What are your Children Thankful for? Let Them Tell you with a Leaf Catcher!

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it is time to get your children in the thankful spirit! It is important to teach children at a young age the importance of being thankful for what they have. And an easy way to do that is with a craft, of course!

What you will need:

Leaf stencil/template (I got mine here)

Colored construction paper (Two to three different colors will do)

Embroidery hoop (12 or 14-inch hoop is best)

Yarn (one or two colors)

Begin by wrapping the yarn around the embroidery hoop from top to bottom, left to right, until you have created a nice looking web. Depending on your child’s age, they may be able to help with this step. My preschooler lent me a hand just fine! Cut & tie the yarn off.

Use the leaves stencil or template and trace the leaves onto your colored construction paper. Your children will love this part (just make sure to use kid-friendly scissors!).

Now it is time for your children to do some thinking. Ask your child to name a few things in their life that they are thankful for, and help them write one on each leaf. It is always fun to get a peak into their little brains! For example, my son named:

-Dad
-Mom
-Candy
-Toys
-Family
-Heart (Possibly referring to “love”? Or maybe his healthy heart from his Cheerio intake?😛)

Happy crafting!

 

The Best Leaf Art for Kids this Fall!

If you are running out of ways to entertain your little ones this fall, your answer is simply in your backyard! Instead of raking up all of those fallen leaves, put them to use and make some fun leaf art with the kids!

Leaf art is a great childhood craft. Not only is it non-screen fun, but it gets the kids outside for a change! Have them help you gather the leaves for the crafts! My son got excited making little piles of leaves and then picking out “the best ones” for his works of art.

There are many different ways to use the leaves. One of the simplest but fun leaf art you and your kids can make are leaf “stencils”. Simply have your child pick a leaf, and then place the leaf bottom side up on a hard surface. Next, place a sheet of white paper on top of the leaf, and have your child freely color the white page over the leaf with their little crayons. VOILA!

If you have some kid-friendly (i.e.: washable) paint lying around, you could also “leaf paint”. This activity is great, as it encourages your children to experiment with different colors and even experiment with mixing two primary colors together to create another color. Have your child paint the bottom of the leaf in any way these please, and then – before the paint dries – have them place the painted leaf on a sheet of paper to create beautiful leaf art.

There are DOZENS of ways to use leaves for crafts!

HAVE FUN!

How to make Monster S’mores!

These monster s’mores are not just easy to make – they are a tasty treat!

All you need is:

-          Edible candy eyes

-          Colored candy melts (my son insisted on “only green”, as it is favorite color. Kid logic, haha)

-          Black icing

-          Parchment paper

-          Marshmallows

-          Graham crackers

 

First, line your workspace with a sheet of parchment paper. Then, melt the candy melts in a micro-safe bowl.

Once the candy coating is thoroughly melted, you can now dip each graham cracker in the mixture (WARNING: the candy coating may hot; check the temperature before your little ones begin to help to avoid a monster booboo!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place the graham crackers on a dish and place in the fridge for about 10 to 15 minutes. If each candy coating is completely hardened, you may now let your little monsters decorate the crackers as they please! This is the most exciting part for the kids as they are able to express their creativity! My son even gave one glasses to look like him!

After that, just toast some marshmallow over a fire-stove, or eat them as is! Either way, your kids will have a blast making and creating these spooky little snacks!

Happy Halloween! Get your Kids Excited for Tricks and Treats with a DIY Halloween Countdown Chain!

"Can I be a fireman for Halloween?"
"Oh wait, no; I want to be a policeman!"
"Mommy, can I be both!?"


If your kid is anything like my toddler, they must be excited for Halloween to finally come (and maybe even a little bad at deciding on one costume J). Nonetheless, it is never too early to get in the Halloween spirit! A paper Halloween countdown chain is a simple, inexpensive craft, that will keep them engaged all the way up to the 31^st!

Start with three or so pieces of 8 x 11-inch construction paper (in orange, black, purple, or any “Halloween” color). 

Then, cut them into 2-inch-wide strips.

This is when your little artists can design each chain link however they wish. As you can see, my little guy stuck with his typical scribbles!

 

After this, simply link them together and hang it up somewhere in sight!

(Here is another great example!)

It may seem like a simple craft, but you would be amazed how excited my son gets every morning to “get closer to Halloween!”.

Now if he can just decide on one costume, we would be set!