With the kids off for winter break and the cold and stormy weather outside, we find ourselves looking for creative entertainment for our families. Enter: Christmas crafting and cooking fun! We sat down with a few of our favorite arts & crafts studios in our 5 counties to put together a list of festive crafting and recipe ideas! These projects are all fairly simple, and most likely only require things we would have in our own homes or can easily acquire. Most of these items can be purchased at places like Walmart, Michael’s, or Dollar Tree, and you can get creative with the materials you have at home!
⭐Jot & Tittle Studios (Bloomsburg): Cookie Cutter Needle Felted Ornaments
Spread holiday cheer one poke at a time!
📢NOTE: Needles are sharp! Always supervise children while needle felting. Recommended for ages 10+
Supply List:
•Wool roving in many colors
•Needle felting needles
•Foam felting mat, a thick sponge, or piece of foam packaging
•Metal cookie cutters in desired shapes
•Ribbon or twine for hanging
Instructions:
Step 1 – Set your foam mat on the table, then place the cookie cutter on top. This will act as a “mold” and help protect fingers from the felting needle.
Step 2 – Add thin layers of your base color of wool and spread throughout the cookie cutter, tucked into the corners. It’s better to add as you go, than to start with too much.
Step 3 -Using an up-and-down motion, poke the wool inside the cookie cutter. Keep the needle vertical so it doesn’t bend or break. You may use one or more needles at a time. Continue poking until the wool begins to compress and hold its shape. If a needle does break, carefully dispose of the pieces. Repeat until the ornament is firm and about ¼ inch thick.
Step 4 – Gently remove the cookie cutter and pull it from the mat or sponge. Flip over to continue felting the back to make it nice and neat.
Step 5– Once you have your base shape, you can add details like stripes, polka dots, eyes and smiles, or other shapes.
Step 6- When finished, poke a small hole and tie a piece of ribbon or twine through the ornament to hang it. Also makes a great gift tag!
Learn More!
Get 20% off Needle Felted Ornament Kit or any of the craft kits at www.jotandtittlestudios.com with code SUSQUEHANNAKIDS now through 12/31!
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Janine Hall: Local Mom and Crafter Extraordinaire
🎄Wooden Christmas Tree Ornaments
“The past few years, my kids have made ornaments for their classmates. The Dollar Tree is a great place to find packs of these wood ornaments for a fun family painting night. “
Supply List:
•Blank wooden Christmas tree ornaments (experiment with other shapes, like reindeer, snowmen, or santa, if you prefer!)
•Colored acrylic paint
•Paint brushes
•String to make hooks for hanging
•Tinsel string or other optional decorative details
Instructions: Paint each ornament however you and your kids like! Add optional decorative details (like beads for ‘ornaments’, tinsel, yarn, etc.) with glue or hot glue. Tie hooks with string or yarn.
🎄Pine Cone Ornament
Every year our kids make an ornament to give to their classmates and one to attach to gifts for family and friends. For all the nature lovers- this is for you!
Supply List:
•Pine Cones
•Hot glue gun
•Mini pom poms
•String/yarn
Instructions:
Get bundled up and go out to gather pine cones! (We like the mini pine cones, but any size will do). Hot glue mini pom poms to the pine cones (small pom poms work best). Optionally, add tinsel yarn or other decorations of your choosing. Attach a string with hot glue to the top of the pine cone so they can hang on tree or on a gift package
🦌Holiday Hot Chocolate & Christmas Tree Nachos
‘Tis the season for hot chocolate! I added some reindeer marshmallows to this cup of cheer. Use storebought hot cocoa mix or homemade. Serve the cocoa in any festive mug you have on hand.
To make a Rudolph marshmallow: Roll a large marshmallow in cocoa powder or hot chocolate mix. Make the antlers using pretzel sticks and melted almond bark or white chocolate. One little red nose (made from red circular/pearl shaped cupcake sprinkles) and you’re done!
“Oh Christmas Tree”, apple nachos style! A festive after school snack, or to add to the kids table during the holiday festivities.
To Make: Simply slice apples and layer to make a tree shape. Top with your favorite toppings. *Mom tip– drizzle the apples with honey or peanut butter first to help toppings stick!
This tree has dried cranberries, mini chocolate chips, almond slivers, coconut, cinnamon, and a few sprinkles. Use thin pretzel sticks to make the trunk, and a star anise for the star at the top. This is not only beautiful but you can customize with whatever toppings you would like!
Learn More!
Be sure to follow Janine on Instagram @janinevhall for all sorts of fun, family-friendly content!
The Creative Space (Selinsgrove): Holiday Craft Camps
Looking for a fun activity for your kids over break that is NOT at home?! Check out these 3 craft camps:
Learn More
Sewing/Crafting/Pottery studio where you can take classes, host workshops, or celebrate with parties.
💙Bluebird Atelier (Lewisburg): Winter Slime
There’s no time like SLIME TIME! Nothing beats the winter break blues better than a messy sensory project, and making slime just never gets old. From toddlers to teens, slime keeps kids engaged with its magical chemical reaction and endless creative possibilities. Here is our recipe for winter-themed slime you can make with common household ingredients.
Ingredients & Supply List:
(Makes 1 batch- approximately 1 cup of slime)
•1/2 cup white glue (such as Elmer’s School Glue)
•1/2 cup water
•1/2 tsp baking soda
•1 tbsp of saline solution (contact lens solution)
•Mixing bowl
•Rubber spatula
•Optional: Food coloring, glitter, confetti, foam balls, scented ingredients, plastic straw, tray or cookie sheet
Instructions:
Step 1-In a medium to large mixing bowl, add the glue, water, baking soda, and optionally any coloring or add-ins such as glitter
Step 2-Get ready for the chemical reaction! Pour in the saline solution and stir thoroughly
Step 3– Keep stirring until the liquid becomes stringy and slimy. Keep stirring!
Step 4– When your slime is set, it should be stretchy, and able to be handled without leaving too much behind on the skin. If your slime is too sticky, add small amounts of saline solution until it is as solid as you would like, but add slowly, as too much will ruin it. This is the time to play with your slime!
Step 5– Name your slime. Our favorite variations include snowflake, winter sky, melted snowman, candy cane, and elf slime
Step 6– Blow slime bubbles! Pour your slime out onto a tray. Insert a plastic straw into or under the slime to create an air-tight seal. Blow into the straw to create slime bubbles. Keep trying until you get the technique – it takes practice!
Step 7– Store your slime. You can store slime in a Ziplock bag or jar, just make sure it is airtight. Don’t forget to label it with its name and date. Slime will last up to 4 weeks
📢A note about cleanup – it is recommended that you dispose of slime residue (any glitter/solids) in the trash by rubbing & scraping it off before rinsing in the sink. From there, use hot water and soap, and scrub clean as you would regular dishes.
Learn More
Bluebird Atelier is a creative learning studio in downtown Lewisburg, PA offering art classes for all ages, preschool, afterschool enrichment, summer camp, and birthday parties for children.
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