Pumpkin Picture Frame - A cute and simple picture frame made from foam to put a fall or Halloween picture in. What a great way to preserve your Halloween memories and to make kids feel special in their costumes!
Candy Corn Pins - A cute little Halloween pin made from fun foam with a pin back. This craft is very easy to do, even for the youngest kids. This one is pretty versatile too... turn it into a necklace or use paper instead of foam.
Ghost Necklace - A cute, but easy way to make a Halloween necklace out of fun foam and pony beads. I saw the original craft in a catalog and then we created our own version.
Halloween Safety Pin Patterns - Creating friendship pins has become very popular for school age kids over the last few years. Here are some designs especially for Halloween... bat, jack-o-lantern, candy corn, and a witch hat.
Fall/Autumn Crafts and Activities
Fall 5 Senses Nature Walk - Autumn is my favorite time of year to go for a nature walk with the kids. There are so many projects that tie into it and so many things to see and talk about that it's a real treat to be outdoors. It is also one of the best times of year to talk about the five senses and explore them outdoors.
Easy Fall Wreath - This Autumn wreath project is so quick and simple, yet it looks really great! This project is ideal for a scout troop project, classroom, or other group. It's so easy that even little kids can do it!
Separate Colors in a Fall Leaf using Chromatography - Fall is a beautiful time of year with all the leaves are changing colors. Children wonder why it happens, so it's a great opportunity to use the power of science to show them the separate leaf colors and to explain how the leaves actually change colors.
Christmas Crafts and Activities
Painted Plastic Ornaments - This ornament may look complicated, but it's really easy and a lot of fun! The project sheet comes complete with a pattern and before and after shots of the plastic. This would make a great group project or gift.
Beaded Angel Ornament - My Grandma used to make my brother and I ornaments each year. It's a tradition that I came to treasure as I got older and I've managed to hang on to all her gift ornaments and still use them on my tree today. This is one of Grandma's ornaments... it still looks good for being 25+ years old.
Cross Stitch Stocking Ornament - This little stocking ornament takes a little time to make, but it makes a great ornament that will last a very long time. I originally made this ornament when I was about twelve at a friend's house.
Polymer Clay Snowflake Votives - This is a wonderful way to turn thrift shop drinking glasses into beautiful Christmas or winter decorations. Use this easy to make candle to spice up a centerpiece or create a soft mood around the Christmas tree.
Pasta Christmas Tree - You'll need a small styrofoam cone, green paint, green and red marker, glitter glue, and several different shapes of dry pasta. Paint the styrofoam cone green and let dry. Use the green marker to color enough pieces of pasta to cover the cone. You can also color some red for berries, or other colors for ornaments. Glue the pasta onto the cone until it is completely filled in. You can embellish it with the glitter glue, tinsel, pom poms, etc. to make it look like a Christmas tree.
You can also do this same craft differently by gluing all the pasta onto the styrofoam cone without coloring it first. After it dries, you spray paint it any color you want (metallic paints work well). Leave it plain for a chic look or have the kids embellish it even more after it dries.
