Easy Christmas Craft Ideas For Kids

Christmas is a time of magic, creativity and joy.

Seeing the joy on a child’s face when they get into the spirit of Christmas is all it takes to make a parent slow down and embrace the merry season. This typically starts with Christmas activities!

Christmas craft ideas

It is no secret kids love doing arts and crafts, it is also no secret that craft is beneficial for children and their development. (CLICK THE LINK TO SEE HOW). But most importantly, it is fun. If you and your little ones want to get into the spirit of Christmas make sure you create these festive Christmas activities seen below!

Bauble Decorating

Decorating your own baubles can be so much fun. Not many crafts items are required to make this and yet you can create something special and that will treasured for years to come.

You will need: plain bauble, paint, glitter, sequins/confetti.

How to: Design your bauble and craft a beautiful decoration. You can use the paint to make a pattern, add glitter or sequins to wet paint (this eliminates the need for glue). My 2 year old daughter thought feathers were fun so added as many that would physically stick on.

Once you have your beautiful bauble looking how you like it, hang it up to dry.

Christmas Card Making

Christmas cards are almost an essential part of the season. Instead of using the same old generic cards though, create unique ones at home. You can show of your creative flare and add that extra love we all want at Christmas.

You will need: Cardboard, paint, tinsel, glitter, sequins/confetti, pens

How to: If your cardboard is not already cut to size, cut it and then fold in half. Draw/paint/glue your design on the card and let it fry before writing your special message inside.

Each of my kids created completely differently cards with the same items, it is great to see how their imagination and creativity allows them to be so different.

Mini Wreaths

These mini wreaths are so incredibly easy to make! Requiring only two products to make them, they are extremely budget friendly and make a great decoration or gift.

You will need: Pipe cleaners, bells (in assorted colours and sizes)

How to: Thread the bells onto the pipe cleaner, alternating the direction with each one. Leave a little pipe cleaner spare at the end so you can close it off. Twist the ends and hang it on your Christmas tree!

The Christmas craft ideas are simple and easy to make which makes them great for children of all ages. My two year old had an absolute ball, as did my 6 and 8 year olds. The is no age limit for craft and each child / adult deserves to get into the Christmas spirit! Ho Ho Ho!

What are your favourite Christmas craft activities?

This is an S1 POST written in collaboration with Child.com.au.

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DIY Printables And Educational Games For Kids

With school holidays fast approaching, it’s great to have some creative tools up your sleeve. Keeping the kids entertained, learning and laughing over the Christmas break may sound like an impossible task, but it’s not – with some printable activities and fun learning games, you can keep their boredom at bay in an educational way.

LEGO Puzzles

These nifty little puzzles are a great tool for increasing motor control and aiding in cognitive development and spatial awareness in toddlers and pre-schoolers. They can also be a great idea for presents!

Here’s how to make them:

1. Print a recognisable character, picture or word on thick, laminated paper.
2. Glue the back of your paper to a stack of connected LEGO Duplo bricks (or regular LEGO pieces for older kids).
3. Simply slice between the seams of each Lego brick.
4. Take the pieces apart and let your little ones put them back together.

Heads, Shoulders, Knees And Toes

Another activity to keep your kids’ minds at work these holidays is teaching them the parts of the body. A fun way to beat the old “heads, shoulders, knees and toes” song could be to create your own jingles. Depending on your child’s age, you can introduce new body parts to the song, such as tummy, elbows, chin and chest. If you’re after a really crafty afternoon, print out diagrams of the body and see what parts they recognise (just the basics is fine – nothing too challenging!).

Dear Diary

It’s no secret that children have huge imaginations. Make the most of this by keeping a night-time journal with your children. Even if they can’t write yet, work with them to create a personalised journal featuring their own pictures and stories. For example, you could print out a picture of their favourite character and dedicate a diary page to them. A diary is a great educational tool as it teaches your child the benefits of reflecting and remembering. Best of all, you can laminate and frame it for their 18th birthday!

Learn The Alphabet

Print out large letters of the alphabet and glue them onto sticks. You can pick them up in order, or make a game out of spelling words. The ageless ‘pick up sticks’ game has never been so educational!

Timetables

Print out a graph of the timetables on bright, colourful paper. Laminate it and stick it somewhere in the house to help your child or children get more familiar with them.

Greater Than, Less Than

Mix and match art with maths. Have your child design a ‘greater than, less than’ monster such as a crocodile and teach them maths with a deck of cards.

Printable activities can be useful for kids of all ages, but the value of printed materials extend beyond childhood as well! Education and training providers find that printed documents are effective training tools in all kinds of industries – particularly when created with expert printing companies like The Print Group (click here to learn more).

For the kids, quality learning doesn’t just have to happen in school. Learning at home can prove just as good for stimulating and pushing your children to their full potential.

What are your favourite ways to inspire learning through DIY activities?

This is an S2 POST.

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Develop Logical Thinking With Games

A child’s mind develops in stages. This is a crucial part of them learning and retaining the information.

To develop logical thinking kids must be given opportunities to discover if I do this than that is going to happen. Basically, if this … than that. This is why from the age of two children will basically ask ‘Why?’ for everything. They are learning how to put 2 and 2 together in a way they understand and makes sense.

Logical thinking

To encourage your child to embark on developing this skill, there are many things you can do to help. With the simple use of strategy games, construction, toy parts or simple ask questions and answers. When they ask a question, ask them what they think the answer is before you answer it. This gives them the chance to consider the ‘ifs, that’s and why’s’ of their question.

By allowing children to develop their logical thinking in a variation of stimulated environments, you are giving them opportunities to discover who they are. Watch your child and see what really interests them and make connections from that. If they love being outdoors, embrace the butterflies and where they are going, if swings get them excited – ask them what happens if you go too high or you don’t hold on, why does your hair blow in the breeze when you swing?

As these skills are enhanced they will be able to incorporate past and present connections, patterns in everyday routines and even discuss their feelings.

How to encourage with everyday experiences

Every day mundane tasks are more important to the learning process of children than many parents realise. Kids learn from unpacking groceries; where do things go? Why do they go there? When stopping at traffic lights in the car; what do each of the colours mean? When picking herbs and vegetables from the garden; they learn not only how to sustain them but also what each food good looks/smells/feels like.

• By giving children chores, even if it’s just a few; they are learning that they have to work for what they want. In addition to this important skill; they are also learning about the value of money which is a great way to introduce learning to count money.

• By mentioning time periods in conversation – “In 5 minutes we will go and play ……” you can start to familiarise your child with clocks and telling the time. Can you show me what time it will be in 5 minutes?

• Incorporating spelling into fun activities such as craft, you are encouraging learning a new skill in an exciting activity. Alphabet stamps are a great way to mix learning to spell with arts and crafts.

Tips to maintain interest

It is no secret that children have a limited attention span. But don’t let that discourage you. Here are some things to keep in mind to maximise the concentration period and get the most out of each experience.

• Allow them to steer the learning in a way that is fun for them.

• Know when to step back and leave them to discover alone. Equally as important, know when to join in.

• Encourage and support their questions every day!

Play time is crucial for kids to learn skills and extend their ability to understand situations further. Playing allows children to develop these skills at home by encouraging them to try new things and experiences along with growing their confidence as they discover understandings first-hand.

How do you encourage new skills at home with kids?

This is an S1 POST.

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When my daughter turned two last week I pondered what to get her for months prior. She is just showing an interest in children shows characters, princesses, etc. She is a very girly girl but also loves playing with her big brothers cars and LEGO. I have put together a gift guide for girls aged approximately two years old, some of this Poppet got, other stuff she had and some were shown great interest.

Gift Guide Girls 2 Years Old

Tee Pee – Spotlight

A gorgeous addition to any bedroom or playroom, this kids tee pee comes in a range of patterns and colours to suit every child. It is larger and better quality than I was expecting, an adult can sit inside with ease. It can be machine washed when dirty. RRP $65.00 from Spotlight but I picked it up on sale for $45.00 so just keep an eye out.

Kids Dyson Vacuum Cleaner – Toys ‘R’ Us

Poppet has a love of vacuuming so we thought it was only fitting she got one of her own. I love that this little kids Dyson looks exactly like it’s parent model and even has real working suction. RRP $49.95 from Toys ‘R’ Us.

Girly Stuff – Pink Poppy

As mentioned earlier Poppet is a girly girl so it was only natural she would get a handbag, bracelets and a necklace. I have always been a fan of Pink Poppy products because they always delight my daughter and the quality is second to none. With bright colours, sparkles and a range that extends beyond the above mentioned, they will be your one stop brand for the little girl in your life. Prices start as low as $2.50 from Pink Poppy.

My Little Pony – Big W

They are magical and a pony! What else needs to be said? With an increasingly large range available in several sizes, there is one to suit the pony lover in your life. The one we got Poppet RRP $14.95 from Big W.

Globber Scooter 4 in 1

I have talked about this product on the blog before and it is still a huge hit 3 months down the track. It is her go to ride and why would it not be? It is fun, exciting and versatile. CLICK HERE to read my Globber 4 in 1 review.

Vintage Tea Set – Tiger Tribe

Poppet is a lover of picnics and tea parties so she already this vintage tea set from Tiger Tribe however I thought it would make the perfect gift for a little girl who is now expressing an interest in being like mum. RRP $34.95 from Tiger Tribe.

After having only boys I struggled a little with adjusting to what little girls like but now that Poppet is getting her own personality and style, it is becoming a breeze.

What other products would you recommend for girls approximately 2 years old?

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Anyone with little kids whether they are a baby, toddler or child will know that when they get sick and their nose is blocked it can be a nightmare to help them breathe easily. The blocked nose not only causes pain and irritation for the child but it ultimately affects the parents as well; often resulting in lack of sleep, the sense of helplessness and often frustration at not being able to help.

There are many different ways you can relieve a child’s blocked nose. Steam from shower, if they are old enough to blow it out or a nasal aspirator. With so many nasal aspirators on the market now it is hard to know which one worth buying. I’ll be honest, I saw the ones at my local baby shop that require the parent to physically suck on the end of a tube. I thought it was a joke! Needless to say I passed on that one. Many others you see require you to empty and clean the ‘snot catching’ part which potentially holds bacteria. So I passed on those as well. After searching and searching with no luck (I have been searching since B1 was born, he is now 8) technology has clearly advanced and Oricom have created the best hygienic electronic nasal aspirator available and have been generous enough to provide me one to review and another one to giveaway to one of All Mum Said fans.

Oricom CLEANOZ Nasal Aspirator

I love the Oricom CleanOz nasal aspirator (as much as one can love a gadget designed to suck out snot). There are so many things that make it great and stand out from others on the market. It is so unbelievably quick and easy to use! This is a must when you have sick little ones as their tolerance is often slim to none so the job needs to be done swiftly. The Oricom CleanOz nasal aspirator allows you to unblock stuffy noses in a matter of seconds by simply covering a small hole with your index finger and pressing the button with your thumb. You then release the hole. Your child now has a clean, unblocked nose.

The Oricom CleanOz is hygienic which is another must in my book. There is no transferring germs and trying to make sure you have killed them all before using it again. The tips are single use which means you use and throw away. Replace with a new tip for the next stuffy nose, these have been designed to be easily inserted and removed. The flexible silicone tips can be purchased in boxes of 10 from your local baby store or online at Oricom for $19.95.

Requiring only 3 AAA batteries it is cheap to run. It isn’t overly loud which means it won’t scare your little one and because it is so quick and easy to use, you have finished before they even know what you are doing. The RRP for the Oricom CleanOz nasal aspirator is $69.95 which may seem like a lot but when you can use it for years and relieve your little ones stuffy nose and restore peace to the home it is absolutely worth it! I just wish they had released them years ago because it would have saved me a lot sleepless nights.

Prize Includes: 1x Oricom CLEANOZ Nasal Aspirator (RRP $69.95) and 1x box of 10 Disposable Reservoir Nozzle Tips (RRP $19.95) Total Prize: $89.90.

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries however I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family. Sharing is caring and karma loves kind people. **

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Terms & Conditions: 
1. Australian residents only.
2. Judges decisions is final
3. Winners must make contact within 72 hours.
4. This is a game of skill. Chance plays no part!
Therefore no extra points are given for sharing however it is good karma!!
5. All Mum Said is not responsible for delivery of prize.
NOT endorsed by or have anything to do with facebook.

If you want to enter more giveaways click over here.

Disclosure: I received the above product for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

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When babies start eating on their own finding quality eating implements that are easy for them use is priority number one. There are so many options available and it can often get confusing. There are non-slip, suction, characters and the list goes on. What works for your little one may be different to what your friends child prefers but if you are aware of some of the options available it makes purchasing easier. Poppet has been using the BabyBjorn Plate and Spoon for the past couple of weeks and it is fantastic. I am a huge fan of BabyBjorn products, not for their well-known brand but because of their amazing quality.

The BabyBjorn Plate and Spoon is suited from 4 months and will be used for years to come. The plate sits firmly on the table eliminating the usual tipping of food everywhere. The three leaf clover design allows the food to be easily scooped up without your little one having to chase it around the plate and will have a better chance of using their spoon rather than their hands. The spoon is perfect for little hands; it has a short handle making it easy for little hands to grip. Tailored to rest on the side of the plate instead of sliding into the food, this spoon is ideal.

Underneath the BabyBjorn plate you will find rubber edging that prevents it sliding off the table. I love that the BabyBjorn plate and spoon are dishwasher and microwave safe, these are a must in our house. They are also BPA free and so far the white hasn’t stained at all, even after eating spaghetti bol. These wonderfully designed BabyBjorn plate and spoon sets are sold in a pack of 2 and are available in 2 colour options (each plate is a different colour); orange/turquoise or pink/purple. For more information on these gorgeous sets click here to see the BabyBjorn website or to see where they are available from see the stockists here. 

Disclosure: I received one of sets mentioned above for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

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Everyone has heard of the LEGO Movie and those who haven’t have obviously been living under a rock! Whether you have seen it or not there is no denying that it is a hit with kids (big and small). Mr C took B1 and B2 to see it at the cinema when it was first released and they absolutely loved it! How could they not? Everything is awesome! So it was no surprise that when it was released we had to had it on DVD as well so they could watch it on repeat for what seemed like months on end, ok so maybe it wasn’t that bad. My kids along with so many others are LEGO obsessed so it was only natural that LEGO would create a LEGO movie to fuel the interest the savages have (more commonly known as children).

I watched the LEGO Movie after a week of owning the DVD and I must say it was great. I really enjoyed it. I like that kids movies these days have got that element of adult humour in them as well, or maybe it has always been there and I’m only just understanding the jokes now. Either way I can totally see why it is a favourite amongst the kids. The characters have their own personalities and unique styles, the detail that is in every single scene and piece of LEGO is absolutely amazing. You will find all your favourites in the LEGO movie as well (I don’t think they missed anyone!) – Emmet, Wyldstyle, Batman, Frank the Foreman, Unikitty, Good cop – Bad cop, chef, President business and so many more.

LEGO Movie

Prize contains: The LEGO Movie on DVD, The LEGO Movie drawstring bag, Limited Edition Pyjama Emmet mini fit, The LEGO Movie welcome pack, The LEGO Movie sticker sheet, Hardcover Lego storybook, The LEGO Movie keyring.

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries however I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family. Sharing is caring and karma loves kind people. **
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Disclosure: I received the above products as compensation for this post. As always all opinions are my own.

If you are wanting to enter more giveaways click over here.

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Smiggle adds red!

Smiggle adds red to their range! ‘WOOHOO what awesome and exciting news’ – this is what I imagine is being squealed with joy as you share this news with your kids. I think it’s fairly safe to assume that this is will be music to many boys and girls ears (young, old and older). It is a well known household favourite thanks to the fantastic quality, unique and fun products that they are constantly expanding and improving. I am not-so-secretly a stationary addict and I LOVE Smiggle products.

Smiggle received an overwhelming request for red to join the colour range and that’s exactly what they have done, they’ve added red.  This is very exciting news because red is fun, energetic, joyful and loved by so many. All your favourite Smiggle products: pens and pencils, pencil cases, lunch boxes,backpacks, gadgets and so much more are now available in – you guessed it – red!  Since Smiggle adds red I thought we could welcome RED to the crew with a great giveaway. We have 1x $100 Red Smiggle Prize Pack up for grabs! This wonderfully red prize would be great for you to surprise your children with, save for a birthday gift or Christmas present or just keep for yourself!

Prize contains: Animal Pencil, Colour Pen Pencil, BIG Mistakes Eraser, Reflector Messenger Bag, Rubix Lunchbox, 15cm Ruler, Pencil Sharpener, Hardtop Bubble Large Zip Pencil case. (see picture below)

Prize RRP: $100

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries however I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family. Sharing is caring and karma loves kind people. **

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Disclosure: I did NOT receive any payment, product or compensation for this post. I did it because I thought my fans (that’s you!) would love it!

If you are wanting to enter more giveaways click over here.

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I am counting down the days until school resumes. It feels like the longest 2 weeks ever. I have not been able to hear myself think with the constant talking, fighting and yelling. It’s like they feel they have to compete to be the loudest and thoroughly enjoy playing ‘How can push mum over the edge and send her bat shit crazy today?’. I’ll be honest; I love it when they go to school. I get to reclaim a portion of my sanity and take pleasure in a cup of coffee WHEN IT’S HOT!! Oh it really is the little things that bring me joy. Lol. It’s not all bad when they are on holidays because we do get to discover who the kids are again because they change so often but a few minutes of peace wouldn’t go astray. Counting down!

My boys teachers are constantly telling me how well they get along and that they are like best friends but I am calling bull shit on that. (Sorry teachers) Maybe they just use up all their tolerance for one another at school and their personalities clash at home when they have been around each other too much but from where I stand I only ever get a glimpse of this ‘best bud’ behaviour you speak of. It actually reminds me of me and my brother and how we used to get along like a house on fire and then suddenly we were constantly fight – SORRY MUM!! You can call karma off now, surely I’ve paid my dues. I understand completely how exhausted you felt, not only physically but mentally. I am completely and utterly mentally drained. Still counting down the days.

Tell me it’s not just me – tell me your kids fight too. Tell me you count down the days until school resumes as well.

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Trying to find interactive games that are educational and fun is often a hard task to accomplish; add in the fact that you want it for a 5 year old and you want them to love it adds another dimension of difficulty. I’m pretty impressed with myself because I have done it! I found a LeapFrog game called Adventure Sketchers for my sons LeapPad, it is innovative and brings their art to life. The kids love that it is interactive and they can record phrases that play in the game and then there is the pictures they create that appear while they are playing.

This is great for on-the-go or if you need 5 minutes quiet and the kids won’t even realise you are benefiting from it (they’ll think you are great for letting them play).  If you are looking for a game that entertains, encourages imagination, story telling and promotes learning then I recommend the LeapFrog Adventure Sketchers!

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Enter below to win: 1 of 3 LeapFrog Adventure Sketchers! games. RRP $44.99 ea. (Total Prize Pool $134.97)

LeapPad tablet is required to play these games. LeapPad not included in prize.

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries. It’s good karma though and I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family**

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