Category — Seasons & Holidays

You can make this simple star garland to decorate your table, door or banister for your 4th of July celebration. Your kids and grandkids can help.
You’ll need:
String or yarn
Paper stars of various colors (you can buy them, cut them yourself or use a dye-cut)
Directions:
1. Decide how long you want your garland and cut the string.
2. Arrange the stars on the string.
3. To glue the stars apply glue on 2 stars then put them together like a sandwich with the string in the middle.

Here’s a fun poem to recite while you’re gardening with your grandchildren.
It’s written by Moiselle Renstrom.

Little seeds lie fast asleep
In a row, in a row.
“Wake up, wake up,” calls the sun,
“Wake up now and grow.”
Little seeds wake one by one
In a row, in a row,
Then they stretch up toward the sun
And begin to grow.

Materials: Sandwich bag, a piece of paper the size of the sandwich bag, a variety of items you might normally throw away or recycle (magazines, colored paper scraps, wrapping paper, ribbon, yarn, sequins, etc.).
Directions:
1. Create a picture with recyclable items and glue on one side of the paper.
2. Write a short story or poem on the opposite side of the picture. If your grandchild isn’t writing yet have them tell you what to write and they can sign their name.
3. Slide the paper in the sandwich bag. The items from the picture won’t get lost and your grandchild with have the picture and the story they created together.

Variation: You can use a photograph of a special event or a post card from a vacation and write about it. The sandwich bag will keep it protected.

You can get Easter cards and envelopes from Jan Brett and they’re free. You can even create your own message.
Get Cards and Envelopes

Materials
Round wooden beads in different sizes (the holes need to be large enough for double pipe cleaners to fit through)
Pipe cleaners
Acrylic paint
Mini pom-pom
Fine-point pen

Instructions
1. Paint two beads (one larger and one smaller) with acrylic paint.
2. Bend a pipe cleaner into an M shape.
3. When the beads have dried, bend the ends of the pipe cleaner under the larger bead to form two big feet, and adjust the loops above the smaller bead for ears.
4. Glue on a mini pom-pom tail.
5. Use a fine-point pen to draw on eyes, nose, and whiskers.

More pipe cleaner crafts at Family Fun.

Use a plastic container that you get from the grocery store that holds strawberries and weave yarn through the openings. The opening aren’t even but that’s what makes it interesting. My grandson started to weave this basket but got tired so I finished it for him. Maybe using thicker yarn would have made it go faster. I just used a pipe cleaner for the handle.

The basket is holding a cute sock bunny that my daughter made.
Get Directions For Sock Bunnies

You’ll need:
Empty egg carton (heavy paper kind works the best)
Crayons, markers or paint
Scissors
Pipe cleaner
Directions:
1. Cut the egg carton in half the long way.
2. Have your grandchild decorate with paint, markers or crayons.
3. Cut the pipe cleaner the length you want the antennae. Make 2 small holes on the head and from underneath stick the antennae in so they come out the top. Shape into antennae.
Learn this poem to recite as your grandchild plays with the caterpillar.

Little Caterpillar
Little caterpillar
Crawling on the ground.
Did you know that someday
You’d be flying up and down.
Little caterpillar
Crawling on the ground
Did you know that someday
You’d be flying all around.
E. Naccarato

My daughter shared these with me. She made some to put in Easter baskets.
Get Directions

This is a fun treat to serve for St. Patrick’s Day or anytime you have your grandchildren over. They will especially enjoy helping. Just follow the directions on the Jello package and drop some Swedish Fish candies in the bottom. After the Jello has set up slightly add other fish to the sides and top.

This is a fun and inexpensive way to show photos of your grandchildren on your fridge or any magnetic board.
You will need lids from cans (any size will work – soup, vegetables, fruit, etc.), glue and magnets.
Directions:
1. Remove the lid from the can, I would recommend using a can opener that leaves the edges smooth.
2. Trace the lid onto the photo and cut out slightly smaller.
3. Glue photo on the lid and add a magnet to the back.

You can make then as ornaments to hang on the Christmas tree by adding a looped ribbon to the back.