Fall is the perfect time for crafting with kids. What is cuter than scarecrows and pumpkins? Today, I'm sharing a simple craft children (and their parents) will love... a popsicle stick pumpkin frame.
To make this adorable frame: 1) Paint 4 craft sticks with orange craft paint. 2) Glue the popsicles into a frame. 3) Cut a stem from brown paper and glue to the top of the pumpkin. 4) Glue a piece of curling ribbon to the bottom of the stem.
This little frame is perfect for a picture taken in a pumpkin patch. It would be adorable for a Halloween snapshot too!
I put magnets on the back of mine to attach it to the fridge, but you could hang it from a ribbon too. Cute, right?!? ♥ Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)
Apple decor is perfect for Fall and for back to school... and it's even better if it's handmade. I am loving this adorable DIY apple stamped banner / bunting. It's fun to craft, and it makes a wonderful piece of custom decor for your home.
I found a pre-cut canvas banner for less than $2, but you can use cardstock instead (if you can't find inexpensive canvas). Then, to make a banner: cut an apple in half, apply a light coat of red paint with a paint brush, and use the paint covered apple to stamp the bunting. Wait for the paint to dry, and then you can add details (seeds and a stem) with a brown Sharpie.
Then, use hot glue to attach a piece of twine or string to the back of each "flag".
This is what it looks like when it is all finished. Cute, right?
I think a DIY apple stamped banner / bunting is the perfect project for this time of year. It's great for Fall, and works well for the first day of school too. Happy crafting! ♥ Gina(aka East Coast Mommy)
Age appropriate crafts are a great way to get kids to exercise their creativity... and to get away from their screens. Younger children are happy with simple crafts with basic materials, but older kids prefer more sophisticated materials and projects. Today, I am sharing 10 fantastic crafts for tweens and teens.
1) Branch and yarn photo holder - What starts with a trek through the woods collecting branches, turns into a fun piece of bedroom decor. Wrap a stick with yarn, tie on a yarn hanger, use hot glue to attach two clothespins, and hang a favourite photo.
2) Felt finger puppets - Felt is a perfect material for young people learning to sew. It is cheap and super-easy to work with. Making finger puppets is wonderful sewing projects for beginners. They can be given as gifts or donated to a children's hospital! You can find a full tutorial for making felt finger puppets here.
3) Painted rocks - Painted rocks are fantastic because the materials are inexpensive, and the design possibilities are endless. They are fun for decorating a garden or leaving on a trail for strangers to find and enjoy. You can find a beginner's guide to painted rocks here.
4) God's Eye Crafts - This simple weaved ornament is the perfect summer craft. Who hasn't made one of these "camp" crafts? You can make them with yarn and popsicle sticks (or twigs). You can find the full step by step instructions here.
5) Pom pom crafts - Pom poms are a simple yarn craft with several possibilities for further crafting. Pom poms can be played with "as is" or they can be turned into yarn animals, wreaths, flowers, and more. Find the step by step instructions for crafting pom poms here.
6) No sew bag from a jersey or t-shirt - Old t-shirts that are destined for the donation bin can easily be turned into "no sew" bags. Find the full step by step instructions for crafting your own bag from a jersey or t-shirt here.
7) Toilet roll weaving - Toilet roll weaving is simple... and totally addictive. You can use a toilet roll, yarn and popsicle sticks to weave a snake, necklace, bracelet or rug. Once you start this fun craft project, you won't be able to stop. You can find the step by step tutorial for toilet roll weaving here.
8) Tassel bookmarks - Paper bookmarks are fun, but bookmarks with easy-to-make yarn tassels are even better. Find the full step by step instructions for creating these cute bookmarks here.
9) 3D handprint art - Simple handprint artwork can be created with only paper and markers. You can find the step by step instructions here.
10) Simple beaded key chain - Dollar store beads can be strung and attached to key rings to create a variety of beaded key chains. You can also add words and messages to wooden beads with a Sharpie. Make a bunch of these to hang from backpacks or give as gifts.
How much fun are all these projects?
Do you have tweens and teens that like to craft? Do you have a favourite project to share? Did one of mine make your list? Happy crafting! ♥ Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)
When it comes to Mother's Day, there is nothing better than receiving gifts and cards crafted by little hands. I always love getting homemade goodies from my boys on Mother's Day, and today I am sharing a wonderful DIY Mother's Day art project you are going to have your kids make for you.
Start with an inexpensive canvas. (I got this one at the dollar store.) Place a paper or sticker heart in the middle of the canvas.
Use paint to cover the canvas with bright and beautiful colours. I used straight lines, but the canvas can be painted any way the artists likes.
Keep painting until the entire canvas is covered.
Then, remove the heart from the centre of the canvas.
At this point, the canvas can be left as it is, or the child can write "mom" (or something else) in the centre of the heart.
Isn't it cute?
This is such a lovely art project for kids, and it makes a great gift for kids to share with their moms.
Yarn is the perfect crafting material. It is inexpensive and comes in a variety of fantastic textures and colours. It also has an innate "cozy" quality. Today, I am sharing one of my favourite things to make with yarn... pom poms. I'm showing you how to make pom poms, and I'm giving you a few ideas for simple and fun DIY projects you can make using pom poms.
To make simple pom poms. Wrap yarn around your fingers approximately 60-80 times (not too tightly)... or a piece of cardboard, slip the yarn off your fingers and tie it in the middle, cut the loops, and trim to shape. It's that easy!
You can also check out the "how to" video I made with my boys here.
Once you finish making your pom poms, you can use them for to play "catch", or you use them in other crafts and DIY projects.
Currently, I am loving pom pom flowers. To make a pom pom flower, you take a dowel or stick and hot glue a pom pom to the top. They look adorable in a vase or mason jar... so bright and cheerful!
Another fun idea for using pom poms is to turn them into little animals. Kids love this! You can google "pom pom" animals to find some cute options. I absolutely love this little chick I made with my boys. To make a pom pom chick: make two yellow pom poms, use hot glue to attach the pom poms together, tie a ribbon around it's neck, and use hot glue to attach a head feather, googly eyes, a felt nose, and feet made from an orange pipe cleaner.
These pom pom gnomes are adorable too. This one was made for Valentine's Days, but you could change the colours and make them for St.Patrick's Day, Christmas, and more! Cute, right? Find the full tutorial here.
Pom pom wreaths are also easy and inexpensive to make. I love this one I made for winter using fluffy white yarn. You can find the tutorial for this pom pom wreath here.
I have plans to get some different colours of yarn and make wreaths for all the seasons.
And this pom pom cupcake garland is perfect for celebrations big and small... and it's super easy to make. Find the full step by step instructions here.
Aren't pom poms and pom pom crafts whimsical and fun? They really are easy to make. Which pom pom crafts are your favourite?
Earth Day (on April 22) provides a wonderful opportunity to teach children about recycling, respecting our planet, and enjoying nature. It is also a wonderful excuse to get outside. Today I am sharing a fantastic collection of 20+ {easy and inexpensive} Earth Day crafts and activities that are fun for children of all ages.
Here is a list of some of my favourite Earth Day crafts and activities. Click on the links / titles for more information and full tutorials. 1) Make a cereal box notebook.
How are you planning on celebrating Earth Day with your little ones? I hope you take some time to craft, play, and get outside with kids to enjoy everything that nature has to offer. Happy Earth Day!!!
