Screen-Free Christmas Eve Activities for Families

reading books

You've hung the stockings with care, left cookies out for Santa and...now what? It's Christmas Eve, the shopping is done, you've eaten your meal and the family is gathered around the TV watching the same old holiday shows they've watched for years. Turn the the television off and try some of these screen-free holiday activities for families! Christmas Play Forget about the ready-made shows on TV. Your family can put on their own Christmas-themed production. Pick a favorite holiday tale or create your own. If you're not sure where to start, pick a few beloved Christmas characters (such as Santa,...

Homemade Christmas Tree Crafts

kids' crafts

Decorating the Christmas tree doesn't have to include buying pricey ornaments. This year, try something new. Instead of ready-made decor, have the family help you to craft a tree-full of artsy awesomeness. That's right. Each family member (including the adults) will help to make the holiday decor and dress the tree. Check out these easy-to-make Christmas tree ornament crafts! Paper Shape Ornaments Use card stock paper or cardboard to create shapes. Cut out circles, stars, triangles or any other shape. Punch a hole at the top of each one (using a hole punch). Thread a piece of yarn through the...

Christmas S’Mores for Kids

holiday recipe

The Christmas cookies are baking. Or are they? The holidays are a busy time of year. And that means you may not have a few hours free to bake holiday cookies. Don't stress about giving your family sweet treats. If you need desserts for a holiday party or something special at the end of a family meal, these Christmas s'mores are no-bake goodies that won't disappoint. Red and Green Even though traditional s'mores are made from brown chocolate bars, these use colors to create a holiday theme. Melt white chocolate on the stove or in the microwave (an adult should...

Kids’ Hanukkah Shape & Pattern Craft

hanukkah kids

Celebrate Hanukkah and create cute holiday decor with this easy-to-make kids' dreidel craft. This paper art activity also gives your young child the chance to build math skills, including shape and pattern. Combine art-making and education, with this one holiday-themed activity! Read on to learn how to make this preschool art project. Materials You'll Need Card stock paper (choose at least two colors) Clear-drying school glue Markers or crayons Scissors Cardboard How-To Steps Cut the cardboard into three pieces — a square, a triangle and a small rectangle. If your child can't cute through the board, you can do this...

Wright Brothers Day Kids’ Craft: Make an Airplane

plane activity

December 17th marks Wright Brothers Day. Celebrate this very special day with a few flight-themed activities that the entire family can enjoy. Read picture books about the history of flight, make paper airplanes, and try this airplane art project. Your creative kiddo can let their imagination run free, designing their very own plane to magically 'fly'. Not only will this project help your child to learn about flight, but it also includes a simple science lesson too! Start by reusing an old cardboard box (look for one that's large-sized, such as an appliance or electronics box). Talk about how reusing...

Fun Holiday Kids’ Recipes for Hanukkah

hanukkah ideas

Cooking activities for kids provide an easy way for your little learner to develop new skills, explore kitchen science and celebrate special days. You have eight nights of Hanukkah to get into the kitchen with your kiddos, create sweet and savory treats, snacks and meals for the whole family. If you're not sure where to start, check out these easy children's Hanukkah recipes. Keep in mind, you always need to supervise your child in the kitchen. Never allow a child to use a stove, oven, sharp cooking tool or anything that could pose a safety risk. Hanukkah Cereal Mix Mix...

Children’s Books for World Day for Persons with Disabilities

kids' books

December 3rd marks the World Day for Persons with Disabilities. Understanding what a disability is and means isn't always easy for the young child. In honor of this very special day, read a book that focuses on the subject. These picture books can help the young child to develop awareness of disabilities today and on any other day! Don't Call Me Special: A First Look At Disability, by Pat Thomas and Lesley Harker: Written by a counselor, this children's read looks at what disabilities are and how people who have them can lead full lives. This pick also includes a...

Kids’ Hanukkah Menorah Puzzle

kids' craft

You're looking for a fun-filled way to celebrate Hanukkah with the kids. Combine art and problem-solving with this menorah puzzle project. And bonus, you can reuse everyday items to make this a recycled kids' craft! Gather together popsicle sticks (making sure to thoroughly clean and dry them first) to use for this Hanukkah activity. If you don't have enough on hand, you can buy craft sticks at an arts and crafts supply store. Materials You'll Need Craft sticks (you'll need enough to make the menorah's base and one for each night of the holiday) Water color or tempera paints Paintbrushes...

Hanukkah Finger Paint Menorah Craft for Kids

kids crafts

Celebrate Hanukkah with a finger print paint kids' craft. Your child can create their own artsy menorah using temperas and their own hands. This is an easy way to count the eight nights of the holiday, adding to the art activity daily. If you're looking for a cute craft that your preschooler or kindergarten-aged child can create for Hanukkah, check out the simple how-to directions! Materials You'll Need Tempera or finger paints (and color/colors plus yellow) Card stock or other heavy paper Paper plates How-To Instructions Pour the paint onto the paper plates in pools. Your child can use one...

Thanksgiving Gratitude Collage Craft for Kids

thanksgiving craft

What is your child thankful for? Celebrating Thanksgiving is the perfect time to discuss gratitude with your little learner. If your child hasn't thought much about what they're truly thankful for, now is the time to ask. After discussing thankfulness, and the holiday at hand, it's time to get crafty. Your creative kiddo can make a gratitude collage to display on Thanksgiving. Materials You'll Need Card stock paper or poster board Child-friendly magazines Scissors Clear-drying glue or a glue stick Markers or crayons How-to Instructions Page through child-friendly magazines, looking for pictures of what your child is thankful for. Cut...

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