Turn open after-school time into a creative adventure in a flash
It’s a weekday afternoon between school and whatever practice is on the family calendar. Kill a few minutes with a quick and easy art activity for kids. With minimal supplies and almost zero set-up effort, we promise you won’t be holding back the urge to scream over complicated steps or time commitments. After all, when it comes to crafts, we’re all about less is more (most of the time).
We love this one because there’s no need to wash brushes when the kids are done. You can also use a pencil eraser and stamp pads for even less mess and easier cleanup!
Making tie-dye shirts is a multi-day process, so this activity from Little Bins for Little Hands incorporates all the fun of tie-dying without the hassle. Coffee filters are the perfect canvas to watch colors spread and combine, and they dry out pretty quickly too.
You can make these ice cubes ahead of time and have them ready to go. This art activity for kids is ideal if you have loads of those teeny tiny chalk nubs hanging around the bottom of your art bin. Grind them up, add some water, freeze, and let your child draw her afternoon away.
Ziploc Finger Painting
Shelley Massey
It doesn't get any easier than this, friends. With nothing but a ziplock baggie and paint, you've set your pint-sized Picasso (and yourself) up for endless fun. Another option is to tape the bag to a window or a door so you can see light filter through the designs, or add glitter to bags for extra sparkle.
Clay Finger Paint
Mini Monets and Mommies
You want your creative kid to go wild with rainbow finger paints. Um, but you’re not into the idea of spending your Monday night cleaning Jackson Pollock-esque splatters from the walls. Swap in soft modeling clay for the actual paints. Pull it into pieces and “paint” it onto cardboard. It’s a totally low-mess art activity that lets your little one create a textured "painting."
Reuse those old worksheets, tissue paper, and anything else in a collage. Glue these onto a cardboard base, creating textures and patterns. Kids can practice scissor skills, explore through their senses and create collages that are either abstract or look like “something” real.
If you've got Saran Wrap at home, you're halfway there with this art activity for kids from Buggy and Buddy. Even better, you'll need to leave the paper alone overnight to dry, so there's less chance of a wet mess.
Paintbrushes, who needs them? Not your child. Get some fresh air after school and gather a few natural items. When your child has plenty of pinecones, stems, sticks and other nature-y items ready, paint like Hands On As We Grow did!
Felt Patterns
Cut shapes out of craft felt in different colors. Your child can press the shapes against a full felt sheet to create patterns. Oh, and this one is reusable too.
Foam Prints
Reuse Styrofoam plates or trays. Use a craft stick to ‘draw’ a design, add tempera and press onto a piece of construction paper. Wash the plates and reuse them, making as many prints as your child wants—in different colors. When the prints are dry, add onto them with paint, chalk or markers.
When it comes to crafting with kids, there’s one magical material that always comes through—paper. Whether it’s construction paper, computer paper, or yesterday’s newspaper, your art supply drawer isn’t complete without this particular DIY ingredient. That’s why, from paper painting to garlands and festive hats, we’ve gathered up 33 paper crafts for kids that spotlight this staple supply in a big way.
Kids can get artsy with negative space and fall leaves. If your creative kid wants to keep the leaves they'll remove from her negative space painting, they can always collage them onto another piece of paper or hang them together with yarn to make a garland. Get the full instructions from Mini Monets and Mommies.
This cardboard airplane is a simple way to get your budding aviators up and flying. Let them decorate it with markers, and then the construction is simple. Head over to Hands On As We Grow for details.
Finger Puppets from Wee Gallery
Wee Gallery
How cute are these finger puppets from Wee Gallery? The hardest part will be cutting them all out after the kids color to their heart's content.
Set out enough materials so each kid can paint their own pig! It's very easy, and you probably already have everything you need. We love the easy tutorial from Oh Creative Day.
A 3D rainbow is a perfect and easy St. Patrick's craft. Creative mama Arena of The Nerd’s Wife provides a tutorial even a preschooler can master. Got a kid who likes to mix it up? Tell them to arrange the strips of paper in their own rainbow form.
If your kids are fans of The Little Mermaid, they’ll have a blast making this adorable origami from Pink Stripey Socks. Pop the movie on in the background while you make them, and you’ve got a great afternoon in store.
Who says your crafty kid needs a brush to paint? This paper art activity celebrates spring with a paint print and a fringe of green grass. Learn how to make these cute tulips with Growing Up Gabel’s tutorial.
Take to the skies when you engineer flying dragons. To complete this simple project, you need paper plates, paints or markers and a template designed by Pink Stripey Socks. Print, cut, color and play! If your kids love dragons, check out these other crafts you can make.
We’re obsessed with these transforming ninja stars from What Do We Do All Day?, and chances are your kids will feel the same way. You’ll first make eight parallelograms into a wheel, then push and pull on the sides to turn it into a star. We've got more perfect origami for kids right here.
If you’ve got a budding bookworm in your family, you’ve got to make this adorable project from Easy Peasy and Fun. There’s lots of room for creativity; you can add eyes, teeth, horns... the sky’s the limit.
This warm fireplace from Crafts by Amanda is a homey addition to a dollhouse or a kid's room to make them feel like real grownups (without the fire hazard, of course!). It will be fun for the little ones to search out sticks in the woods or at your local park for their very own mini fireplace!
Upcycle this year's holiday cards, turning them into this year's crafty presents! Follow the directions from Hands On As We Grow and learn how to make these artfully amazing bookmarks. Keep a few of your kiddo's creations for yourself or give them out as holiday gifts.
Get creative and mix things up with this Picasso-inspired collage. Your kiddo can create the perfect plump pumpkin, and then cut it into puzzle-type pieces. Place the rearranged jack o' lantern on a larger piece of paper, creating a cool collage that looks entirely artsy. Get more artsy, spooky paper ideas for Halloween here.
These crafty cardboard and paper bats from Buggy and Buddy are 3D cuties that can hang almost anywhere. Decorate a party table centerpiece with these winged creatures or turn this Halloween craft into an imaginative accent to your fall foliage or floral arrangement.
File this under “coolest idea ever”: origami you can wear! These modular bracelets from Paper Kawaii are so much fun to make and can be made in any color combination or size your little ones desire. And if you like origami, check out these awesome origami projects for kids.
Make sweet sheep with paint, paper and a few of your child’s other favorite art materials. This springtime craft is perfect for preschoolers. And bonus, it’s easy to adapt to your toddler or grade-schooler. Get the details on how to get artsy with DIY stamping from Buggy and Buddy.
Hop to this hat craft that you can make any time of year (not just Easter!). Directions from our friend Alpha Mom call for scissors, one pink marker, and one paper plate. The site offers other great ideas for paper plate hats like decorative crowns and heart hats so check it out. For more great simple and fun hat crafts click here.
We love this jumbo-sized paper airplane the crafty mom behind Fireflies & Mudpies made for only $1! Have the kids decorate the wings before heading outside for an afternoon of flight lessons.
This craft involves a little bit of twist and a little bit of curl. And remember there are many fruits out there that you can jazz the branches up with. Maybe add a bird or a squirrel or two! Check out Creative Jewish Mom for the full low down on how to twist, curl, and create this fun paper bag craft.
This craft from First Palette is fit for the pint-sized royalty in your life. With construction paper, crepe paper, and as much sequin bling as you can find, you'll have a new addition to the dress-up bin.
Paper doll chains are a pretty classic paper craft and we think this one from Mer Mag has a particularly irresistible charm. It's perfect for your aspiring prima ballerina's room decor or next birthday party.
Props to Handmade Charlotte, who came up with this super cute and easy idea for critter-inspired masks. All you need is repurposed paper bags, sharpies, and some imagination to get a house full of wild animals.
For more easy masks that'll transform your day, click here.
This one goes out to all the itty bitty kitty lovers out there. Thanks to A Subtle Revelry, you can whip up a DIY garland that's totally cat-tastic. The shapes and gluing are pretty simple and you can customize colors and whiskers too.
Okay, so this craft is less crafting-with-paper and more make-your-own-paper. It’s an educational combo of art, science, and design and a great way to teach the littles about where paper comes from. Head here to Babble Dabble Do for step-by-step instructions for all kinds of homemade paper.
Here’s something to roar about: an ultra-easy dinosaur hat from Cutting Tiny Bites. It's a great craft for when you need a quick prop for pretend play or a special accessory a dinosaur party.
For nine more dinosaur activities for kids, click here.
Your budding architects will get a kick out of creating their own paper town. After some adult prep (for the x-acto knife steps), this turns into a paper coloring and gluing activity that’s sure to entertain for an afternoon. Snag the free house template at Babble Dabble Do here.
Your teatime will be extra stylish with a DIY newspaper hat. This is a great way to use up old newspapers–and your little miss can go wild with whatever flowery, feathery toppers she wants. Find out more here.
For more fun and easy hat craft ideas for kids, click here.
This idea from Create in the Chaos is one of those deceptively easy crafts. It only needs a few materials, there’s a free printable involved, and we’re willing to bet that your kid will be glad to color away.
This idea from Babble Dabble Do is one part science lesson, one part paper project, and totally amazing. It involves paper flowers that expand in water–mimicking the real-life natural phenomenon. Click here for the full instructions.
From bunny hats to tulip forks, these Easter paper crafts are perfect for springing into your Easter celebration
Your completely creative kid is ready for a paper craft, and you can practically smell the spring in the air. Yup, it’s time to get artsy with Easter paper crafts for kids! We found some of the best, so between bouncing bunnies and fun flowers, there’s definitely an easy art activity here for everyone.
Surprise family, friends, and neighbors with these adorable DIY easter cards with pop-out breaks. An easy-to-make easter paper craft that announces spring is on its way. Simple enough for all ages! Check out The Mad House for the full tutorial.
How about these adorable bunny party hats? Perfect for lightening up Easter lunch, buy some pastel cardstock and head over to the House that Lars Built to get started.
Who says your crafty kid needs a brush to paint? This paper art activity celebrates spring with a paint print and a fringe of green, green, green grass. Learn how to make these oh-so-cute tulips with Growing Up Gabel’s easy tutorial.
Paper crafts don’t always happen on a flat 8x10 piece of cardstock. Nope. Sometimes they’re round, and still other times, they pop off the page. These paper plate bunnies from The Best Ideas for Kids are easy Easter crafts that your littles can transform into stick puppets (add a craft stick to the back). Decorate for the holiday with the bunnies, or use them for hours of pretend play.
Ah, the art of origami. Don’t worry about this Easter craft being too tricky for your young child. With the printable template from Easy Peasy and Fun, your child will fold a sweet spring bunny like a champ. Or at least like a little artist.
Peek-a-boo. Um, wait. Make that peck-a-boo. That’s what the cute chick in this paper card-making activity says. Your crafting kid can give this card to grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, big sis, little bro, or anyone else to whom they want to send a holiday greeting. Get the how-to from Teach Me Mommy.
Make sweet sheep with paint, paper, and a few of your child’s favorite art materials. This spring-time Easter craft is perfect for preschoolers. And as a bonus, it’s easy to adapt to your toddler or grade school kiddo. Get the details on how to get artsy with DIY stamping from Buggy and Buddy.
Doilies don’t just belong under your grandmother’s tea set. Your kid can transform the lux paper lace into a completely cute Easter chick with this creative craft. Check out Crafts on Sea’s tutorial for the full how-to.
Your child can explore and experiment with color, texture, and negative space in this Easter art activity. They can practice scissor skills or keep the fine motor fun going by tearing the tissue. Add glue to a card stock paper cut-out, and you have the recipe for a really cool rainbow rabbit. Get the details on how to make the tissue paper bunny from Mini Monets and Mommies.
Sponge painting might not sound like a paper craft, but… well, it’s not. But this Easter art activity from Buggy and Buddy is actually all about the paper. Learn how to craft a construction paper basket and then have your kiddo continue with the crafting and fill it with ‘eggs’.
Making paper Easter eggs isn’t just artsy, it’s also educational. At least, this activity from Kiddy Charts is. Not only can your kids decorate pretend eggs, but they can use their cute creations as part of a memory-building game!
As if a bunny hat isn’t enough awesomeness for one artsy kid, your little one can also craft a crown that looks like a spring rainbow. Forget about the traditional Easter bonnet. This paper egg carton craft from Having Fun at Home is a creative way to dress up for the holiday.
Easter is a time for bunnies, chicks, chocolate, and spring! Celebrate the season with this flower power tissue paper art activity from Mini Monets and Mommies.
These Easter paper craft eggs are a great way to use up some old tissue paper that doesn't need to go to waste. Find the how-to at Fireflies and Mudpies.
When the rain, rain won’t go away, pull out these things to do on a rainy day
Rainy days are great for splashing in puddles, but eventually you’ll have to come back inside. If you find yourself looking at several hours to fill inside with a toddler, don’t panic. Simply pull out our go-to list of rainy day activities that are always a hit with kids. The best part is that these ideas don’t require a lot of planning and make use of things you probably already have around the house. From building indoor forts to outdoor learning experiences your kids can enjoy (even in the rain), here are 29 things to do on a rainy day with kids.
Rainy Day Activities for Kids & Toddlers
1. Go Swimming: For most parents, the goal is to stay dry on rainy days. Why not do the opposite and go swimming in the bathtub? Throw a swimsuit on your toddler, promise that no one’s hair will be washed, and allow some splashing in the tub.
2. Air Balloon: Keep a few balloons around for a rainy day. When your toddler starts climbing the walls, help them get their energy out by blowing one up and working with them to keep the balloon in the air for as long as possible (also known as “Keepy Uppy” on Bluey). If you want to plan ahead, make things easy on yourself and try a Zuru Bunch O Balloons that are self-sealing and come with a small air pump.
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3. Build a Fort: Rain or shine toddlers love forts! Grab a blanket or take the cushions off the couch and build a fort. Crawl inside to read a book or have a secret snack. A Big Blanket that is really big at 10′ by 10′ makes epic forts in seconds but any blanket or sheet can work!
4. Reuse the Recycling: Dig into the recycling bin and pull out anything usable to create a cardboard box and bubble-wrap masterpiece.
5. Handy Handprints: Those toddler hands and feet get so big so quickly! Use your rainy day at home to make some hand-and-foot prints. As a bonus, you can save these to give to grandparents the next time they visit. To add more interest, turn the handprints into dinos, birds, or trees.
6. Make Tracks: Grab a little flour or rice from the pantry and let your toddler drive their Hot Wheels through the “snow” to create some tracks.
7. Shaving Cream Shenanigans: For an inexpensive activity that will keep your little one busy for a long time, break out the shaving cream. Paint with shaving cream on a cookie sheet or on the shower wall. If you are feeling brave, add a few drops of food coloring.
8. Colander Capers: Work on fine motor skills while passing the time on a rainy day. Grab your colander and whatever you have on hand that fits through the holes. Toddlers love watching spaghetti fall through. Pipe cleaners are great for weaving in and out if your toddler is up for a challenge.
9. Lovely Lava: Homemade volcanos never cease to amaze kids. Grab a cup and throw in some baking soda, squirt in a little dish soap, add in some vinegar, and watch the magic unfold! If you have some food coloring on hand, add some red dye to make your volcano even more realistic. Cover your table with newspaper or put your volcano on a baking sheet for easy clean-up.
10. Pots and Pans: This one isn’t for the faint of heart, but banging on pots and pans always brings toddlers a special kind of joy. Grab some wooden spoons and start a marching band around the living room
11. Launch a Raspberry Attack: Surprise your child by sitting quietly then launching into back-to-back raspberries on their cheeks, feet, and belly. Lots of laughter will ensue!
12. Have a Dance Party: Grab some hairbrushes and queue up the tunes while you and your sidekick sing and dance your hearts out. This is a good one to try just before nap time to tire your little one out.
13. Box Building: Chances are you have a cardboard box sitting around somewhere. Whether it’s a shoebox, an Amazon box, or a refrigerator box, it can be turned into something fabulous. Cut out a couple of flaps and make it into an instant garage for your toddler’s car collection. Or, glue some cut-out triangles on top and make an instant castle.
14. Resist Drawing: Creating a resist drawing is simple but will take some elbow grease. Take any piece of paper and help your toddler cover it with scribbles using every color in the crayon box except black. Then, take the black crayon and completely cover your colorful scribbles. Finally, supervise your child while they use something like a paper clip or sharpened pencil to go over the piece of paper. Only the black crayon on top will disappear revealing the color underneath.
15. Give Their Babies a Bath: It’s possible that your toddler’s dolls and action figures have never had a bath. Fill a large Tupperware container or the sink with warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Then, help your toddler bathe their dolls or action figures. This may keep your tot busy for a surprisingly long amount of time and their toys will sparkle at the end!
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16. Have a Picnic: Rainy days aren’t the obvious time to have a picnic but your children will be delighted to spread out a blanket on the living room floor for a picnic lunch.
17. Reading Marathon: Does your kiddo always ask for one more book? A rainy day trapped inside is the perfect time to say yes to all the books. Grab all of your favorite books and hunker down on the sofa for as long as it takes to get through them all.
18. Hide and Seek: Hide and Seek is a toddler classic. When it’s their turn to hide, add to the fun by making a big deal of not being able to find them. Make sure your hider is within earshot and say things like “Oh no! Grandma is going to be so sad she will never see Jane again!” or “I’m going to have to call Daddy to tell him I lost Sam so he can come home and help me look.” Chances are your toddler will start laughing so hard you will then be able to “find” them.
19. Time to Do the Laundry: Grab the laundry basket and put your toddler inside covered with clothes. Grab a big handful of clothes along with your toddler and pretend to walk to the washing machine to do the laundry. Never put your toddler in the washing machine but you can get close before you realize your mistake in almost washing your toddler with a bunch of dirty socks.
20. Toddler-on-the-Go: Just because it’s raining doesn’t mean your toddler has any less energy than on a sunny day. Ask them to run down the hallway and back while you time them. Then, challenge them to go faster. This is a good activity to try just before naptime to ensure you get a nice, long rainy day break.
21. Crayon sorting: Challenge your little buddy to a color sorting race by taking each color crayon and putting them in a corresponding cup. This is a great opportunity to teach colors and matching while getting your crayon collection organized.
22. Freeze Dance: A spontaneous dance party can be even sillier if you stop the music and make the kids freeze. For even more silliness suggest that your toddler try to stand on one leg or freeze mid-hop.
23. Scavenger Hunt: Hide one of your toddler’s stuffed animals and go on a search throughout the house together. Give clues along the way. Make it a bear hunt or a quest to find a tiger that went missing from the zoo to add a little more interest.
24. Shadow Tracing: Set up a figure like a dinosaur on a white piece of paper and ask your kids to trace its shadow. If there is any sunlight this can easily be done by setting up near a window. If it’s a very gray and dreary rainy day you can create a shadow by placing a flashlight just behind the toy.
25. Stupendous Socks: A pair of balled-up socks can be used for a surprising number of toddler-friendly games. They are safe to use to play catch in the house. Or, use them to play basketball with a plastic cup or laundry basket hoop. Another fun way to use balled-up socks is to roll them down a hallway and try to knock down superheroes or other small toys. If you find that one pair of socks isn’t working, add another pair or two to the ball.
26. How High Can You Go?: Grab all of your blocks, Magna-Tiles, and anything else that can be stacked up. Start building a tower. Then grab a chair for your tot to stand on and keep going. Build as tall a tower as you can, trying to make it all the way up to the ceiling.
27. Write a Book: Ask your toddler to tell you a story. Write no more than one or two sentences on each page then ask your storyteller to illustrate their work. Once you are done, staple the pages together and give the book a place of pride on your bookshelf.
28. Take a Walk Down Memory Lane: Toddlers usually think they are the center of the universe (and they are probably right)! A rainy day is a perfect time to go through baby pictures and the baby book and tell all the stories about when they were born, relive their first steps, and answer any questions about their first two (or three) years. Once that is over show them other family albums, like a wedding album or family reunions from before they were born, and ask them to try to spot important people like Grandma and their cousins.
29. Create a New World: Whether your child is into dinosaurs, princesses, or superheroes, their imaginary world could probably use an upgrade. Grab some construction paper and crayons and draw a prehistoric scene, a castle, or superhero HQ. Tape it to the wall and you have an instant new storyline ready for your toddler to explore. If you have an empty box lying around go a step farther and make a diorama.
When it comes to Game Day parties, guests are focused on three key experiences: watching their favorite team face their opponent, enjoying comedic commercial breaks and, of course, chowing down on amazing food.
If it’s your turn to have friends and family corral around your living room TV this year, you’re likely feeling the pressure of how to deliver exactly that. Toss in having to find all the party supplies you need, creating an impressive food and drink menu and finding games that’ll keep your kiddos entertained throughout the event, and it can feel even more overwhelming.
Although there’s a lot to accomplish in one day, you can tackle the evening with a few simple steps. We’ve turned to the expert at Smithfield Foods for their planning tips on how to host a winning watch party.
Assign the Decorations to Your Kids
Have your children join in on the party preparation by assigning them the task of creating all themed decor. Not only will it keep your children entertained for hours, but it will also allow you the time to focus on the remaining items from your to-do list. Depending on which sports event you’ll be watching, ask your little ones to create construction paper cutouts of footballs and trophies, as well as banners with common scoring phrases like, “Touchdown” and “Slam Dunk.”
If you’d prefer to keep scissors out of the mix (we totally get it!), have your mini Picassos draw and color in their own masterpiece—dedicated to your home team, of course—on a disposable, paper tablecloth. You can spotlight their artwork while also keeping your tables stain-free.
Build a Snack Stadium
With a quick Google search or look at Pinterest, you’ll note that building a true snack stadium from scratch is tough work. You’ll need cardboard, wood or styrofoam for your stadium’s exterior and plenty of time and patience to set it up without it collapsing.
To keep lift levels low and easy, Smithfield Foods recommends grabbing a decorative tablecloth as your base and placing dips, like this jalapeño popper dog dip, the center of your table spread arena. Then surround your field with finger foods and bites for dipping, such as potato chips, nachos, veggies and crackers. Our favorite appetizers that are sure to please guests include these tasty sausage pretzel bites and Italian sausage nachos. Last by not least, your final stadium tier will feature disposable drinks, from canned sodas and water bottles to juice boxes.
Think: Drinks
Parties and drinks are practically synonymous. Create a large batch of one special, sports-themed cocktail to keep your guests happy and don’t forget to give it a clever name, like tailgate tea, sideline sangria or hail Mary margarita.
For an added layer of team spirit, incorporate ingredients into your recipe that’ll allow the hue of your cocktail to match your favorite team’s color. For instance, blue curacao is great to sport the color blue while pineapple juice is great for teams that don yellow.
Play Commercial-Break Games
While we can all agree, commercial breaks are one of the best parts of Game Day, it’s a good idea to incorporate small games that children can participate in. It’ll keep their interest going and get them involved.
A printable Super Bowl bingo allows for several rounds of fun and can even include small prizes for some friendly competition. For more goodies that kids can take home, play pass the helmet. Fill a helmet with candy and small toys and have youngsters pass the helmet around in a circle as music plays in the background. Once the tunes stop, the player holding the helmet can pick a treat.
Hand Out Swag Bags
Who said only kids love goodie bags? Create swag bags that both children and adults can take home filled with sweet treats. For a football viewing party, make your own goody bag that looks just like a football. Grab a pack of small, brown paper bags and cut up pieces of white painter’s tape to create the appearance of football stitches. Then, fill the bag with candy, popcorn or snacks.
In need of more inspiration for your next family meal? Smithfield Foods’ large portfolio of products, including Smithfield® Bacon, Nathan’s Famous® Beef Franks and Eckrich® Smoked Sausage, can meet your household’s needs for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even snack time.
From hearts and lovebugs to flowers and trees, these are all kinds of cute
Spread the love with these easy homemade Valentine’s Day cards perfect for making with babies and toddlers. Each card or keepsake features a unique touch—your kiddo’s thumbprint, handprint, or footprint. So these are frameable pieces you’ll want to save or give to buddies and grandparents. Gather up supplies like construction paper, tempera paint, and washable ink, and you’ll have unique, handmade toddler valentines in no time.
Thumbprint Hearts
Oz Spies
Brush washable tempera paint on your little one’s thumb, and then make two thumbprints, each on an angle, to create the shape of a heart. When the thumbprints dry, write your Valentine’s Day message around the heart. This easy-peasy Valentine will be ready in no time. Because it’s so simple, this Valentine is a perfect activity for playgroup buddies or preschool classmates.
Thumbprint Lovebugs
Oz Spies
Share a little love with a trio of lovebugs. Using washable ink in your little lovebug’s favorite color, help your child make thumbprints on the center of a piece of cardstock or construction paper. When the print dries, use a fine-tipped Sharpie to add legs, antennae and a cheerful smile. Glue on googly eyes for an extra-festive touch. Share these cards with neighborhood buddies or older siblings.
By pairing two thumbprints together and drawing a stem, it’s easy to grow a bundle of flowers on your toddler's valentines cards. With a paintbrush, coat your kiddo’s thumb with washable tempera paint. Add as many brightly colored thumbprints as you’d like, and then use a green marker to add stalks, leaves, and grass. To complete the card, write “I’d pick you any day to be my Valentine” atop the field of thumbprint flowers.
Spell out the word of the day using footprints as the V and a handprint in place of the O. This keepsake-worthy piece makes a perfect Valentine’s Day gift for the people who love your little one best, from grandma to dad. It’s a sweet Valentine to commemorate baby’s first Valentine’s Day. Head over to Hello Wonderful to find out how you can make your own.
Kids who love smearing paint on paper will be delighted to make this fingerpaint heart for Valentine's Day. Cut a heart shape out of paper and use double-sided tape to attach it to the center of another piece of paper. Next, let your budding artist paint all over the paper with their favorite finger paints. When the paint dries, simply peel off the heart shape, and voila! You'll have a brightly colored toddler-created masterpiece with a perfect heart shape in the middle. You can write a Valentine’s Day message in the center of the heart, or add your child’s handprint.
Want to make a cute card with minimal effort? This thumbprint tree is for you. You’ll get an adorable product, and all you need is a few washable ink pads and your little one’s thumb. Just purchase the card, print it on cardstock, and sprinkle thumbprints all over it. It’s the perfect card to send to extended family on Valentine’s Day.
This Chinese New Year is an extra special one, so don’t miss out on the celebrations at one of these family-friendly events in the DMV
Get ready for the bunny puns as we hop into the year of the rabbit! The Chinese Lunar New Year—also known as the Spring Festival—kicks off the first day of the lunisolar year and marks the start of the spring season. It’s 15 straight days of celebrations (from new moon to full moon) and is the most important holiday for many East Asian countries. Get ready for celebratory fanfare as families gather to usher out the old year and welcome a new year of fortune and good luck. For those in the market for extra good fortune, the rabbit is considered to be the luckiest of the 12 zodiac signs. But because you can never be too lucky, we’ve rounded up the best Chinese Lunar New Year events in Washington, DC—from traditional dragon dances to eating lucky meals made of “longevity” noodles—for a very hoppy new year. Bonus: these events are all educational, too!
Chinese Lunar New Year Activities for Kids in Washington, DC
Watch the Chinese Lunar New Year Parade in Chinatown
In celebration of the Zodiac's luckiest animal, the rabbit, this parade will be historically the largest to date. Chinese traditions will be on display including lion dance troupes, traditional costume teams, drum teams and more alongside community groups like the Almas Shriners, the Girl Scouts and even the Washington Wizard's dance team. There is a fireworks finale at 3:45 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library is celebrating the year of the rabbit all month long with a Zodiac-themed reading challenge. Can you read your way through the Chinese zodiac? Pick a book based on one of the twelve Zodiac signs (tiger, dog, rat, dragon, ox, rabbit, snake, goat, pig, horse, rooster and monkey). Get through all 12 signs and you'll receive a prize!
DC Chefs Danny Lee and Scott Drewno, co-owners of CHIKO and Anju, will share family traditions while demonstrating how to cook traditional holiday dishes at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.
Cost: Free Date: Jan. 21 from 1-2 p.m.
1050 Independence Ave SW National Mall Online:si.edu
Explore Chinese and Korean New Year's Traditions at SAAM
Learn about traditions across Chinese and Korean cultures at this annual event featuring performances, hands-on craft projects, an interactive scavenger hunt regional foods and more. A special Lunar New Year menu will be offered in the Courtyard Cafe.
Cost: Free Date: Jan. 28 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
8th and G St. NW Gallery Place/Chinatown Online:si.edu
Chinese Lunar New Year Activities for Kids in Virginia
Buddhist monks were the first to use glowing lanterns in their Lunar celebrations around 50 AD (around the same time it is believed Buddhism arrived in China). To honor Buddha, others adopted this tradition. Today, lanterns represent the symbolic nature of illuminating the future. Stroll through over 10,000 handmade Chinese lanterns at the Winter Lantern Festival in Tysons Corner. In addition to the stunning, larger-than-life lantern displays, there are parent-powered rides, like a steel roller coaster, Instagrammable photo ops on LED swings and live performances.
Cost: $17.99/children; $29.99/adults Dates:Thurs.-Sun., now-Feb. from 5-1- p.m.
Celebrate the year of the rabbit at the largest Lunar New Year festival in the tai-state area! This annual event at the Dulles Expo Center showcases Vietnamese culture and traditions through exhibits, dance performances, arts and crafts and more.
4320 Chantilly Shopping Center Chantilly, Virginia Online:unation.com
Make Lunar New Year Decorations at Oakton Library
Get crafty with Lunar New Year-themed activities at the Oakton Library. Make traditional red envelopes to gift money in, create a money tree to hang the envelopes on and fashion lanterns out of paper. There will also be a traditional lion dance performed by the Taiwan Fun group.
Head to Thomas S. Wootton High School for an educational day of performances, activities and food. Coordinated in partnership with the town, Rockville's Asian Pacific American Taskforce invites the community to celebrate Asian culture during this free annual event.
If you are looking for a lunar celebration that showcases traditions and customs across many East Asian cultures, check out this all-weekend waterfront festival. The weekend lineup includes Chinese shadow puppets, sugar painting, paper cutting, Chinese watercolor painting, red lantern crafts and more.
Spend the day at The Walter Museum for free, hands-on fun. In honor of Lunar New Year, the museum is hosting lion dances, live performances, art workshops and more.
Try out these 14 simple, family-friendly crafts that are perfect for Hanukkah
There’s only so much “Dreidel, Dreidel” a kid can play to celebrate each Hanukkah season. Make the Festival of Lights a little more fun with these easy Hanukkah crafts for kids. From a gold dinosaur menorah and “Menorahs By Mail” to pop-up cards and kindness chains—here are some creative ways to keep your little artists busy all eight nights.
Use all different shades and patterns of blue paper to decorate this Star of David. Take creative license and put your unique flair on this Hanukkah craft! Hang it in a window on a hook or wherever it fits best.
Make this giant menorah to display in a wide window or a big space. Let your kiddos get creative with the decorating. Use any paint colors and even add jewels (or glitter if you are brave) if you'd like.
Make your holiday cards stand out from the rest with this dreidel pop-up card that's way easier to make than it looks! All you need is cardstock paper, scissors, and watercolor paint. Get the simple instructions at Madcrafty on Youtube.
In Judaism, Tikkun Olam means "repairing the world through acts of kindness"—and it's one of the most important Jewish principles. This simple paper chain garland combines Tikkun Olam with the eight nights of Hanukkah—each link of the chain contains a simple act of kindness you and your kids can do each day. Get the instructions (and the free printable) at CoffeeandCarpool.com.
Menorah By Mail
Melissa Heckscher
Got loved ones who celebrate Hanukkah far, far away? We love this idea from Martha Stewart magazine, which lets you send a mailable "menorah" with gifts for all eight nights of Hanukkah. All you need is a business-sized envelope to decorate as the menorah, with eight smaller envelopes to go inside (or make your own envelopes, as we did!). Your kids can put small gifts or sweet messages inside each little envelope.
Is it baby's first Hanukkah? Mark the occasion by letting your little one put his foot down... in clay! These baby handprint and footprint menorahs are easy to make and will work as precious holiday decorations for years to come. Get the easy instructions at ReformJudaism.org.
Epic battle scenes! Death-defying miracles! Dramatic endings! There's a lot to the Hanukkah story that makes it a riveting tale. How about giving your kids the challenge of re-enacting the holiday story with LEGO bricks? That's what this family did one year after a Hanukkah gingerbread house led to a family tradition of LEGO holiday retellings. Get the story—and some inspiration—at Reformjudaism.org.
Menorah Flame Headpiece
Melissa Heckscher
Every little person at your Hanukkah gathering absolutely must wear one of these adorable menorah flame headpieces (Bonus points if you've got exactly nine kids). There are no fancy instructions for this Hanukkah craft: Just cut strips of construction paper and affix a paper flame in the middle. Let your kids decorate their flame—glue and glitter make it really sparkle! Then, staple the strips at the ends according to each child's head size. Light the lights!
Let the kids in on the holiday surprises by asking them to help make these fun party favors. Toilet paper tubes, paint, glitter glue, and tissue paper (plus fun treats for stuffing into the tubes) are all that are needed to make these colorful treats that can be used over and over again. Creative Jewish Mom has step-by-step instructions on how to make them.
What’s better than a Hanukkah gift? One that’s wrapped in special, homemade wrapping paper. Tori Avey has a great idea for a potato-stamped paper that the kids will have as much fun making as they do opening.
Everything is better with glitter! Kids will love constructing their own sparkly menorahs that use silver glitter, gold sequins, and glitter glue! You might be cleaning up stray glitter until long past Hanukkah, but the beauty of these keepsake menorahs will make it worth the mess. Get the instructions from this Creative Jewish Mom.
It won't take much convincing to get kids on board for this craft, which doubles as a delicious dessert. These Hanukkah-themed treats are as yummy as they are adorable. The bite-sized desserts—they're made of just marshmallows, sprinkles, pretzels, and chocolate—are the perfect treat to bring to any Hanukkah party or to serve after dinner at your own special bash. Food blogger Tori Avey has an easy no-bake recipe. *Psst: These little edibles take just a few minutes to prepare.
The Menorasaurus
Melissa Heckscher
Why settle for an ordinary menorah when you can make one that's both a candle holder and a fearsome prehistoric reptile? This DIY "menorasaurus" may look store-bought, but making it is actually easier than you'd think. All you need is some spray paint, a plastic dinosaur, and some hex nuts. Get the instructions (for this and other fun homemade menorahs) here.
Why let the Hanukkah fun stop after the dreidels stop spinning? Bring the menorah into the bathtub with this simple DIY foam bath set. Kids can help cut the shapes from foam boards, but the real fun comes in the tub when they can construct and deconstruct their menorahs, over and over again! Get easy instructions for this Hanukkah craft from Simple Play Ideas.
A pillowcase race is one of our favorite indoor games
Whether the weather is keeping you inside or you’re just not feeling an outing, active play is not only stimulating for the body but it can also boost the brain. From balloon games to literally acting like animals, we’ve found 28 inventive ways to get kids moving indoors and keep their little minds occupied. Check out our favorite indoor games for any time of year.
Active Imagination
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Take the kids on a walk through the forest without leaving the living room. For each prompt, demonstrate a movement while you tell the story out loud. For example:
You are walking down a path in a forest (walk in place).
You see a deer leap across the path (leap!).
You chase after the deer (run in place).
But you trip on a branch and fall (slowly fall in place).
You roll down a hill (roll around on the floor).
You can take this in any direction you want and make it last as long as you need to!
In this scenario, you're going to "plant" your kiddo and watch them grow.
Have your child curl up in a little ball on the floor. If they're small enough, you can carry them to the spot.
Declare you are a gardener, and you are planting the rarest seed.
Tickle their back while you say, "Water, water, water!"
Lightly tap their back while you say, "Sun beats down, sun beats down!"
Now the seed can start to unfurl. "Oh, the seed is reaching through the soil!"
As your child slowly comes to standing, at each stage say things like, "Oh, the leaves are unfurling!" and "Look, there's a flower on the top."
Finally, have your child stretch to the sun.
You can end it there, or you can go and pick the flower, having the kiddos collapse in a giggling heap as you "chop" at their heels.
The Alphabet Workout
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This one takes a bit more prep, but it's super easy to learn and guaranteed to burn off energy in no time. First, you need to associate a specific exercise with letters of the alphabet (example: A, 5 burpees, B, 10 jumping jacks, C, 10 jumps in place). You can repeat exercises, so you don't have to come up with 26 new ones! You can also find a pre-made one, like this one from Leash Your Fitness.
Next, you take turns doing the exercises based on your name. Adjust to kids' ages and fitness levels. For example, you can do middle and last names if the kids need more. Or choose random words. Your heart will be pumping in no time (It makes a great break from work for adults, too.).
Pool Noodle Jousting
Okay, we'll admit this one could be a recipe for trouble among certain siblings, but it's ever so easy and ever so fun! Just be sure to establish rules like no hitting faces, body parts, etc.
All you need are two pool noodles. If the kids are small, you can cut a pool noodle in half.
Choose a few colorful old socks; fill each sock with dry rice, beans, or something similar, and tie the ends together. Place sheets of paper on the floor—with one for each color of the sock. Your child can toss the homemade bean bag onto the corresponding color of paper.
Can your kiddo waddle like a walrus? Walk like a penguin? Gallop like a horse? Call out animal names and watch as your child imitates the creature’s antics.
Fill a balloon, toss it into the air and count how many pats your child can bat the balloon before it falls to the ground. Add another balloon to make the game more challenging.
Balloon Ball
All it takes to play balloon volleyball, baseball, basketball, or hockey is hot air (to blow up the balloons!) and a little ingenuity. Use trash cans on opposite sides of the room as baskets and a simple painter’s tape line to divide the room for a volleyball net. For hockey and baseball, use pool noodles to bat balloons in the air or on the ground.
Balloon Challenge
Blow up as many balloons as you can, and divide them up so roughly half are inside a painter’s tape-made circle and half are outside of it. Then free the kids, challenging one to get as many balloons into the circle while inviting the other to keep out as many as possible. It’s a Ying/Yang situation that’ll wear them out faster than you can say, “nap time!”
Active Indoor Games for Kids
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Mirror Mirror
Take follow the leader to a whole new level. Pretend your child is a mirror and have them imitate your movements—reflection style. Reverse the course and give them a chance to play the role of leader as you mirror them.
Family Freeze
Are you looking for games for kids that don’t require materials, cards, boards or anything else? Try a quick game of freeze. Let the kids run, dance, twirl or move to their beat. Yell, “freeze,” and watch them suddenly turn into statues.
Musical Chairs
Don’t count out the games you played as a child. Set up chairs in your playroom, turn on the tunes, and play a game of musical chairs.
Indoor Hopscotch
A long stretch of wood or tile flooring is all your little ones need to play indoor hopscotch. Lay out the game using painters or washi tape so it won’t stick to your floors. Then off they go, tossing and hopping down the alley until they reach 10. Get more on this sweet idea over at Toddler Approved.
Pillowcase Race
Who doesn’t need an excuse to change the bedsheets? Have the kids stuff themselves into their pillowcases, then send them off down a carpeted hallway or across a room with a rug toward an imaginary finish line. Add in obstacles to make it more challenging and to keep the fun rolling.
Potato Relay
To play this silly game, all you need are buckets, potatoes and kids with a good sense of humor. Set the buckets up at one side of the room. Next, ask each child to carry a potato between their legs (no hands allowed) across the room and plop it in the bucket before turning and running back to tag the next player in line.
Indoor Games for Kids That Like Color
Erica Loop
Paint Race
Who can paint a portrait, landscape or still life the fastest? Choose a subject, hand out the canvases and race to see who can paint their masterpiece the fastest.
Rainbow Race
Add science to your indoor games for youth! Preschoolers and younger kiddos will get a kick out of this fun-filled full “STEAM” -ahead game. Drip a few drops of food coloring into water and freeze colorful cubes. When the ice is ready, place different colors on one side of a piece of poster board paper and race the cubes to see which one melts the fastest—and wins!
Color Wheel Magic
Preschoolers will dig this simple game you can make with construction paper. Place colored papers around on the ground cakewalk style and turn on some music. Then start your crew out around the circle. Whatever color they’re on when the music stops becomes their challenge color, and they need to race through the house to find an object in that color. The first one back to the circle wins!
Indoor Bowling
Gabby Cullen
Put your plastic dixie cup collection to use. Line the bottles up bowling pin-style and use a soft, squishy ball to bowl!
Icy Building Blocks
Erica Loop
No blocks? No problem! Freeze colorful cubes of ice and use them to build skyscrapers in your kitchen. Have a parent-child contest to see who can build the highest tower—without toppling the freezing blocks.
Raid the dress-up bin or pile all your best costumes together. Then call out open-ended prompts your kids can respond to with their clothing choices. Dress up as someone who helps others. Dress up as someone who builds things. Dress up as a hero. Have kids race against each other or set a timer for singletons as they take on this best-dressed challenge.
Cup Flip Fun
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This simple game is a total energy burn. To play, grab 20 paper or plastic cups from the cupboards and scatter them around the room—10 facing up and 10 facing down. Divide your crew into the Up Team and the Down Team before setting a five-minute timer. Once the timer is set, send the teams off to flip cups in their direction (up for Up Team, down for Down Team).
Storybook Show
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Combine two favorite activities into one when you help your kids get their favorite book ready for its stage debut. Think out costumes and dialogue as you prepare them to act out their favorite book for the most approving audience around—you and your parenting partner! It’ll be standing ovations and encore applauses when they’re done.
Family Wrestling Match
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This simple activity pits your kiddo against mom or dad in a battle of physical strength. To play, create a circle using painter’s tape or something that will easily peel off your floors. Make sure it’s big enough to move around in. Plant yourself firmly in the middle before motioning to your sidekick Matrix-style to try and wrestle you out of the circle. Set a timer for each round, or keep it going until you finally get pushed out.
Dance Party
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Host an indoor dance party with a game-filled twist. Turn on your kid's favorite tunes, and dance follow the leader style. The leader twirls, whirls and swirls around the room while everyone else follows.
At-Home Obstacle Course
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Indoor games get an activity boost with this obstacle-filled option. Use all the cardboard delivery boxes in your basement or pile pillows together. Then have your ninja warriors test their skills on the course that gives them a legit reason to climb the furniture.
Scavenger Hunts
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Photo Scavenger Hunt
Make your kids’ day with this simple activity that you can play virtually anywhere. Write a list of random items your kids can find around the house. Then, send them off with your phone to find and snap pictures of each of the items. Make the list as long or as short as you like and change it every time you play.
Color Hunt
Stage a rainbow-filled scavenger hunt at home. Give your child pieces of colorful construction paper and ask them to find something around the house that matches each one.
Looking for good New Year’s party ideas? Ring in 2023 with a festive craft for kids that’s as easy as it is fun. Using basic art supplies (and leftover holiday trimmings), you can help your little party people pop it like it’s hot when it’s time for the 10…9…8…! Find out exactly what you’ll need to create confetti poppers for kids at home, and then plan your menu from our favorite easy appetizers.
Supplies for confetti popper for kids
Paper Rolls (toilet or towel, whichever you have on hand)
Construction Paper and/or wrapping paper in festive colors
Balloons
Ribbon (regular and curling)
Markers
Scissors
Hole Punch (if you don’t have one handy, just cut up the paper)
Using the hole punch (or scissors) create paper confetti using construction paper and leftover holiday wrapping paper in festive colors.
Step Two: Decorate the Popper
Using markers, have your handy helpers decorate their roll. Little doodlers can go festive with stars and fireworks, write fun New Year’s Eve-themed words, or even draw pictures. It's all about creativity!
Tie a knot in the balloon, in the same spot you would if it was full of air. Then, using the scissors, carefully cut off the top of the balloon. Note: If you cut the balloon too close to the knot, there’s won’t be enough at the bottom to lay over the end of the paper roll.
Step Four: Create the Popper
Place the cut balloon on one end of the decorated roll and secure, using the tape. Cut lengths of regular ribbon, and using either hot glue or Elmer’s glue (if using Elmer’s, you’ll have to wait until it’s dry to continue) line the popper where the tape and balloon meet the roll. Once this is complete, cut pieces of curling ribbon and tie them around the knot of the balloon.
Optional Step: Fasten jewels to the thick piece of ribbon using glue. Hot or regular glue will do the trick.
After all the crafty work, let your party people do some popping. Fill the open end of the tube with the confetti, pull down on the balloon knot and release! The confetti will explode everywhere, so be prepared for giggles. You can refill over and over for more New Year’s Eve fun.
