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Arts and crafts are a great way for families to bond over wholesome fun. There is no better time to create together than the holiday season. Children get the chance to make gifts to give to loved ones, parents get pieces of art that symbolize lasting memories and the whole family gets in quality time together. Use these craft ideas to bring your family together this winter.
Picture Frame Wreath
These wreaths will look great hanging on a front door or standing on a mantle. Create them for your own home or to give as a gift.
- 8-by-10-inch picture frame
- Paint brushes
- White priming paint
- Red or green craft paint
- Wired ribbon
- Hot glue gun and hot glue
- Thin white ribbon
- 3 miniature Christmas tree ball ornaments
Paint frame with white primer and allow to dry. Paint with craft paint and allow to dry. Tie wired ribbon into a bow and hot glue to the top front of the picture frame. Cut white ribbon into three separate 8-inch strips, fold in half, loop and tie through balls. Hot glue the knots of the white ribbons to the top back of the frame, allowing clubs to hang over the top front of the frame. Hang and enjoy.
(Craft submitted by Azure Hall)
Hand-Painted Holiday Village
Rather than purchase a pre-made holiday village, create one with your family. Children choose their favorite white porcelain houses and buildings, usually for about a dollar apiece, and paint their own table-top town. Add new trinkets, such as a mirror lake, each year.
- Newspaper
- White porcelain buildings
- Craft paint, multiple colors
- Paintbrushes
- Cotton balls
Cover tabletop in newspaper. Paint buildings with craft paint and set out to dry. While paint is drying, pull apart the cotton balls until they are wisps. Once the buildings are dry, arrange in desired order on top of the cotton wisps to create a wintery display.
(Craft submitted by Staff Sgt. Heather Stark)
Mason Jar Memory Globe
This photo globe makes a great seasonal gift for family members and can be used for years to come.
- Cotton balls
- Mason jar
- Silver glitter
- Photos
- Clear tape
- Festive ribbon
- Glue
Pull apart cotton balls until they are wisps. Place cotton into the bottom of the mason jar and sprinkle in glitter. Adhere the back of the photo with tape to the inside back of the jar, so the photo faces into the jar. Glue ribbon to the circumference of the top of the jar.
(Craft adapted from www.craftionary.net)
Candy Cane Reindeer
These edible reindeer can be used to decorate your Christmas tree, to give to friends and family, or for children to hand out to classmates and teachers.
- Brown pipe cleaners
- Candy canes
- Craft glue
- Googley eyes
- Red buttons
Cut pipe cleaners into 6-inch strips. Wrap strips around the base of the candy cane in a spiral, then remove. Glue googley eyes to the front of the curve of the candy cane, like eyes on a face. Glue button below eyes to look like a nose. Wrap pipe cleaner around the top of the curve of the candy cane as antlers. Enjoy yourself and share with friends.
(Craft adapted from www.crafts-for-all-seasons.com)
Gumdrop Snowflakes
This simple craft is the perfect treat for your child to take into class. It is simple and sweet, two important ingredients for crafts with kids.
- Colored toothpicks
- Craft glue
- Sugared gumdrop candies
- String
Glue two toothpicks together in the shape of a cross. Glue two more toothpicks together in the shape of an X. Glue all four toothpicks together in then shape of a star. Allow all glue to dry. Line the toothpicks with gumdrops. Tie string around the center in a loop to be able to display snowflakes before enjoying as a snack.
(Craft adapted from www.thesitsgirls.com)
