Christmas

Handprint Christmas Crafts

December 18, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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There has been a return in popularity of paper grocery bags, so why not use a few for handprint Christmas crafts? The bags are sturdy and give craft projects a vintage feel.

Here are a few festive, heart-tugging crafts that employ brown paper bags as a base.

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Handprint Heart Decorations

Cut hearts from paper grocery bags. Feel free to download this heart printable to use as a template.

Heart printable for art and craft projects.

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Heart Template Download

This printable is for personal or one classroom use only.

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Set out bright red tempera paint and a paper heart. Invite your early learner to dip a hand in the paint and make a print on the heart.

Invitation to make a red handprint on a paper bag heart.

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Or, invite your little one to paint a hand and then make the print. This takes more time, but the result is often neater.

Invitation to paint a hand to make a print on a paper bag heart.

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After the handprint heart dries, hot glue on a red bow. Then add a looped ribbon to hang the craft.

Red handprint heart craft ready for hanging.

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Offer hearts and tempera paint in white and green colors for more craft projects.

Paper bag hearts with red, green, and white handprints.

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Tip: Adding a little white to ready-made red or green paint lightens and brightens the color.

Thin pearl bead garland makes a delicate lacing material for a heart embellished with a white handprint.

Bead garland laced white handprint heart craft.

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Cut Handprint Christmas Crafts

Sometimes little ones swish their hands on the paper while making prints, and the resulting handprints can be a little messy. These can be cut out to make other Christmas crafts.

Offer sequins, metallic balls, and stars for your little learner to decorate a green handprint as a sparkly Christmas tree. Hot glue on a thin, glittery garland and a treetop star afterward.

Christmas tree handprint craft. Metallic balls, sequins, stars, and garland decorate the tree.

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Help your little one transform a red handprint into a friendly reindeer by adding wiggly eyes, pipe cleaner ears, snowflake antlers, and a pompom nose.

A red handprint turned into a friendly reindeer craft by adding snowflake antlers, wiggly eyes, pipe cleaner ears, and a pompom nose.

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Invite your early learner to turn a white handprint into an eye-catching fish ornament by gluing on sequins and adding a wiggly eye. A dusting of glitter can be applied for the finishing touch.

Handprint fish ornament embellished with sequins, glitter, and a wiggly eye.

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The sky is the limit when using paper grocery bags for handprint Christmas crafts. They make an eye-pleasing base for large or small projects. Your Christmas bits and baubles will come in handy to embellish the crafts.

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Handprint Christmas craft projects using paper bags as a base.

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[Read more…]

Handprint Angel Craft

December 16, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Last year’s handprint angel craft was a hit with my preschool families. So this year I set out to find a glittery Christmas stem that would inspire a variation of the well-received keepsake craft. I shopped with no preconceived ideas in mind, and at the first store, a gleaming peacock-inspired stem caught my eye. I knew immediately that it was “the one” for this year’s angel craft.

In my instructions, I use the colors magenta, turquoise, and pink, and “peacock-inspired Christmas stem.” But feel free to substitute any glittery stem and complementary colors for the craft.

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Supplies To Collect

peacock-inspired Christmas stem
magenta tempera paint
pink glitter
white cardstock paper
skin-toned cardstock paper
disposable plate
glue gun
scissors
pencil or thin black felt pen

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Making The Handprint Angel

Choose a glittery peacock-inspired Christmas stem. The stem featured in this craft is turquoise and magenta, a wonderful Dollar Store find.

Magenta and blue Christmas stem with a peacock theme.

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Have your little learner make a magenta tempera paint handprint on white cardstock paper, and sprinkle pink glitter on the print while it is still wet.

Invitation to make a magenta and pink glitter handprint.

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After the handprint dries, cut it out.

Scissors to cut a painted handprint for an angel craft.

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Cut a cardstock circle about 2 ½ inches / 7 cm in diameter. Ask your little one to draw on eyes and a smile with a pencil or thin felt pen.

Snip two peacock feather-inspired angel wings and a headpiece from the Christmas stem.

Parts to glue together to make a handprint angel.

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Hot glue the wings to the back of the handprint, and the headpiece to the back of the angel face.

Then glue the head to the handprint body. Add a ribbon to hang the angel on a wall or Christmas tree. Or mount the angel on a 12-inch x 12-inch piece of paper and display.

Christmas-themed handprint angel with glittery turquoise and magenta peacock-inspired wings.

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Turquoise and magenta handprint Christmas angel craft.

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Introducing the color words “magenta” and “turquoise” add a vocabulary component to this handprint angel craft. And early learners will embrace the glittery touches.

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Related: Handcraft Angel Video Tutorial

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[Read more…]

Christmas Sensory Play

December 15, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Christmas-themed sensory play with festive loose parts in a rice based tray and a water tub.

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With a host of seasonal loose parts available to purchase in the fall, Christmas sensory play experiences are easy and economical to put together. These two festive tubs are sure to delight your little learners.

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Christmas Rice Sensory Tray

Glutinous rice is the base for this tray. The word glutinous means glue-like; the rice does not contain gluten. The grains are super white, showcasing the loose parts in the tray. But any kind of rice would work well.

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Pour a layer of rice into a tray or plastic tub. Add loose parts from the list below, or substitute accessories you have available. Invite your early learners to explore the tray.

Loose parts:

red, green, and white buttons
ice cube stars, snowmen, and trees
acrylic gem snowflakes and lights
metallic snowflakes
foam Christmas shapes and alphabet letters
candy-striped straws
red bowl and spoon

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Christmas-themed loose parts tray for sensory play.

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Additional containers for pouring and filling could be included.

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Christmas-themed containers for sensory play.

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Christmas Water Sensory Tub

Pour a few liters of lukewarm water into a plastic tub. Drop in accessories from the list above or pick from your own stash of loose parts. Adding just a few Christmas-themed loose parts will set the stage for enjoyable learning through play.

A clear plastic present is a highlight of the sensory tub below.

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Christmas erasers are bound to be a hit!

Christmas erasers are a stand out in this festive water sensory tub.

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Learning Through Play Possibilities

Rich learning takes place when children participate in these Christmas sensory play invitations. Some learning possibilities are:

sorting green and red shapes (math – set making; language – color recognition)
counting shapes (math – counting)
comparing shapes to those of others (language development; paying attention to detail)
filling and emptying the plastic present (math/language – empty/full)
noticing how the foam shapes stick to the sides of the present (science)
recognizing letters of the alphabet (language -letter recognition)

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[Read more…]

Christmas Dove Art

December 13, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Angels are often my “go-to” theme for a Christmas craft keepsake, but this holiday season I have doves on my brain. Doves are symbolic of peace and love, which is welcome inspiration at Christmas, or any time of the year. So here are two Christmas dove art projects that make touching keepsakes… and display beautifully. Bonus: I’ve included a free downloadable printable to use for the crafts.

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Squish Painted Dove

Create a symmetrical dove pattern or download the printable in this post to use as a template. Cut out one bird from white 8 ½ inch x 11-inch cardstock paper for each child completing the project.

Dove printable to download for a craft project.

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Dove TemplateDownload

This printable is for individual and one classroom use only.

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Set the doves out onto a table along with red and green paint and spoons.

Invitation to spatter paint paper doves with red and green paint.

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Invite your little learners to spatter paint their dove.

Spatter painted dove using green and red Christmas colors.

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Then help them fold the dove, and smooth their hand over it. Placing newspaper underneath and overtop the folded birds helps absorb excess paint.

Ask your little ones to unfold their birds. They are bound to be excited to see the art they have created.

Squish painted dove art project in red and green colors.

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After the doves dry, hot glue a sprig from a Christmas stem underneath each beak.

A sprig from a Christmas stem is the finishing touch for this squish painted red and green dove.

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Cuttings from a stem with berries, pine cones, and leaves in different tones give the doves a unique finishing touch.

Christmas stem to use as a finishing touch for festive dove art.

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Sprigs cut from one Christmas stem for a craft project.

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Displayed together on a wall as a triangle and topped with a star, the painted birds make a unique Christmas tree shape. Or mount on a complimentary patterned paper background.

Christmas dove art utilizing a squish painting technique.

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View a Squish-Painted Christmas Dove video tutorial here:

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Papercraft Christmas Dove

Supplies To Collect:

8 1/2 x 11-inch white cardstock
sturdy paper in white, green, red, and turquoise hues
12-inch x12-inch cardstock or Christmas-themed paper
flower, leaf, snowflake, and bird paper punches
glue sticks
holiday greetings
self-adhesive pearls
double-sided tape

Supplies needed to make a papercraft dove Christmas keepsake.

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Cut out white cardstock doves, and set them out on a table with glue sticks and festive paper punched shapes. I used bird, snowflake, leaf, and flower shapes in turquoise, red, and green hues. Feel free to choose your own color scheme.

Set up with adhesive pearls and snowflake, leaf, flower, and bird paper shapes to glue onto a paper dove.

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Invite your early learners to glue colorful punched shapes to their doves.

Tips:

A muffin pan works well as a shape sorter for group art.
Paper or foil Christmas scatter purchased from a store could replace the punched shapes in this craft.

A twelve cup muffin pan works well as a shape sorter for group art.

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Afterward, glue a paper punched leaf or Christmas sprig underneath each beak. Mount the birds onto 12-inch x 12-inch solid colored complimentary cardstock with a few pieces of double-sided tape for a raised look. Invite your charges to add self-adhesive pearl gems to the flowers and background paper.

Words such as Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Joy, Peace, or Noel add a seasonal greeting to the pictures.

Papercraft dove Christmas keepsake picture.

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An alternative is to mount the arty doves on Christmas-themed 12-inch x 12-inch paper.

Papercraft dove collage projects mounted on Christmas-themed backgrounds.

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Click here for a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays printable to use for a greeting in the craft.

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Holiday Greeting PrintableDownload

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These two Christmas dove art projects are sure to add a festive touch to your classroom or home. Which one is your favorite?

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[Read more…]

Santa Claus Playdough Tray

December 10, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Fun red and white Santa Claus themed playdough invitation which features oh so soft and aromatic cherry jello playdough.

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This Santa Claus playdough tray is stocked with white and cherry red dough. You’ll want to save this post to have the recipes on hand, as they are oh so soft and aromatic.

Santa Claus is a fun part of Christmas celebrations, and legend has it that he lives at the North Pole. With the help of his elves, he makes toys all year long. He fills a sack with toys on Christmas Eve and delivers them to children all around the world in a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer.

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Related: Read a Christmas Santa Claus Story about how the jolly man may have originated on howstuffworks.com.

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Santa-Themed Loose Parts Tray

Santa Claus is most often pictured with a long white beard and red, fur-trimmed clothing. So red and white loose parts are predominant in this collection.

Red and white Santa Claus and reindeer themed loose parts tray.

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The tray includes:

Santa and reindeer erasers
reindeer ring and buttons
red snowflake gems
red and white round gems
various sized white pearl beads
cut-up candy-striped straws
reindeer and stocking cookie cutters
Santa Claus and present-shaped cookie cutters could be added to the tray.

Santa Claus-themed sensory tray with red and white loose parts.

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White Playdough Recipe

My go-to basic playdough recipe (featured in this post) has the following ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
4 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 cups water
3 tablespoons oil

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Add the first three ingredients to a sturdy pot and mix them together.

Stir two tablespoons of oil into two cups of water.

Add the water and oil to the dry ingredients and combine.

Heat on the stove on medium heat.

Stirring frequently, cook until the mixture is no longer glossy and the dough forms a ball.

Place the dough on a cutting board.

Knead when cool, adding in one more tablespoon of oil.

Store the playdough in a sealed plastic bag.

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Cherry Jello Playdough

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To make the aromatic, deep red cherry jello playdough, boil the water, and stir in two 3 oz / 85-gram packages of cherry jello powder. Next, mix in two tablespoons of oil. Add the hot colored water mixture to the dry ingredients in a pot as above, and finish making the recipe the same way.

Oh so aromatic and soft cherry jello playdough preparation.

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Santa Claus Playdough Invitation

Set out the loose parts on a tray with the red and white playdough. Add rolling pins and more cookie cutters if desired, and watch your little learners create while discussing their perceptions of Santa Claus.

Festive red and white playdough tray with a Santa Claus theme.

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Wooden Santa decorations are included on the above tray.

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Santa Claus and reindeer playdough invitation with red and white playdough.

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Santa Claus playdough invitation with white and deep cherry red dough.

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This Santa Claus playdough tray is inspired by a lovely Santa-themed sensory tray Instagram post by @Places_Spaces_Wonder_Delight.

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Festive red and white playdough tray with a Santa Claus and reindeer theme.

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More Christmas Activities

Paper Airplane Christmas Craft

Octopus Christmas Craft

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Christmas Small World

Christmas Peppermint Sensory Bin

Paper Bag Christmas Ornaments

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Monochromatic Christmas Tree Art

CD Case Christmas Craft

Plaid-themed Christmas Rice Bin

A delightful plaid-themed holiday rice bin filled with cozy items for little learners to explore year after year.

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Christmas Sheep Craft

Christmas Village Tuff Tray

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[Read more…]

Handprint Angel Christmas Keepsake

December 21, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Handprint Angel Christmas craft with silver metallic leaf wings. An easy to make keepsake craft that all children can do.

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There are so many adorable handprint crafts, and the choices for Christmas are incredible. One of my favorites is a handprint angel. It is a cute craft that doubles as an adorable keepsake. It is also a piece of cake to make and can be whipped up at the last minute.

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Supplies To Collect

white tempera paint
pie plate or small tray
grey fade-resistant cardstock
cream colored fade-resistant cardstock
grey-based patterned 8 ½ x 11-inch cardstock
stem with silver metallic leaves
circle tracer (juice lid size)
pencil
children’s scissors
craft scissors
glue stick
glue gun
silver glitter

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Making The Handprint Angel

This craft can be done independently by older children, or as an adult-child collaborative project with preschoolers.

Cut individual metallic leaves from the leaf stem with a pair of craft scissors.

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Have your child make a handprint with white paint on grey cardstock.

Invitation to make a handprint with white paint on grey paper.

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When dry, cut out the handprint or have your child do so.

Invite your child to trace a circle onto cream-colored cardstock and cut it out.

Invitation to trace and cut a circle for the face of a handprint angel.

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Ask your child to draw a face on the circle with a pencil.

Help your child glue the handprint, face, and metallic leaf wings onto grey-based patterned cardstock to create an angel. Use a glue gun to help secure the wings.

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Have your child make an oval swirl on top of the angel’s head for a halo.

Invitation to swirl an oval shape above the angel's head with a glue stick for a halo.

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Invite your child to shake silver glitter over the glue swirl.

Invitation to add a silver glitter halo to a handprint angel.

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Handprint Angel Holiday Greeting

If you like, a favorite holiday greeting can be added to the craft for a finishing touch.

Handprint angel craft with the caption "Merry Christmas." An easy to make keepsake all children can create.

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Feel free to download this printable and use one of the holiday greetings for your craft.

Printable with the seasonal greetings "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays." This printable coordinates with the Handprint Angel Christmas keepsake.

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Holiday Greeting Printable Download

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A handprint angel craft with the caption "Merry Christmas." An easy to make keepsake all children can create.

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This handprint angel picture is made in white, cream, silver, and grey tones. The inspiration was a stem of metallic silver leaves found at a local dollar store. Traditional Christmas colors or your favorite color scheme would work wonderfully for this keepsake.

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For an exquisite Seashell Angel Christmas Ornament craft, view the tutorial at hellowonderful.co.

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[Read more…]

Santa’s Beard Scissor Activity

December 18, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Super fun Santa's beard scissor skill activity. Scissor use tips and guidelines are included.

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This Santa’s beard scissor activity is a fun way to introduce cutting practice. The combination of a favorite activity (using scissors) and a well-loved character (Santa Claus) is a win-win. Snipping the beard strands adds a challenge, as yarn is more difficult to cut than paper.

By participating in cutting activities, early learners grow in their physical development. They get practice in bilateral coordination: using hands and fingers on both sides of the body at the same time to do two different things. Hand muscles are strengthened. And eye-hand coordination (being able to cut with one hand while following the movement of scissors with the eyes) is improved.

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Setting Up The Santa’s Beard Scissor Activity

Materials needed:

threadable Santa head wall décor

white yarn

30-cm / 12-inch ruler

children’s scissors

white duct tape

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Preparing The Scissor Activity

Cut yarn into 60-cm / 24-inch strips using a standard ruler as a guide.

Cut strips of yarn in 60-cm/24-inch sections to string through Santa head wall decor. A scissor practice activity for young children.

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Thread yarn through Santa’s chin to enhance his beard.

Repurpose Santa Head Wall Decor as a scissor skill activity. String white yarn to enhance Santa's beard and prepare it for cutting.

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Repurposed wall decor Santa with enhanced yarn beard for cutting. A super fun scissor skill activity for young children.

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Add a layer of white duct tape at the back to stabilize the yarn.

Back view of Santa Head Wall Decor. A strip of white duct tape stabilizes the threaded yarn beard extensions. A scissor activity for young children.

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Place the Santa head on a table with a pair of children’s scissors for an invitation to trim his beard.

An invitation to trim Santa's beard with repurposed wall decor. A scissor skill activity for young children.

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Tip: Santa can be placed sideways on a table. Then children can hold a section of Santa’s beard with their nondominant helping hand and cut the beard in the direction away from their body with their dominant cutting hand.

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Choosing Scissors

Scissors offered should have blunt edges. Fiskars children’s scissors are highly regarded by teachers.

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Scissor Use Technique

Thumbs on each hand point up.

The thumb in the cutting hand goes in the small hole of the scissors.

The middle and index finger go in the larger hole. The ring and pinky finger curl under the scissors into the palm.

Elbows are positioned near the ribs.

Scissors are held at least 8 inches from the face and pointed away from the body.

The non-dominant “helping hand” holds the paper and moves it during the cutting process.

Tip: To help children remember to keep their thumb up, place two googly “crocodile eyes” on top of the scissors. Encourage children to “snap like a crocodile opening and closing his mouth.”

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Santa head wall decor repurposed as a beard trimming scissor activity for young children. The white yarn is threaded through Santa's chin to add beard extensions perfect for cutting.

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Guidelines For Using Scissors

Young children need supervision when using scissors. These guidelines are helpful to discuss with them:

Cut only paper or the assigned cutting materials.

Do not cut your own or others’ hair, lips, fingers, or clothes.

Do not cut toys.

No running with scissors.

When walking with scissors, hold the scissors closed and pointing down. (The need for walking with scissors should be minimized.)

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Scissor Skill Progression

Using scissors is challenging for early learners. With plenty of practice, cutting will improve and get less messy. Scissor skills are not fully developed until children are six years old.

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Alternatives To Using Santa Head Wall Decor

A yarn-bearded Santa can be crafted from a paper plate. Or a Santa to embellish can be cut from a Christmas card or gift bag.

Invitation to trim gift bag Santa's beard.

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A “Trim The Beard Paper Plate Santa” activity is featured on kidscraftroom.com .

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A Santa’s beard scissor activity can be offered before Christmas, so Santa can be “Christmas Eve ready.” Or it can be set out after Christmas Day…because then Santa finally has time for self-care!

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[Read more…]

Build A Christmas Tree STEAM Activity

December 15, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Invitation to build a Christmas tree from clear plastic serving trays, plates, and cups, A family STEAM activity with many opportunities for learning.

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This “Build A Christmas Tree” STEAM activity offers a unique opportunity to incorporate construction, lights, and Christmas decorations in an engaging way. Materials needed are readily available and easy to collect. In the process of building a tree and decorating it, young children progress in many areas of development.

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Supplies To Collect

clear plastic plates, cups, and serving trays
clear plastic lids (if needed to complete the size range)
Individual lights
nonbreakable Christmas decorations
picture/template of the completed project

The serving trays and plates should be of different sizes. I added one clear plastic lid because I could not find the size needed in a plate or tray.

Plastic serving trays, plates, lid and cups to use as a Christmas tower tree building prompt. A family STEAM activity with many possibilities for learning.

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Christmas bell decorations and garland add sensory appeal to this activity.

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Stage the “Build A Christmas Tree” Activity

Set out the construction materials and Christmas decorations on a table with ample space.

Display a picture of the completed project. (A picture can be downloaded further down the post.)

Challenge children to build a tree and decorate it. Offer help as requested or needed.

A snack tray works well as the largest and bottom piece, as decorations can be stored on it.

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“Build A Christmas Tree” STEAM Learning Possibilities

Building a stacked tree offers many opportunities for learning. Here is a list of developmental areas and growth possibilities for each one using this construction activity.

Math

Practice ordering sizes from smallest to largest.
Match sizes and shapes.
Learn about height, length, measurement, symmetry, and balance.
Count layers on the tree.

Science

Learn cause and effect when putting heavier and lighter decorations on higher or lower parts of the tree.
See the results of adding lights to different parts of the tree.

Fine And Gross Motor Control

Develop eye-hand coordination in placing decorations in just the right spot.

Language Development

Name objects.
Describe decorations as heavy, light, hard, soft, fluffy, metallic, bright red, rough, or smooth.

Creative Development

Create a unique tree by choosing from many kinds of trimmings and lights.

Sensory Exploration

Feel different textures and notice smells.
Observe seasonal colors and shapes.
Hear the jingling sound of bells.

Social Development

Learn to co-operate when building the tree with other children.
Enhance friendships when working together as a team.

Self Esteem Enhancement

Gain a sense of satisfaction in building and decorating a unique tree by oneself or with friends.
Opportunity to make choices.

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Learning Possibilities Download

Download this list of learning possibilities to use as a handout for teachers, caregivers or parents.

Build-A-Tree-Learning-PossibilitiesDownload

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A decorated tower tree using clear plastic plates, serving trays, and cups. A STEAM activity for young learners.

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This activity is perfect for an adult and children to work on. The stacked tree is challenging to make, and early learners may appreciate some grown-up assistance. And adults can offer decorating challenges to extend the learning experience, ie.

Can you make a tree shape with these circles and cups?
Can you put all the pompoms on?
Can you find a spot for the acorns?
Can you put two bells on the tree?
Can you put heavier pieces on the bottom tray?
Can you put a pom pom on each side of a circle shape?

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Reproducing A Design From A Template Or Photo

Studies show that reproducing a design from a template or photo enhances mathematical skills and brain development. This is a more structured kind of construction play. However, it’s perfectly okay to offer these materials in two ways:

Challenge children to build a tree similar to a template or photo, and offer the materials in an open-ended way another day.
Offer materials in an open-ended way first, and challenge children to build a template design as a follow-up activity.

Model of a tower themed Christmas tree for children to use as a template. Free printable for download.

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Download a picture to use as a pattern here.

Christmas Tree ModelDownload

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This “Build A Christmas Tree” STEAM activity can be offered on a tabletop, or placed on a light table. It can be set in the room at different places over a period of days or moved around by the children. The accessories can be saved for other light/light table activities.

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For more Christmas tree-building ideas, view a post on the website Left Brain Craft Brain.

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[Read more…]

Llama Christmas Sensory Bin

December 10, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This post was edited on December 12, 2022.

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Llama themed sensory bin inspired by the picture book "Llama, Llama Holiday Drama" by Anna Dewdney.

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A llama Christmas sensory bin is sure to captivate your little learners. It’s a superb way to give children access to the rich colors and textures of the Christmas season.

This festive bin is inspired by the storybook “Llama Llama Holiday Drama,” written and illustrated by Anna Dewdney. In the picture book, little Llama becomes overwhelmed helping his mama with holiday preparations. There are so many things to do, and the wait for Christmas seems much too long. Amid the busy, bustling season, Mama Llama takes time to stop and snuggle with Llama Llama, saying that “having each other is the true gift” at Christmas.

Llama Llama’s pre-Christmas experience is one that children can relate to. And parents and caregivers get a gentle reminder to slow down and spend some snuggle time with the “littles” in their lives.

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Llama Christmas Sensory Bin Supplies

With adorable llama-themed Christmas decorations readily available, a llama-inspired bin is easy to put together. Purchase a few nonbreakable llama ornaments, and add Christmas-themed sensory items in colors that complement them.

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This sensory tub includes

brown rice
llama Christmas decorations (cut from a garland)
small gift boxes
felt Christmas tree decoration
gingerbread decoration
mini Christmas cookie cutters
sparkle pom poms
bows
bells
metallic snowflakes
metallic trees

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A llama-themed sensory bin offers young children a chance to play with festive contemporary decorations along with well-loved staples.

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What’s your current theme for Christmas decorating? Is a color scheme or favorite type of ornament taking center stage? Drop a comment below.

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To view a read-aloud version of the picture book “Llama, Llama Holiday Drama”, click here.

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[Read more…]

Ugly Christmas Sweater Activities

November 19, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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The Ugly Christmas Sweater trend has resurfaced, and for a few years I couldn’t figure it out. Having a passion for fashion, I didn’t understand why anyone would want to wear a tacky sweater. Until…I read that people host Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties, often to raise funds for charity. Then I saw purpose and humor in them.

Aside from wearing an ugly Christmas sweater, the trend shines in some easy to introduce early learning activities the whole family can participate in.

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Ugly Christmas Sweater Sensory Bin

This rice bin includes

Christmas sweater tins
metallic and gem snowflakes
metallic and gem stars
gem light bulbs
bead garland strands
bows
pom poms

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Invitation To Decorate An Ugly Christmas Sweater

Craft sweaters from large pieces of paper and glue them to 12 by 12-inch squares of cardstock. Set out a tray with Christmas decorations and supplies for children to decorate the sweaters with.

Christmas decoration themed loose parts tray to design a Christmas sweater.

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The tray includes

bows
pom poms
miniature presents
bead garland strands
gem light bulbs
fabric stars
metallic stars and snowflakes
miniature Christmas trees

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Invitation to decorate a Christmas sweater with festive loose parts.

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This can be a reusable activity, or pieces can be glued on the sweaters for art to display.

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Sweater Cookie Baking And Decorating

Bake your favorite butter cookie recipe using a sweater cookie cutter to shape the dough. Or purchase a kit with premade cookies and icing. The creativity shown in decorating the treats will draw smiles from everyone.

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Playdough Center

Set out playdough, a sweater cookie cutter, and items for embellishing. Mini Christmas buttons enhance the playdough creations below. Ribbon, gems, pom poms, beads, and sequins work well for this activity.

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Ugly Christmas Sweater Tracing And Decorating Center

A station with a sweater tracer felt pens, stickers, gems, colored paper, and other craft supplies allows children to design their own ugly Christmas sweater.

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Memory And Matching Games

A Christmas sweater placemat is perfect for matching or memory games.

Ugly Christmas sweater placemat matching game.

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Ugly Christmas Sweater Relay Race

Divide children into two teams. Have children on each team take turns running to a station with hats, scarves, and mittens. Children pick up a hat, scarf, or pair of mitts to wear “to keep warm”, and run back to their team.

Stay warm station with sign and winter accessories.

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More Activities

For more activities, view a post on child-friendly Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Games at thespruce.com.

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Ugly Christmas Sweater Trivia

1. Ugly Christmas sweaters became popular in the 1980s, and were sold under the name “Jingle Bell Sweaters.” They made a showy statement when worn by television or movie comedic actors.

2. They rose in popularity in the early 2000s when people began having “Ugly Sweater Parties”. Events are often held in support of charities.

3. The city of Vancouver, Canada claims to be the birthplace of the “Ugly Sweater Party.” The first one was held in December 2002. An annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party has been held at the Commodore Ballroom in this vibrant city every December since. It is a festive event for the Make A Wish Foundation Of Canada, a charity that grants wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses.

4. There are Ugly Sweater Runs. People run/walk a course that averages around five km long. At pit stops, they can get hot chocolate, coffee, a hat, mittens, etc. to help them stay warm and finish the race. Funds are raised from these walks for various charities.

5. A National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, started in 2011, is celebrated on the third Friday of December. People can wear their ugly Christmas attire to work and school, and the day often has a festive, holiday feel.

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Ugly Christmas sweater decorating station.

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Ugly Christmas Sweater Books

These two books are available online from booksellers and are lighthearted reads with lots of tips for including Ugly Christmas Sweaters in holiday festivities.

The Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Book: The Definitive Guide To Getting Your Ugly On by Brian Miller, Adam Paulson and Kevin Wool.

This book has tips for throwing an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party and features pictures and humorous descriptions of some of the craziest ugly Christmas sweaters ever worn. The section on different personas people take on at ugly sweater Christmas Parties is especially entertaining!

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party: Christmas Crafts, Recipes, Activities by Brandy and Matt Shay.

A colorful, entertaining book filled with ideas for hosting an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. The book showcases patterns for making ugly Christmas sweaters, ponchos, shoes, legwarmers, headbands, and a Christmas tree dress.

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Ugly Christmas sweaters add humor, color, and creativity to the busy Christmas season. Their inclusion into festive parties and fundraisers for charities has me on board. Christmas is definitely better with ugly Christmas sweaters!

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How do you feel about ugly Christmas sweaters? Will you be wearing one this Christmas season?

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