Toddler Valentine's Day Crafts

This Love Bug was made by my daughter at our local Toy Library - a very quick and easy craft for her. Have child colour a toilet paper tube red. Glue on two red hearts at back. Create a face. In this case they had one cut out for her to glue on but googly eyes and a pom pom would be cute too.

I drew up some quick and inexpensive Colouring Pages for my daughter to colour and provided her with some red, pink, and purple crayons. These sheets will hang on our art clothesline for a few days and then get mailed to some special relatives. (don't feel you aren't talented enough, a page with a few hearts and some phrases to colour are all that is required)

Heart Collage - Using flyers, magazines, scraps of my scrapbooking papers, and construction paper, I will cut various sized hearts and let her glue onto a large piece of paper.

I will cut out four large hearts and two small hearts for her to make a Heart Flower Picture. The four large will make the flower petals when glued with the points together. The two small will be leaves for the flower. A pipe cleaner, green construction paper strip, or ribbon will make the flower stem. The child can either colour the petals and leaves or use coloured paper. Glitter could also be added after its all glued down. (I wouldn't count on this one looking like a perfect flower but that's how everyone will know that she created it!)

Last year we made some cute Salt Dough Heart Ornaments. There were various sizes and became necklaces, key chains, and desk ornaments for friends and family.

Valentine's Day Cards will be made with folded construction paper (one sheet will make two or four cards) and then decorated with heart stickers and either markers or paint. Could also glue on hearts cut from felt or fabric or scrapbook paper scraps. You could also cut out hearts from the construction paper, decorate them, and give those out for the child's friends.

**Craft Decoration Idea:
Using one of your child's many works of art, draw hearts of different sizes on the back. Cut out the hearts and your child can now glue them onto whatever Valentine's craft they are creating!

(Great way to recycle some of the artwork that is piling up!)

Recycled Storage Ideas

Im in the mood for storage solutions right now as I try to organize the house before the baby comes. Here are some great ideas Ive found around the net:

Snack Containers from Baby Formula Cans:

http://junkmailgemsblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/diy-make-snack-storage-cans-out-of-old.html

Stylish Jars:

http://junkmailgemsblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/diy-office-storage-solutionsdont-waste.html

Peanut Butter Jar Storage:

http://myplumpudding.blogspot.com/2008/08/peanut-butter-jars-revised-edition.html

Other containers that I already use:

Film Canisters - great for bringing jewellery on travels, storing push pins, pouring melted wax into for chunky crayons

(kind of a thing of the past in the new digital era but I have purchased them from second hand stores)

Margarine , Sour Cream (etc.) Containers - Crayons, craft supplies, homemade playdough, something to hold paint that isn't easily tipped over

Cigar Boxes - store trip memorabilia, a small doll playset, sea shells, crayons, whatever! (i picked up a few boxes while in Cuba)

Peanut Butter Jars - I store the pieces for different playsets (Littlest Pet Shop, Strawberry Shortcake) in them but now seeing PlumPudding's idea, I plan to attach the lids.

Cappucino Tins - I have used these as craft projects where the kids attach stickers, ribbons, etc to create a little special box, Ive also painted them and used as presents filled with candies or cookies.

Play Dough Containers: Great for snacks to keep in your purse, diaper bag, etc. Use for snacks like cheerios, fruit snacks, crackers, candies, etc.

Also great for small craft supplies like googly eyes, tiny beads, etc.

Hot Chocolate / Ice Tea (Cardboard container with Plastic Lid): I have one Ive painted with a rooster and it stores tea bags. Ive also covered them in twine to give them a different look and used to store some thread, scissors, & pin cushion to have on hand for my hand sewing projects. Could be used to store kid's stuff too like little figurines, puzzle pieces, play kitchen items, etc.

~Any of the above containers also work great for keeping your Christmas Decorations from becoming a mess or breaking~

Edible Snowman Craft / Snack

Let's Make a Snowman Snack!

Sweet Version
Spread two Graham Crackers with Icing. Use raisens, marshmallows and small candies or small cereal to create the face and buttons.

Savoury Version
Spread round crackers with cream cheese. Use raisens and small bits of carrots, broccoli, celery etc. for the face and buttons.

Snowman Crafts

I love snowman and like having various creations around the house. We did some before Christmas as part of our decorations but it is a craft we can continue in the new year as well.

Cupcake Liner Snowman -
Let child flatten some cupcake ( or specialty chocolate) liners (a couple in different sizes would be great). G
lue in a snowman shape onto construction paper.
Glue on items for the face and clothing.
To create the look of snow falling, put small daps of glue throughout paper and some on snowman. Let child sprinkle white glitter on the glue drops.

Cotton Ball Snowman -
Cut out two or three circles from paper (could even use the cardboard from a cereal box for a sturdy recycled version).
Let child either dip their cotton balls in glue and apply on circles OR let child paint glue onto circles and then place cotton balls on glued area.

For a picture:
glue circles on paper and then let child decorate with an assortment of odds and ends.
Glue on items for face and clothing.

For a hanging mobile version:
Using the cardboard backing, put a hole on top of largest circle. A hole on top and bottom of medium circle and one on bottom of smallest circle.
Use string, twist ties, etc to attach circles to create the snowman.
The child could even decorate the back of the snowman in the same manner so that it can twist and turn with the air movement.

Chalkboard Snowman -

Glue on snowman shapes & accessories onto black paper. Let the child use white chalk to create snowflakes!

SNOWMAN ACCESSORIES:
Fabric Scraps
Felt pieces
Buttons
Feathers
Foam Stickers
Construction Paper
Wool / Yarn
Bottle Caps
Ribbons

Toddler Christmas Craft - Tin Pie Plate Stars

In researching some ideas of what to use my aluminum pie plates for in a toddler craft, I came across a great idea to use next Christmas!

Cut stars out of the center of the pie plates. Punch a hole in the top and hang several in the window at varying lengths.

Perhaps the toddler could help decorate them with glue and glitter.

Outside Fun

On a snowy winters day, give the child a spray bottle filled with water and a few drops of food colouring. Let the go outside and spray paint some creations onto the snow!

Easy Toddler Craft for the Birds

Help toddler thread cheerios, pretzels and other such items onto pipecleaners.

Bend into loops.

Create several to have a chain.

Hang outside where the child can watch the birds eat their creation!

Winter Suncatcher

Using a metal pie plate, have child put an assortment of small colourful toys, beads, buttons, etc inside.

Lay ribbon or string so that it will be able to hang the suncatcher once frozen
Fill to brim with water.

Remove from pan and hang outside near window.

*Perhaps a Nature version too - using pinecones, pine needles, rocks, twigs, leaves, etc.

Christmas Craft: Gingerbread Man

1. Cut out a large gingerbread man shape.

2. Let child decorate with a variety of items like:

glitter glue (my child's favourite!)

sequins

buttons

crinkly paper

googly eyes

pom poms

pipe cleaners

bits of fabric or felt

markers, crayons, etc.

Recent Christmas Craft Creations

artwork done with crayons & glitter glue framed

decoupaged white tissue paper onto a clear vase (great for gifts)

toddlers hands and foot make this reindeer's shape

markers on a wooden ornament

foam stars decorated with glitter glue and hung from the ceiling

finger painting on green construction paper, then covered in glitter glue, cut into tree shape, and buttons added as ornaments. Foam star glitter glued and then glued on top.

Gingerbread house made with square graham crackers, icing, and assortment of candies (m&m's, smarties, gummie bears, pretzels, coconut, raisens, marshmallows)

Toddler Toy Gift Ideas

These are the toys that my 2yr old Toddler loves:

PLAY KITCHEN
- with pots, plates, cups, spatula, and a variety of food - some being the type that she can "cut" up.

BABY DOLL & ACCESSORIES
- Baby Doll with a couple clothing items, few diapers, soother, plate & spoon, magic bottle of milk & juice, a few blankets. Favourite large accessories: Cradle & Stroller

CRAFTS
- Give a box of craft supplies with items such as glitter glue, finger paints, stickers, feathers, pom poms, foam stickers, markers, etc. Also some items to be decorated such as unpainted wooden or plaster items like boxes, pictures frames, and tree ornaments.
Check out the dollar store for some cheap craft supplies!

ACTIVITY BOOK
- A book that has a variety of toddler activities & crafts is a great gift for both Mom & child

DRESS UP ITEMS
- Necklaces, Bracelets, Scarves, Hats, Purses, etc.
Check out a thrift store or dollar store for some great items

PLAY PHONE
- She calls Papa regularly on her play phone and tells him about her day

MR POTATO HEAD
- This gives lots of entertainment. Purchase a set with the potato family and then buy separate accessory kits. You could also use the accessories with playdough if you wanted.

Toddler Pumpkins & Jack O Lanterns

With a toddler, carving a pumpkin is not something they can help with. However, there are alternatives!


CARVING:
If you only believe Jack o Lanterns should be carved, cut out the top hole, loosen the seeds & muck from the insides and then give the toddler various spoons or containers to scoop it out. Gross yet Fun!



OTHER VARIATIONS on Pumpkin Decorating:

Painting
- let the kids paint their pumpkins with faces or some abstract design that only they understand.

Stickers

Markers

Push Pins & Yarn
- Saw one post where they had put various coloured push pins spread all over the pumpkin and then took lengths of yarn and wrapped them from pin to pin to create unique geometrical designs.

Mr. Potato Parts
- Put a few strategically placed holes in the pumpkin and then let the child use their accessories from their Mr. Potato Head toy.



Child's Creation:

Another option is to let the child draw the face and then the adult carve exactly where the lines are.

Easy Halloween Costume - No Sew

My daughter is a Ballerina for her indoor Halloween Parties.

* Dressing her in a white onesie & stockings from her closet.
* Putting her hair up in a bun/ponytail
* Tieing ribbons around her ankles like those on ballet slippers.
* Wearing ribbons around her ponytail
* Complete outfit with a homemade tutu
* A Tiara would be a nice addition (my daughter wouldn't let it stay in)
* A wand or wings would transform into a great Fairy Costume!

* There are so many online tutorials on how to make a tutu. I bought tulle (sometimes called nettings) for quite cheap. I cut into strips about 2" wide. The length depends on how long you want it - keep in mind that the strips will be folded. For the waistband, I used one of my stretchy hairbands. Also saw online people that used a piece of purchased elastic or a length of ribbon. Using two strips, double over so they are now half the length. Loop over the elastic and pull through your loop. Continue with as many as you like until it has the desired fullness. *

The tutu would also be great to make as a Birthday or Christmas present for the child's dress up box!

Big Sister Present

My daughter will be a big sister in 6 months and have been doing some thinking on a gift for her from her little sibling.

Have to head to the dollar store and see what they have for inspiration but here are my thoughts so far...

Container: Fancy purse (use for dress up later)

Contents:
Bag of candies (quite a treat as she doesn't get much candy)
*Special Notebook (will add her name to cover with puff paint & sparkles)
Special Pen (purchase a fancy pen and add ribbons to end)
*Stickers
small baby with tiny accessories

I saw on another blog where their 'big sister' was older and so a disposable camera was amongst the items - that would be very neat to see their perspective!

Other Moms also mentioned that they purchased something larger that would help keep their child entertained once at home with baby - ie. play kitchen, playdough set, baby doll w/ crib, stroller, etc.

Gift to Baby:
I also plan to have my daughter help 'purchase' a gift for the baby - probably a small stuffed animal and rattle - that she can help wrap and give to the baby. Perhaps she'll feel extra special playing with the baby with the items she had given him/her.

* Making your own Stickers & Special Notebook *
Stickers: Print clip art out on a 81/2 x 11 label sheet or on the smaller labels.
Notebook: Layer several papers (I like to alternate a few coloured papers with white). Fold either horizontally or vertically depending on the size of notebooks you want. Staple in several places. Cut your notebooks out!

Make Your Own Loot Bag Favours

Check this link out for some amazing ideas on homemade Loot Bag Favours.

*would also be items that would be great as Christmas Stocking Stuffers!*

Everything from felt play food, lollipops, superhero masks, etc.

http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/2009/10/homemade-party-favors.html