Mommy Crafts A....

Christmas Tree card Holder

The original idea I found made this tree using ribbon. I didn't have enough green ribbon--but I had plenty of construction paper! I love it--it makes the living room much more festive. I use staples instead of thumbtacks to hold up the branches--to make it more safe for my very curious (and troublesome toddler).

Thumbprint Snowman

Toddler, Pre-K, K

While you have the white paint out and your child is already messy, let them make a thumbprint snowman.

To make this craft you will need:

• Construciton paper
• White paint
• A cute thumb
• Markers, pens, etc for the details.

Mommy tip: Your child will likely enjoy dipping their fingers in the paint, so let them make some snowflakes falling down on their snowman.

Footprint Snowman

Toddler, Pre-K, K

Is this not too cute?!!

I found the idea as I was surfing the net for fun crafts to make this week for snow week, and I came across the footprint snowman. Well, I wrote it down in my planner, but forgot to book mark the page where I found the idea. So, I did a search for "footprint snowman" and found a woman who did hers sooo awesome! I just had to make Thomas' just as cute!

To make this craft you will need:

• Construction paper
• White Paint
• An adorable foot
• Markers or pens or whatever for the details.

Paint your child's food white and stamp it on a piece of construction paper. I love the way blue looks like the winter sky--but you could use any color (but white ;).

The toes are the bottom of the snowman, so let it dry and add on all the embellishments you can think of: eyes, nose, mouth, scarf, hat, arms, broomstick...etc.

Mommy Reads....

The Mitten

Now that you have played the mitten game, or before you play the mitten game share the story of The Mitten with your child.

I decided I would use images found on Jan Brett's website as well as Amazon to make the story for you and your child if you don't already have the book. Enjoy!

Mitten Game

Mommy Craft

Toddler, Pre-K

This is a simple matching game for you and your toddler or preschool aged child that I think you will both enjoy. I hung mine on a rope to make it look like a clothesline and add a little more fun to the game, but you could place them on a table and you child can still match them.

To make this game you will need:

• Different color construction paper
• Mitten pattern (I included one below)
• Rope or string (optional)
• Clothespins (optional)
• Contact Paper (optional)

I simply cut out several different color mitten (2 of each color) and hung one mitten up and had my son match the mitten I held up. It took him a while to get the idea, but once he did he amazed me at his ability to recognize the similar color and patterns. (I added some patterns on the mittens to give it an extra touch)

I laminated mine with contact paper for durability, but that is optional.

Winter Tree

Toddler, Pre-K, K

If you had fun making the fall tree with your child, then you will love this one too.

To make this craft you will need:

• Construction paper (I would use any color but white, light blue looks a lot like a snowy wintry sky)
• Brown paint
• White paint
• 1 cute little hand

Paint your child's hand and forearm brown. Have them press down to make a tree trunk and branches.

I let mine dry really well before adding the "snow," but use your judgment.

Let them dip their pointer finger or thumb in white paint and add snowflakes in the sky and on the bare tree branches.

When my toddler was done, I painted some snow on the ground and used my thumb and pointer finger to make a red mommy bird in the tree.

Don't forget to add your child's name and the date (at least the year) at the bottom!

Zipper Thermometer

Mommy Craft

I found this neat idea in an old preschool book, and just had to make it for my kids. Of course I dressed it up quite a bit. The idea is for a zipper to be a movable thermometer for your kids to learn about temperature. I did that--but just added a cute picture to go with it.

To make this craft you will need:

• A zipper
  
• Construction paper
• Packing tape
  
• Heavy paper
  

To make the thermometer you will want to use packing tape or another very heavy tape to adhere the sides of your zipper to paper. I used heavy paper as well for this project. Remember to only tape the sides of the zipper (the cloth) to the paper you do NOT want to tape over the actual teeth of the zipper. Now, make yourself a thermometer. I have added a pattern at the bottom of this post if you need help. I made marks for temperatures in increments of "10." If you live some place warmer you may want to start at 20 and move your way up, if you live some place very cold maybe include negative temps in your thermometer.

Cut the inside of your pattern out (the red part of the thermometer). This is where your zipper will show through.

Tape or glue your thermometer over your zipper paper. I laminated my "picture" to give it extra support and to cut down on wear and tear.

Now each morning your child (children) can take turns finding out the temperature and they can move the zipper to the proper place.

The National Weather Service is a great website to use. Type in your zip code and it will give you the current temperature if you scroll down to where it says "current conditions" on the right hand side of the page.

Toddler, Pre-K

Share this fun little rhyme and finger play with your toddler and you are sure to get a smile.

Five Little Snowflakes

One little snowflake with nothing to do.
Along came another and
Then there were two.

Two little snowflakes laughing with me.
Along came another, and
Then there were three.

Three little snowflakes looking for some more.
Along came another, and
Then there were four.

Four little snowflakes dancing a jive.
Along came another, and
Then there were five.

Five little snowflakes having so much fun.
Out came the sun, and
Then there were none!

I made a fun paper with the rhyme on it to play with my toddler, and then I got this creative idea. Not everyone has the time to sit down and write out a finger play for their young child, so I thought I would make a video of it for you. You will have to let me know what you think. I won't promise a video for each of the rhymes I post--but I was inspired.

Popsicle Stick Snowflakes

Toddler, Pre-K, K

Kids of any age can have fun with this simple cold weather craft.

To make this craft you will need:

• 4 Popsicle sticks
• Glue
• White Paint (optional)
• Glitter (or you can use Kosher Salt like I did--optional)
• String/yarn/ribbon
• Stapler or tape

Simply give your child four sticks and let them cross them over until they have the snowflake pattern they want. You can use as a little as 3 sticks, or even as many as 5. Since I only had the jumbo sized sticks, I settled with 4.

Glue your sticks in place and let dry. Your kids will have to find other ways to occupy themselves until the glue is completely set.

Now, I combine painting and "accessorizing" in one step. I let the kids paint their snowflakes white and while the paint was still wet we shook Kosher salt all over them. I am not a huge fan of glitter since it makes such a mess--but the truth is--I just didn't have any at the time. And, now that they are dry I love the "crystallized" look the salt gave them!

Shake off the excess glitter or salt and let try again. I stapled a ribbon to the back of my kids snowflakes and hung them in the window. You can tape the ribbon or string as well.

Mommy Crafts A....

A Candy Wreath

Believe it or not I pulled these out of the massive Costco bag of candy my husband bought for trick or treaters. I thought "these would make a great Christmas gift," and they did!

Christmas Countdowns

Toddler, Pre-K, K

So last week was supposed to be our "hibernation" themed week--which I guess I kind of did since I was the third in the family to get the First Grade stomach flu!

Next week I have a "snow" theme ready to go, and like any house hold I will have Christmas crafts and activities through out the month.

Now, I am late getting it on here--but it isonly the 4th of December, so if you haven't started a Christmas countdown with your kids--do so!

I am sharing an oldy, but goody that is great for smaller hands.

If you haven't already made a countdown, or you just want another one, print out the Santa below and mark off the days by adding a cotton ball to his beard each day this month!

Next Week...

Join us next week for SNOW fun!!