Christmas is often about the kids, but while were making all the plans, kids often get left out. Your kids wont get bored, though, because you know that getting them started on a cool craft for Christmas will keep them busy and happy. Dont worry about the cost! There are lots of great crafts kids can make that cost little.
One fun thing for kids to create is a gingerbread man photo ornament. The ornament is easy to make, and since its made from cardboard pieces, you dont have to worry about spending a lot of money. Use a few craft supplies to embellish the cardboard and kids will be happy to hang their new ornaments on the tree.
Use a pattern from a coloring book, or cut your own pattern, to create the shape of the gingerbread men. Thick cardboard takes on the look of real gingerbread after youve decorated it. Cut a gingerbread man for each child and let them get busy creating. Before decorating the gingerbread men kids can cut a circular picture of themselves to attach to the man. Help young kids with this portion of the craft. After cutting the photo glue it to the belly area of the gingerbread man. Now use any number of craft items to embellish the creation. White yarn is a great way to outline the gingerbread men. Use ordinary white glue to outline the man then place the length of yarn in the glue. Instead of yarn you can also use white paint that dispenses from a tube. The outline really makes the gingerbread man stand out on the tree. Use the yarn or paint to also outline the circular photo. If you want, you can cut a piece of clear plastic to put over the picture. The paint or yarn should cover the edges of the clear plastic. Use wiggly eyes, b-bs, buttons or another choice for the gingerbread mans eyes. A red cinnamon candy is perfect for the nose but you could also use a button, a pom-pom or even a marker. Even the lid from an old red marker can become the nose of the gingerbread man. Black yarn, felt or a black marker can be used to make the mouth. Cut a piece of fabric, or use yarn, to make a scarf for your gingerbread man. Tie the yarn or fabric once then allow it to hang down the front of the man, slightly off-center. Allowing it to hang down the middle will cause the picture to be obscured. Instead of a scarf your gingerbread man can have a bow tie. Purchase the small bows or create your own from a scrap of ribbon or fabric. Use the yarn or white paint to make a zig-zag line across the "forehead" of the gingerbread man. Do the same across the "wrists" and "ankles" to create the illusion of gloves or even booties. Cording, which is small in diameter, can be used instead of the yarn. There are many other craft supplies that you can use to further embellish the gingerbread men. Fake candies or candy canes can be attached to the hand areas. Or, your gingerbread man can hold a tiny sign which says "Merry Christmas" or the childs name. Get as creative as you want with the gingerbread men. Instead of cardboard you can also make the gingerbread men out of craft foam. Purchase a sheet of foam in the color of brown to cut the shape of the gingerbread men. Craft foam is inexpensive and easy to work with. Most any embellishments can be glued right to the foam. When youre finished making the ornament fold a piece of stretch cord in half and glue it to the backside of the ornament. That will allow you a way to hang the ornament on the tree. Instead of the central photo on the gingerbread man kids can instead cut a picture of a reindeer, Santa or another Christmas scene. Kids getting bored? Get them busy with the gingerbread photo project and their yawns will turn to giggles.
No comments:
Post a Comment