Holiday Crafts with Kids!

Make some fun holiday memories with easy crafts that will keep kids busy for hours!

How to Make a Paper Snowflake

Learn how to make a paper snowflake with these simple instructions! Snowflakes can offer endless delight for curious little kids. If you live in a location where the temperature drops enough so that snow is possible, your child can step outside in December to collect the real thing, but if you live in a warmer climate, you can still make a collection of DIY snowflakes! Follow the instructions below to learn how to make a paper snowflake with only paper and scissors, and prepare to explore the art, science, and math of snowflakes!

What You Need:

Children’s scissors

Plain white typing paper (not too thick)

What You Do:

1. Take out one sheet of plain white typing paper (8 ½” x 11”), and lay it on a table in front of you horizontally. Cut 2 ½” off the long side of the paper so that you are left with an 8

½” square.

2. Now you’re ready for folding. Start by folding the square diagonally, so that you’re left with a triangular shape. Now turn the triangle so that the long, folded edge is facing you. Match up the bottom left corner and the bottom right corner, and fold the triangle in half. Turn the triangle one more time so that the longest edge is facing you, and fold it in half one final time.

3. Use the scissors to cut into the triangle on any side…just don’t cut all the way across to the other side of the triangle, or you’ll cut your snowflake apart! Kids may cut little triangles, or make curve cuts, or squares. Encourage them to mess around and explore. When they’re done, unfold the paper, and you’ll see an intricate snowflake design.

If you've mastered a basic snowflake, try these tips and tricks to make your snowflakes even more beautiful!

After you've folded your paper in half twice, fold your second triangle into thirds, to make an airplane-like shape with two 'tails.' Cut straight across the open fold so that the tails are removed. Then, cut your snowflake as normal. Doing this special fold and cut will give your snowflake six sides. Experiment with other folds to change the number of points on your snowflake.

Cut the short side of your folded triangle into an interesting shape—don't feel like you have to stick with points, straight lines, and curves! Try cutting two sharp points; one that's long and one that's short. Or, experiment with rounded shapes and swirls.

Try cutting your folded triangle so that there are only thin strips of paper between cuts. This will give your snowflake a delicate, open look. These kinds of snowflakes look great taped all over windows, as they add a festive flair while still letting the light shine through.

Once kids get the hang of them, paper snowflakes can be irresistibly fun. Glue some big ones onto cardboard and hang them in a window. Create small ones and attach them to construction paper for glorious cards for family, friends, and teachers. Encourage your child to get out those scissors and explore. No matter where you live...let it snow!

Celebrate Kwanzaa: Weave a Mkeka

A traditional straw or woven textile mat, called a mkeka, is one of the seven symbols of Kwanzaa. Those who celebrate Kwanzaa view the mkeka as the base for the other six symbols of Kwanzaa, representing the idea that nothing can be built without having a foundation upon which to rest.

Celebrate this Kwanzaa tradition with your child, or acquaint them with a new and unexplored cultural practice, by helping them weave their own mat out of an ordinary paper bag! As your child spends an afternoon weaving, they'll strengthen important fine motor skills and receive valuable measurement practice.

What You Need:

Brown paper shopping bags Scissors

Ruler or measuring tape Pencil

Red, green, and black crayons or markers

What You Do:

1. Cut two 9" x 12" rectangles out of the paper bag.

2. Invite your child to color a side of either one or both paper rectangles. Red, green, and black are traditional Kwanzaa colors, so encourage them to get creative with crayons or markers in these hues.

3. Using a ruler and pencil for assistance, have your child cut nine 12" x 1" strips out of one of the rectangles.

4. From the remaining rectangle, assist your child in cutting nine 1" strips starting at one edge of the shorter side and reaching to one inch from the other short end. To clarify, this means you should not cut all the way through the paper; there should be a 1" wide

area that is not cut through. It may be helpful to use a pencil and ruler to mark both the width of the strips and the spot where your child will end their cut for each strip. However, encourage your child to get involved with the measuring as it will provide great math practice for them!

5. Now it's time to put it all together! Show your child how to weave the strips they cut in step 3 over and under the connected strips. Help them spread glue under the end of the strips to hold them in place.

6. If your child is interested in fringed edges for an extra touch, show them how to use scissors to cut fringes into the edges of all or some of the paper strips.

As your child intertwines strips of paper—and adds their own creative touches—they will be doing their part to honor the Kwanzaa principle of kuumba, or creativity.

Pin the Nose on Rudolph!

Pin the nose on Rudolph with this festive Christmas game! Rudolph with your nose so bright, won’t you guide this game tonight? Make this great holiday game with kids as an alternative to the traditional Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Pin the nose on Rudolph the reindeer instead! Kids can play alone or with lots of friends, for a challenging game that puts their spatial skills to the test. Play Pin the Nose on Rudolph with your friends and family this holiday season.

What You Need:

Large poster board Glue stick

Brown markers or construction paper Scissors

Styrofoam ball or large cotton ball Red paint

Paint brush Double sided tape Post-its Bandanna or scarf

What You Do:

1. Have your child cut out shapes from brown construction paper to make a large reindeer, or draw it directly on the board. Make sure the red nose is left off!

2. Paint a Styrofoam ball or cotton ball red. After the paint dries, place double sided sticky tape on the back, for Rudolph’s nose.

3. Play the game similarly to “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” One child should be blindfolded, spun around and guided in the direction of the poster. He should try to place the nose as close to the correct spot on Rudolph’s face as possible.

4. Use a post-it with that child’s name written on it to mark where he placed his nose on the poster.

5. After everyone takes a turn, the child who comes closest to getting the nose on Rudolph in the correct place wins! Now Rudolph’s ready to face the foggy night!