Magnifying Glass Valentines via Dandee Designs

Paint Strip Valentines via Country Living

Robot Valentines via Lisa Storms, Super Hero Valentines via Zakka Life

Color Theory Valentines via Mer Mag

Isn’t everything a little sweeter when it’s handmade? We think so! Spend a Saturday having fun with your kids creating DIY Valentine cards they’ll be proud to pass out at school. Unleash your child’s inner artist with Color Theory Valentines, or just visit the paint aisle to get your supplies for the super simple Paint Strip Valentines. Save the day (and dress up sweet treats) with a Super Hero Valentine or bring back the Robot. Still searching for the perfect idea? Don’t overlook the Magnifying Glass Valentine!

Holiday Finger Puppets as seen on: Urban Comfort

Gingerbread Playdough as seen on: The Sweet Advernture of Sugarbelle

Hanging Paper Trees as seen on: The Ki Blog

Sugarplums as seen on: eighteen 25

Keep active little minds and bodies engaged this winter break with some clever crafts for kids. Simple supplies and scraps of fabric come together to create colorful Finger Puppets (adding a small screw eye to the top turns them into insta-ornaments too!) Keep younger kids busy making pretend cookies and baked goods with Gingerbread Playdough. It smells delicious, looks like the real thing but is purely for play. Is your little one a decorator in the making? Have them create their own Hanging Paper Tree accents from patterned papers and trinkets – they look adorable suspended from curtain rods as holiday decor. To finish off the day, help them whip up a batch of Marshmallow Sugarplums to share with friends!

Clockwise from top: Silhouette Easter Eggs by Le Papier Studio, Square-Patterned Eggs by Martha Stewart, Chalkboard Eggs by The Red Thread, Monogrammed Place Marker Egg as featured in Ladies’ Home Journal

Silhouette Easter Eggs by Le Papier Studio as featured on The Shopping Mama, Glittered Sticker Eggs by Martha Stewart

You’ve helped the kids create their own Easter eggs, now it’s time for mom to break out her mad crafting skills and blow everyone away at Easter brunch with eggs that are both functional (you CAN eat them after all) and decorative. Silhouette eggs nested together make for a charming accent placed at either end of the table, or bring a little sparkle in with glittered sticker eggs. Mark the place of each guest with their own monogrammed egg or jot a personalized message on a chalkboard egg. We’re also loving the idea of keeping little ones occupied during the meal by placing a few pieces of colored chalk tied with raffia beside their egg as a handy “blank canvas” to unleash their creativity on. Decorate, celebrate and eat up!

Yarn Eggs from Family Fun Magazine, Easter Art Glittered with Crushed Egg Shells from Make and Takes, Bunny Finger Puppets from The Purl Bee

Bunny Pops from eighteen25, Fluffer Bunnies from Family Fun Magazine, Carrot Patch Cookies from Family Fun Magaazine

Bounce into the Easter season with some of the cutest craft ideas and treats for kids. Finger puppets and suspended yarn eggs are irresistibly adorable in pretty Spring colors, and we love the idea of repurposing eye dying duds, turning them into instant Easter egg glittered art pieces! Reward their efforts with mom-made bunny pops, hide fluffer bunnies about the house for little ones to find or let them create and dig in to their own sweet little carrot patch.

Get crafty for the weekend with the kids, turning the idea of cut out snowflakes into something far more colorful (and of course perfect for Valentine’s Day). We love that it doesn’t take a lot of fancy materials or supplies – just some colored paper, scissors and some busy little hands. And fun as they are to work on with the children, we adore the idea of surprising the kids with a mom-made-love-mobile when they get home from school. Visit Pamela Smerker’s Party Starters blog for instructions.

Pirate Valentines from Mer Mag

Custom Candy Bar Wrappers from eighteeen25, I “Wheelie” Like You Valentine from 30 Days, Smartie Airplanes from Giver’s Log

Lip and Moustache Lollipops from Blonde Invitations & Stationery, Valentine Handprint Wall Hanging from Kaboose, Sweetheart Valentine’s Day Classroom Cards from Bunny Cakes

From cutout paper hearts to a candy bar wrapper digitally designed, what child doesn’t love making their OWN Valentines? Spend the weekend getting crafty with the kids making special DIY cards they can pass out to friends and family. Boys will “wheelie” appreciate a toy car Valentine or have fun assembling a Smartie plane while girls will think conversation heart cards and kissy lips lollies are “soooo cute!” And without a doubt, every class”mate” will think the pirate card is Grrrrreat!

For children, the magic of the Christmas season seems to never end. On the flip side, the expanse of time known as “winter break” seems never ending for parents, with days filled with sibling squabbles and constant complaints of boredom. Beat those winter break blues with a few activity ideas that will keep things merry and bright (and preserve mom and dad’s sanity!)

To Make: Gumdrop Pops from Martha Stewart
Children love creating and watching these colorful confections come to life. Wrap the candy pops in cellophane bags and then attach to gifts or bring along for last minute play date gifts. Fun for children of all ages (and a great way to use up leftover gum drops from gingerbread house projects!)

To Bake: Sweet Tortilla Snowflakes from Family Fun Magazine
Simple, sweet, fun. If they can use a scissor, they can make these tasty treats. Bonus for mom – this is one craft project that you won’t have to worry about saving through the years. Take a picture to preserve the memory – like a real snowflake, they’ll be gone before you know!

To Take: “Sewing Lesson” Tiny Gingerbread House from craftypod.com
Older children will enjoy learning sewing skills while creating this cute little gingerbread houses out of plastic canvas, yarn and needle. Use different colors and fun details to make a village, decorate a tree or use to embellish gifts to friends or teachers.

To Fake: Faux Snow from Scrumdillydo
If the temps are too cold play outdoors or if snow doesn’t fall where you live, turn to this cool mix of science, craft, math and art. Fun to make and play with, we love the idea of getting Dad involved in this one so you can treat yourself to some much needed “me” time.

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