If you’re anything like me, the path of least resistance is usually the one I choose when it comes to crafting. I am not your average Pinterest mom. I am more like, “What random items can we craft with from the pantry” mom. However, I absolutely love creating with my babies and I’m a sucker for anything sentimental.
Here are some EASY, inexpensive, and most importantly, FUN activities and crafts to do with your littles this season.
LEAF ART
This is a two-part craft. The first part of this one is actually an adventure. Grab a freezer- size ziplock and carry it with you on your next outing or walk. We chose to do this one right as the leaves were falling and changing. Shades of red, brown, and that beautiful Texas orange started to fill up our bag of colorful collections.
Grab pieces of white construction paper, glue, and some safety scissors.
Choose your favorite leaf and press it in between two pieces of white paper. Shade with a crayon until you see the symmetrical pattern of the leaf anatomy begin to show through. It really is quite remarkable the symmetry that exists within a leaf. We layered the colors to make beautiful, deep fall tones and hues.
My 3-year-old wasn’t too keen on the shading but she did make one heck of a collage with all of her leaves. Make sure to date and frame!
ORNAMENT MEMENTOS
Who else failed at the handprint ornament? Me! We chose a different route this year as I still needed something to remember just how little they were in 2019.
Clear Ornaments (Large): Michaels, Target and even Hobby Lobby have large, clear ornaments. They usually come in a 4-pack and under $10.
Find your favorite color ribbon.
Measure your child, then cut the ribbon to his or her height.
Then, you simply stuff the ribbon into the clear bauble and you have a beautiful reminder of just how little they were in the winter of 4T and 5T clothing (in my case).
This craft can also be done with paper strips of invitations and announcements or notes. Probably my most favorite wedding gift was from my maid of honor, who gave me clear ornaments paper cutouts from our wedding invitation, shower invites, and even my bridal tea!
Recently, my son decided he wanted to make one that spelled out all his best qualities and favorite things! As he cut his strips of paper, I couldn’t stop thinking how amazing that will be one day to peek inside and remember him at this age. Oh, to be five years old!
CHRISTMAS CRAYON MOLDS
You know all those old dirty crayons that are broken, peeling, and probably just headed for the trash can? Here’s a craft to up-cycle and reuse all those worn-down colors and make room for these beautiful holiday molds!
Find and peel paper off all used or new crayons. Pick different color combinations and place into decorative tiny cakes or muffin pan. The crayons should fill the mold at least half way to the top. Bake in an oven at 100 degrees for 5-6 minutes, and let cool completely. Use a butter knife to loosen the wax from the mold and you have holiday crayons! We have a working collection of old crayons and every so often we revisit this craft.
