DIY Prize Punch

When it comes to children's parties, the little "DIY" details are what make the event special. For my son's 9th birthday, I made this simple (and totally fun) DIY prize punch.  It was a big hit with the party guests. It is easy to make, and it uses supplies that you can buy inexpensively at the dollar store. 

To make your own DIY prize punch, you'll need:  

• a piece of foam core 
• tissue paper 
• plastic glasses
• tissue paper
• scissors
• a glue gun

Then:

1) Fill each cup with a little prize.  (My son's party had a hockey theme, so our cups contained hockey cards.) Any prize will work as long as it fits in the cups.

2) Cover each cup with two squares of tissue paper, and secure in place with hot glue. (I glued one on, secured it in place, and then glued on the second one.)

3) Use hot glue to secure the cups to the foam core.

That's it!  You can use a piece of ribbon to hang the board, or you can lean it against a wall.

You can use different colour cups and tissue paper to match the colours scheme of your party too.

I absolutely LOVE this idea, don't you?

With a small amount of effort, you will have a board full of prizes that can be claimed by choosing a cup and "poking" through the tissue paper.

Here's a fun carnival game prize punch I made for a carnival themed birthday party.

It would be fun for a Christmas countdown too.

Aren't these inexpensive DIY prize punches adorable?  I love that the prizes and colours can be customized to any party theme.

♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Don't miss out on any of the fun... follow me on social media here.

     

PS - If you are looking for some easy carnival games, you might want to check out this fantastic post (with tons of DIY carnival games made from recycled materials and dollar store supplies): 

Tissue Paper Turkey

Holiday crafting is always a lot of fun, and today I am sharing a bright and cheerful tissue paper turkey craft. It's easy to make, it uses simple supplies, and it's perfect for Thanksgiving.

To make this adorable turkey craft:

1) Use white glue to cover a paper plate with 1-inch tissue paper squares. Use Fall colors like green, orange, red, and yellow.

2) Use white glue to attach a round head (cut from brown construction paper), two googly eyes, a yellow beak, and a red snood.

3) Cut two feet from a piece of orange construction paper and attach to the paper plate with glue.

This craft is fun to craft, and it makes great holiday decor for Thanksgiving. Hanging it on a window creates a beautiful stained glass effect too. Happy Thanksgiving!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

5 Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids {with free downloadable templates}

It's not too late for a little Christmas crafting with the kids.  These 5 simple Christmas crafts are easy, inexpensive, and super-cute.

1)  Toilet roll tree - This little tree is totally adorable, and the toilet roll allows it to stand on its own.  Draw a simple tree shape onto cardstock, cut it out, color it, and add sparkly stickers.  Then, cut a piece of toilet roll for the tree trunk, cut a couple of slits halfway down the sides, and insert the decorated tree into the trunk.

2)  Santa beard - This Santa beard is just as fun to play with as it is to make.  Download the template here.  Then, cut out the beard, add a popsicle stick, and have the child cover the beard with cotton balls.

3) Gingerbread Man - This little ornament is adorable and easy to make.  Download the template here.  Then, have your little crafter decorate it with crayons, googly eyes, yarn scrapes, and buttons.

4) Tissue paper wreath - I love this simple tissue paper wreath, and it's a wonderful craft for the kids to do on their own (while you wrap some presents).  Cut a circle out of the centre of a paper plate, and then have the kids crumple tissue paper squares, dip the tissue paper in glue, and attach them to the wreath.

5) DIY gift bags - I love a practical craft, and these DIY gift bags are fantastic.  The kids can add a tree or reindeer to a plain brown bag (from the dollar store), and then use it to wrap a special Christmas gift.  

All 5 of these Christmas crafts are perfect for kids of any age.  I've done them all with larger groups too, and they are always a big hit!

Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Simple and Fun Ways to Celebrate CANADA DAY

Canada Day is fast approaching, and it's always fun to mark the occasion with festive decor, crafts, activities, and treats. Today, I am sharing a fantastic collection of easy and inexpensive ideas for celebrating July 1st.

Don't forget to click the links for additional details.

Canada Day Photo Booth - Sometimes simple ideas are the best ones, and this photo booth is easy to make using dollar store supplies. Besides... doesn't everyone want an excuse to get adorable holiday pictures of their kids?

10 Minute Canada Day Wreath - You don't have to be crafty to make this simple Canada Day decor. All you need are a few inexpensive supplies and a glue gun.

Simple Red and White Canada Day Dessert Buffet - The elements of this buffet are simple and delicious... and the red and white colour scheme ties it all together.

Canada Day Sparklers - Protect little hands, and celebrate in style with this simple Canada Day celebration HACK.

Canada Day Banner - Create your own inexpensive and unique Canada Day decor with an old book, a cookie cutter, and a little creativity. 

You could also hang some store-bought red and white lights to create a festive outdoor atmosphere.

Canada Day Cake - For a simple Canada Day cake, use Froot Roll Ups cut out with cookie cutters. It's easy to do, and kids will love it!

Canada Day Hat and Flag - Kids can create their own flags and hats using crayons and card stock. They'll proudly show their pride wearing their own creations.

Canada Day Paper Fan (with template) - Kids can craft their own fan to show their pride and keep cool during Canada Day celebrations. Download the template, cut it out, colour it, and add a popsicle stick. Easy peasy!

Paper Plate Wreath - Kids can create glittery and fun Canada Day decor using tissue paper, a paper plate, and glitter. Draw a maple leaf in the centre of a paper plate, colour it, and trace it with glue and glitter. Then use glitter and 1-inch squares of scrunched up pieces of tissue paper to decorate the outside edges of the paper plate. Finish by adding a ribbon to hang the wreath.

Canada Day Ice Cream Sandwiches - Tasty treats don't have to be a lot of work. This no bake Canada Day treat is simple, festive and fun!

Paper Bag Beaver Puppet - Kids will love making this festive Canada Day craft. Start with a paper bag. Then, using card stock, draw and color ears, arms, teeth, a nose, a tail, and a maple leaf. Finish by gluing all the pieces (including two googly eyes) to the paper bag. 

Aren't these fantastic ways to celebrate July 1st? I hope you try out some of these simple ideas and have a wonderful and fun-filled Canada Day!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in the fantastic Canada Day ideas here.

Under the Sea Crafts

I teach a weekly craft class to Preschoolers, and we always make cute crafts related to a fun theme. Today, I am sharing some simple "Under the Sea" crafts that are totally adorable!

Cute, right?

To make a paper bag fish:
1) Have the children decorate a paper bag.
2) Stuff the bag with tissue paper.
3) Use a piece of twine to close the bag and create a tail.
4) Use glue to add googly eyes.

To make a paper plate fish:
1) Cut a mouth from the plate and attach it as a tail.
2) Use glue and 1-inch squares of tissue paper to cover the fish.
3) Use tape to attach a popsicle stick to the back of the fish.
4) Use glue to attach a googly eye.

To make a sticker octopus:
1) Cut a circle from a piece of yellow construction paper, and glue it onto a blue sheet of construction paper.
2) Use stickers to create legs.
3) Draw a face.
4) Attach googly eyes with glue.

I also love this paper bag jellyfish craft. It's perfect for practicing scissor skills. Color the bag, Cut strips, add googly eyes, and tape a popsicle stick to the back.

And how cute is this "scuba diver" craft? Kids colour the picture, and then they glue on: their face, flippers, and a pipe cleaner snorkel.

There are many ideas for an "under the sea" theme, but I think these three crafts are fantastic. They are really cute, and they are wonderful crafts for practicing fine motor skills. Do you have a little one that would enjoy these "under the sea" crafts?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Pumpkin Prize Punch (using dollar store supplies)

A few years ago, I came up with the idea to make a prize punch for one of my boys' parties. Since then, prize punches have become party staples for us. I have done party punches to match all of my boys' parties' themes, and today I am sharing a fun Halloween version. I love that you can make this festive pumpkin prize punch using inexpensive dollar store supplies.

To make this Halloween pumpkin prize punch you'll need: a piece of dollar store foam core, plastic cups, orange tissue paper, a glue gun, green card stock, and green curling ribbon.

Then:

Cut tissue paper squares slightly larger than the top of the cups. Fill the cups with trinkets, and then use hot glue to cover the tops of the cups with tissue paper. I use two squares per cup for added strength (and so the kids can't peek inside to see the prizes).

Next, you'll want to position the cups on the foam core (in a pumpkin shape), and use hot glue on the bottom of the cups to attach them.

Use glue to attach a card stock stem, and embellish with a bit of green curling ribbon (if desired).

Someone can hold onto the prize punch, or you can lean it up against a wall, chair, or tree. Then, kids can poke through the tissue paper to claim their prize.

I have been making prize punches for years, and they are always a huge hit with kids. I know my boys are going to love this Halloween version!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Edible DIY Mother's Day Bouquets

Flowers are great, but what could be better than a bouquet your "sweet" mom can eat? Below, I am sharing tutorials on how to make you special lady a bouquet made from her favourite treats. Who wouldn't love a Mother's Day Bouquet made from cupcakes, chocolate bars, or donuts?

To make a cupcake bouquet, you'll need to gather a few basic supplies. I used a dollar store mug, a styrofoam ball, toothpicks, tissue paper, and cupcakes (store bought or homemade).

Then:

1) Insert a styrofoam ball into a container.
2) Use toothpicks to secure the cupcakes to the styrofoam ball.
3) Glue tissue paper squares to toothpicks, and insert them into the blank spaces between the cupcakes.

Isn't this an adorable bouquet? It would make a wonderful Mother's Day centrepiece too.

If cupcakes aren't your favourite, a tasty donut bouquet is super easy to make. Simple insert donut holes into skewers, secure the bottoms of the skewers with an elastic, and wrap the bouquet in tissue paper.

A yummy chocolate bar bouquet is another fun options. Use hot glue to secure mini chocolate bars to skewers, use an elastic to secure the skewers together, and wrap the bouquet in tissue paper. Easy peasy!

What could be sweeter than edible Mother's Day bouquet crafted and delivered by my sweet boys?

What type of edible bouquet would you like to receive on Mother's Day? I'm secretly hoping to receive a donut and coffee breakfast in bed. If you see my boys, can you please remind them that apple fritters are my favourite? ;-)

Happy Mother's Day!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more Mother's Day DIYs, tips, and tricks here.

Alphabet Crafts - Letter K

My four year old and I are continuing our "crafting our way through the alphabet" adventure. Last week, we had some fun with the letter K. We made a paper bag Kite, and we did a little letter K printing practice.

To make a paper bag kite:

1)  Use a hole punch to make four holes in the corners of the open end of the bag.  Use reinforcements to make the bag a little stronger around the holes.

2)  Cut two equal lengths of string, and tie each one through the holes (on the same side of the bag).  Then, attach the two loops with a longer piece of string.  Attach the loose end to a popsicle stick.

3)  Decorate the paper bag with crayons.

4)  Use tape to attach strips of tissue paper to the closed end of the paper bag.  The tissue paper really "flies" in the wind.

After our craft, we did a little printing practice. If you want to practice printing the letter K with your little one, you can right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it.

And if you are looking for more letter K crafts, check out this adorable "King" craft made from a letter K. Start with a letter K, add a paper crown decorated with jewel stickers, and then glue on a mustache, googly eyes, and a button nose.

And this fun "K is for key" craft is a great way to work on fine motor skills. Draw a key shape on a piece of paper, rip up tin foil, and glue the tin foil to the key.

Or, for something really simple, just decorate a letter K with crayons and stickers.

Fun, right? Next up... the letter "L"!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more alphabet crafts here.