Christmas Theme

Christmas Tree Sorting

12/9/2013

Supplies:

Paper (such as scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, cardstock)
Scissors
Pom poms

Directions:

Cut the paper into the shape of a triangle tree. Cut the tree into strips. Cut out a trunk.

Have child sort the papers and make the Christmas tree. Child can then use the pom poms to decorate the tree.

Candy Cane Christmas Tree

12/5/2013

Supplies Needed:

Green Felt
glue {craft glue, or hot glue)
beads and/or other assorted “ornaments”
Candy Cane

Instructions: Roughly measure out (or use the stencil below) and cut out a piece of green felt, into a tree shape. You want the candy cane trunk to show
Cut slits where desired for the candy cane to slide through. You want them just big enough for the candy cane.
Now it’s time to decorate. Pull out the candy cane and glue on a star and some ornaments. You can use Elmer’s Glue-All or hot glue depending on ages {and speed you want to go!}. Allow time for the glue to dry before inserting the candy cane again.

Pine Cone Christmas Tree

12/4/2013

Paper Plate Christmas Tree

12/3/2013

Supplies: 9-inch Paper Plate, Green and Brown Paint, decorations for your tree, Glue, Card Stock or Toilet Paper Tube

Directions: To make the tree trunk use a toilet paper tube so it is six inches long and paint it brown. If you don't have a paper towel tube, you can use card stock. Cut the card stock so it is 6 inches by 8.5 inches and roll it into a tube and glue the side closed. To make the top of the tree paint a paper plate green and let it dry. Roll the paper plate into a cone shape as shown in the picture above. Glue it closed where it overlaps with a low glue. Glue the "tree trunk" inside the top of the tree. To finish glue sequins, pompoms, glitter, or gems on the tree to decorate.

Great Advent Calendar

11/30/2013

Read: “Nutcracker” by E.T.A. Hoffman, Maurice Sendak, Ralph Manheim

Materials needed: construction paper, scissors, glue, blank calendar, yarn.
Directions: Cut out ovals and squares. Have the children write the dates of the December calendar. Glue the Christmas bulb over each number. (Be sure to only glue the top edge so it can be removed easily.) Glue the yarn over and between each Christmas tree bulb. Add glitter for fun.

Beaded Icicles

11/21/2013

These icicles are a wonderful fine motor activity for children, an exercise in hand-eye co-ordination and an opportunity to explore color and patterns. It’s a lovely sensory experience, and often they’ll stop to talk about the particulars of a bead they’ve found: the color, the shape, how shiny it etc., so while this is a very simple Christmas craft, it still presents lots of opportunities for learning.

Supplies needed; Metallic pipe cleaners, pony beads, a thread for hanging
Directions; Twist a loop at the top of the pipe cleaner, this will be used later to tie on the string. Thread as many beads as desired onto the pipe cleaner. Once the pipe cleaner is sufficiently beaded, twist the bottom of the pipe cleaner around the last bead, to prevent the other beads from falling off. Take the beaded pipe cleaner and twist it around a pencil to create a spiral effect. Finally, tie a 4-6" piece of thread through the loop you created in the beginning and hang.

Pipe Cleaner Wreaths

11/19/2013

Materials:

Green card stock

Green pip cleaner

Festive Ribbon

Pom poms

Glue

Cut about a 3 inch circle out of the card stock. Cut a Smaller circle in the center so it looks like a doughnut. Wrap circle with green pipe cleaners. Glue on pom poms. Tie a ribbon around pipe cleaner. Hang on your tree.

Gum Drop Tree

11/15/2013

Supplies Needed; 1 (8-in.) Green Cone-Shaped Styrofoam Form, 1 Package of Green Chenille Stems (Pipe cleaners), Wire Cutters or Utility Scissors, Dark Green Temper Paint, 1 Package Gum Drops

Directions; Begin by painting your styrofoam cone dark green. Cut chenille stems in a variety of lengths. Insert the shorter stem pieces in the top of the form, and increase the stem lengths as you work down toward the base of the cone creating the christmas tree shape. As you work your way down, push different colored gum drops into the chenille stems. Cover the form with the chenille stems and gum drops. You can bend them in any direction you desire since no Christmas tree is perfect. When you are finished, print and cut out the star shape (see below). Place a 3" stem into the top of the tree. Glue the star (sandwich style) to the top stem.

Bead Ornament/Decoration

11/5/2013

Here is what you will need:
* beads
* pipe cleaners
* string (for hanging)

1. String your pipe cleaner with beads.
2. Shape it into any shape you want.
3. Tie string around it and hang it up.