by Joanna Fletcher

Created on: December 05, 2009   Last Updated: December 07, 2009

As my son just turned 2, he has no idea what a Christmas craft is all about! These ideas are things he enjoys that have been creatively re-purposed into a stunning Christmas Craft. No scissors needed, but close supervision required as it is going to get messy. Be prepared and you'll have great fun with your kid.

Festive Vases

Supplies:

1. Clear plastic vases or cups

2. Green and red plastic Christmas Tree baubles

3. Silver glitter or Christmas confetti

Choose a vase-and-bauble size combination that allows for at least 5 baubles per vase. Ask your toddler to fill up a vase with baubles. Sprinkle glitter over the top. Doing this with multiple vases creates a surprisingly sophisticated effect and it is very quick and easy. Imagine your child's delight at hearing praise for their decorations for the Christmas table.

Tissue Snowman

Supplies:

1. Box of plain white paper tissues

2. Disposable paper cups

3. Non-toxic glue

4. Bag of baby carrots

5. Chocolate coins/buttons/round wafers

Turn a cup upside down on the table and spread glue all over it. Get your toddler to crumple up tissues and stick them on to the sides of the cup, covering it completely. Crumple 3 or 4 tissues together to stick on to the cup base to make a head. Squish a baby carrot into the centre of the head for a nose (this may encourage your child to eat vegetable noses for many weeks to come). Add chocolate eyes to finish.

Gingerbird Houses

Supplies:

1. Graham Crackers

2. Peanut butter (be mindful of allergies; can be replaced with chocolate spread, honey, jam, cream cheese anything soft, sticky, and wildlife-friendly!)

3. Dried fruit, nuts, and seeds (again, beware allergies! try currants, papaya, pineapple, sultanas, or raisins; peanuts, pine nuts, breakfast cereals, rolled oats, sesame seeds, flaked coconut...the possibilities are endless but present about 5 as toddlers get overwhelmed easily by too many choices!)

4. Hot chocolate for the show

Take three graham crackers and spread peanut butter over them on one side. Place one flat on the table, stick the other two crackers into the peanut butter, and stick the tops of the two upright crackers together to make a roof, peanut butter facing out. You should now have a peanut butter-covered A-frame cabin with a peanut butter garden. Get your toddler to cover this creation with fruit and nuts. Finish with a good sprinkle of sesame seed or coconut snow.

Put whatever your child has not yet eaten out into the garden/balcony and watch the birds/squirrels/possums have a Christmas feast while you sip hot chocolate. Squirting whipped cream and drizzling chocolate syrup on the hot chocolate really makes this a party for toddlers.

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