Craft Jr. » winter crafts

Teen Crafts

Wendy Piersall — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:32:15 +0000

This last holiday season was an eye opener for me as a mom of three crafty kids. This year my oldest started high school. And suddenly, the crafts I had planned to do with the kids weren’t very interesting to her anymore. (On a side note, I sometimes wonder if aliens have taken my daughter and stuck me with a rebellious, cranky replacement).

So lately I’ve been working on finding projects for my teen daughter that are challenging enough for her not to be bored, but easy enough to give her a sense of accomplishment. She is turning into a little seamstress lately, but I’m hoping to widen her horizons with some of the teen-friendly crafts I’ve found below!

12 Crafts for Teens that are Easy But Cool

For more teen crafts, check out these recycled crafts and winter crafts, too.

Kids Winter Crafts

Wendy Piersall — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:23:59 +0000

Winter is the most difficult time of year to live in Chicago. It seems to stretch on for an eternity – we’ve even gotten snow in May! So for days with a house full of kids with cabin fever, I need to be especially creative to keep them busy (and not hitting each other with remote controls). I’ve been enamored lately with my son’s Tony Hawk skateboard video game as a great way to keep them active while indoors. But my girls are more into crafts, so here is a great group of them for kids of all ages.

Preschool Winter Crafts


Preschool Penguin Craft	Rainbow Ice Winter Craft	Preschool Ice Skate Craft	Pinecone Birdfeeder Craft

Winter Crafts for Kids


Sock Puppet	Winter Igloo Craft	Glove Puppets	Lacy Ice Craft

Winter Crafts for Teens & Tweens


Make Fizzie Bath Balls	Felted Sweater Mittens	Easy Felted Slippers	No Sew Slipper Socks

Be sure to check out our awesome Valentine crafts, too!

Olympics Crafts

Wendy Piersall — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 09:45:30 +0000

We here in Chicago were very sad to lose our bid to host the 2016 summer Olympic games, but are excited to know that the Vancouver games are right around the corner! My most favorite event of all the games is women’s figure skating – can’t wait to see what new talent emerges in February!

Olympics Crafts for Kids

Here are four Summer Olympic and Winter Olympic crafts for all Olympic Games:


Olympic Torch Kids Craft	Paper Plate Olympic Rings Craft	Olympic Medals Craft	Olympic Flags Craft for Kids

Vancouver 2010 Olympics Crafts

Have you checked out yet the absolutely adorable Vancouver Olympics Mascots site? Their names are Miga, Quatchi and Sumi, and they are so freaking cute I can hardly stand it!

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Mascots


Vancouver Olympics Craft - Sumi Paper Craft	Vancouver Olympics Craft - Quatchi Paper Craft	Vancouver Olympics Craft - Miga Paper Craft	First Nations Totem Pole Craft

Olympics Party Game

Check out our free winter Olympics bingo game over at Classroom Jr.!

Olympics Bingo Cards

More Olympics Printables

Olympic Medal Count Worksheet

Olympic Word Search

Printable Training Journal

Vancouver Printables and Olympics Activities

You might also like our other summer crafts or winter crafts while you are here, too!

Shop the official NBC Olympics Store for Vancouver apparel, pins, DVDs and more!

Vancouver Olympic Sumi Coin Purse

$6.50

Sumi the animal guardian spirit, is the lovable Vancouver 2010 mascot face featured on this coin purse. Store all of your money in this adorable coin purse, guaranteed to p... [Read more]

Store: NBC Universal Store

Vancouver Olympic Miga Coin Purse

$6.50

Miga the sea bear is the lovable Vancouver 2010 mascot face featured on this coin purse. Store all of your money in this adorable coin purse, guaranteed to put a smile on t... [Read more]

Store: NBC Universal Store

Vancouver Olympic Quatchi Coin Purse

$6.50

Quatchi the sasquatch is the lovable Vancouver 2010 mascot face featured on this coin purse. Store all of your money in this adorable coin purse, guaranteed to put a smile ... [Read more]

Store: NBC Universal Store

Vancouver Olympic Team Rings Bracelet

$5.95

Inspired by the talent and dedication of Team USA, Post No Bills, Inc. created the Official U.S. Olympic Team Rings. This cause-marketing awareness program raised more than... [Read more]

Store: NBC Universal Store

Vancouver Olympic Bandana

$5.95

Show your support with this white Vancouver Olympic bandana featuring the Team USA 2010 logo! [Read more]

Store: NBC Universal Store

Vancouver Olympic Rainbow Hat

$22.00

Support Team USA in the 2010 Olympics with this structured cotton twill hat featuring the Team USA logo on the front. Cap comes in navy with red white and blue trim. ''Team... [Read more]

Store: NBC Universal Store

Vancouver Olympic 2010 Zip Track Jacket

$60.00

Get games ready with this Officially Licensed 100% Polyester interlock compounded fleece jacket. This jacket has a smooth, wetsuit-like feel to it, ensuring you stay warm a... [Read more]

Store: NBC Universal Store

Vancouver Olympic Team USA Splatter T-Shirt

$15.75

Get this Vancouver Team USA Splatter t-shirt to show your support for the USA and 2010 Olympics. Navy. [Read more]

Store: NBC Universal Store

Vancouver Olympic Logo Hoody - White

$31.50

This hoodie is a great way to stay warm while you celebrate the 2010 Winter Olympics. This rugged men s hoodie is made from durable cotton fabric and features an oversized ... [Read more]

Store: NBC Universal Store

Vancouver Olympic Mascot Family Pin

$12.00

The Vancouver Mascots, Sumi, Quatchi and Miga, welcome your family to the 2010 games! Get this collectible pin to celebrate the Winter Olympics! [Read more]

Store: NBC Universal Store

Vancouver Olympic Dual Flags Pin

$8.00

Vancouver Dual Flags Pin [Read more]

Store: NBC Universal Store

Vancouver Olympic 5 Rings Pin

$8.00

Vancouver 5 Rings Pin [Read more]

Store: NBC Universal Store

Vancouver Olympic Miga Aerials Pin

$5.04

Vancouver Miga Aerials Pin [Read more]

Store: NBC Universal Store

Vancouver Olympic Quatchi and Miga Curling Pin

$9.00

Vancouver Quatchi & Miga Curling Pin [Read more]

Store: NBC Universal Store

Vancouver Olympic Sumi Paralympic Cross Country Pin

$8.00

Vancouver Sumi Para Cross Country Pin [Read more]

Store: NBC Universal Store

Snowflake Crafts

Wendy Piersall — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:29:02 +0000

Even in years when I’m not feeling very creative or crafty, somehow we always find the time to make snowflake crafts in our family. My kids are expert paper snowflake makers, and many of our tree ornaments are snowflake crafts. Snowflakes are just so incredibly beautiful and timeless that it’s hard to resist being inspired by them. I know it’s a little early to think about snow (yikes!!), but I don’t have a lot of Christmas and winter crafts posted yet, so I’m trying to get as much of a head start as possible!

Paper Snowflakes


Paper Snowflake Craft	Paper Snowflake Tutorial	Snowflake Mobile	10 Printable Snowflake Templates

Snowflake Crafts for Kids


String Snowflake Craft	Beaded Snowflake Bracelet	Polymer Clay Snowflake Ornaments	Pretty Snowflake Decorations

Pipe Cleaner Snowflakes	Easy Q-Tip Snowflake Craft	Preschool Snowflake Painting	Cute Button Snowflake Ornament

More Winter Crafts

You might also like my paper plate penguin craft, printable snowflake pinwheels or these easy Christmas handprint crafts, too. I also have a lot of Christmas coloring pages over on Animal Jr.!

Standard Craft Punch Shapes-Snowflake

$3.49

Metal blade in plastic body with lever style punch. The bottom has a sliding cover at the cutting edge. Great for scrapbooks greeting card place card confetti bookmarks and... [Read more]

Store: Joann.com

Martha Stewart Crafts - Edge Punch - Embossed Snowflake, BRAND NEW

$15.29

[Read more]

Store: Scrapbook.com

Swell Noel Paper Craft Kit, Snowflakes

$17.88

K&Company Swell Noel Paper Craft Kit, Snowflakes [Read more]

Store: Walmart

Martha Stewart Crafts - Holiday - Craft Punch - Medium - Glacial Snowflake, BRAND NEW

$9.99

Use this fun craft punch to create cute shapes for decorating cards, photo mats, gift packages, and scrapbook pages. The tool stands upright for easy access and storage. [Read more]

Store: Scrapbook.com

Snowflake Box Craft Kit (makes 24)

$25.99

Paint box either silver or electric blue and apply your own unique snowflake. Add glitter glaze and accent with iridescent 3-D paint. Finished box is 5"" in diame... [Read more]

Store: S&S Worldwide

3-In-1 Corner Punch Snowflakes

$6.99

These Fiskars 3 in 1 Photo Corner Punches have an easy grip handle and easy squeeze mechanism making them suitable for experienced and novice crafters even for kids! The de... [Read more]

Store: Joann.com

A2 Embossing Folders-Snowflakes

$3.49

These 4.25'' x 5.5'' embossing folders bring any project to life by adding texture and style. They're just the right size for handmade cards and perfect for scrapbook layouts. [Read more]

Store: Joann.com

Clear Seasonal Stamps-Snowflakes A-Plenty

$6.99

Stamp until your heart's content in fun themes that coordinate with all your craft projects. Make gift wrap they won't want to tear open and cards they'll keep forever. [Read more]

Store: Joann.com

Crystal Stickers 9/Pkg-Snowflakes Multi

$0.89

The ultra clear adhesive used on these crystal stickers lets the "Bling" shine. Great for all kinds of paper crafts including card making scrapbook pages and albu... [Read more]

Store: Joann.com

Medium Paper Shaper - Pop-Up Snowflake

$6.99

Paper Shapers punches are simple to use and gentle on your hands a press of the thumb produces sharp cutout images every time. Each hole puncher is between 1 1/2" to 2... [Read more]

Store: Joann.com

Rubber Stamp -Snowflake

$4.19

Rubber Stamp -Snowflake [Read more]

Store: Joann.com

Quilling Kits-Snowflakes

$8.99

Quilling kits include basic instructions patterns ideas and coordinating quilling paper. [Read more]

Store: Joann.com

Wilton Dimensions Large Snowflake Pan

$23.24

Create beautifully detailed cakes frozen desserts and appetizers. Professional weight cast aluminum for exceptional detail. Premium non-stick surface for easy release and c... [Read more]

Store: Joann.com

Boutique Trims Embellish It Charms Snowflakes Gold 10 pc

$5.49

Embellishing charm trims for any number of projects-memory books, apparel, rubber stamping, candles, jewelry, home decor, greeting cards, wood crafts, needlecrafts and more... [Read more]

Store: CreateForLess

Darice Foamies Stckers Bucket Glitter Snowflake 30gm

$3.79

Darice Foamies Stickers are the perfect way to decorate just about anything from frames to candles to notebooks. Each package is filled with brightly colored shapes that co... [Read more]

Store: CreateForLess

Preschool Christmas Crafts: Paper Plate Penguin

Wendy Piersall — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:44:48 +0000

Penguins are one of my kids’ favorite animals. Whenever we go to the zoo, going to the penguin house is a MUST!

Here’s a really cute Christmas craft of a paper plate penguin that is easy enough for preschoolers to make.

Paper Plate Penguin Preschool Craft

What You Need to Make a Paper Plate Penguin:

Two paper plates
Scissors
Glue
Orange and black paint, crayons or markers
Googly eyes (optional)

How to Make a Paper Plate Penguin:

1. Cut up a paper plate as shown. This craft uses every piece you cut out so don’t throw anything away!

Paper plate penguin craft template

2. Paint the two wings black and the three triangles orange.

3. Paint a black v-shaped ‘hairline’ on the penguin’s head as shown.

4. After the paint has dried, glue the two wings onto the top rim of second paper plate, the big orange triangle onto the penguin face for it’s beak, and the two small orange triangles onto the bottom rim of the plate for it’s feet.

5. Glue two googly eyes above the penguin’s beak, or just color them onto the face if you don’t have any googly eyes laying around.

For more preschool Christmas crafts, try these easy Christmas handprint crafts, or the penguin coloring page in this set of winter bird coloring pages.

Christmas Keepsake Family Plate Craft

Wendy Piersall — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:18:38 +0000

Even though Thanksgiving is still two weeks away, I’m finding that my Christmas crafts are getting a lot of traffic. So for all you early birds, I shall stop with the turkeys and get on with the holiday merriment.

I absolutely love this craft I did last weekend with the family. Technically you could also use it for a Hanukkah craft, too. It was super simple and easy to paint, and took very little time as well. This is the kind of thing that I am going to bring out every year with a warm smile on my face, remembering when our thumbprints were these sizes:

Family Keepsake Plate Craft

What You Need to Make This Christmas Family Plate

Like these Thanksgiving painted plates, all you need are Folk Art Enamel paints in blue, white, orange and extra dark purple (or black), a plain white plate from your local dollar store, and paint brushes. Oh, and thumbs. Make sure you get the Enamel paints, they get baked onto the plate.

How to Paint the Penguin Family Christmas Plate

First, mix the light blue paint together with a tiny bit of blue paint in some white paint. I left them slightly unmixed for the streaked effect in the background. Paint the area shown in the example plate above in light blue. Since it would be hard to get a clean edge by hand, I just left the brush strokes on the outside to transition the painting to the plate.

Next, paint the bottom ‘snow hill’ with straight white paint in a wavy line, then feather the edges like you did for the blue paint.

Next get the family lined up and start painting thumbs! I went from largest to smallest (Dad, Mom, Big Sis, Brother, Little Sis). You do need a generous amount of paint for the thumbprints, but don’t let it glob up on the plate, otherwise it will crack while baking.

Penguin Family Plate Detail

Next, with a small detail paint brush and the dark purple (or black) paint, put two wings, a ‘V’ shaped hairline, and eyes on each penguin. Then dot two feet in place and a tiny triangle for the beak.

I thought the plate looked a little plain at this point, so I dabbed snowflakes randomly all over the background with the white paint. Then I put a ring of dark purple polka dots around the rim and added “2009″ at the bottom. I could have also labeled each penguin with a name, but liked it enough just as is.

Let it dry for about an hour, then bake according to the Enamel paint directions.

You can’t eat off of this plate, but if you cover it with a cute napkin, I’m sure that Santa would LOVE to eat cookies off of it every year! Mine is probably going into a plate holder and onto my mantel.

Be sure to also check out our Christmas recipes, more Christmas crafts, or our huge amount of Christmas coloring pages!

Football Crafts

Wendy Piersall — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:46:20 +0000

These days, our weekends are revolving around when the Bears game is on TV. I personally don’t really like watching the game, but I love hearing football on in the house on fall weekends. It totally gets me in the mood for colder weather. Weird, I know.


Blank Printable Football Helmet	Make a Football Fan Bobblehead	Fun Football Cookies	Football Coloring Pages

Football Team Spirit Pins	Stuffed Paper Footballs	Super Bowl Centerpiece Craft	Football Toilet Paper Roll Craft

Paper Plate Football Craft	Football Door Hangers	Favorite Football Team Scoreboard	Football Pen Holder Craft

You might also like this awesome ‘Find the Footballs’ hidden picture printable from Printables4Kids!

Leap Year Activities and Party Ideas

Wendy Piersall — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 03:54:28 +0000

Do you ever wonder why the people who created our yearly calendar so many centuries ago didn’t just make every year 1/4 day longer? I sure do. Adding a day every four years always seemed a little silly to me. But at least it gives frogs a day to call their own.

Famous Leap Year birthdays and Leap Day events. And here are even more Leap Year games.

Check out the rest of our party crafts and coloring pages while you are here, too!


Easy No Knit Scarf	Easy Friendship Bracelets	No Sew Bikini (Really!)	Make Decorated Journals

Wishbone Necklace	Ribbon Belts	Recycled Jeans Purse	Night Light Recycled Craft

Decoupaged Clothespins	Decoupaged Hangers – via	Glitter Flip Flops	No Sew Fleece Pillows


Frog Paper Plate Craft	Frog Paper Bag Craft	Froggy Catch Game	Musical Lily Pads

Leap Year Coloring Page	Frog and Fly Game	Frog Dominoes	Frog Coloring Pages

Sherbet the Frog Dessert	Frog Cupcakes	Flippin’ Frogs Game	Leap Frog Bingo