Christmas

Gnome Christmas Stocking Craft

December 23, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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It’s all about the beard in this cozy gnome Christmas stocking craft. It is so easy to make and super cute to display. Make one (or two or three) to include in your holiday decorating scheme.

Gnomes are lovable, little mythical creatures with large noses and pointed hats. They are super popular in home décor. I love seeing them displayed in stores when I’m out and about around town. Tailored for every holiday season, they come in all sorts of colors and designs. The cheeky, whimsical characters provide endless inspiration for simple crafts to make.

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Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies for this charming gnome craft:

construction or cardstock paper
thick yarn
thin ribbon
large pom pom
craft punches
double-sided tape
scissors and pencil
glue stick and glue gun

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The Gnome Christmas Stocking Craft

To make this gnome Christmas stocking craft, start by picking out two complementary colors of cardstock or construction paper.

Next, draw on and cut out a Christmas stocking from an 8 ½ inch x 11-inch sheet of construction paper.
Then draw and cut out a cuff from paper in a coordinating color.

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Afterward, line the top of the paper stocking with double-sided tape, adding more small pieces to the center.

Next, select white or cream-colored yarn and loop it on the stocking, pressing the yarn onto the double-sided tape. Thick, fluffy yarn works well for this craft.

Then stick on a large light brown pom pom nose.

Secure the cuff to the top of the stocking with hot glue, and add a small loop to one of the upper edges for hanging.

Finally, glue on one or more foam or paper-punched holiday shapes to give the stocking extra flair.

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Once you’ve crafted one cozy character, you just might want to make more! This gnome Christmas stocking craft would make a fun family or classroom activity with everyone designing their own. The festive yarn and paper gnomes would display beautifully on a garland.

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More Christmas Arts and Crafts

Click on the pictures below for more Christmas art and crafts ideas.

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Paper Bag Grinch Craft

December 22, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This cute and colorful paper bag Grinch craft doubles up as an aromatic Christmas present to give to someone special over the holiday season.

It’s tradition for me to visit a nearby greenhouse during the holiday season to view the beautifully decorated Christmas trees. The trees all have gorgeous, coordinated decorations that complement each other in color and theme. The decorations are the inspiration for crafts to make. At the end of my visit, I pick out a lemon cypress plant to take home and often select other items to purchase.
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Lemon cypress plants look like miniature Christmas trees and are often decorated with tiny ornaments as a space-saving holiday sensory activity. They have light green feathery foliage that grows in a cone shape. When the leaves are rubbed or crushed, they smell like lemon. The tip of the lemon grass plant reminds me of the tuft of hair on Dr. Seuss’s storybook character “The Grinch.” That’s why they are paired in this paper bag craft and gift.

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Supplies To Collect

Collect the following supplies for this Grinchy green and yellow craft:

lemon cypress plant
paper lunch bags
green and yellow tempera paint
paint pot and brush
yellow and black construction paper
red and black markers
scissors and pencil
glue stick and tape
yarn and single hole punch
waterproof tablecloth

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The Paper Bag Grinch Craft

To make this paper bag Grinch craft, start by pouring light green or neon green tempera paint into a paint pot.

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Next, set out the paint, paintbrush, and a paper bag on a table covered with a waterproof tablecloth.
Paint one side of the bag and let it dry. Paint the other three sides, allowing the paint to dry on each side before continuing. The drying process may take a few hours.

Note: An alternative is to stand the bag on the art table and place a few sheets of crumpled scrap paper inside. Paint a thin layer of tempera all over the bag and let it dry. Then remove the inserted paper.

When the painted lunch bag is dry, fold it into its original shape.

Then cut two large almond-shaped eyes from yellow construction paper and line the outside edges with a black marker.

Cut small circles from black sturdy paper and glue them to the yellow eyes.

Afterward, thoroughly add glue to the back of the crafted eyes with a glue stick, and affix the peepers to the bag in a slanted position.

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Next, use the black marker to draw a small nose and a deep curved mouth on the bag.

Then draw eyelashes around the eyes and give the paper bag face slanted eyebrows.

Cut a small rectangle from yellow construction paper and write the words “Merry Grinchmas” on it with a red marker.

Next, punch a hole in the edge of the paper greeting and tie on a section of yarn.

Finally, tape the yarn inside the tip of the bag and carefully set in a small potted lemon cypress plant.

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Variation of the Paper Bag Grinch Craft

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To simplify this festive craft, use a bright green crayon to color the bag instead of painting it. The green hue will not be as bright as the painted version but the craft will be just as delightful.

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This lemon cypress plant-filled paper bag Grinch craft would make a cute gift from a child to a parent or grandparent. Who will you give your Grinch craft to?

Merry Grinchmas!!!

More Christmas Art and Crafts

Click on the pictures below for more Christmas art and craft projects.

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Grinch Christmas Oobleck Bin

December 21, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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In this Grinch Christmas Oobleck bin, a well-known Christmas storybook theme and a favorite sensory activity are paired together.

The goopy sensory bin is inspired by the storybook “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss. The popular picture book features a tall, long-fingered grumpy beast called “The Grinch’ who lives by himself up on a hill above the town of Whoville. Old Grinch absolutely hates Christmas. On Christmas Eve he disguises himself as “Santy Claus” by wearing a makeshift red and white costume. He ties one “reindeer” antler to his faithful dog Max’s head and has him pull a sled down to Whoville. The grouchy Grinch steals all the Whos Christmas decorations, presents, and festive food. He even scoops up the log for the fireplace from each home.

While ready to push the sled full of festive items over the tip of Mt. Crumpit early Christmas morning, the Grinch is surprised by the sound he hates the most…the singing of the Whos standing together holding hands. He realizes he hasn’t stopped Christmas at all. After thinking for a few hours, his heart softens and he decides to return all the Christmas items he took. He joins in the Christmas festivities in Whoville and even carves the “the roast beast”, a food he dislikes a lot.

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To get familiar with or revisit this story, view Book In Bed’s delightful, colorful animated read aloud version: How The Grinch Stole Christmas!

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Supplies Collected

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For the super fun, educational holiday sensory bin, the following supplies were gathered:

cornstarch
water
neon green food coloring
measuring cup
tablespoons
Grinch disposable snack cups
Christmas tree shape container
present shape container
ornament-shaped bells
candy cane ornaments
large tweezers
sensory bin

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Making The Grinch Christmas Oobleck

For this tactile sensory activity, first choose a bin. I use a saucer sled. It’s bright color matches the season, and it is large enough to easily hold the Oobleck and the supplies.

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Next, make the grinchy green Oobleck. Use a tablespoon or your hands to mix two cups of cornstarch with one cup of water. Add a little more water if needed. Then blend in a few drops of neon green food coloring. The goopy mixture is the right consistency if it becomes a ball when you close your hand around it but transforms to a liquid that slowly drops off when you open up your hand.

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The Grinch Christmas Oobleck Bin

This festive sensory bin is well-loved by children and adults.

Start of by inviting particpants to help mix the Oobleck and investigate its properties. They will eagerly accept your invitation!

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Once everyone has had a chance to explore the green goop, add picture book-themed items inspired by the book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” to the bin. I include:

a Christmas tree shape container, a clear present shape container, and Grinch disposable snack cups to drop Oobleck into.
festive accessories such as candy cane and ornament-shaped bells.
tablespoons and children’s play tweezers to help explore the Oobleck and pick up supplies in the bin.

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How Oobleck Got Its Name

Way back when I was training to be an early childhood worker, this sensory recipe was introduced as goop. More recently, I’ve discovered that it has been given the name Oobleck. Interestingly, the name is inspired by another Dr. Seuss children’s book titled “Bartholomew and the Oobleck.” The Oobleck in the story is green too!

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The Science Behind Oobleck

Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid, so it does not follow Newton’s law of viscosity. This is because depending on the force applied, it changes from a liquid to a solid, or from a solid to a liquid.

In the mixture, cornstarch is suspended in water and does not dissolve. When you apply force such as closing your hand and squeezing a blob of it, it acts like a solid. The cornstarch bits align and interlock under pressure. But when you stop the force by opening your hand, the goop becomes a liquid. The cornstarch bits flow freely off your hand along with the water.

Oobleck is a fascinating sensory material. Making and exploring its properties is a popular science activity, and it’s one of my favorites. Have you tried making Oobleck?

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More Science Activities

Blue Candy Cane Science Experiment

Color Explosion Science Experiment

Reptile Egg Science

Felt Marker Chromatography Experiment

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Paint Chip Christmas Card

December 20, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Paint chips, available at hardware stores, come in a glorious array of colors and shades with equally splendid names. The rows and rows of paint color samples offer many choices for painting walls and other items. Teachers love to use recycled or donated paint chips for educational purposes such as sorting and matching activities. Creators love them for craft projects. The many-hued paint color samples add beauty to any activity or project and look pretty in this paint chip Christmas card with a tree theme.

Artificial Christmas trees also come in a huge array of colors. In addition to traditional green, you can now purchase a tree in your favorite color. Many come pre-lighted and ready for ornaments to be strung…so easy! This festive homemade card features paint chip swatches in five colors.

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Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies for this simple handmade Christmas card:

8 ½ x 11-inch white cardstock
donated or recycled paint chips
adhesive gemstone stickers
pencil and scissors
marker
glue stick

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Making the Paint Chip Christmas Card

To make this tree-themed Christmas card, fold an 8 ½ x 11-inch piece of cardstock in half. I chose a creamy white color for the cardstock as I like it better than pure white.

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Next, draw and cut out a Christmas tree from cardstock to be your tracer. The tree should be slightly smaller than your paint chip samples. A cardstock scrap works fine for this.

Then pick out five donated or recycled paint chips in varied colors for the trees. This is the most fun!

Using the tracer as a guide, trace and cut out small trees from the paint color cards.

Afterward, arrange the tree cutouts on the front of the folded white cardstock sheet, and glue them on using the glue stick. Leave a little space to add a holiday message such as “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays.”

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As a finishing touch pick one tree to add adhesive gemstone stickers to. I had silver gemstone stickers handy, so they were my choice for the dose of glam.

Pen a greeting inside the tree-themed paint chip Christmas card and it is ready to give to someone special during the festive holiday season.

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More Christmas Tree Activities

Color Explosion Science Experiment

Build A Christmas Tree Steam Activity

Christmas Tree Decorating Center

Candy Cane Tree Experiment

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More Christmas Art and Crafts Activities

Click on the pictures below to access more Christmas art and crafts activities.

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[Read more…]

Cozy Gingerbread Sensory Bin

December 18, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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One of the most popular themes to offer at Christmas is a Gingerbread theme. Delightfully entertaining variations of the gingerbread boy story set the stage for endless hands-on gingerbread thematic activities for early learners. This cozy gingerbread sensory bin is a festive and fun tactile play invitation to include.

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Cozy Gingerbread Sensory Bin Supplies

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The following simple supplies are in this sweet cookie-themed sensory bin:

white rice or pinto beans
gingerbread storage container
fillable gingerbread man ornament
gingerbread cookie cutters
gingerbread baker ornaments
pony beads
pom poms
feathers
buttons
gingerbread-themed erasers
gingerbread man measuring scoop
paper snack sups
measuring spoon

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The Cozy Gingerbread Sensory Bin

This gingerbread sensory bin is inspired by a soft and fluffy winter sock spotted in a cozy clothing store.

As with many of my sensory invitations, the bin to hold all the supplies is a white bus tub. It is economical to buy, transportable, and large enough for two to three little learners to explore together.

Spotted, light brown dried pinto beans are the base. The neutral-toned beans provide all the color needed for the bin’s gingerbread cookie theme.

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A gingerbread treat tin and clear, fillable gingerbread ornament with the top removed are accessories to fill using the themed measuring scoop and spoon.

A trio of gingerbread baker ornaments with hooks for hanging removed serve as cookies, and gingerbread man erasers are reimagined as additional treats.

Pink, green, red, and white beads and buttons allow cookie cutters to be decorated.

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Similarly colored pom poms, feathers, and twisted pipe cleaner bits contribute a soft feel to the bin and are additional supplies for decorating.

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Benefits of the Cozy Gingerbread Sensory Bin

Sensory bin exploration offers early learners many benefits. They include

Practice using the senses of sight, hearing, and touch to explore the contents in the bin.
Developing hand-eye coordination and strengthening hand muscles by scooping, pouring, picking up, and arranging the supplies.
Expanding vocabulary by discussing colors, textures, and actions used to investigate the supplies.
Enhancing math skills by counting and sorting supplies.
Practicing social skills such as sharing and turn-taking.
Exercising creativity and engaging in imaginative play.

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Soft-Hued Gingerbread Sensory Bins

The cozy winter sock I mentioned serving as inspiration for the sensory play was designed in a white and soft pink color scheme. I added more colors in the bin above to match the gingerbread-themed accessories. But I couldn’t resist trying a few bins with a paired down pink and white color scheme. Below is a dried bean-based bin and two rice-based bins featuring accessories with these two colors. Gingerbread man lights add ambiance to the third bin.