Frosty the Snowman Playdate

Have a fun winter day with this Frosty the Snowman play date.  

Begin the day by making this cute snowman photo frame.  Start by painting a wooden frame blue and then use a smaller brush to paint on some white snow.  Next make a felt snowman using white circles for the snowman.  Adding buttons, a glitter paper scarf, googly eyes, and felt nose, hat and mouth to finish.  One artsy mama shares the details.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.oneartsymama.com/2014/12/snowman-photo-frame.html

Next make banana snowmen adding mini pretzel stick arms, blueberry buttons, and mini chocolate chip eyes from the picky apple.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.thepickyapple.com/blog/2011/12/13/north-pole-breakfast/

 

Next it's time to read the classic book Frosty the Snowman by available at Amazon.

Or get the lyrics for free from http://www.kidsongs.com/lyrics/frosty-the-snowman.html.

 

End the play date with a viewing  of the Frosty the Snowman movie also available at Amazon.

Or watch it for free on YouTube (in two parts):

A Wintery Tree Playdate

Kids can start the play date and create their own pretty colored winter trees with mary making using white circles for snow and wintry color tissue papers. 

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://marymaking.blogspot.com/2009/11/colorful-abstract-winter-trees.html 

 

Next, check out Carole Gerber's Book Winter Trees full of the subtle charms of trees in winter. On a walk through a forest, a boy observes the branches, shapes, and various barks. He and his dog make snow angels, watch animals quietly eating, and tap a maple tree for syrup.  In a simple poetic form, seven trees are described: sugar maple, American beech, paper birch, yellow poplar, bur oak, Eastern hemlock, and white spruce. Readers get a sense of what they look like from a distance ("the egg shape of the maple tree/the taller oval of the beech…" and up close ("the peeling bark of paper birch/feeds hungry hares that eat their fill").  The illustrations mix prints, watercolor, and collage, and are tweaked with digital enhancement. 

The book is also available on Amazon.

Next have the kids create their own tree snacks using chunks of cheese and grapes and a celery stick for the trunk.

If the weather is not too cold complete this cute winter scavenger hunt.

Get the template here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_QY0YTOrC2-vwC712v_T8wHHLHCMTydJ8n3w-yEk-Rk/pub

Free January Craft Activities

Find a free or low cost kids craft activity for kids this January.

Saturday, January 3rd9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Home Depot

Come learn how to build a mini sled with Home Depot's free hands-on workshops; designed for children ages 5 - 12.  All kid get to keep their craft, receive a free certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin.

Register here:
http://workshops.homedepot.com/workshops/kids-workshops 

Tuesday, January 6th
5:00 p.m.

 
Lego Stores

Build an alien and space dog.  For kids ages 6-14.

Get more information here:
http://cache.lego.com/r/stores/-/media/brand%20retail/stores/calendar/january/4913-jan2015-cal-us.pdf?l.r=-668400344

Saturday, January 10th
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Michaels

For ages 3 and up.  $2.  Make a monogrammed, stitched felt pouch.

Get more information here:
http://www.michaels.com/kids-club/ca-kids-club.html

Saturday, January 17th
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Michaels

For ages 3 and up.  $2.  Make a frozen inspired picture frame complete with pompoms and glitter.

Get more instructions here:
http://www.michaels.com/kids-club/ca-kids-club.html

How to Make Snow Ice Cream

Snow, milk, sugar and vanilla are mixed together to make homemade snow ice cream.  Make monthly shares the details.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://makemonthly.blogspot.com/2009/12/stay-at-home-make.html

Watercolor Resist Snowflakes

Snowflakes are designed using glue on paper with fun at home with kids. After the glue dries they're painted with watercolor paint to make pretty snowflakes.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.funathomewithkids.com/2014/11/winter-watercolor-resist-art-with-free.html

Winter Cardboard Castle

 

Cardboard is cut into a castle shape, glittered for decoration and painted with a snow topped mountain background.  Hello wonderful also adds some snowy white trees and peg dolls.

Good for ages 9 and up.

 Get the instructions here:

http://www.hellowonderful.co/post/MAKE-AN-EASY-WINTER-CARDBOARD-CASTLE

The imagination tree makes a three dimensional version.

Get the instructions here:

http://theimaginationtree.com/2011/05/diy-castle-story-box.html

Winter Gnomes

Toilet paper tubes are painted and topped with paper cones with crafts by amanda.  Next she glues on white yarn in a beard shape and adds a yellow pompom nose and voila she has a winter gnome.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://craftsbyamanda.com/2014/11/cardboard-tube-gnomes-christmas.html

Salt Snowflakes

Salt is glued into a snowflake form and then colored with a dropper and food coloring with paging fun mums.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://pagingfunmums.com/2014/09/27/frozen-snowflake-art/

Tissue Paper Snowflakes

Crumpled blue and white tissue paper is glued to a cardboard snowflake with happy hooligans and then hung in a window for a winter decoration.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://happyhooligans.ca/tissue-paper-snowflakes/

CD Snowflakes

A CD is cut into a pretty snowflake pattern and then turned into an ornament with instructables.

Good for ages 9 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Paper-Snowflake-2/

3D Snowflakes

Paper snowflakes turn three dimensional with this tutorial from instructables.

Good for ages 9 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Paper-Snowflake-2/

Polar Bear Soap

A plastic polar bear turns soap into an icy clean fun time with soap deli news.

Good for ages 9 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://soapdelinews.com/2014/11/easy-melt-pour-polar-bear-soap-tutorial.html

New Year's Eve Crowns

Download this printable crown from primecp for a fun New Year's Eve prop.  Then just cut and paste together to fit any size head.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the template here:
https://content.primecp.com/master_images/AllFreeKidsCrafts/Happy-New-Year-Printable-Crown.pdf

Finley and oliver has a felt hat tutorial using toilet paper rolls, felt and ribbon.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.finleyandoliver.com/2012/02/diy-mini-crowns.html

Snowmen Straw Toppers

Felt is glued together to make snowmen with fireflies and mudpies snowmen straw decorations.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/2013/11/13/holiday-straw-toppers/

Snowman Mugs

A clear mug is changed into a snowman with black circle and orange vinyl clings.  Burton avenue then puts candy inside.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://burtonavenue.blogspot.com/2011/12/snowman-soup-gift-idea-with-printable.html

Kwanzaa Placemats

Black, red and green strips of paper are woven through a yellow piece of paper to make a decorative place mat for a festive Kwanzaa meal with making friends.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.makingfriends.com/world/kwanzaa_mat.htm

Kwanzaa Tissue Paper Kinara

Cardboard tubes are painted red, black and green to commemorate the traditional Kwanzaa kinara with moms gone global.  She then puts in orange tissue paper to represent the flames.  Traditionally, during the Kwanzaa celebration, one candle is lit each day in recognition of each principle.  The candles are displayed in a special holder called a kinara.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.momsgoneglobal.com/kwanzaa-for-kids-global-lessons-from-this-american-holiday

Kwanzaa Book

Green and red strips of paper are woven onto a black scrapbook to make a photo or historical album to help celebrate Kwanzaa with better homes and gardens. 

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.bhg.com/holidays/kwanzaa/crafts/kwanzaa-family-history-book/

Kwanzaa Kufi Hat

Felt strips are cut and glued together to make a Kwanzaa Kufi with making friends.  Many grandfathers and other older men wear a kufi every day to symbolize their status as wise elders, religious people, or family patriarchs.  It has become identified primarily with persons of West African heritage, who wear it to show pride in their culture, history, and religion and is traditionally, when worn by men.  The kufi is a sign of peace, mourning, renewal or protection of the mind.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.makingfriends.com/world/kwanzaa_hat.htm

Paper Kwanzaa Chain

A great craft to discuss the seven principals for Kwanzaa.  Each loop includes the name of each symbol.  Kids can also draw or cut out pictures for the symbols as well. Free kids crafts shares the details.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.freekidscrafts.com/kwanzaa-chain/

The Seven Principals of Kwanzaa:

Each represents values and concepts reflective of African culture and contribution to community building and reinforcement. The basic symbols in Swahili and then in English are:

Mazao (The Crops)The African harvest celebrations and of the rewards of productive and collective labor.

Mkeka (The Mat)The tradition, history and the foundation on which we build.

Kinara (The Candle Holder)The roots of continental Africans.

Muhindi (The Corn)Children and the future which they embody.

Mishumaa Saba (The Seven Candles)The Seven Principles, the matrix and minimum set of values which African people are urged to live by in order to rescue and reconstruct their lives in their own image and according to their own needs.

Kikombe cha Umoja (The Unity Cup)The foundational principle and practice of unity which makes all else possible.

Zawadi (The Gifts)The labor and love of parents and the commitments made and kept by the children.

There are also the supplemental symbols of the flag:

Bendera (The Flag)The colors of the Kwanzaa flag are the colors of the Organization, black, red and green; black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and hope that comes from their struggle.

Plastic Cup Noise Makers

Plastic cups, pretty beads and colored tape turn into a nifty and easy to make noise maker with crafts for all seasons.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.crafts-for-all-seasons.com/noisemaker-craft.html

Creative jewish mom adds a handle for easy shaking.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.creativejewishmom.com/2010/02/recycle-cups-make-a-fun-noise-maker-for-purim-or-your-next-rhythm-project.html

Melted Crayon Xmas Trees

Pieces of crayons are shaped into an Xmas tree and melted with 123 home school me.  She uses a green base and colors for the ornaments.  

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.123homeschool4me.com/2012/12/christmas-tree-crayon-melting.html

Popsicle Stick Ornaments

Popsicle sticks and beads are strung together to make a simple Xmas ornament from ohoh blog.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.ohohblog.com/2012/11/christmas-popsticks-palillos-de-navidad.html

Yarn Stars

Paper card stock or cardboard stars are decorated with pretty yarn.  Buzzmills shares the details.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://buzzmills.typepad.com/blog/2011/12/preschool-projects.html

Button Xmas Trees

Buttons are glued to a piece of paper to form a Christmas tree with this cute kids craft from meet the dubiens.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.123homeschool4me.com/2012/12/diy-gum-drop-wreath.html

Gum Drop Wreaths

Green and red gum drops are glued onto a Styrofoam circle to make a fun Christmas wreath with 123 homeschool with me.  Wonder if it could be glued with icing to make it edible.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.123homeschool4me.com/2012/12/diy-gum-drop-wreath.html

Money Notebook

A great gift for older kids.  Money is glued into notebook form with fave crafts.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.favecrafts.com/blog/fc/quick-gift-idea-money-notebook/

Pool Noodle Menorah

Pool noodles, can cozies and foam sheets are put together to make a super fun and huge giant menorah with bible belt balabusta.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://biblebeltbalabusta.com/2012/11/13/swim-noodle-menorah/

Paper Money Dispenser

A cardboard tube is painted and decorated to house and store dollar bills for a fun paper money dispenser.  Cindy derosier cuts a slot into the tube so the money can be pulled out.  She then wraps it up into tissue paper like a cracker for a fun gift.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.cindyderosier.com/2013/11/giving-money-as-gift.html 

Clay Snowmen Ornaments

Clay is molded into snowmen circles and given buttons, eyes, a nose and scarf with lines across.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.linesacross.com/2013/11/clay-thumbprint-snowman-ornament.html

Nutty Bird Ornaments

Almonds in their shell become adorable little birds to adorn the Xmas tree.  Bhg then gives them paper beaks, wire feet and little wool hats as well as twig branches to stand on.

Good for ages 9 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.bhg.com/christmas/ornaments/make-an-almond-bird-christmas-ornament/ 

Milk Carton Dreidle

A milk carton is cut and reshaped and sealed to make a rectangle with education.com.  They next poke a pretty pencil in the middle and label the carton with the Hebrew letters.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.education.com/activity/article/milk-carton-dreidel/

Santa Wreaths

White tulle is wrapped on a foam circle and fluffed out to make a Santa beard.  Baby rabies then complete the look by adding his hat.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.babyrabies.com/2012/11/santa-tulle-wreath-tutorial/

Popsicle Stick Star Ornaments

Popsicle sticks are glued together in star form and bejeweled with sequins from titinas art room.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://titinasartroom.blogspot.gr/2013/11/blog-post_26.html

Cork Snowmen Ornaments

Corks are painted white and given snowmen faces, add a hat, and a ribbon scarf with cindy derosier.

Good for ages 9 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.cindyderosier.com/2013/12/cork-snowmen.html

Paper Folded Snowmen

This adorable snowman is simply folded from a cut free paper pattern from willow day.  Buttons, eyes and a nose are then stuck on.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the template here:
http://www.willowday.com/2014/01/cut-fold-paper-snowman.html

Draw Your own Animal Gift Wrapping

Creative ways to turn a box into an animal with markers and some extra paper from mr. printables.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://blog.mrprintables.com/diy-animal-gift-wrap/

Reindeer Candy Wrappers

Brown paper wrapped mini Hershey bars with googly eyes, antlers and a foam red nose makes kerry's paper crafts reindeer one of my favorite things.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.kerryspapercrafts.com/?p=3142

Paper Bird Ornament

Pretty card stock paper makes the bird base and scrapbooking paper makes the wings with this simple bird ornament from all about you.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.allaboutyou.com/craft/knit-free/make-a-paper-bird-christmas-decoration-50983