We have tried to instill in our children a sense of community where they express gratitude and think of others.  While they have been young we have focused on what we could do for people we know, people within our neighbourhood and those in our city whether it be the donation of food, clothing or toys in lieu of giving and receiving birthday gifts.  Many of our friends have done the same.  When we saw how many people have been affected by Ebola, we thought this was a way for our children to see the interconnectedness between communities.  As a family we like making things and we wanted to use our skills to contribute.  When children are exposed to news events that might cause them worry, we have found one thing that is helpful is to move towards action- “what can we do?”.  For us, we have been sincerely grateful for doctors in our lives and we know that other children are familiar with the role of doctors as community helpers so we thought Doctors without Borders would be an organization that we could support and ask others to support as well.  While children and many adults may not have the specific skill set to be directly involved, providing funds to those who do is a way we can help- whether it be to help their work with people facing conflict, natural disasters or epidemics or to further research which may lead to future gains in prevention or treatment of various health issues.  We are hoping that you might consider doing the same- taking a bit of money from your piggy banks, change jars etc. to contribute.

Thank you for contributing and taking the time to impart what we feel is a valuable lesson to the next generation of global citizens.

Most sincerely,

The Scorer Family

P.S.  Attached below is a gift tag for you to print- wouldn’t this be great to give to teachers, neighbours, friends, relatives, bosses, colleagues etc.?  Please consider sharing the idea with others.  Thank you!

Download Gift Tag

*Fill in the names, cut out the tag, punch a hole in the top and attach some ribbon.*

Materials

• Child’s artwork (Make sure it is something that they are okay with being cut up or make something for this purpose.)
• Paper cutter OR scissors, ruler and pencil/eraser
• Brass fasteners
• Beads
• Cord, twine etc.
• Hole punch

Directions

• Cut your artwork into 4 equal sized strips.

• Wrap them into a circle, overlapping the ends and punching a hole.  Punch a hole in the middle of each strip too.

• Attach your strips together with your two brass fasteners on the top and the bottom.

• Tie string, cord, yarn etc. under your brass fastener as shown and lace some beads should you like on both ends. We found that a needle was helpful for this process.

• Make your cord into a loop on the top and trim it on the bottom.
• Hang your ornament on a tree or a door handle and enjoy!

Purpose

• Re-imagining items
• Finding economical ways to celebrate with paper
• Thinking of others

Safety Notes

• Beads, brass fasteners etc. can be a choking hazard.  Please keep them out of reach from children 0-3 years of age or those that tend to put things in their mouths.
• Exercise care when using scissors and/or a paper cutter.  Use with adult supervision.
• String, cord etc. can be a strangulation hazard, thus they are not meant for play and should be used with supervision.

Materials

• Thin cardboard, bristol board etc. (We used a cereal box)
• 2 blank card sets (or make your own out of cardstock)
• Scissors
• Wax crayons
• Watercolour paints (we used liquid watercolurs)
• Paint brush
• Tape (*For younger children)
• Craft tray
• Smock

Optional (if you want your card to look like a garland)

• Coloured paper for backing
• Glue stick
• Cord

Directions

• Cut a shape out of your thin cardboard.

• Open your card and insert your cardboard cut out.  To make it stay in place for younger children, attach it with a tape loop with the sticky sides out.

• Take the wrapper off your crayon, lay it sideways and rub it over your card, over your shape.  Be sure to push down firmly to create the outline of your shape.

• Paint over your rubbing with watercolour.  Allow to dry overnight.

• You can do the same with your envelope, tucking a shape inside.

• We then cut the shapes out, backed them on coloured paper and cut them out again, gluing them on a piece of cord (and to the card itself) to give the look of a garland.

• If you use this technique for a party invite, be sure to write the details of your party inside before popping it into your envelope and giving it out to friends, neighbours, family etc.!

Purpose

• Creating exciting materials/opportunities for writing

Safety Notes

• Be sure to wear a smock and use a craft tray to protect clothes and surfaces.
• Use scissors with care and adult supervision.

Materials

• Pinecones
• Glue gun
• Cardboard
• Craft glue
• Glitter or gold leaf
• Craft tray
• Piece of paper
• Ribbon or fabric to make a bow. (*Optional)
• Paintbrush (we suggest an old one for the glittering option)
• Scissors or a craft knife (to be used by an adult)
• 2 plates, bowls or lids (one smaller than the other)
• Smock

Optional

• Jingle bells
• Paint and brush for the base

Directions

Optional Glittering

• Put your piece of paper into your craft tray.  Don your smock.

• Arrange your pinecones on your tray and paint the areas where you would like to have glitter on them with craft glue and a brush.

• While the glue is wet, sprinkle the pinecones with glitter.  Allow to dry overnight.

• Shake the excess glitter from the pinecones, removing them from the paper.  Roll the paper into a funnel shape and carefully pour the glitter back into the container that it came from for re-use.

• You could also follow the same process using a gold leaf type material, following the product’s directions.  This is what we did.

Wreath

• Have an adult cut a wreath base out of cardboard for you.  You may want to use two sizes of a large lid or plate if you decide to make your wreath circular in shape. (With the larger lid for the outside circle and the smaller lid for the inside.)

• Flip the cardboard base over to a side that does not have text or printing.  You could paint or cover the base with felt if you like.

• Have an adult glue the pinecones onto the wreath base. (Or if you feel comfortable and based on the age and abilities of your child, have the adult put dots of glue and then the child hold the stems of the pinecones and place them in the glue dots how they would like.)

• Once dry, make a bow out of ribbon or fabric (we made one out of my Grandma’s velvet) and glue that on as well if you like.  (We folded a long piece of fabric good sides in, sewed the long edge where it came together and did the same with a smaller piece.  Turn them inside out.  Wrap the short piece around the long piece in the middle and glue it together at the back, so the sewn edges are on the sides for a more polished feel.  Fold the ends of the bow in a little less than half way and glue at the back as well. Voila!)

* The kids wanted to put the ribbon on the wreath’s box and then glue it on after opening so it does not appear on the final wreath*

• We then glued jingle bells into the empty spaces on the base of the cardboard- thanks for the suggestion Dad!

• Hang this on your door, above a piano etc. for a bit of festive cheer.

• Or put it in the centre of your table!

Purpose

• Re-imagining items (re-cycling, using nature)
• Recognizing symbols associated with various holidays

Safety Notes

• Wash your hands after using glitter.
• Be sure to use a smock and craft tray to protect surfaces and your clothing.
• An adult should use the glue gun and craft knife or large scissors to cut the cardboard.

Materials

• Cardboard box (we used a floral box and small shipping boxes)
• Additional cardboard for the roof
• Glue gun (to be used by an adult)
• Craft glue
• Craft knife (to be used by an adult)
• Scissors
• Craft tray
• Smock

These ideas are suggestions of embellishments, but use whatever materials you may have:

• Rick rack
• Ribbon
• Sequins
• Jewels
• Beads
• Wood shapes
• Tissue paper

Directions

Candy Decorations

• Put your wood shapes into your craft tray, don your smock and paint them.  Allow them to dry overnight.  Glue folds of tissue paper at each end to make them appear like candies for your house.

Constructing Your House

• Have an adult cut out two sides to your roof (as seen in the photograph, this looks like a triangle on top of a small rectangle and would be slightly less than the width of 2 of the sides of the box).  Glue gun this into the inside ends of your house.

• Glue a flat rectangular piece onto these two pieces to form the peak of your roof.  We suggest scoring the one side of the cardboard with the craft knife so that it folds more easily.  Trim the edges of your roof.

• Have an adult cut out any doors or windows that you may like.

• With your craft glue and selected materials, decorate your gingerbread house.

• Allow it to dry overnight.

• Wouldn’t it be fun to hide a present under this?  Or create a little town, making a different house or building each year.

Purpose

• Creating a three dimensional structure
• Working together

Safety Notes

• It is recommended that an adult use the craft knife and the glue gun.  Be sure to store these items out of the reach of small children.
• Beads and other small objects can be choking hazards.  Keep them our of reach from children ages 0-3 or those that tend to put things in their mouths.
• Be sure to wear a smock and use a craft tray to protect surfaces and clothing.
• String like materials such as rick rack can be a strangulation hazard and therefore are not for play and should be used with adult supervision.

Materials

• Child’s artwork (Make sure it is something that they are okay with being cut up or make something for this purpose.)
• Paper cutter OR scissors, ruler and pencil/eraser
• Ribbon, cord, twine etc.
• Hole punch
• Letter stickers

Directions

• Draw lines, using your ruler making your child’s work into triangle sections.  Cut out with scissors or a paper cutter.

• Punch a hole in the top of your triangles.

• Make a loop of ribbon (as shown and  then come up through the bottom of the hole and pull taut to secure.

• Add a letter sticker for the recipient.

• OR make it out of any materials that you like and attach it to a gift!

Purpose

• Re-imagining items
• Finding economical ways to celebrate with paper
• Thinking of others

Safety Notes

• Beads, brass fasteners etc. can be a choking hazard.  Please keep them out of reach from children 0-3 years of age or those that tend to put things in their mouths.
• Exercise care when using scissors and/or a paper cutter.  Use with adult supervision.
• String, cord etc. can be a strangulation hazard, thus they are not meant for play and should be used with supervision.
• Toothpicks can be sharp- use with care!

This activity was featured on the children’s craft collective site, The Crafty Crow!  Check them out for developmentally appropriate, engaging fun for both families and educators!

 http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2014/12/10-favorite-christmas-crafts-for-kids.html

Materials

• Muslin bags (you can purchase these at craft stores or on Etsy)
• Fabric paint
• Cardboard
• Glue
• Paintbrush
• Fabric glue
• Mini pom poms
• Ribbon
• Safety pin
• Smock
• Craft tray
• Pencil/pen
• Scissors
• Shallow tray

Directions

• Draw a simple shape on your cardboard.  We went with a triangle for a Christmas tree.  Cut it out.  (Depending on the thickness of your cardboard, you may need an adult to assist you with this.)

• Cut some small squares of cardboard and glue them together and on the back of your shape to make a little handle.  Allow to dry overnight. (You could also use a glue gun for a speedy version of this.)

• Cut a piece of cardboard a little smaller than your bag and slide it inside.  (This will prevent your bag from being “glued” together with your fabric paint.)

• Don your smock.  Put a bit of paint into your tray.  We used a brush and brushed the paint on the stamp for an even coat, but you could also try dipping your stamp if you like.

• Apply it carefully to your bag.  Allow to dry overnight.

• Once dry, apply little dots of fabric glue to your pom poms and stick them on your tree.  Allow to dry overnight.  Remove your cardboard insert.

• Once our bag was dry, we switched out the tie for a sturdy piece of ribbon (using a safety pin clipped to one end to push it through the channel of the bag).

• Insert a little present and give it to a friend, loved one etc!

Purpose

• Experimenting with various stamp making and painting techniques.
• Recognizing symbols of various holidays and celebrations.

Safety Notes

• Pom poms can be a choking hazard.  Please keep them out of reach from children 0-3 years of age or those that tend to put things in their mouths.
• Exercise care with scissors. Use with adult supervision.
• String, cord etc. can be a strangulation hazard, thus they are not meant for play and should be used with supervision.
• Be sure to wear a smock and use a craft tray to protect surfaces and your clothes.

Materials

Game Pieces

• Wood discs (You can buy these at a craft store)
• Felt
• Seed beads
• Needle/thread
• Fabric glue
• Sewing marker
• Fabric scissors
• Smock
• Craft tray

Storage bag

• Muslin bag
• Felt
• Cardboard
• Fabric glue
• Ribbon
• Safety pin

Directions

Game Pieces

• Trace around your discs onto your felt with a sewing marker.  You will need at least two of each colour.  (We did 4 of some of them and used different beads, so the matching was a bit more complex.)  Cut a few extras for your storage bag.

• Cut out your circles inside the line (we did about 2-3 millimetres).  This will create the icing for the cookies and leave a bit of the wooden “cookie” peeking out.  (We cut around the disc and then did a trim around the circle which works too.)

• Sew on seed beads to look like sprinkles. (You could also glue them on with fabric glue!)

• Don your smock, spread out your discs on your craft tray and using your fabric glue, glue your felt icing onto your wood cookies.  Allow to dry overnight.

Storage Bag

• Insert a piece of cardboard into your storage bag (to prevent the two sides of the bag from gluing together).

• We then took a safety pin and clipped it to one end of our ribbon, pushing it through the lacing channel of the bag to create a more sturdy tie.

• Cut out some brown rounds of felt the size of your disks.  Glue your icing to these and then glue your felt cookies to your bag.  Allow to dry overnight.  Remove your cardboard.

• Insert your game pieces into your bag.

Instructions:

• Turn your cookies upside down, so that the wood is facing upwards (and that you can’t see the icing). Mix them around.

• Arrange them in a grid type formation.

• Have each player take turns flipping over 2 cookies at a time.  If you find a match, you get to keep them and go again.  If you do not, flip the cookies back over in the same spot, allowing the next player to go.

• The player with the most cookies at the end wins.

• As with any simple game, can you think of your own variations?  We would love to hear about them!

Purpose

• Thinking of others
• Developing one’s memory

Safety Notes

• Be sure to wear a smock and use a craft tray when using fabric glue to protect one’s clothing and surfaces.
• Exercise care when using needles and scissors.