An Advent wreath just for the kids.

Find out how to make this handprint craft @ A Mommy’s Adventures.

This gorgeous handprint peppermint candy craft makes a beautiful gift and memory. 

Details @ Ramblings of a Crazy Woman.

 

A wonderful way to instill the love and joy of Christmas is to have your children put on a Christmas play. They will enjoy the challenge and excitement of putting on a production for their family and, at the same time they will create memories that will last a lifetime.

The play can be elaborate or simple. If there are enough family members, they can all be characters in the play. Alternatively, children can use puppets or dolls to stage the play. Children can write their own play or they can select a play already written. A selection of free plays is available from the books listed below.

• Christmas Candles; Plays for Boys and Girls (1915)
• Jolly Plays for Holidays
• Christmas Plays for Children

The Dramatix website also has an impressive collection of free Christmas play scripts.

Costumes can be as simple as a sheet draped around a child or more detailed and prepared ahead of time. For ideas on how to make homemade costumes, see the following resources:

• Homemade Nativity Costumes
• The School Nativity

Lastly, be sure to record the play or take plenty of photos. Then, the following year, watch the recording as a family to relive those special moments. Putting on a Christmas play every year can become a family tradition that will continue to create lasting memories.

 

 

A family of Thanksgiving Turkeys.

This art project was created by the family @ Little Hands Big Work.

 

These pretty pine cone decorations are made by dipping pine cones into melted wax.

Full details are located @ The Magic Onions.

Watch this video to learn about the first Thanksgiving.

It’s available for free @ BrainPop Jr.

This felt stocking advent garland looks gorgeous and can be used again next year.

Learn how to make it @ Cherry Menlove

Doesn’t this look like fun? This Thanksgiving Turkey Bowling idea 

can be found @ Makes and Takes.

Making leaf rubbings is a great activity after a nature walk. Doing it with your own leaves is even better.

Learn how to make your own leaf rubbing plates @ 5 Orange Potatoes.

Why not begin your Christmas crafting by creating this gold wreath?

Step by step instructions can be found @ Our Worldwide Classroom.

To make your family's preparation for the Advent season truly something to remember this year, consider using the following collection of easy and fun activities. These would be perfect to include in a handmade Advent Calendar. If you need ideas on how to create an Advent Calendar, see my previous posts:

• Paper Christmas Tree Advent Calendar
• Free Printable Advent Calendar
• 8 Homemade Advent Calendars

Some activities may take more than one day. Also, you may wish to repeat an activity that the family likes especially well.

Let me know if you have more activity ideas which can be added to this list.

Advent Activities

1. make an Advent wreath
2. make a Jesse tree
3. write letters to Santa
4. bake cookies
5. buy a gift for charity
6. write and decorate Christmas cards
7. do a Christmas craft
8. put on a Christmas Play
9. visit Santa
10. find some puppets and make up a Christmas story
11. go for a drive to see the Christmas lights
12. make a Christmas tree ornament
13. listen to Christmas songs
14. make some handmade gifts
15. put together a seasonal jigsaw puzzle
16. Read a Christmas story
17. go Carolling
18. draw a Christmas picture
19. make gift tags
20. watch a Christmas movie
21. play board games together
22. make a gingerbread house
23. take Christmas photos
24. drink hot chocolate
25. look at old Christmas photos

Favourite Advent Products

This looks like such a fun activity. Decorate paper Christmas trees to create an Advent Calendar.

Details available @ Ikat Bag.

 

 

If you still don’t have an Advent calendar, you may be interested in this free printable Advent calendar.

It’s available @ Mibo Lighting and Homewares.

 

These beeswax ornaments would look so beautiful around the home at Christmas.

Learn how to make them @ Homemade Serenity.

Make this lovely Chanukah Bunting using recycled Styrofoam trays.

Details are available @ Creative Jewish Mom

These gorgeous paper roll squirrels would make a lovely addition to a nature table.

Detailed tutorial available @ That Artist Woman.

These acorn people are a perfect addition to fairy houses or gardens and outside play.

Learn how to make them @ Acorn Pies.

 

This is a great step by step drawing lesson which teaches how to change a circle into a sphere.

Available @ Art Projects for Kids

These cute cardboard tube Pilgrims and Indian craft is kid friendly and super cute. Learn how to make these @ Crafts by Amanda.

One of the most important things to me as a parent is making memories for my children through seasonal celebrations and traditions. During Advent and Christmas, this involves selecting appropriate recipes, doing crafts, making handmade gifts and ornaments, listening to seasonal music, and reading seasonal books. One of the first activities I do with my children is create an Advent Calendar. Below is a selection of Advent Calendars you can make in time for this year’s Advent.

1. A-Door-Able Advent Calendar @ Family Fun 2. Origami Counting Down Advent Calendar @ Julie Ree

3. Sweet Countdown Advent Calendar @ Family Fun 4. Countdown to Christmas Collage @ Family Fun

  5. Mini Envelopes Advent Calendar @ Kids Craft Weekly 6. Little Birdie Advent Calendar @ Skip to my Lou

7. Matchbox Drawers Advent Calendar @ Kids Craft Weekly

8. Christmas Tree Advent Calendar @ No Time for Flashcards

A super quick and cute play doh turkey activity for the kids.

Find out how @ My Family My Forever.

This project can be done on a platter or on cardstock using paper squares by younger artists.

Instructions are available @ Craft Jr.

These rainbow acorns are made with pom poms and acorn caps.

Details available @ Pink and Green Mama

I have been awarded the One Lovely Blog Award by Leptir: Montessori Blog. Thanks for the award. It’s really nice when someone appreciates the work you put into a blog. This really brightened my day. The rules for this award are:

1.) Post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his/her blog link.
2.) Pass the award to 5 other blogs that you have recently discovered and think are great!
3.) Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

There are so many informative and talented bloggers on the internet. I find it really difficult to narrow down my favourites so choosing just 5 was really hard. The 5 that I did select in the end are blogs which inspire me:

1. The Magic Onions

2. 4 Crazy Kings

3. Teaching Montessori

4. Playful Learning

5. Roots & Wings Co

Get these great step by step instructions for drawing a Turkey @ Art Projects for Kids.