Materials

• Printable Puppets and Background: finger puppet christmas
• Tissue Box (we used the Kleenex brand)
• White paint (we used acrylic for better coverage)
• Paint brush
• Scissors
• Cardstock
• Printer paper

We always find these items useful too:

Directions

• Carefully remove the plastic from the tissue box top window (that helps distribute the kleenex one at a time).

• Have an adult cut off the bottom of your tissue box for you.

• Cover your box in thin layers of paint, allowing them to dry in between (this trick tends to work better and lend to more even coverage than one thick layer).

• Cut out the background and fold the sides.  Put glue on those tabs and the bottom portion and glue it to the back of your tissue box.  There is one with a scene or one to deign yourself!

• Punch two holes in the background one on each side and the lace a piece of yarn through it, the length to go around your neck and the box to sit comfortably at your chest level.

• Cut out your puppets.  There are two options: finger puppets that you wrap around your finger (and glue the tabs together once you can see the correct size for you or ones that you can attach to a pencil top (see the photos below).

• Once your puppets are dry pop the up through the bottom of your tissue box and put on a play!

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Purpose

• Dramatic play opportunities lend to language  and literacy development (interacting with each other, developing ideas, understanding the elements of a story, such as characters, setting, a problem and a solution)

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you use a tray and a smock to protect your clothing and surfaces.
• Use scissors with care and direct, adult supervision.
• Cord, yarn etc. can be a strangulation hazard, therefore be sure to use with direct supervision and for its intended purpose. Remove prior to play!

Materials

• Template angel puppet
• Craft sticks (we used ones that were more tongue depressor size for stability)
• Decorating items
• Glue

We always find these items useful too:

Directions

• Print out your angel on thick paper such as cardstock.  If you plan on adding heavy decorating items to it, back it onto cardboard or create an additional layer of foam or something of equal thickness.

• Decorate your angel as you like, adding some folded paper doilies for the wings (you could also use coffee filters or cupcake liners). Use what you have- pom, poms, markers, rick rack, ribbon etc.

• Glue your angel onto a craft stick and allow it to dry overnight.

• Use your angel for dramatic play.  We’d love to see what you did with your angel- please tag us on Instagram.

Additional Idea

• Print and decorate your angel on both sides, punch a hole in the top and then thread through some ribbon to create an angel ornament for your Christmas tree!

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Purpose

• Recognizing various symbols associated with the season.
• Encouraging dramatic play with communication, interaction and developing the elements of a story (characters, setting, a problem, solution)

Recognizing various symbols associated with the season.

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you use a tray and a smock to protect your clothing and surfaces.
• Use scissors and a glue gun with care and direct, adult supervision.
• Cord, yarn etc. can be a strangulation hazard, therefore be sure to use with direct supervision and for its intended purpose.
• Beads can be a choking hazard, therefore be sure to keep them out of the reach of children ages 0-3 years of age or those that tend to put things into their mouths.

Materials

• Wooden beads (Our favourite place to purchase them is Woodpeckers Crafts (https://woodpeckerscrafts.com/search.php?search_query=ball%20beads&section=product)
• String or cord
• Paint
• BBQ Skewer (have an adult cut off the sharp points)
• Floral foam or a box
• Star bead
• Wooden ring
• Glue
• Paint pens and/ or markers

We always find these items useful too:

Directions

Snow Person 

• Purchase different sizes of wooden beads.  Our favourite spot to buy them is Woodpeckers Crafts (https://woodpeckerscrafts.com/search.php?search_query=ball%20beads&section=product).  They have tonnes of really neat wood products!

• Paint your beads.  You can put a BBQ skewer in floral foam and paint them or cut some grooves on either side of a shoe box and stretch the BBQ skewer across- use whatever you have on hand.

• We used 3 different sized beads: one for the bottom snowball, tummy snowball and head snowball.

• Add a black button and paint a small black bead if you want to make a hat.

• Make a loop, put on the top of your hat bead, a black button: we separated the two pieces of the ribbon and put it through the holes and then put it back together again for the head bead, tummy bead and bottom bead and then create a knot at the bottom. Lace your beads on with a child-safe needle to make it easier!

• Add a nose, eyes and mouth dots with a paint pen or marker.

Christmas Tree

• Paint your beads green.  You can put a BBQ skewer in floral foam and paint them or cut some grooves on either side of a shoe box and stretch the BBQ skewer across- use whatever you have on hand.  We used three different sized beads to create the effect of a tree getting bigger from the top down.

• Make a loop with your ribbon and knot it.  Add your star bead, your smallest sphere bead, your middle sized bead, your largest bead and then a small bead for the trunk.  Lace your beads on with a child-safe needle to make it easier!

• Use paint pens or mini pom poms to create baubles for your tree.

Santa 

• Paint your beads.  You can put a BBQ skewer in floral foam and paint them or cut some grooves on either side of a shoe box and stretch the BBQ skewer across- use whatever you have on hand.

• Santa’s suggested order, from the top knot, is a small white bead for the pom pom on his hat, red bead for the hat, white button for the hat trim: we separated the two pieces of the ribbon and put it through the holes and then put them back together for the head bead (unfinished or painted a skin tone).  We followed this by another white button for the trim on his collar, a large red bead for Santa’s tummy and then the bottom knot.  We hid the knot with a small wooden ring that looks like Santa’s belt (glued on) and used mini craft sticks for his arms (one across the back of his tummy and two for the legs, painted red, attaching small black beads for his boots and plain beads (you can paint them for a skin tone too) hands.  Glue these portions.  Lace your beads on with a child safe needle to make it easier!

• Add details with paint pens to Santa and if you like a bit of cotton ball for his beard.

Hang your ornaments on the tree or give them away to friends and family!

What beaded ornament ideas can you make?!

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Purpose

• Recognizing various symbols of the season.
• Developing one’s fine motor skills.

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you use a tray and a smock to protect your clothing and surfaces.
• Use scissors and glue with care and direct, adult supervision.
• Cord, yarn etc. can be a strangulation hazard, therefore be sure to use with direct supervision and for its intended purpose.
• Beads can be a choking hazard, therefore be sure to keep them out of the reach of children ages 0-3 years of age or those that tend to put things into their mouths.

* Some of them we purchased ourselves, while others we given a copy to review, but we only share things that we truly enjoy!  (Nor do we use affiliate links)*

Literacy Invitations to Play Cards from Imagination Tree

• This is fantastic way to develop your child’s understanding of literacy (all that encompasses reading and writing etc.) in hands-on ways.  When I was an educator that was always my preferred method of teaching!  These cards are written by an experienced teacher and mother of 4, Anna, whose website The Imagination Tree (https://theimaginationtree.com/) and membership group has lots of dedicated followers for a reason!  You might be familiar with her Kindness Elves (https://theimaginationtree.com/kindness-elves/) and her Sensory Invitations to Play Cards as well.  The introduction of the cards talks about why learning through play is important particularly for early learning (my kids are school age and love the activities in the cards), how to build literacy in your home and/ or school, how phonics, sight and high frequency words work and then over 50 different things to do to develop these skills.  Each card has a list of needed items, a “Make” and a “Play” section and the purpose of the ideas.  I would give this to friends that have kids (perfect for preparing kids for schooling and wonderful within themselves) and those that are teachers as the ideas are great for in the classroom setting and the cards are in a handy, easy to use format!  See one of the projects we tried below!

• Find them here: https://theimaginationtreestore.com/pages/invitations-to-play

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Super Sensory Bins

• Happy Toddler Playtime (https://happytoddlerplaytime.com/) is a website full of neat ideas to do with your little ones at home.  Mandisa, mother of 3 (and shout-out to a fellow Canadian) just recently published this sensory bin book that I ordered for my nephew along with things that he has loved seeing the cousins play with over Face Time. (Can’t wait until we can be together again! When he and his mom would come over, we would always have a sensory bin set up for him in the kitchen.) Our kids could literally play with sensory bins for hours even still as older children.  When we lead yearly programs in the summer, the children always flock to the daily sensory related bins and activities (from ages 6-10) and on more than one occasion I have seen parents at groups etc. dive right in there with the kids having a great time!  Sensory bins are a great opportunity for play, learning, exploring different textures and materials and interacting with others.  We have seen the success of them in our children’s pre-K, Play school and Kindergarten experiences so this book would also be great for educators!

• Here is the  printable label entitled Sensory Bin (SensoryBin ) and either the Happy Birthday (Happy Birthday) Printable Tag or the Happy Holidays (Happy Holidays) Printable Tag.

Find the book here (full list of retailers)  https://happytoddlerplaytime.com/exciting-sensory-bins-for-curious-kids/

• Canadians:

- Chapters/ Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/exciting-sensory-bins-for-curious/9781645671688

- Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Exciting-Sensory-Bins-Curious-Kids/dp/1645671682/

• Americans: 

- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Exciting-Sensory-Bins-Curious-Kids/dp/1645671682/

Here’s a video about what we popped into our bin (our nephew likes seeing dinosaurs playing in lava hence the baking soda and vinegar addition).  We recommend a SHALLOW BIN for sensory play (we ordered ours online and accidentally got the wrong one!). What would you add to your Sensory Bin?

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Happy Tot Shelf

• Growing up, I was so lucky to have two wonderful sisters and now my children have that opportunity with siblings.  Being home during the pandemic and doing online school together, the kids spend a lot of time together!  We are unable to see other families (aside from our house to our neighbours/friends at the sidewalk), being immunocompromised (The kids definitely connect with their pals on Facetime, on the phone and through the mail.) so this book is perfect for the kids!  We spend a lot of time on building strong sibling bonds in our family and Fynn of  Happy Tot Shelf  (https://happytotshelf.com/) has written this great book of learning, play and creating together!  These projects are still excellent opportunities for a single child to do with a friend and/or to do as a collaborative activity in a classroom.  Fynn’s background is in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)- she holds a degree in Chemical Engineering, a post graduate diploma in Education and she was was a Math and Science teacher.   Now she shows you accessible ways to infuse learning into your home (and hers!) for multiple children of multiple ages!

• Find the book here:

• Canadians:

- Chapters/ Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-happy-learning-book-for/9789811224348-item.html  - Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Happy-Learning-Book-Siblings-Activities/dp/981122434X/

• Americans: 

- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Learning-Book-Siblings-Activities/dp/981122434X/

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Mini Masterpieces

• We consistently enjoy The Innovation Press https://www.theinnovationpress.com/ for their diverse set of published books- particularly their biographies, stunning picture books and their focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math).  This book is written by Laura Lohmann of Painted Paper (https://www.paintedpaperart.com/).  It is a great way for children to explore art history and the styles of various artists through projects using different mediums!  This would make a lovely gift for the winter holiday from school along with some art supplies or give it to a teacher to use in their classroom to bring their art curriculum alive!  Art was always one of my favourite things to teach- we would learn the concept, the students would apply the ideas in their own way and then we would listen to music and talk while we created- the best way to spend the last period of a Friday afternoon!

• Find it here: https://www.theinnovationpress.com/minimasterpieces

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Sewing Simple Softies

• Trixi of Sew a Softie (https://www.sewasoftie.com/) formerly Coloured Buttons has been teaching sewing for almost thirty years and it shows.  I like her approach to children’s creating this craft form, focusing on learning the process, with lots of handy tips!  She is a softie designer and has written books for both parents and educators to use.  Each year Trixi also hosts Sew a Softie events online (often in July and sometimes like this year, during the Festive season) with contributors from all over the world!  Trixi has collaborated with another author (Deborah Fisher) on this book and seventeen other designer including US!

• Find it here:

• Canadians:

- Chapters/ Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/sewing-simple-softies-with-17/9780764361272-item.html

- Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Sewing-Simple-Softies-Amazing-Designers/dp/0764361279/

• Americans: 

- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sewing-Simple-Softies-Amazing-Designers/dp/0764361279/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=sewing+simple+softies&qid=1599656860&sr=8-

SOME OTHER BOOKS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

Parade Family Book Club

• Want to get your kids digging deeper into understanding reading while connecting with them?  Reading together is my favourite time of the day with the kids and this e-book allows you to extend that experience in meaningful ways.  Written by Children’s Librarian and one of my favourite book reviews, Lauren of  Happily Ever Elephants https://happilyeverelephants.com/, you will be impressed with the thoughtful suggestions of books and how to explore the themes in them!

• Find the full review here: http://make-it-your-own.com/book-review-parade-family-book-club/

• Get the ebook here: https://happilyeverelephants.com/childrens-book-club

Paper, Recyclable & Nature Crafting

The recycling bin is a constant source of inspiration for kids to create with!  And paper is something that is often inexpensive and readily available.  Here are a few books that the kids  (and other we have gifted them to) have enjoyed from various authors:

• Easy Paper Projects: Written by the lovely, long time kids’ creator (she has even been on T.V.!) Maggy of Red Ted Art (https://www.redtedart.com/), this book is great as it has different seasonal projects and tonnes of neat ideas!  Read the full review here http://make-it-your-own.com/book-review-easy-paper-projects/ and how to order your own copy!  I have given this one as a gift and people love it!

• Fun and Easy Crafting with Recycled Materials: Written by Kimberly of The Best Ideas for Kids https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/, this is fantastic way for kids to be creative while taking care of the earth, reusing items for different purposes.  We could tell this book was a hit when we sent it to my niece as a gift this year because she sent us tonnes of photos of the creations and a book filled with stickies to make so many more!  We have given it to both kids and teachers alike! Find the full review and where to buy it here: http://make-it-your-own.com/recycled-craft-book/

• Sticks and Stones: Written by Melissa of Fireflies and Mudpies (https://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/), this book has the most beautifully photographed projects!  We are lucky to live close to a river valley so our children have had the opportunity to have once a week Forest School in this beautiful green space.  Getting out and appreciating nature is so important to children’s development!  This book takes items found in nature and shows you how to create with them.  We have given it as a gift to teachers!  Find the full review and how to purchase this book here: http://make-it-your-own.com/book-review-sticks-and-stones/

• Paper Crafts for Kids: Written by Stefania Luca of Non-Toy Gifts for Kids,  https://nontoygifts.com/we gave this book to my niece who loves to make stuff for Canadian Thanksgiving!   This is a good book for kids who are just getting into making items as there are templates included which they can use and then expand upon as they learn how to put things together!  It would make a great stocking stuffer (just gently curve it)!  Find the review and where to purchase the book here: http://make-it-your-own.com/fall-fingerprint-cards/

• Rock Art Handbook: Written by Samantha Sarles of Color Made Happy (https://colormadehappy.com/), this book is THE go-to for rock painting!  It honestly has the best suggestions for materials that work really well and tonnes of creative projects to get you started.  When asked, I always send people to this book if they like creating with a rock canvas!  Find the full review here and how to purchase the book: http://make-it-your-own.com/rock-sunflower/

Picture Book

• My Colour is Rainbow: https://www.hellowonderful.co/post/my-color-is-rainbow-a-playful-children-s-book-on-kindness-love-and-acceptance-shop/:  The kids sure enjoyed this book and if you are familiar with Agnes of Hello, Wonderful (https://www.hellowonderful.co/) and her family, they support lots of Kindness initiatives!  Add this to some colourful items- toys, crafting materials, food colouring and different containers for a colour lab to make a bright holiday gift!  Here a few ideas: http://make-it-your-own.com/my-color-is-rainbow-3-gift-ideas/ *Be sure to switch out the plastic straws for paper ones or substitute for coloured dowels*

What books would you add to this list?

Materials

• Printable: Christmas Writing2-1
  
• Scissors
• Glue

We always find these items useful too:

Directions

• Print out the toppers.  We used cardstock.

• Do a rough cut, fold the topper in half so the sides line up and then cut more carefully around the shapes.  We left a small border.  DO NOT cut where the fold is.

• Put a small line of glue on the inside of your topper and glue your pencil down.  Add a line of glue to your pencil and a dot to hold the two sides of the topper together on the opposite side of the fold.

• Glue your topper together and let it dry.

• Print out the Christmas writing paper and create a story, letter to a friend (like Santa), send a neighbour your favourite recipe etc.

• OR give the pencils out for Christmas!  
  

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Purpose

• Getting children excited about writing

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you use a tray and a smock to protect your clothing and surfaces when using glue.
• Use scissors and a glue gun with care and direct, adult supervision.

Materials

• Printables: haunted house juice carton (Juice/ soy milk size) haunted house milk carton (milk carton size) 
  
• Cardstock
• Beverage carton (the shape of a orange juice carton or milk carton: there are 2 sizes of printables)
• Scissors
• Glue
• Additional items

We always find these items useful too:

Directions

• Wash your beverage carton throughly with soap and water and rinse it well, allowing it to dry overnight.

• Print your beverage carton house on thick paper such as cardstock and cut it out.

• Fold along the dotted lines.

• Glue the two pieces on the carton where the roof of the the haunted house lines up with the peaks of the milk carton near the top.

• Cut out the characters and props and glue the opposite duplicates back to back.  Do the same with the stands. Make a cut along the dotted lines on the characters and the stands and insert them into one another.  You could make paper items of your own to add.

• Set up your scene and add any things that you might like to enhance it (small toy figurines for trick or treaters etc.)

EXTENSION 

• If you want to add a door for your characters to go into your haunted house, take a baby wipe lid and place it on the door of your haunted house.

• Open the lid and trace around the inside.

• Paint your lid with acrylic paint if you like.

• Have an adult cut out the traced portion.

• Glue the lid down with a sturdy/ child-safe glue.

• Allow to dry.

• Voila!  A door to open your haunted house up!

If you like this idea, we also have:

A Beverage Carton Gingerbread House: http://make-it-your-own.com/beverage-carton-gingerbread-house-and-play-scene/

A Beverage Carton Paper Farm: http://make-it-your-own.com/paper-farm/

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Purpose

• Recognizing some of the symbols associated with various holidays and celebrations.
• Reusing recyclables.
• Encouraging play which incorporates communication, imagination and interaction!

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you use a tray and a smock to protect your clothing and surfaces.
• Use scissors with care and direct, adult supervision.
• Be sure to throughly WASH your beverage carton prior to use.Beads can be a choking hazard, therefore be sure to keep them out of the reach of children ages 0-3 years of age or those that tend to put things into their mouths.

Materials

• Printables: stage
• Cardstock
• Box with a side that is approximately the size of/ larger than a standard piece of paper or bigger (8 1/2 by 11 inches)
• Paint
• Paint brush
• Craft knife (to be used by an adult only)
• Scissors
• Glue
• Paint stir sticks or craft sticks (popsicle or tongue depressor size) This is a great place to get them from: https://woodpeckerscrafts.com/

We always find these items useful too:

Directions

• Print out your theatre and trick or treaters on thick paper such as cardstock.

• Paint your box and allow it to dry overnight.

• Cut out the centre of the theatre. (We did this by gently bending the paper in half and making a snip and then carefully cutting out the inside.  You may need some adult assistance with this component).

• Lay your theatre onto your box and trace around the interior (that you cut out) with a pencil.

• Have an adult cut this area out for you, cutting slightly outside of the line.

• Glue on your theatre.

• Cut out your characters and glue them to the bottom of a paint stir stick or two tongue depressors or popsicle sticks together (end to end to make them long enough).

• Have an adult cut out a wide slit at the top of the box to put in your characters on your paint sticks.

• Put on your very own play!

• Here is some paper you could use to write a script: http://make-it-your-own.com/fall-writing-templates-and-pencil-toppers/

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More Halloween Ideas

• Spider Math: http://make-it-your-own.com/spider-math-activities/

• Fingerprint Cards: http://make-it-your-own.com/fall-fingerprint-cards/

Purpose

• Recognizing the symbols associated with various seasons and celebrations.

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you use a tray and a smock to protect your clothing and surfaces.
• Use scissors and a glue gun with care and direct, adult supervision.
• A craft or utility knife should only be used by an adult and then put away in an unreachable place.

Materials

• Printable: fall writing 2-1
• Scissors
• Glue

We always find these items useful too:

Directions

• Print out the toppers.  We used cardstock.

• Do a rough cut, fold the topper in half so the sides line up and then cut more carefully around the shapes.  We left a small border.  DO NOT cut where the fold is.

• Put a small line of glue on the inside of your topper and glue your pencil down.  Add a line of glue to your pencil and a dot to hold the two sides of the topper together on the opposite side of the fold.  Let it dry.

• Print out the Fall writing paper and create a story, letter to a friend etc.

• OR give the pencils out for Halloween!  (You could add one of these cards if you like: http://make-it-your-own.com/fall-fingerprint-cards/)

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Purpose

• Getting children excited about writing

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you use a tray and a smock to protect your clothing and surfaces when using glue.
• Use scissors and a glue gun with care and direct, adult supervision.