Peanut Butter Playdoh

Recipe:

• 2 cups peanut butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• enough powdered milk to make it non-sticky and your desired consistency (approximately 1.5 cups)

Table Centerpiece (Ice Cream Cone Christmas Trees)

 Our table's centerpiece for an early Christmas party with Grandma.

 Ice cream cones, colored frosting, and mini m&m's.

 Simeon had green everywhere by time he was finished. 

The frosting was just TOO yummy to resist.

 Powdered sugar snow.

Thank you, Emmett,

for your creative touches that totally made our centerpiece complete!

Homemade String Ornaments

Emmett is making these ornaments, and they turned out beautifully!

This project has such a vast array of possibilities! 
Just start with some string, some watered down glue, some balloons covered in vaseline (to prevent sticking)...

I think it would look awesome to have a couple dozen throughout the tree. They set neatly between the branches and don't even need hangers. 

This idea came from this great DK book: 



A Couple of Simeon's Christmas Projects

Bottlecap Magnets

Here is a project perfect for a wide range of ages...preschoolers will love the simplicity with beautiful results, while older children can get as detailed and creative as they desire.

 

Fill some bowls, divided container, or muffin tin with the supplies needed. 

You'll need some unbent bottlecaps, circular magnets, and an assortment of beads, sequins, stickers, pictures, or other small items.

 I chose to use glossy Mod Podge for this project because it dries clear.

 Spread a layer of Mod Podge in the bottom of each bottle cap.

The older children can do this themselves, but for preschoolers, it is a good idea to do it for them.

 Let them drop in whatever items they want. 

Older children may take the time to make special designs or scenes.

 Set the bottlecaps aside until they are dry.

 Then, put on another coat of Mod Podge to seal in and protect the decorations.

 Attach circular magnets to the back.

 Wrap them up for gifts by putting them in jewelry boxes. 

See, how they shine like jewels?

Putting them in the boxes and sticking on the bows are all things your preschooler can do.

Buttons (and, a LOT of Glue)

 Put out a piece of foam board and a bowl of buttons, then hand your preschooler a bottle of glue!

 Oh, the fun!

 This will take a couple days to dry.

Put it in a frame. 

(NOTE:  Simeon didn't want to smile for this picture, because he is sick.)

 

 

This was such a hit that Simeon did three foam boards for gifts and still wants to do more.

Survival Bracelet

It isn't easy finding cool crafts for boys.  BUT, we just recently came across this awesome project. 

Emmett has just learned how to make these paracord survival bracelets, which he plans to make as Christmas gifts for family and friends. 

Each inch of bracelet contains approximately one foot of paracord which can be used for "camping, boating, lashings, indoor and outdoor clothes lines, hanging food bags in trees...". 

The color shown here is olive drab, but paracord comes in a vast array of colors.  Here is a sampling of what is available on Amazon.

While you can make keychains, lanyards, or just about anything, there are special buckles for bracelets that also come in many colors. 

Here is a link to a printable of easy instructions so you can make your own. 

Pattern Blocks

One of my favorite blogs to follow is Frugal Fun 4 Boys.   It is a great blog that provides me with fresh ideas regularly.  Plus, this mom has FOUR boys, so it is also a great encouragement.  So, the start of our latest project came from her latest inspiration. 

 Pattern Blocks

 Here, Emmett mocked up a design.

 Then, he traced and cut the same pieces out of construction paper and glued them in place.

 Here is another design he created.

This time he traced the pieces and colored them in.

 

He is using these art pieces as thank you notes for some recent gifts.

 

This can count as art, math, language (thank you notes)...and it teaches diligence and patience as well.

Sidewalk Paint

Combine equal parts cornstarch and water.  Add some food coloring, if you desire.  Then, go to town painting the sidewalk or driveway. 

Welcome husband and father home from a long day of work with a giant greeting that says "We Love You!"

Hammering Fun

Golf tees and styrofoam.

Crayon Art

 Emmett made this one.

Simeon made this one.

Cloud Dough

8 cups flour mixed with 1 cup baby oil.

Soap Carving