Tag Archives: crafts

Nature Crafting with Kids

Posted by melissa.t on February 15, 2013 3 comments

Use the natural materials around you, sticks, rocks, and leaves, to create and play. Remember when I showed you how to make Story Stones? That’s just one of the many playful craft ideas I want to share with you today. These nature crafts are inexpensive and help your children appreciate the possibilities in the natural world.

nature crafts with kids

Rocks and Stones

Blarney Stone (St. Patrick’s Day)

Rock Crystal Garden

Twigs and Branches

Leaves

Leaf Collection Book

Leaf Person or Animal

Leaf Cards

Shaving Cream Leaves

Pinecones

So get outside, collect leaves, pinecones, rocks and twigs, and start crafting!

P.S. You’ll love this calendar from The Grass Stain Guru. It shares daily inspiration for natural play and learning.

Are You Ready for Valentine’s Day Round-Up O’ Fun?

Posted by melissa.t on February 1, 2013 None comments

Valentine's Day Crafts, Food, Games & Card Ideas

Kids adore Valentine’s Day — is it just the candy that gets them so excited? I think it’s all of it. The friendship, the cards, the crafts, and the food. (At least until you’re a heart-sick teenager.)

The BEST of Valentine’s Day Ideas for Kids from Around the Web

Food

Cupid Crunch from Plain Chicken

popcorn

Stained Glass Cookies from The Outlaw Mom

stained-glass

Crafts

Heart Boxes from Mr. Printables

printable-valentines-heart-favor-boxes

DIY Valentine Fortune Tellers from Design Mom

fortune-teller-valentines2

Heart Strings from Hands On As We Grow

hearts

Games

Valentines’ Bingo from Makeoodle

bingo

Valentine’s Day Mad Libs from My Sisters Suitcase

Valentines-Day-Mad-Lib

Cards

Playing Card Valentines from Martha Stewart

playing-cards

Kid-Made Cards 5 Ways from Mama Pea Pod

kid-cards

Bookmark Card from Martha Stewart

bookmark-cards

I’m already excited, aren’t you?!

Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest for more Valentine’s Day ideas!

10 Favorite Christmas Crafts to Make and Do with Kids

Posted by melissa.t on December 7, 2012 6 comments

I love how creative these bloggers are – they have thought of some wonderful ideas for kids to make for holiday gifts. See for yourself!

Homemade Snow Playdough

Pipe Cleaner Christmas Tree

Pom Pom Ornament

Twiggy Stars

Paper Candy Canes

Lacing Tree Ornaments

Which do you like best?

3 Gifts Kids Can Make With Buttons

Posted by melissa.t on October 25, 2012 None comments

I don’t know why I adore buttons so much. Maybe they bring back memories of my mother’s button box I used to sort through for hours.

Did your mom have a button box?

Do you have one now?

We’ve been feeling the button love at the Taylor house. In fact, we recently made three crafts that your kids can make too. I think they would be fantastic gifts for the holidays. See what you think.

Button Bracelets

Weave buttons on a pipe cleaner to make a button bracelet. It’s simple and quite pretty.

Button Flower

Buy a blank canvas for your kids to paint a flower scene, substituting buttons for the flowers.

Button-Eyed Sock Doll

Use a colorful sock. Fill it with stuffing, tying off arms, legs, and a head with rubber bands. Directions here.

What do you think? Aren’t these cute gift ideas?

Autumn Crafting with Kids

Posted by melissa.t on September 28, 2012 None comments

Time for true confessions– I’m not a crafty mom. At all. Not much of a cook either.

But, I can read directions so I totally rely on cookbooks and crafty books.

Hooray for books!

I am so happy with The Artful Parent‘s new eBook, The Artful Year: Autumn because it’s so easy for un-crafty people like me. My kids and I have been trying all the projects and now our home is decorated with beautiful nature-inspired autumn art!

One of our favorites was melting crayons over rocks. Wow!

Another favorite were these Mod Podge leafy rocks.

Oh, and I have to tell you new idea. See the green stripes underneath the rock? You’ll never guess what it is. It’s not a tablecloth, it’s a shower curtain! My new crafty tablecloth.

I highly recommend this book. It’s only $9.99 and worth every penny to have lots of ideas for autumn crafts at your fingertips and to support the fabulous work of Jean Van’t Hul.

Disclosure: I received my copy of the book for free.

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