A Simple DIY Father's Day Footprint Gift

Father's Day is coming up! If you're stumped for ideas, you can try this simple DIY Father's Day footprint craft. I love footprint gifts because you can involve kids of all ages (even babies) in the craft-making process. 


To make this DIY Father's Day Footprint gift, you'll want to put some washable paint on a paper plate.  Next, have your children put their feet in the paint. 

After that, have each of your kids place their feet on a separate piece of paper. Their feet should be placed on the paper in a V so that it forms a heart.

Cut out your 'feet' hearts and write the year on the footprint in the middle of the heart.

Paste 'feet hearts' on one piece of paper or you can put each footheart on a separate piece of paper. 

At the bottom or top of the paper write, “You’ve captured our hearts, Dad!” Or, for one child, you can write, "Dad you've captured my heart."  

Happy Father's Day!

Flower Crafts for Kids

With my garden blooming, my kids are often picking roses and digging in the dirt. It’s great fun. However, when it’s really hot or I don’t feel like getting mud tracked into my house, I encourage my children to do a flower craft instead. Here are three easy flower crafts for kids!

Paper Plate Flowers

All kids need to make this craft is two paper plates, a paintbrush, glue, scissors and water paints. First have kids use one color to paint one plate (plate #1) one solid color. Next, take the second plate (plate #2) and have them use a different color for the petals and another one for the center of the flower. Take the  plate #2 and cut petals out so that the edges are slightly smaller than plate #1. Glue plate #2 on top of plate #1.  If desired, make a stem with some green construction paper and glue it on the back of plate #1.

Pom Pom Flowers

For this craft, children will need several different colors of pom poms, construction paper and glue. Have children glue their pom poms in a circular pattern. You can have them use a different color for the center. Afterwards, kids can use a metallic marker to draw our stems.  Allow the flowers to dry completely before hanging or moving around.

Pastel Flowers

I like working with oil pastels because they blend nicely...as opposed to crayons. However, remember that these may stain clothing so make sure to have kids wear a smock and cover the craft surface with a plastic tablecloth. I also keep baby wipes nearby so they don’t get the pastels all over their hands.  For this art project, kids will need construction paper and a set of oil pastels. Children can draw several different types of flowers on their paper.  Encourage kids to blend different colors together to achieve unique shades.  

I hope these flower crafts for kids brightens everyone’s day!

Rainbow Crafts for St. Patrick’s Day

I bought some vivid cardstock at the store.  It was perfect for making rainbow crafts with my kids.  With St. Patrick’s Day coming up, I thought some themed crafts would be fun.  After all, what child doesn’t like rainbows?  Throw in some shamrocks, gold and glitter and these rainbow crafts for kids are perfect for St. Patrick’s Day.

Rainbow Shamrocks

For this, I took four different papers in basic rainbow colors (red, orange, yellow and blue).  I used a heart punch to cut out four hearts from each color.  Then, I made shamrocks out of three different colored hearts.  You can encourage children to make different patterns so no two shamrocks are the same.  You can even challenge kids to see how many different patterns are possible (use three different colors to make this easier).  We glued the shamrocks onto a green background and added a stem with a skinny marker.

Sticker Rainbow

I found a pack of 600 rainbow star and smiley face stickers.  Then, I gave my daughter a sheet of rainbow stickers and had her construct a rainbow.  For younger children, you might want to draw the outline of a rainbow so kids have a guide for the stickers.  At the bottom of the rainbow, draw a black pot and use shiny yellow stickers for the pot of  gold.

Glitter Rainbow Shamrock

Draw a shamrock or print one out and then trace the clover with glue. Using the glue, have kids cover ⅓ of the shamrock with glue. Then, let them choose one glitter color, sprinkle it over the glue and shake off the excess. Allow the section to dry. Then, repeat the process with two other glitter colors. Finally, cover the stem with glue and glitter.

These rainbow crafts for kids will brighten up your St. Patrick’s Day!

Heart Shaped Crafts for Valentine's Day

The last time I was as at the craft store, I was admiring all the pretty pink and red paper. They screamed take me home...so I did.  In fact, I almost picked up an entire booklet of scrapbooking paper but was able to restrain myself and, for less than two dollars, I took home a few glittery, gingham and brightly hued papers. They were all perfect for Valentine’s Day crafts.  Once at home, we decided to make some heart-shaped crafts for Valentine’s Day. Here are some of my favorites.  

Mixed Media Heart Flowers

I took three different pink papers.  One was a thick, glittery pink.  Another was a bright, almost fuschia color and the final one was white and pink gingham. First, I cut out a template heart (or you can use a die cut or paper punch).  Then, I used my template to make three hearts in each color. Next, I took a paper plate and cut out a square from it. In an alternating pattern in a flower shape, I took my hearts and glued them into the center of the paper plate square.  Finally, I took a white pipe cleaner and taped it onto the back of the paper square.  I allowed it to dry. These mixed, media heart flowers are cute for bulletin boards or to decorate a child’s room.  

Heart People

These are fun for kids to make. First, pick out a piece of sturdy paper to make your heart. Fold the paper in half so both sides are symmetrical (or use a heart paper punch).  Then, give your child wiggly eyes, markers, paint and buttons to make a face. Then, take some strips of construction paper and fold it “accordion style” for legs and arms. You can also use pipe cleaners for limbs.  Use smaller hearts for hands and feet.

Heart Bookmarks

Take two different colors (preferably white, pink, red or metallic shades) and cut each into identical rectangles.  Next, using one of the papers, take a small heart paper punch and make two hearts: one at the top and one at the bottom. Glue the punched out paper onto the second solid paper. Finally, take your punched out hearts and glue onto the empty spaces on the bookmark.  

These heart shaped crafts are a fun way to celebrate Valentine’s Day!

Charming Handmade Valentine's Day Cards

DIY Valentine’s Day cards are a lot of fun for the entire family. Giving a homemade valentine shows your recipient that you put a lot of time and effort into your cards. This Valentine's Day have a card-making party with friends and family. Here are some charming handmade valentine cards to get you started.

Love Birds

To make this handmade Valentine's Day card, I used one piece of black construction paper and two colorful papers. First, I traced a simple bird onto one piece of the pink paper. Then, I placed the paper over a second gingham paper and cut both out, so they were the same.  Next I cut out two hearts. I gave the birds eyes and mouths.  Finally, I glued the birds on the card and put the two hearts above them.  Inside I wrote,  You’re my Lovebird in a white crayon.

Sequin Hearts

For this Valentine’s Day card, I took a purple piece of paper and cut it into a square. Then, I took some multi-colored sequins and glued it onto the paper.  First I completed the outline of the heart.  Then, I filled in the heart with sequins. An idea for an inside message is: Your love shines. For the kids, I make a heart outline for them in glue and then they were easily able to glue on the sequins and then fill in the center.

Warm and Fuzzy

For this card, I took a red pipe cleaner and bent it into a heart shape. Then, I put some clear glue onto the back and pressed to onto a piece of construction paper. I put a book on top of the card to make sure the pipe cleaner stayed put. Inside I wrote, You make me feel warm and fuzzy.

Eyes on You

To make this funny handmade valentine, I took a small piece of construction paper and cut it into a square. Next, I took different sizes of wiggly eyes with adhesive and placed them all over the card.  Inside I wrote, I’ve got my eyes on you. This card is a really easy one for kids.

  
Your special someone will appreciate these handmade valentine cards.

Do you make or buy most of your Valentine's Day Cards?

Easy Christmas Tree Crafts

Two years ago, I purchased a giant pack of foam Christmas trees. The foam shapes have allowed us to take part in many fun Christmas trees crafts.  Whether my children are a little under the weather or simply bored, it’s nice to have some crafts for them to complete.    On cold afternoons, we do a family craft.  Here are a few easy Christmas tree crafts for kids...from my family to yours. 

Christmas Tree Wiggly Eyed People

Make some cute Christmas tree people with wiggly eyes.  These were fun, easy and turned out very cute!  I used green foam Christmas trees.  Then, I gave my kids wiggly eyes, round labeling stickers, markers, sequins, buttons and some adhesive gems.  I used the labeling stickers for a nose, markers for hair and mouth and a labeling sticker for a nose.   Then, I used gems for earrings and sequins for a necklace.  You can also use stamp pens and even make legs, arms and feet for your people.  Of course, don’t forget your wiggly eyes.  

Christmas Tree with Photo Ornaments

You can do this one on a small or large scale.  For a  craft that the entire family can complete,  cut out a big Christmas tree out of green felt.  Then, have everyone pick out a favorite picture that can easily be cut into a  round circle or other shape.  Frame each picture with a round piece of construction paper with the middle cut out.   For a smaller tree, simply cut out pictures into a round shape and glue onto your tree.  

Mixed Media Christmas Tree

Mixed media trees use different mediums of materials to create an artful composition.  Have your child pick out several different types of paper and stiff fabrics.  If you want some adorable patterns, try the scrapbook section of your local craft stores for a plethora of stiff, decorative papers.  Then, take a cardboard Christmas tree template and have them trace it onto the fabrics and paper.   Cut out each tree shape.  Then fold the papers in half and cut.  Glue one pattern on one side of the tree and the other pattern on the other.  Finally, we choose some felt to cover the stem.  You can also cut your paper into a zig zag, puzzle-like pieces or polka dots to cover your tree.  The more shapes you do, the harder it becomes to make the tree look seamless.   You can also glue things like glitter or sequins onto the tree for a layered effect.  

We had fun making these easy Christmas tree crafts!  I hope your family does too!

Hard Boiled Egg Molds: A Fun Breakfast

My daughter has a hard time waking up in the morning. Sometimes a fun breakfast helps motivate her to get going. Unfortunately, fun is often equated with sugary breakfast items. Hard boiled eggs are an easy way to get a little protein into your children. A protein-rich  breakfast is said to help kids concentrate more at school and other events. It also keeps blood sugar levels steady.

Egg molds come in a wide variety of shapes and styles.  I have the bear and rabbit ones.  

To make these, I first cook my hard boiled eggs. I cook mine for about 10-12 minutes. To make sure the eggs fit in the molds (at least the molds I purchased), I use medium sized ones.  

After cooking the eggs, I drain the water and put a little cold water over the shell so they are not too hot to the touch.  However, you want to peel the eggs and get them into the mold while the eggs are still relatively hot. 

Then, I place the egg into the molds, pop them in the refrigerator and let them stay in there for about eight to ten minutes to make sure the egg takes on the animal face and shape.

You might want to boil the eggs before the kids get up in the morning. After all, it takes about 20 minutes to prepare this little dish.  It’s easy but there is a little waiting involved and when kids are hungry, well I’m sure you know how that goes.  

When my kids see the molds, they get really excited and want to eat their eggs. In other words, if you have a picky eater this may help them try out an egg.

These eggs can also be popped into a bento box for lunch (just make sure it is properly insulated and use an ice pack)!

My kids love these eggs and gobbled their shapes up. I try not to make this breakfast all the time. After all, I don’t want it to lose its appeal.

Here are the molds I used: (this is an affiliate link: If you use this link, I receive a small commission to help out with the costs of my blog, at no additional charge to you).

What is your favorite protein-rich breakfast to feed your kids in the morning?