5 Simple CHRISTMAS CRAFTS for all ages

Crafting with family and friends is a great way to spend time together... but you need the right crafts. You need to make something that is fun, festive, and fantastic! Today I have 5 simple Christmas crafts that all ages will enjoy creating. Take a peak, and let me know which one is your favourite. 

I even made you a video so you can check out all the step by step instructions. Check it out below:

1) Chocolate bar snowman - How cute is this little guy? It's so easy to make, and it's a fantastic craft, treat, party favour, gift, and stocking stuffer. It's a clever way to give a gift card too! Check out the step by step instructions here.

2) Elf Cookie - I love this adorable cookie craft. You bake a cookie, wrap it in cellophane, and add all the embellishments. Santa would definitely love to get his hands on this cute cookie. Check out the step by step instructions here.

3) Beaded wreath - Sometimes simple crafts are the best, and this little beaded wreath is adorable. Find all the "how to" details here.

4) Tassel beaded wreath - I think the tassel adds a subtle elegance to this adorable ornament... and tassels are really fun to make. Check out the "easy to follow" instructions here.

5) Yarn hat - I've made these with kids and adults, and they are always a hit. They are fun to make, and they look adorable on a tree. Check out the full tutorial here.

Aren't these 5 simple Christmas crafts adorable? Let me know in the comments... which one is your favourite?

I hope you have fun crafting this holiday season. Merry Christmas!!!!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

NEW Valentine's Day DIYs... made from recycled cardboard and dollar store supplies

What's more fun than Valentine's DIYs? What about DIYs made with FREE (or super cheap materials? I have some fantastic options for kids and adults... and they are all easy and inexpensive! (I even made a video with all the step by step instructions.)

First up is a Valentine's Day garland made from an old cardboard box. Cut hearts from cardboard, tape a piece of a paper straw to the back, and string the hearts and beads on a piece of twine.

You can also use the cardboard hearts to make framed Valentine's Day artwork with kids. Glue popsicle sticks together to make a frame, glue a string to the top, add buttons to the ends of the piece of string, and glue a piece of cardstock onto the middle of the frame.

Then, decorate hearts to put inside of the frames.

Scrunch up 1 inch squares of tissue paper and glue to a cardboard heart until it is entirely covered.

You can also wrap a heart in yarn (securing periodically with glue).

Or you can just use a paint marker or Sharpies to decorate the cardboard heart. 

Which one is your favourite? I suggest trying them all! :-)

Another simple DIY is this adorable floral canvas. I picked my favourite faux flowers at the dollar store, removed the stems, and used hot glue to attach them to the inside of a dollar store wooden canvas.

For a look at all these projects, check out the video here...

Thanks for checking out my latest easy and inexpensive Valentine's Day DIYs! Let me know which one is your favourite. Happy Valentine's Day!!!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

If you are looking for more Valentine's Day inspiration, check out more than 30 Valentine's Day ideas here.

40 Simple Animal Crafts Kids Will Love

Crafting is a wonderful way for kids to explore their creative side and to learn meaningful skills... in a fun way. It's especially effective when the crafts are cute and enjoyable to play with after they are made. Today, I am sharing 40 simple animal crafts that kids will LOVE!

In no particular order, here are the links to 40 fabulous animal crafts. 

Make sure to click the links for more information, step-by-step instructions, and free printable templates.

1) Monkey puppet made from a paper lunch bag

2) Lion mask made from a paper plate

3) Octopus made from a toilet roll

4) Sheep mask made from a paper plate

5) Bear puppet made from a paper bag

6) Caterpillars

7) Paper Dog pupppet

8) Paper plate duck puppet

9) Dog made from the letter D

10) Alligator made from the letter A

11) Bunny made from the letter B

12) Cat made from the letter C

13) Elephant mask made from a paper plate

14) Elephant made from the letter E

15) Elephant puppet with a finger for a trunk

16) Fox made from the letter F

17) Frog with noisemake tongue

18) Handprint goldfish

19) Iguana made from the letter I

20) Jellyfish made from the letter J 

21) Jellyfish that can move and swim

22) Ladybug made from the letter L

23) Ladybug (love bug) with a picture of the child

24) Mouse made from the letter M

25) Bird in a torn paper nest

26) Owl made from the letter O

27) Owl with handprint wings

28) Pig made from the letter P

29) Pig with clothespin feet

30) Shape pig

31) Three little pigs puppets and houses

32) Rabbit crafts

33) Snakes

34) Shark

35) Turtle puppet made from a paper plate

36) Unicorn made from the letter U

37) Worm made from Cheerios

38) Walrus made from the letter W

39) Beaver made from a paper lunch bag

*** Find a step by step "how to" YouTube video here.

40) Zebras

Aren't these animal crafts adorable? They are all simple to make, and you can create them with really basic craft supplies. When it comes to kids, crafts don't need to be complicated to be educational and fun. Happy crafting!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You may also be interested in this collection of crafts for kids.