Tape Ball Party Game

I'm a cub master now what has a fantastic idea for a time consuming and very fun game using tape and toys or candy.  Simply tape up all of the prizes into a big gigantic ball.  Kids then try to unwrap as much as they can within a set amount of time.  She recommends using dice and having the next in line try to roll doubles for their turn.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://imacubmasterwhatnow.blogspot.com/2012/03/tape-ball.html

New Year's Eve Surprise Toys

Little wonders day has a cute idea for how to celebrate new year's eve by making surprise balls, which is a bunch of small toys wrapped in crate paper ribbon.  Kids can make them for each other and trade.  They'll have fun wrapping the toys and decorating with stickers as well as have fun unwrapping and discovering what they got.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://littlewondersdays.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-years-surprise-balls.html

Tip garden has a version using colorful yarn.

Get the instructions here:
http://tipgarden.blogspot.com/2012/05/surprise-filled-gift-balls.html

New Year's Eve Party Poppers

Play with me has a great idea to make new year's eve noise makers using bubble wrap.  Simply color in some of the bubbles on a length of bubble wrap and you'll have a great, easy noise maker.

Good for ages 4 and up since the bubbles may be difficult to color.

Get instructions here:
http://playtimewithmommy.blogspot.com/2010/12/bubble-wrap-noise-maker.html

New Year's Eve Party Hats

Martha Stewart offers three new year's eve hat creations. The joker hat, the crown and an avant-garde version. All hat use 12 inch origami paper.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.marthastewart.com/265198/party-hats?xsc=eml_crd_2011_12_28&om_rid=NsjLHi&om_mid=_BO$xeEB8eAMRYq

Mer mag makes a ruffly version.

Get the instructions here:
http://mermag.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-years-hat-making-party.html

New Year's Eve Party Blowers

Celebrate New Year's Eve by making one or more or all of these super cute party blowers.

Not as simple as the Disney noise makers but really a great craft idea for older kids from Martha Stewart.  They'll have fun selecting the vellum and straw color combinations for a sophisticated or just fun look.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.marthastewart.com/272935/party-blowers?xsc

Design mom also has a tutorial for party blowers using straws and scrapbook paper.  It's very similar to the Martha Stewart version.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.designmom.com/2012/02/diy-you-blow-me-away-valentines/

Minted's version uses tissue paper and straw and adds a bit of fringe for fun.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.minted.com/julep/2013/07/31/diy-party-blowers/ 

Ruffles and stuff's version has feathers.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.rufflesandstuff.com/2012/12/happy-new-year-diy-party-blowers.html

Gummy lump makes a working party horn with straws and construction paper.

Get the instructions here:
http://blog.gummylump.com/2012/12/new-years-eve-noise-maker-kids-craft.html 

Meaningful mama bejewels straws for her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.meaningfulmama.com/2013/12/diy-new-years-eve-party-noisemakers.html

Make Your own New Year's Eve Noise Makers

Fun noisemaker craft ideas for kids of all age levels.   

Disney's Family Fun has a creative way to make noise makers for this year's New Year's Eve party, using an empty ribbon spool, some beans, paint and stickers.  It's a great craft and your kids will love using them.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://familyfun.go.com/new-years/new-years-crafts/noisemaker-shakers-829133/

Project nursery uses jingle bells, curling ribbon and popsicle sticks for her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://projectnursery.com/2013/12/new-years-eve-noisemakers/

J man and miller bug decorates paper plates and uses dried pasta to make some noise.

Get the instructions here:
http://jmanandmillerbug.com/2012/12/diy-new-years-eve-noise-makers-craft.html

 

All women's talk uses a paper plate, jingle bells and a popsicle stick for their version.

Get the instructions here:

http://parenting.allwomenstalk.com/fun-new-years-eve-crafts-kids-will-enjoy

Naturally educated has a similar noise maker.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.naturallyeducational.com/2010/12/new-years-noisemaker-kids-craft/

Sweet little peanut uses plastic bottles and tissue paper.

Get the instructions here:
http://sweetlittlepeanut.com/kids-parties/new-years-eve-peanut-party/

Rock on mommies decorates their bottle with glitter.

Get the instructions here:
http://rockonmommies.com/rachael/tag/new-years-eve-crafts/

Alpha mom uses boxes on popsicle sticks to make a great looking shaker.

Get the instructions here:
http://alphamom.com/uncategorized/new-years-noisemakers/

Martha Stewart uses colorful cardstock disks and glues them onto a popsicle stick.  Next she punches holes into the cardstock and ties buttons on with thick thread.  Kids then twirl them back and forth for a fun sound.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.marthastewart.com/266794/noisemakers

Rice Krispie Treat Cottages

Land o lakes shares a yummy spin on the traditional gingerbread houses that's sure to get actually eaten.  Using rice crispie treats as the base and melted white chocolate to adhere all of the candy kids will make a yummy house.

Good for ages 3 and up.   

Get the instructions here:
http://www.landolakes.com/recipe/1667/crispy-christmas-cottages

Pom Pom Pinecones

The woolen acorn has a beautiful and simple idea of embellishing pine cones with pompoms to make elegant Christmas trees.

Good forages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://thewoolacorn.blogspot.com/2010/10/tutorial-for-my-pinecone-christmas.html

Christmas wow has a version with patterned pom poms.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.christmaswow.com/enjoy-your-christmas-with-simple-outdoor-christmas-crafts/

Fingerprint Candy Canes

Leap frog and lady buy has a cute idea for a seasonal fingerprint craft using white and red finger paint and red ribbon to create cute candy canes.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://leapfrogandladybugs.blogspot.com/2011/12/candy-cane-craft-how-to.html

Snow Words

I can teach my child shares an idea for making snow words using glue and fake plastic snow.  Another idea is to have kids make their names.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.icanteachmychild.com/2012/01/snowy-sight-words/

Snowman Lacing Cards

Tidbit times shares an easy idea for a lacing card using a paper plate.  You can just draw on the snowman face as well for a simplified version. 

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://tidbittimes.wordpress.com/2012/01/29/start-sadie-and-the-snowman/

Snowman Handprint Ornament

Busy kids happy mom has a cute twist on a handprint ornament taking the handprint and making snowmen out of the fingers.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.busykidshappymom.org/2011/12/model-magic-hand-prints-from-baby-to.html

123 homeschool 4 me uses a round ornament and a white paint hand print.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.123homeschool4me.com/2011/11/handprint-snowman-ball-ornament.html

Toddler Inspired Gingerbread Play Dough

Sweet Sugar Belle has a fun recipe for gingerbread play dough.  Since it pretty much is real dough (uses flour, nutmeg, sugar and such) it might be only good for a one time use.  However, it is a very cleaver idea and your little ones will have fun making their very own gingerbread men.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.sweetsugarbelle.com/blog/2011/12/gingerbread-playdough/

Cocoa Bar Roundup

Celebrations at home offers a creative twist with a candy cane cocoa bar.  Accompaniments include cookies, color coded m&ms, dark and white chocolate chip, red and pink sprinkles, mini marshmallows, and of course candy canes. 

Fete Fanatic takes a more adult themed approach with liquor including Baileys, Kahlua, Grand Marnier, Creme de Menthe and Amaretto.  To keep the party kid friendly just substitute flavored syrups for the liquor.

Brandy's crafts has a nightly cocoa bar she uses with her kids using homemade cocoa mix, chocolate chips, candy canes and marshmallows and chocolate covered spoons.

Bridgey widgey shares peppermint, marshmallow, and white chocolate stirrer sticks for her hot cocoa bar.

Jelly fish jelly shares her invention of cocoa spoons.  She dips spoons into chocolate and decorates them with cookies and candy.

Dukes and duchesses has an adorable hot cocoa party complete with peppermint candy rimmed cups, snowman marshmallow kabobs, and a hot chocolate mix take home favor.

Shredded Paper Animals

Make and takes has a cute craft involving glue and shredded paper making winter animals. The shredded paper gives the creatures a really nice texture.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.makeandtakes.com/crafting-winter-animals-that-shred

Snowmen Cups

Blue cricket designs shows how to turn a paper cup into a snowman by adding a face using markers, orange paper and glue.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/2011/12/snowman-cups.html

Shedding Snowmen

Baby center shares a shedding snowman using construction paper, glue and shredded white paper.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://blogs.babycenter.com/life_and_home/make-a-paper-snowman-that-shreds/

Gift of curiosity has the shredded paper sensory bin and has the kids form piles to make the snowmen adding pipe cleaner eyes and nose.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.giftofcuriosity.com/shredded-paper-snowman-craft/

Popsickle Stick Snowflake

The diary of daves wife makes a popsicle snowflake wreath for her front door using just popsicle sticks and glue.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.thediaryofdaveswife.com/2011/11/my-christmas-y-front-door.html

Titinas art room makes a simple version with glitter.

Get the instructions here:
http://titinasartroom.blogspot.gr/2013/12/4_7.html 

We made that adds gem stickers, buttons and sparkly stickers.

Get the instructions here:
http://we-made-that.com/craft-stick-snowflake/ 

Ballard bunch hangs her version from a ribbon.

Get the instructions here:
http://ballardbunch.blogspot.com/2010/11/let-it-snow.html

Paper Card Snow Globes

Giddy giddy has a wonderfully cute idea making snow globe post cards.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://blog.giddygiddy.com/giddygiddy/2010/01/diy-snow-globe-postcards.html

Tape Snowflake Prints

Ten kids and a dog has an easy way to have little kids create snowflakes using tape to create the snowflake and blue paint for the kids to paint the background.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://tenkidsandadog.blogspot.com/2010/01/preschool-snowflake-masterpiece.html

Shrinky Dink Snowflakes

The long thread has a beautiful snowflake shrinky dink tutorial.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://thelongthread.com/?p=6931

Stick Stars

Dani lou who posted on craftster a really neat way to use sticks to create stars using twine.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://foothillhomecompanion.blogspot.com/2007/11/star-light-star-bright.html

Allen designs uses twine for her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://allendesigns.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/stick-stars-holiday-decorating-craft.html