Kids adore making crafts where an ordinary object becomes something exciting. Watching a simple plastic cup shrink in the oven turning it into an ornament gives children a sense of wonder and control over the creation process. Children also love rituals. So making Christmas ornaments gives them a seasonal tradition to look forward to every […]
Cranberry Upside-Down Cake
December 12, 2025 Leave a Comment
This week I made this super simple cranberry upside-down cake with the children in my care. The kids love cranberries and it makes a nice holiday dessert! Be sure to turn down the oven to 325 degrees F degrees after putting the cake in the oven so the cranberries and caramel sauce don’t burn. Flip the […]
“The Tree That’s Meant to Be” and Pine Cone Christmas Tree Craft
December 3, 2025 Leave a Comment
In “The Tree That’s Meant to Be” by Yuval Zommer, a small, crooked fir tree is left all alone after the others near it in the forest are chosen by families as Christmas to bring home. But when the forest animals gather around the lonely little tree to cheer it up and celebrate the season, […]
Cardboard Embroidered Ornaments
December 18, 2024 Leave a Comment
I love saving money by doing projects with the kids with items found in their recycling bin. This week I traced some stars and circles onto recycled cardboard and allowed the children to use embroidery thread, ribbon, and yarn to decorate the cardboard shapes. Click here to see other cardboard ornaments to make with children. […]
3D Paper Snowflake Decorations and Ornaments
December 4, 2024 Leave a Comment
Although a child in my care made this snowflake and used it as an ornament to hang on a Christmas tree, any child of any faith can just make a 3D paper snowflake to use as a winter decoration. You Will Need: Paper of Choice (Butcher paper is a great choice) Snowflake Templates ScissorsGlue Gun or […]
Cardboard Ornaments
December 20, 2023 1 Comment
It couldn’t be cheaper or easier than making crafts using the cardboard in the recycling bin at work. The boys and girls I care for at my nanny job, and those I babysit, enjoyed decorating cardboard ornaments with gel markers, paint pens, and markers. You Will Need: Cardboard Scissors X-Acto Knife Paint, Gel Markers, Paint […]
Melted Candy Ornaments
December 13, 2023 Leave a Comment
Despite working as a nanny for 30 years I can always find a new way to make Christmas ornaments each year. I found this super easy melted candy ornament idea on the frugalmomeh web site. Our ornaments turned out beautiful looking like stained glass. You Will Need: Hard CandiesCookie CuttersParchment PaperBaking SheetsToothpicksRibbon or Ornament Hangers […]
Cardboard Winter Wonderland
December 6, 2023 Leave a Comment
For last few years I have been cutting out 3-D crafts for the children in my care from cardboard found in their recycling bins. I found this amazing winter wonderland idea from the Mr Printables web site. Although the child who decorated this project only wanted to decorate the trees with green paint, one star […]
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