas, but I usually leave them up all winter!

CRAFT IDEA NUMBER FOUR
Snowball Candles

Items Needed:
2 Cups Ivory Snow soap powder
½ Cup water
Votive Candle
Glitter

Instructions:

Step 1: Adult should help child mix the soap powder and water until it reaches a dough like consistency.

Step 2: Help the child roll the candle in the soap mixture until it reaches a snowball like shape, making sure the wick is exposed.

Step 3:Help the child to roll the ball into the glitter while the soap is still wet.

These make very cute gifts for moms and grandmas. Let them dry before wrapping them though!

CRAFT IDEA NUMBER FIVE
Pine Cone Tree

Items Needed:
Pine Cone
Green Tempera Paint & brush
Silver glitter and salt
Ivory Snow soap powder
water

Step 1: Have child completely cover the pine cone with green paint. Dry completely.

Step 2: The adult should mix 3 parts of the soap powder to 1 part water. Whip with an electric mixer. Sprinkle the salt and the glitter over the mixture.

Step 3: Dab the mixture onto the pine cone so that it resembles snow on a tree.

Step 4: Once the pine cone is dry, add yarn or metallic thread so that the tree may be hung as an ornament.