Handprint Wreath

This is a great little activity to track the size of your child's hand each year, but be ye warned- This is more work for the parent than for your child ;) But well worth it, I think.

WHAT YOU NEED:
     - green paper (2 or 3 sheets)
     - tacky glue
     - small paper plate
     - red puff balls
     - red string (for bow)
   
Cut the middle out of the paper plate to form the base for the wreath. Trace your child's hand on the green paper. You will need about 10-12 hands cut out. Let your child paint glue on the paper plate and stick the hands to the plate to form the wreath. Let dry.

Now let your child decorate the wreath with glue and red poms, then add a bow at the bottom.

Again, let dry. You're done!

Recycled Reindeer

DAY TEN:

Today is another project using leftovers. I just wrapped all the Christmas presents with paper grocery bags (cute, free, and good for the earth!), and I had all the handles left over. I knew I could use them to make a cute craft, so I created this reindeer.

WHAT YOU NEED:
     - Paper plate
     - 1 red pom (or reuse a lid and paint it red)
     - 2 grocery bag handles
     - brown craft/acrylic paint
     - 2 quarter sized white circles
     - 2 hole punch sized black circles

This is another quick and easy project. Set your toddler up with a small amount of brown paint and a brush. Loosely tape the plate to a paper bag to avoid getting paint on your table. Let your little one paint the plate to their heart's content.

Time to take a break while the paint dries a little. Then, apply the glue in the right place for the nose and eyes to go. Let your little one put the nose and eyes in place. Your reindeer might end up with googley eyes if you don't turn them to face the same direction. Again, let dry.

 Meanwhile, you have to do some antler-makin'. Unfold the bag handles and cut one in half. Use tape or glue to position the 2 halves on the 1 whole, as seen below. Staple the antlers to the back of the plate and paint over the staple marks to hide them. There you have it!

AFTERTHOUGHT: You could totally make this into a mask by attaching a stretchy cord to the sides and cutting out eye holes. How fun! We will do this after the holidays are over.

Cotton Ball Snowman

DAY THREE:

Today we are making a Snowman! Roo's aunt's name is Shannon and she often uses "Shannon" and "Snowman" interchangeably. It's cute. But that's beside the point. Back to the craft!

WHAT YOU NEED:
     - 15-20 cotton balls
     - 1 white paper plate
     - tacky glue
     - black and orange construction paper

Before beginning, cut 2 circles for eyes and a big top hat from the black construction paper and a triangle "carrot" nose from the orange. Drizzle the glue on the paper plate as if you were icing a cinnamon roll. Ok, I'm hungry, sorry.

Let your toddler place the cotton balls covering the entire plate. If you want to be cute, you can add a little "Boop!" with each ball. When your child the plate is covered, add glue to the top to indicate where the eyes, nose, and hat should go. Allow your toddler to place the paper where it should go. Voila! Snowman.

VERDICT: Totally easy, cute activity. Even younger toddlers will be able to place the cotton balls with ease. Roo took great pride when she saw the finished product and talks to him frequently. We hung him on the tree so she can visit him whenever she wants!