As stores bring out the Christmas supplies and decorations begin to hang throughout malls, the feel of Christmas is in the air. Christmas is a great time to involve children in art and craft projects and get them involved in Christmas festivities. They may even help to side-track kids from hunting for their gifts.
Parents of toddlers and young children are often stuck for ideas when it comes to planning craft activities for their toddler. Here are a number of craft ideas that are exciting to make, promotes creativity and helps with the development of motor skills.
How to Make Paper Christmas Lanterns
You will need:
- sheets of coloured paper or Christmas wrap
- ruler
- pencil
- scissors
- glue
- coloured felt pens
- stapler
Follow these steps to make the lantern:
- Cut the coloured paper into rectangle shapes, 4x2 inches in size.
- Decorate on side of the paper using coloured felt pens, glitter or your desired decoration.
- Fold each sheet of paper in half, lengthways to form a long, thin rectangular shape.
- Draw a line using a pencil, parallel to the open edge of the rectangle, approximately 1/4 away from the edge. Ensure that the line is closest to the open edge and not the folded edge.
- Draw strips accross the folded edge, toward the pencil line. Ensure that you don not cut beyond that line. The strips should be drawn approximately 1/2 inch apart.
- Cut along the pencil lines towards the original line.
- Unfold the rectangle and shape into a tube, by joining the short ends together and over-lapping slightly. Fasten with staples.
- Cut strips of paper from the remainder of the paper or wrap, approximately 1/2 inch wide and 3 inches long.
- Staple the strip to the end of the Christmas lantern to form a handle.
- The lantern is now ready to hang.
How to Make a Hanging Christmas Chain
You will need:
- coloured paper or Christmas wrap
- scissors
- glue or scissors
Follow these steps to make the lantern:
- Cut sheets or paper or Christmas wrap into strips for your desired width. Ensure all pieces are the same width and length.
- Take one strip and join the ends together to form a ring.
- Staple the ends together to secure.
- Take another strip and thread through the original ring and fasten with a staple.
- Repeat until a chain effect is formed to your desired length.
- Hang on the walls to add a personalised touch.
Christmas Craft Projects for Toddlers
Other Christmas craft ideas suitable for toddlers include:
- Christmas balls or baubles using foam balls purchaes from craft stores, string and glitter
- Christmas wrap using butcher's paper, stencils and felt pens
- Christmas cards
- Christmas star using pipe cleaners and glitter
From tree decorations to hanging masterpieces, both you and your child will have great fun getting involved in the Christmas spirit. With a range of toddler craft activities to coincide with Christmas, start planning your fun today.
For related articles, also read 2010 Toy Sales: Most Popular Toddler Toys, Essential Toys for Toddlers and Rainy Day Activities for Toddlers.
Sharon Rattray - After completing her studies in Freelance Journalism in 2003, Sharon received a Diploma in Freelance Journalism and a Higher Diploma in ...
Join the Conversation