styrofoam snowmen

We had a "snow day" (due to the frigid temps, not the snow), so I had the kids do a snowman craft to help fill the day. 

I had bought small styrofoam circles in various sizes from the dollar store.  We used toothpicks to put the styrofoam circles together. We rubbed the bottom circle against the table which filed it dow/flattened it a little so the circle would rest on a flat surface.  I then hotglued them to paper plates for stability. 

The kids used toothpicks, buttons, and felt scraps to decorate their snowmen (which I hotglued into place.) We were able to cut out mittens, and scarves out of the felt. I even was able to construct felt top hats using hot glue.   The kids had a blast making these. 

Snowman doughnuts

For my daughter's "Frozen" birthday party, we made Olaf snowman doughnuts.
You need a package of the small powdered doughnuts (we used hostess brand), powdered doughnut holes, mini chocolate chips, pretzel sticks, and toothpicks.
Stack 2 small doughnuts on top of eachother, put in a toothpick so the point is sticking straight up. Then carefully stick a small doughnut hole on top. (The toothpick helps stabilize the snowmen. Without it, the head keeps rolling off if the plate is bumped.) Stick mini chocolate chips in as eyes and buttons. Snap mini pretzel sticks in half and poke in as the arms and nose. These were a huge hit with the kids!  Just be sure to take out the toothpick if serving to small children.

Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Crisp Snowflakes!

Today we made cinnamon sugar snowflake tortilla crisps. It's the perfect thing to make with leftover tortillas!

- Adjust your oven rack to the center of the oven.. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

- Melt 3 or 4 tbsp. butter in a small bowl. In another bowl mix 1/2 cup sugar, 2 or 3 teaspoons .

Combine the sugar and cinnamon, stirring until well blended.

- To make snowflakes, fold the tortilla in half, and then in half again.

- Cut as you would a paper snowflake, cutting out shapes, but keeping parts of the seams intact. Carefully, open tortillas back up.

- Or, for simple wedges instead of snowflakes, cut a stack of 6 or 8 flour or corn tortillas into wedges, as you would a pizza, using a pizza cutter, or kitchen shears.  

- Lay the tortillas out on a cookie sheet, arranging them so they don't touch. Brush one side of the tortillas with melted butter. Sprinkle the chips with the sugar and cinnamon mixture. Flip them over and brush the other side with melted butter and sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar.

- Bake the chips for approximately 6 to 8 minutes, shaking the pan gently after about 4 minutes to prevent sticking. Watch the chips carefully to avoid burning; the chips will turn a light, golden brown when finished.

Serve warm or cool.

Gingerbread House Party

We have an annual tradition of hosting a gingerbread house decorating party with a few families. It's fun for all the kids and is a great holiday tradition to start.
It is quite simple to host. You just buy the gingerbread kits they sell at the grocery store, Michaels, etc and a few extra bags of M&Ms, candy canes or other candies.  Pre-assemble the houses, put out the frosting and bowls of candy and you're all set! If you're not into candy, buy different types of cereal - shredded wheat, fruity cheerios, etc.

 You can get as fancy as you like. If it's little-kid-decorated, it may end up like the one above. The ones below are the Chicago Botanic Garden's versions. Pretty amazing, huh?

Kids Snack - "Snowman" bagels

Kids craft - Hanging ice sculpture

Felt Mitten Garland

Kids Craft - Making a Felt Mitten Garland

Materials Needed:
Different colored scraps of felt
cardboard
scissors
glue
hole punch
piece of yarn


Directions
1. Cut out shape of a mitten on a piece of paper.
(You can use this Template if you want - )
2. Trace the pattern on cardboard and cut out the mitten shapes.
3. Hole punch 2 holes by the wrist of the mitten.
4. Glue dots all over the cardboard mitten.
5. Press scraps of felt over the glue, leaving the holes exposed.
6. Let dry.
7. Cut out any felt pieces that stick out from the mitten shape.
8. String a piece of yarn through the mittens and hang!

How to make a snowflake

There is a great tutorial on how to make a cool paper snowflake on Kerli's site:
http://kerliandanimals.blogspot.com/2009/12/tutorial-how-to-make-lovely-snowflakes.html