Valentine's Gift Ideas

Ombre Paper Heart Necklace

With Valentine's Day close at hand, I thought I would share some crafty gift ideas you and your kids can make to enjoy or share as gifts. I'll start with my favorite - Ombre Paper Heart Necklace. I think this would make such a cute teacher's gift and much more simple to make than it looks - a bonus!

DIY Puppy Hair Clip

For little girls and their friends, make up some of these sweet little puppy hair clips to wear and share. Or use the tutorial to adapt this DIY Puppy Hair Clip into a kitty hair clip too!

Valentine's Day Arm Warmers

And if simple is your key word for 2014 - check out these Valentine's Day Arm Warmers! Grab a funky pair of holiday socks from your drawer (or head to Walmart or Target for some) and with a pair of scissors and a few minutes - you'll have adorable and warm arms!

DIY Whimsy Heart Ornament

Last but not least, this DIY Whimsy Heart Ornament is made with felt and could be adapted to a classroom craft project. It's also a fun craft to use as a parent or grandparent gift, or even make at Christmas as a tree ornament. Enjoy!

Visit The Idea Box for more crafts, snacks and activities ideal for your kids and classrooms! 

Connect with us on where I share more ideas and inspiration!
Facebook 
Twitter
Pinterest

Two Winter Activity Ideas

DIY Painted Canvas

How's the weather in your neck of the woods? Periodically I bundle up my boys and boot them out into the backyard to romp and build snowmen and forts. But eventually they wander back in begging for hot cocoa. Once the hot cocoa thaws  their lips the first words out of their mouths are "I'm bored."

I've been looking for some kid-friendly DIY projects and activities to try while the snow and cold weather pile up outside. There are so many winter themed activities across the kid blogs with titles like "453 Penguin Activities for toddlers" and those are great. But I don't have toddlers anymore.

I found two DIY projects I think you'll like and, more importantly, that my boys may be willing to try. The first is this DIY Painted Canvas. It's the perfect opportunity for kids to flex their creative muscles and for parents to gain a rather nice abstract piece of art out of the process!

DIY Arm Warmers

The second one is DIY Arm Warmers. I think these would be especially fun to do at a girl's birthday party or maybe teenage girls sleepover. Be warned: if you have a favorite pair of holiday socks...hide them now. I am not sure how my boys will like this one, but I am willing to try anything to stave off the winter boredom blues.

Until my next post, enjoy the cold weather! What's your favorite winter activity for kids or for the classroom? Share with me in the comments.

Visit The Idea Box for more crafts, snacks and activities ideal for your kids and classrooms! 

Connect with us on where I share more ideas and inspiration!
Facebook 
Twitter
Pinterest

Ground Hog's Day Fun!

Pop-Up Groundhog

Are you so excited for Groundhog's Day? Well, maybe you aren't but the kiddos will be! What a fun holiday?!

It provides an opportunity for teaching kids about nature and animals...and a reason to do fun crafts based on a super cute small fuzzy creature! Kids can relate.

I've rounded up some really fun crafts, all with a groundhog theme. First, try out AllKidsNetwork's Pop-Up Groundhog craft with your little ones.

Here are some other groundhog crafts and activities in honor of our furry little friend, from The Idea Box.

Popping Groundhog

Groundhog Tunnel Game

Groundhog Day Song and Puppet

Groundhog Day Shadow Screen

Groundhog Snacks

Visit The Idea Box for crafts and activities for many different holidays and occasions. Or connect with us on Facebook to share resources and more fun creative crafts for kids!

Winter Fun Crafts

Snowman Cups

How's winter treating you? It's chilly here in Western Idaho where the temperatures haven't gone over 10 degrees for the past two weeks. So even though there is plenty of snow on the ground...it's just too cold for my kiddos to stay outside for very long. That's when I have to improvise. Here are some fun crafts to keep them busy for awhile indoors.

The Snowman cups are such a cute, simply project to make with your kiddos - especially when the weather outside is just too cold to play in. Stay inside, make some snowman cups and enjoy some snowman soup!

Snowman Circles
Take paper, glue, glitter and embellishments and you've got yourself a fun craft for little hands. The result is an adorable snowman perfect for displaying in class or on a bulletin board.

Snowman Mobile
The snowman mobile is a great craft for Kindergarten through about 2nd grade. It requires a little more dexterity and patience but well worth the effort!

Snowman Q-Tip Painting
This super easy art project is great for preschool ages and requires simple supplies like construction paper, paint and q-tips. Easy-peasy!

Stained Glass Windows
This craft requires the use of a hot iron so it's best done with quite a bit of supervision or with older kids. The results are very pretty!

Snowman Soup
A really cute gift idea for winter or even Valentine's Day, the snowman soup uses simple ingredients you may already have in the pantry - and the little kids get a kick out of drinking it!

For more winter craft activities and projects visit The Idea Box, where we have plenty of ideas to keep your kids busy! Or connect with us on Facebook to share your favorite go-to winter craft. Happy Snow Days!

Snowflake Fun And Frolicking!

Snowflake Photo Magnet

The snow is falling and winter is taking over our little corner of the world. What's the weather like in your neck of the woods? Are you an outdoorsy family, or more of a stay in and sip hot cocoa family? Or both! We're definitely both. We love playing in the snow and we love coming home to warm up with a hot drink after a cold day outdoors.

Which ever kind of family you are, you'll enjoy our snowflake themed projects this week. Try some out with your kiddos, especially if their fingers and toes could use a break from the chilly weather - or even if you live closer to the equator and want a reason to celebrate snow!

Snowflake Wreath
This will make a cute little project for preschoolers or kindergarten classes to create and display or share with parents.

Snowflake Catching
This activity can be used as a great teaching tool or lesson supplement when studying the weather with older kids (1st - 2nd graders). And there's a little math and science involved too!

Snowflake Art
I love this art project because you don't have to snow to create some pretty snowflakes! This paint craft would work well with 3 - 4 year old too.

Snow Caterpillar
Here's another craft that does require snow...and fruit! Create a snow caterpillar with your kiddos using some things you have around the house.

Snow Dough
This is a fun little recipe to cook up in your own kitchen. Or make some up ahead of time to take to the classroom. Kids will love the sparkly snow dough.

For more winter and snowflake inspired crafts visit The Idea Box! Or connect with us on Facebook to share your favorite snow activity!

More Snowman Fun

Clay Pot Snowmen

Ready for more snowman crafts? I am! We just got about 4 inches of new snow since this morning at our house - and it's snowman season. Try our version of the Clay Pot Snowman craft or visit our sister site Craftown and use that one if you find it easier.

Clothespin Snowman
If you happen to have some antique clothespins and a small list of supplies at your disposal you'll be ability to create a cute little snowman with your kids that they'll enjoy.

Bowling Pin Snowman
This craft will make for one heavy duty snowman. With a little ingenuity and supplies you can create this decorative snowman to bowl your kiddos over!

Marshmallow Snowman
This little snack is fun to make and sweet to eat - just don't let them eat too many! With some candy, marshmallows and cookies you'll have an edible snowman in no time.

Torn Paper Snowman
If you have construction paper and glue you are all set to make some torn paper snowman art to display or share with someone special - easy peasy!

Don't forget to visit us on Facebook to share your favorite kids snowman crafts. Visit The Idea Box for many more winter crafts, projects and activities!

Snowman Crafts

Snowman Mobile

It's that time of year again! Time to celebrate winter with some fun and creative Snowman crafts! Your little ones will love building all kinds of snowmen, snowpeople and snow themed projects both inside the house and outside in the yard.

Here are some simple ideas to get you started.

Beanie Snowman
With some simple supplies you already have around the house, you can help your kiddos build a few beanie snowmen to enjoy all winter long!

Creative Snowman
Back to the pantry and craft cupboards you go! Using some fun dry ingredients, a few pieces of crafting paper and your imagination you can get super creative with this snowman craft.

Garbage Sack Snowman
No snow in your neck of the woods? Don't let that stop you from building a snowman...you just have to get a little more creative with some garbage sacks and newspaper.

I'm A Little Snowman Song
And while you are creating all these adorable snowmen crafts, teach your little snowmen and snowwomen a fun snowman song to the tune of "I'm a little teapot."

However you get your snowman groove on, you'll love our simple snowman themed crafts! Connect with us on Facebook to share your favorite snowman project or visit The Idea Box for more winter themed crafts and ideas!

After Christmas Crafts

Gingerbread Man Craft

I love Christmas! With that being said, I have two little boys on winter break that also love Christmas, but get a little bored the day after. It's like a toy and sugar let down. And the "I'm bored"'s start in. I am sure you have never heard that one before.

I decided to come up with some simple "after Christmas" activities/projects that we can do together to help keep the boredom at bay. And since it's still technically December and the Christmas season, I figured I don't have to be too picky about theme.

You'll enjoy the crafts I dug up for you to do with your little ones. They may still be a little Christmas-y, but I assure you that the kids will have fun, the boredom will be held off and you will be glad you read this post.

Try some of these crafts and projects - Enjoy!

Christmas Snow Globe

Christmas Stars

Craft Stick Reindeer

Glittery Ornaments

Recycle Christmas Cards

However you spend your winter break, enjoy the season and the time spent with your kiddos, crafts or no crafts!

Connect with us on Facebook and share your favorite after holidays or winter craft. Or visit The Idea Box for more winter fun crafts and project ideas!

This Week's Crafts, Music, Activities and More

This week is proving to be cold again, so you'll need plenty of indoor activities to keep the kids busy. I've built this week's ideas around some special days during January. See the list of dates at the end of this post to see those special dates!

Music: Five Little Squirrels Fingerplay 

Five little squirrels sitting in a tree. The first one said, "It's getting cold for ...

Recipe: Cheese Tortilla 

Take a tortilla, spread with cream cheese, then sprinkle some shredded cheese on top ...

Craft: Jester's Cap 

Cut petal shapes around the open end of a paper bag. Cut away the bottom of the bag ...

Game: Musical Hugs 

This game is very similar to musical chairs, except everybody wins. The teacher play ...

Activity: Animal mix-ups 

color on poster board (recipe cards work also) or cut out animals from construction p ...

Coming Up:

January 15th is...

Hat Day - so make Pirate Hat & Eye Patch 

Trace a pirate hat shape onto a piece of black craft foam - use the picture to get an idea of the shape. Cut out. Put the hat up to your child's ...

January 17th is...

Benjamin Franklin's Birthday - make a Paper Kite 

Cut construction paper into a diamond shape. Cut the scraps into small bowtie shapes ...

January 18th is...

Winnie the Pooh Day - make Pooh Sandwiches 

Put together and eat. Quick, easy and fun to eat. I call them Pooh Sandwiches because the kids in my day care love Winnie the Pooh ...

January 19th is...

Popcorn Day - so make a Chewy Popcorn Balls 

Add the popped popcorn to the mixture, stirring until all the popcorn in entirely coated. Remove from the stove and let cool ...

January 20th is...

Cheese Day (see above recipe!)

Penguin Awareness Day - make a Paper Plate Penguin 

If using paint, paint top and both sides of the plate black. If using paper, glue bla ...

January 21st is...

National Hugging Day (see above game!)

Squirrel Appreciation Day (see above music!)

See all of our Winter Ideas here and please be sure to submit your favorites as well!

Winter Theme Ideas

This week on The Idea Box we are experiencing cold winter weather! So what would be more fitting than some fun winter themed activities to engage your kids. If it's too cold to play outside, try some of these fun ideas:

Music: I'm A Little Snowman 
I'm a little snowman, Short and fat. Here is my broom (pretend to hold broom handle ...

Recipe: Edible Snowman 
Using a toothpick, dot on eyes and a nose and mouth on one marshmallow for the snowma ...

Craft: Shining Snowflakes 
after the paper is cut to look like a snowflake, place it on a piece of wax paper or ...

Game: Indoor Toddler Relay 
Put one shoe (boot, sock, glove) of each pair in ...

Activity: Garbage Sack Snowman 
Stuff the garbage sacks with newspaper making a large, medium and small sack. Draw a ...


Coming Up:



January 8th is...


Bubble Bath Day - so make Bubble Bath Art 
Cut the paper plate in half. Glue half of the plate to the construction paper, cut si ...


January 9th is...


National Apricot Day - make a Handprint Apricot 
Paint child's palm with peach colored paint and press onto construction paper. Immedi ...

January 11th is...


Milk Day - make Condensed Milk finger paint 
Pour condensed milk on fingerpaint paper adddrops of food coloring. We like to use r ...


Secret Pal Day - make a Clothespin Pal
On the top (head) of the clothespin, draw or paint a face for your pal. Decorate the ...


January 13th is...


Rubber Duckie's Birthday - so make a Baby Chick 
Paint the pinecone yellow and let dry. Then cut out yellow feet a little larger than ...


January 14th is...


National Dress Up Your Pet Day - so play Cat and Mouse 
One child is the cat and hides. The rest of the children are mice and sneak up to the ...




See all of our Winter Ideas here and please be sure to submit your favorites as well!

Friday Activity: Bleach Snow Picture

Each Friday we'll bring you a fun activity to do with your kids!

This week's activity is...

Bleach Snow Picture

blue or black construction paper
bleach
q-tip

Draw a snow picture using a Q-tip dipped in bleach. The picture magically appears. It is amazing to the eye as the picture shows up! Be careful not to spill any bleach on your clothes. You may want the children to wear gloves and/or aprons for this activity.

Visit The Idea Box for all of our activities for kids

Thursday Games: Blow Football

Each Thursday we'll bring you a fun game to play with your kids!

This week's game is...

Blow Football

1 box lid
1 yogurt container
12 dried beans
2 straws

Cover box lid with construction paper and draw a line across the middle. Trace a circle using the yogurt container in the middle of the line. Cut the yogurt container in half and tape each half on the end of each side of the box. Place beans inside of circle and have children begin blowing beans into their side of the box into the container. See who can blow the most beans into the container. You can give each side a name of their favorite football team. Have Fun!

Visit The Idea Box for all of our game ideas

Monday Music: Dance Like Snowflakes

Each Monday we'll bring you a fun song to sing with your kids!

This week's song is...

Dance Like Snowflakes

(sung to the tune of Frere Jacques)

Dance like snowflakes,
Dance like snowflakes,
In the air.
In the air.

Whirling, twirling, snowflakes,
Whirling, twirling, snowflakes,
Here and there.
Here and there.

Visit The Idea Box for all of our music and song ideas