Treehouse for Birds

I heard about this idea on NPR. Instead of chucking your Christmas tree, set it out in your backyard to give some protection and food for birds. Especially where we live there are not many evergreen trees to offer birds a place to perch and hide. Winter is also a time when food is scarce for them.

So instead of getting rid of your tree, set it up in the yard and decorate it with bird feeders. We spread peanut butter on pine cones before putting sunflower seeds on them and kept our popcorn garland on the tree. It is the activity that keeps on giving too...because it is just as much fun to watch the birds from your back window.

*If you already got rid of your tree or didn't get a real one, consider just making some bird feeders to set out for the birds.

Variation:
You can spread peanut butter on a card board cut out and then pat on bird seed.

Hands on Christmas Crafts

This is an easy, easy craft that uses stuff you most likely have on hand today.

Small children love to trace their hands and make hand prints.

Dip their hands in green paint and press onto paper several times to to make a tree or a wreath. {For my 14 month old I used his feet.} For the tree I had my son press one index finger at the top for the point of the tree. Let it dry and then decorate.

For less mess and supplies trace their hands in the shape of a wreath or tree and have them cut it out if they are old enough to be handy with scissors. Then color to decorate or glue stuff on (fabric scraps, paper scraps, if you want to or if you have stuff).

Tips...if you are doing a wreath, 12x12 scrapbook paper works best. I also used a piece of paper a little longer than 8 1/2 x 11 for the tree to give my 4 year old plenty of room to create.

Hands-down so easy! ;} Have fun!

This is an easy, easy craft that uses stuff you most likely have on hand today.

Small children love to trace their hands and make hand prints.

Dip their hands in green paint and press onto paper several times to to make a tree or a wreath. {For my 14 month old I used his feet.} For the tree I had my son press one index finger at the top for the point of the tree. Let it dry and then decorate.

For less mess and supplies trace their hands in the shape of a wreath or tree and have them cut it out if they are old enough to be handy with scissors. Then color to decorate or glue stuff on (fabric scraps, paper scraps, if you want to or if you have stuff).

Tips...if you are doing a wreath, 12x12 scrapbook paper works best. I also used a piece of paper a little longer than 8 1/2 x 11 for the tree to give my 4 year old plenty of room to create.

Hands-down so easy! ;} Have fun!

Handmade Ornaments

Why not try spicing up your tree with some homemade ornaments your little one can help with??

Ornament 1 - Christmas Bear

Materials:
(For EACH bear)
One large brown, black, or white craft ball
One medium brown, black, or white craft ball
5 small brown, black, or white craft balls
5 tiny brown, black, or white craft balls
2 google eyes
Small piece of ribbon (optional)
Glue Gun or Elmer's Glue

Directions:
Glue the large ball to the medium ball one on top of the other to make the body and head of your bear. Obviously hot glue will work best, but Elmer's glue also works (just takes a long time to dry) if you want your little one to help. Then take the 5 small balls and glue 4 of them on the front of the body to make arms and legs. Glue the last small ball to the back of the body to make a tail. Glue the 5 tiny balls on the face - two for the ears, one for the nose, and two for under the nose to make the mouth. I use different colored balls for the face to add variety. Glue the two eyes in place. Finally, tie the ribbon into a bow and glue it onto the neck of your bear. YOUR DONE!!

Ornament 2 - Glitter Pinecone

Materials:
(For EACH ornament)
1 large or medium pine cone
Glitter of any color
Elmer's glue
Small length of yarn or ribbon

Directions:
Place your pinecone on a paper plate or newspaper and run glue over the pinecone's outer edges. Have your little one sprinkle the pinecone with glitter. After the glue dries tie a piece of yarn onto the pinecone to make a hoop for putting the ornament on the tree. You can also embelish your pinecone with a large ribbon or bow on the top.