Treehouse TV

Wonder Pets! Badge Tree Topper

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:11:00 GMT

"Save" the best for last. Top your holiday tree with greetings from the Wonder Pets.

Supplies:
Wonder Pets Badge Tree Topper Template
Blue craft foam and/or felt in blue
Yellow craft foam
Red craft glitter felt
Flat dowel, about 8 to 10 in. in length
Green and blue tempera paint (optional)
Clear-drying fabric glue, such as MagicTac

Directions:

Step 1
Print and cut out Wonder Pets Badge Tree Topper template. Trace the shapes onto the corresponding colored felt (as indicated on the printables).

Step 2
Layer and glue the pieces together. Let dry.

Step 3
Meanwhile, paint the bottom of the dowel green so it will blend with your tree. If the reverse side of the topper will be visible, you can paint it blue to disguise the dowel.

Wonder Pets! Christmas Tree Skirt

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:11:00 GMT

Save the Holiday with a tree skirt that depicts the over-sea and under-sea adventures of the Wonder Pets.

Supplies:
Wonder Pets Tree Skirt Template
1 yd. medium blue felt
1 yd. yellow felt
Small amounts of felt in the following colors: White, red glitter, regular red, deep red, deep blue, yellow, white, purple glitter
4 yd. blue braid trim
Large mug or tumbler
Clear-drying fabric glue, such as MagicTac
Fabric scissors
Tracing pencil/pen

Directions:

Step 1
From the blue felt, cut a circle about 32 inches in diameter. Cut out the wave template. Align it with the outer edge of the blue circle and trace. Now cut along the wave shapes and then continue cutting to create a 4-inch-wide circular border.

Step 2
From the yellow felt, cut a circle about 32 inches in diameter.

Step 3
Place the blue border on top of the yellow circle, aligning edges. Glue in place. Let dry.

Step 4
Find the center of your tree skirt. Place a mug or tumbler upside down at the center, and trace it to create a hole for the tree trunk. With fabric scissors, cut from one edge of the skirt in to the marked hole, and then cut out the hole. Reapply glue if any of the edges now lift up.

Step 5
Print and cut out Wonder Pets Tree Skirt template. Trace the shapes onto the corresponding colored felt (as indicated on the printables).

Step 6
Arrange the pieces on the skirt. Glue them in place. Let dry.

Step 7
Turn over the tree skirt. Carefully glue the flat edge of the braided trim to the underside of the skirt, allowing the braid to extend beyond the edge. Let dry. Turn over.

Wonder Pets No-Sew Scarf

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:05:00 GMT

Create a no-sew scarf with an image of Boots. Use felt, our templates, and some fabric glue to get started!

Supplies
Fleece scarf or 1/2 –yd. fleece fabric
Fusible interfacing (optional
Wonder Pets Scarf Template
Scissors
Small felt swatches in navy blue, yellow, and red
Fabric glue (such as Sabo)
Iron

Craft Tip
A fleece scarf, whether handmade or store-bought, is the background for your design. Choose one in a light to medium weight.

Directions
Step 1
Start with a store-bought red fleece scarf or make your own by cutting a 48- to 54-inch piece of fleece about 6 inches wide. For a thicker scarf, iron in fusible interfacing (such as Wonder Under) between two pieces of fleece or stitch them together on a sewing machine.

Step 2
Print the scarf template, cut out the shapes, and set them aside.

Step 3
Following the diagrams on the scarf template, trace the shapes onto felt swatches of designated colors.

Step 4
Arrange and glue the felt shapes together following the image reference on the template. Glue the Wonder Pets badge at one end and the stars at the other end of the scarf. Let the glue dry for about two hours.

Step 5 (optional)
You can use embroidery floss or pearl cotton to add trim; simply stitch two rows of thread along the bottom of the scarf using a long running stitch.

Step 6 (optional)
You can create a colorful border for the scarf by cutting out two 6- by 2-inch pieces of felt, folding them in half lengthwise, and pressing them with an iron set to the low setting. Slip one end of the scarf into one of the folded rectangles and glue it in place. Do the same at the opposite end of the scarf.

Step 7
Press the scarf lightly with an iron on the low setting. For best results, wait a couple of days before ironing the scarf.

Wonder Pets Mittens

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:05:00 GMT

No weather is too cold to prevent kids from saving the day--at least not when they're wearing Wonder-Mittens! Felt and a pair of store-bought mittens are all you need.

Supplies:
Store-bought mittens in red
Small felt swatches in yellow, blue, and red
Fabric glue
Wonder Pets Badge template

Directions:

Step 1
Print and cut out the badge template.

Step 2
Follow the template to cut out two yellow circles, two blue circles, and two red Ws from felt.

Step 3
Glue the yellow circles to the blue circles. Then glue the Ws to the yellow circles.

Step 4
Glue one badge to the rounded tip of each mitten.

Wonder Pets Hat

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:05:00 GMT

Beat the cold and save the day with a hat that you can make without sewing!

Supplies:
Wonder Pets Flyboat template
1/4-yd. red fleece
Small felt swatches in yellow, red, blue, gray, white, and black
Fabric scissors
Clear fabric glue

Directions:

Step 1
Cut the red fleece into a rectangle that measures 13 inches high by the width of your child's head plus 1 inch.

Step 2
Right sides together, fold the fleece in half, aligning the two 13-inch edges. Glue along the inside of these edges, stopping about 4 inches from one end. Dry thoroughly.

Step 3
Just below the glue area, snip in (perpendicular to the seam) about 1/2 inch deep.

Step 4
Turn the hat right side out. Overlap the two unglued edges. Glue in place. Let dry.

Step 5
Roll up the hat from the bottom (about three times) to create a rolled cuff.

Step 6
Print and cut out the flyboat template.

Step 7
Trace the shapes and cut the boat's body, mast, sail, topper, wheels, axles, and badge from the felt.

Step 8
When the hat is dry, place the seam at the back, and glue the flyboat pieces onto the area above the rolled cuff.

Step 9
Cut a short, narrow strip from the red fleece. Gather the top of the hat like a ponytail, and use the strip to tie it tight. Knot. Snip ends close to the knot.

Step 10
Fringe the top of the hat above the tie.

Wonder Pets Christmas Schoolhouse Puppet Theater

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:16:00 GMT

Help your child re-create the Wonder Pets Schoolhouse and start a Wonder-ful Christmas adventure!

Supplies:
Wonder Pets! Schoolhouse Backdrops
Wonder Pets! Puppets
Scissors
Shoe box (grown-up size is recommended)
Glue stick
Tape
Craft sticks (or popsicle sticks, pencils, chopsticks)
Acrylic paint in various colors (optional)

Directions:

Step 1
Print out the seven-page Wonder Pets! Schoolhouse Backdrops to decorate the inside of your shoe box.

Step 2
Help your child cut out the backdrops to fit your box. There are pages of wallpaper, wooden flooring, mat, rooftop, and templates of three pieces of simple 3-D furniture. Use the photo as a guide or mix and match and make your own Max & Ruby Dollhouse!

Step 3
Flatten the shoe box lid, cut it to the height of your shoe box, and bend the board in the middle to create a triangle rooftop. Staple or tape it to the shoe box, then use the printable rooftop pieces to cover up the hollow triangle space between the "roof" and the shoe box.

Step 4
Ask your child to paint the rooftop in black and the outside of the shoe box in red. Draw windows or come up with their own schoolhouse exterior decorations.

Step 5
Print the Wonder Pets! Puppets and help your child cut them out. Glue or tape the characters to craft sticks (or popsicle sticks, pencils, chopsticks) and you've got puppets!

Step 6
Print the Wonder Pets! Puppets and help your child cut them out. Glue or tape the characters to craft sticks (or popsicle sticks, pencils, chopsticks) and you've got puppets!

Dora the Explorer Star Tree Topper

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:49:00 GMT

Top the tree with a delicate snowflake cut from craft foam and embellished with a sparkling gem.

Supplies:
Dora's Star Tree Topper Template
Orange craft foam
Yellow craft foam
Pink craft foam
Red craft glitter felt (board style so it's stiff)
White faux-fur trim
Wiggly eyes in extra-large
Foamie glue
Flat dowel, about 8 to 10 in. in length
Green and white tempera paint (optional)

Directions:

Step 1
Print and cut out Dora's Star Tree Topper template. Trace the shapes onto the corresponding colored foams and felt (as indicated on the printables). From the faux-fur trim, cut a strip to the width of the hat and a round piece for a pom-pom.

Step 2
Glue on the wiggly eyes, eyebrows, and mouth. Then add the hat, trim, and pom-pom. Let dry.

Step 3
Meanwhile, paint the bottom of the dowel green so it will blend with your tree. If the reverse side of the topper will be visible, you can paint it yellow to disguise the dowel.

Dora Christmas Carol Felt Ornament

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:49:00 GMT

Love Christmas? Love Dora? Then celebrate this special holiday season with a yuletide felt ornament that you and your preschooler can make together.

Supplies:
Dora Ornament Templates
White, purple, and dark blue stiff felt sheets (glitter stiff felt are ideal)
Scissors
Decorative edge scissors or pinking shears
Fabric glue
Pink ribbon, or color of your choice
Fabric paints in assorted colors (optional)
Sparkling gems (optional)
Hole punch (optional)

Directions:

Step 1
Print Dora Ornament Templates and cut out three shapes as instructed. Trace them to stiff felt of designated colors.

Step 2
Cut a photo, or our Dora Christmas Carol image, that fits the white frame and glue it to the back of the frame.

Step 3
Glue the purple rectangle on top of the big white shape, then glue the white frame (with image glued to its back) on top of the purple rectangle. Let dry.

Step 4
Cut a few strips from blue felt. Then use pinking shears to create a sawtooth edge along one side. Cut them to fit the frame's length and width and glue them along the frame. If it's easier for you and your kid, instead of cutting, use blue fabric paint to paint the sawtooth edge over the frame.

Step 5
Decorate the frame in various styles. Glue a piece of pink ribbon along the edge of the big white shape. And/or guide your child to decorate the frame with rhinestones, drawings, or handwriting using fabric paints.

Step 6
Poke/punch a hole at the top and the frame is ready to hang on your Christmas tree!

Dora Photo Frame Tree Ornament

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:49:00 GMT

Commemorate this Christmas with a double-sided, glittery, felt photo frame featuring Dora and your little Dora fan! It's easy to make and a great gift for friends and family members!

Supplies:
Stiff glitter felt sheets
Dora Photo Frame Template & Dora Christmas Carol Images
Fabric glue
Colorful ribbon or yarn
Sparkling gems of various colors and shapes
Fabric paints (assorted colors)
Hole punch (optional)

Directions:

Step 1
Print and cut out Dora Photo Frame Template. Trace the frame template to stiff felt of your color choice twice and cut out both shapes from felt. (We picked green and purple stiff glitter felt for our craft.)

If using glitter felt, trace the shape to the wrong side of the felt so the glitter side doesn't show tracing lines.

Step 2
Glue the two felt shapes together. Apply glue only to the edge of the sides and the bottom. Leave out the top to create an opening, through which you can insert the photo later.

Step 3
Decorate the front and back of the frame in various styles. Glue a piece of ribbon or yarn along the inner frame edge on either side. Fabric paints and gem stones would be great choices for kids to decorate free-style.

Step 4
Print and cut out the Dora Christmas Carol Images. Glue the image and your child's photo (4 by 6 inches) back to back. Have your child sign the date. Slip in the double-sided image through the top opening.

Step 5
Poke/punch a hole through both layers at the top of the frame and hang it up. It's a seasonal greeting from both Dora and your little one in one frame!

Boots No-Sew Scarf

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:42:00 GMT

Create a no-sew scarf with an image of Boots. Use felt, our templates, and some fabric glue to get started!

Supplies
Fleece scarf or 1/2 –yd. fleece fabric
Fusible interfacing (optional
Boots Scarf Template
Scissors
Small felt swatches in red, white, pale blue, and pale pink or tan
Fabric glue (such as Sabo)
Fabric paints (assorted colours)
Iron

Craft Tip
A fleece scarf, whether handmade or store-bought, is the background for your design. Choose one in a light to medium weight.

Step 2
Print the scarf template, cut out the shapes, and set them aside.

Step 3
Following the diagrams on the scarf template, trace the shapes onto felt swatches of designated colors.

Step 4
Arrange and glue the felt shapes together following the image reference on the template. Glue Boots' head onto one end of the scarf and draw Boots' facial details with pink/purple, black, and white fabric paint. Glue the red boots onto the other end of the scarf. Let the glue dry for about two hours.

Step 5 (optional)
You can use embroidery floss or pearl cotton to add trim; simply stitch two rows of thread along the bottom of the scarf using a long running stitch.

Step 7
Press the scarf lightly with an iron on the low setting. For best results, wait a couple of days before ironing the scarf.

Craft Tip
Be sure the ink marker is indelible and fabric safe.

Swiper Santa Hat

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:41:00 GMT

He may think he's fooling everyone around him, but those ears give away his secret. It's Swiper, not Santa, coming right down the chimney!

Supplies:
Store-bought Santa hat
Printable ear templates
Orange felt
Pink felt
Cardstock
Fabric glue

Directions:

Step 1
Print the templates and use them to cut out outer ear pieces from the orange felt and inner ear pieces from the pink felt. Also, using the inner ear templates, cut two shapes from cardstock.

Step 2
Glue the pink pieces to the orange pieces, sandwiching the cardstock between. These will reinforce the ears and help them stand up.

Step 3
Cut one slit on each side of the Santa hat. Slip one ear into each slit. Glue in place along the open seam. Let dry.

Ni Hao, Kai-lan Snowflake Tree Topper

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:50:00 GMT

Top the tree with a delicate snowflake cut from craft foam and embellished with a sparkling gem.

Supplies:
Kai-lan's Snowflake Tree Topper template
White craft foam
Blue flower-shaped self-adhesive gem
Flat dowel, about 8 to 10 in. in length
Green and white tempera paint (optional)
Clear-drying fabric glue, such as MagicTac

Directions:

Step 1
Print Kai-lan's Snowflake Tree Topper template. Use it to trace and cut out the snowflake.

Step 2
Stick the gem to its center.

Step 3
Paint the bottom of the dowel green so it will blend with your tree. If the reverse side of the topper will be visible, you can paint it white to disguise the dowel. Glue the dowel to the back of the topper.

Ni Hao, Kai-lan Christmas Tree Skirt

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:50:00 GMT

Let gently falling snowflakes and Kai-lan's holiday smile decorate the floor beneath your tree!

Supplies:
Kai-lan Tree Skirt Template
1 yd. red felt
1 yd. ice blue felt
Small amounts of felt in the following colors: White glitter, tan, brown, black, basic white, medium blue, black, pink
4 yd. super-size white rickrack
6 to 8 blue self-adhesive floral gems
Large mug or tumbler
Clear-drying fabric glue, such as MagicTac
Fabric scissors
Tracing pencil/pen

Directions:

Step 1
From the red felt, cut a circle about 32 inches in diameter. From the ice blue felt, cut a circle about 26 inches in diameter.

Step 2
Center the blue circle on top of the red circle. Glue in place. Let dry.

Step 3
Find the center of your tree skirt. Place a mug or tumbler upside down at the center, and trace it to create a hole for the tree trunk. With fabric scissors, cut from one edge of the skirt in to the marked hole, and then cut out the hole. Reapply glue if any of the edges now lift up.

Step 4
Print and cut out Kai-lan Tree Skirt Template. Trace the shapes onto the corresponding colored felt (as indicated on the printables). Draw Kai-lan's nose and cut the snowflakes from the white-glitter felt.

Step 5
Arrange the pieces on the skirt. Glue them in place. Let dry.

Step 6
Glue on the blue "gems."

Step 7
Turn over the tree skirt. Carefully glue the rickrack to the bottom side of the skirt, allowing the tips of the rickrack to extend beyond the edge. Let dry. Turn over.

Ni Hao, Kai-lan No-Sew Scarf

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:50:00 GMT

Make bundling up more fun with a Kai-lan scarf. Simply make the character-shaped appliquées using the printable template and glue them to a fleece scarf (store-bought or self-made).

Supplies
Fleece scarf or 1/2 –yd. fleece fabric
Fusible interfacing (optional)
Kai-lan Scarf template
Scissors
Felt squares in black, red, brown, beige, and white
Fabric glue (such as Sabo)
Iron
Puffy paint pens (assorted colors)

Craft Tip
A fleece scarf, whether handmade or store-bought, is the background for your design. Choose one in a light to medium weight.

Step 2
Print the scarf template, cut out the shapes, and set them aside.

Step 3
Following the diagrams on the scarf template, trace the shapes onto felt swatches of designated colors.

Step 4
Following the image reference on the template, arrange and glue the felt shapes together. Glue Kai-lan's head at one end and the flower shapes at the other end of the scarf. Let the glue dry for about two hours.

Step 5
Use black puffy paint pen to draw Kai-lan's eyebrows, nose, and to outline Kai-lan's eyes. Use pink puffy paint to draw Kai-lan's tongue. You can use embroidery floss or pearl cotton to add trim; simply stitch two rows of thread along the bottom of the scarf using a long running stitch.

Step 6 (optional)
You can create a colorful border for the scarf by cutting out two 12- by 2-inch pieces of felt, folding them in half lengthwise, and pressing them with a hot iron. Slip one end of the scarf into one of the folded rectangles and glue it in place. Do the same at the opposite end of the scarf.

Step 7
Press the scarf lightly with an iron on the low setting. For best results, follow the ironing directions for the 3-D fabric paint or wait a couple of days before ironing the scarf.

Ni Hao, Kai-lan Mittens

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:49:00 GMT

With these mittens, there's sun even when the snow falls! Felt and a pair of store-bought mittens are all you need.

Supplies:
Store-bought mittens in black
Small felt swatches in yellow, orange and black
Indelible ink fine-tip marker
Fabric glue
Sun template

Directions:

Step 1
Print and cut out the sun template.

Step 2
Follow the template to cut out two suns from yellow felt.

Step 3
Glue the eyes and cheeks to each sun.

Step 4
Glue the eyes and cheeks to each sun.

Step 5
Glue one sun to the rounded end of each mitten.

Ni Hao, Kai-lan Hat

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:47:00 GMT

Say hello to a warmer winter. Create this no-sew hat with fleece and our printable template.

Supplies:
1/4-yd. black fleece
Small felt swatches in yellow, pink, black, and red
Fabric scissors
Fabric glue
Sun template
Black and red fine-tip indelible markers (optional)

Directions:

Step 1
Cut the black fleece into a rectangle that measures about 13 inches high by the width of your child's head plus 1 inch.

Step 2
Right sides together, fold the fleece in half, aligning the two 13-inch edges. Glue along the inside of these edges, stopping about 4 inches from one end. Dry thoroughly.

Step 3
Just below the glue area, snip in (perpendicular to the seam) about 1/2 inch deep.

Step 4
Turn the hat right side out. Overlap the two unglued edges. Glue in place. Let dry.

Step 5
Roll up the hat from the bottom (about three times) to create a rolled cuff.

Step 6
Print and cut out the sun template.

Step 7
Trace the shapes and cut the face and cheeks from the felt. You can cut the eyes and mouth from felt, or you can draw them onto the face piece later with the fine-tip markers.

Step 8
When the hat is dry, place the seam at the back and glue the sun face pieces onto the area above the rolled cuff.

Step 9
Cut a short, narrow strip from the black fleece. Gather the top of the hat like a ponytail, and use the strip to tie it tight. Knot. Snip ends close to the knot.

Step 10
Fringe the top of the hat above the tie.

Pinecone Candle Holder

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:09:00 GMT

Kids collect pinecones and glue them to a plastic lid to create a circle.

Supplies:
Pinecones
Craft glue or museum putty
Plastic lid (such as one from a large yogurt container)
Pillar candle
Ribbon
Cinnamon or nutmeg (optional)
Orange paint (optional)
Orange pom-poms or modeling clay (optional)

Craft Tip
Select pinecones of similar sizes.

Directions:

Step 1
If you'd like to give your arrangement an autumnal scent, let kids sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg over the pinecones and shake off the excess. Or, if you'd like to paint your pinecones, have kids do so now, and let the paint dry completely.

Step 2
One by one, glue or use putty to secure the bases of the pinecones to the plastic lid (it should be upside down). Leave a space in the middle large enough to accommodate the candle. Let the glue dry.

Step 3
If you'd like to add pumpkin-like orange spheres to the tips of the pinecones, do so now. For pom-poms, glue in place and let dry. For modeling clay, roll spheres and then press them onto the pinecone tips. (Make sure they aren't too big, or the pinecones won't stay secured.)

Step 4
Tie a ribbon around the neck of the candle, and place it in the center of the plastic lid.

Craft Tip
Tiny pinecones arranged around the base of a taper candle look great, too.

New Year's Eve Crown

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:09:00 GMT

Get ready to celebrate the New Year in a crown that sparkles. Make it with easy-to-use self-adhesive letters and gems.

Supplies:
Craft foam crown
Self-adhesive gems
Self-adhesive foam letters with glitter

Directions:

Step 1
Add gems to each tip of the crown.

Step 2
Help kids come up with a festive phrase.

Step 3
Spell together, seeking each letter that you need.

Step 4
Add the letters to the crown--and wait for midnight!

Egg-Carton Menorah Craft

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:09:00 GMT

Give your child an active role in decorating for Hanukkah! This easy, safe menorah craft is simply made from an egg carton.

Supplies:
Cardboard egg carton (for 1 dozen eggs)
Scissors
9 craft sticks (assorted colors)
Craft glue
Glitter paint
Flame Templates
Hanukkah Decorative Stickers

Directions:

Step 1
Cut off the egg carton lid and locks, and then cut the egg carton lengthwise into two long 6-cup rows. Trim any rough edges.

Step 2
Set aside one row and cut the other row in half width wise. You'll now have one long row of six egg cups and two small rows of three egg cups each.

Step 3
Turn all the egg cup sections upside down so the open ends are face down on your work surface. Cut a slit in the top of each egg cup just wide enough to slide in a craft stick. (Parents will want to do this part.)

Step 4
Glue the 6-cup row to the end of one of the three cup rows. You'll now have one long row of 9 egg cups, which will be your menorah. You'll also have one row of three egg cups left over. Let the glue dry.

Step 5
To increase the height of the middle candle holder on your menorah, cut apart each of the three unused egg cups and stack them atop the middle egg cup in the menorah.

Step 6
Help your child paint the menorah with glitter paint. If necessary, you may want to apply extra paint over the seam where two sections were glued together.

Step 7
After the paint dries, insert colored craft sticks into each slit.

Step 8
Help your child cut out Hanukkah stickers and use them to decorate the menorah.

Step 9
Print the flame templates and cut out nine flame shapes. When the Festival of Lights begins, have your child glue one flame to a craft stick each day.

Clay Dreidel

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:09:00 GMT

The dreidel game is simply more enjoyable when played with your little one's own art piece

Supplies:
Modeling clay (assorted colors)
Plastic clay modeling tool kit
Clay roller or rolling pin
Dreidel Letters Template
Scissors
1/4-inch wood dowel (optional)
Pyramid clay mold and cube clay mold (optional)

Directions:

Step 1
A few hours before you start making the craft, roll a piece of clay into a stick with a thickness of about 1/4 inch and a length of 2 inches. Allow the stick to dry. This will be the top's handle.

Step 2
Help your child knead a piece of clay into an approximately 1 1/4-inch square cube. Use the same color clay that you chose for the stick.

Step 3
While the clay is still moist, push the pre-made stick into the cube from the center of one side to the center of the opposite side, so it just barely pokes through the bottom.

Step 4
Using the same color clay, have your child knead another cube the same size as the first. Use your finger and thumb to push this cube's top four corners inward toward each other. This will make the top of the cube pointed and will make the cube gradually become shaped more like a rough pyramid.

Step 5
While the clay is still moist, press the square base of the pyramid onto the bottom of the cube.

Step 6
Knead more clay of a different color into a thin layer. Use a clay roller or a rolling pin to smooth out the clay.

Step7
Print the Dreidel Letters template and cut out the letters with scissors. Trace each letter onto the clay layer with a plastic clay knife and cut out the clay letters. Press the letters onto four sides of the dreidel.

Step 8
Wait till the dreidel is dry, and then let the game start!

Craft Tip
For convenience, use a 1/4-inch wooden dowel instead of the clay handle.
To make a perfectly shaped dreidel, use a cube clay mold and a pyramid clay mold. These are available at craft stores.
Make the letters from four different colors of clay or trace the letters onto white clay and paint them when the clay is dry.

Snowflake Curtains

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:09:00 GMT

No snow outside? Create an instant snow day inside! Kids can use doilies or plain white paper to create cutout snowflakes. Then glue them to a clear shower curtain liner cut to fit your window.

Supplies:
Clear shower curtain liner
Scissors
Paper doilies in various sizes, or plain white paper
Craft glue
Wooden dowel
Ribbon, about 1 yd.

Directions:

Step 1
Cut the shower curtain liner to fit the window in which you'll be hanging your instant snow day curtain. (Parents will want to do this part.)

Step 2
You and your child can cut out as many snowflakes as you like. Make big, small, and medium sized ones. If you are using doilies, snip around their edges to make each one look a little different.

Step 3
Lay the shower curtain liner on a flat surface, such as the floor or a large table. Use craft glue to affix the doilies all over the shower curtain liner and let dry.

Step 4
To hang, slip 6-inch lengths of ribbon through the liner's grommet holes, and tie loops through which the dowel can be passed.

Step 5
Suspend the snowflake-covered curtain in a window, using café rod hooks to hold the dowel or lay the dowel on top of an existing curtain rod.

Snow Globe Centerpiece

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:07:00 GMT

This charming snow globe is made with materials you have at home. Use empty jars or votives for the glass, and modeling clay for the snowman.

Supplies:
Modeling clay (such as Crayola Model Magic)
Small paper party plates
White glitter or decorative paper for base (optional)
White craft paint (optional)
Craft glue (optional)
Clear glass or plastic container

Craft Tip
For an unbreakable version of this craft, use a clear plastic container instead of a glass one.

Directions:

Step 1
Start by molding the snowman shape out of modeling clay. Roll white modeling clay into three spheres--each one slightly smaller than the first--but do not stack them yet. To the smallest sphere, add the face, using tiny black specks for the eyes and mouth, and a rolled cone in orange for the nose. For the hat, roll a sphere in black clay and flatten it to create the base of the hat. Roll a tube of black modeling clay and cut it to create the top of the hat. Put the pieces together, and then add the hat to smallest sphere (the head). With black modeling clay, add buttons to the body pieces. Stack the body and head. Roll out a long snake of red and flatten with your fingers. This will be the scarf. Wrap it around the snowman's neck.

Step 2
To make a Christmas tree, roll brown modeling clay into a thick tube and cut off a short piece to make the tree trunk. Roll several green spheres, each one a bit smaller than the next and use your thumb to press down on each circle into a thick disk. Stack the disks, beginning with the largest and ending with the smallest. Roll tiny spheres in various colors to use as ornaments. Press them onto the tree. Press the tree and trunk together. To create a tree skirt, roll out a large sphere in red, and then flatten it out. Press the tree onto the skirt.

Step 3
Place the snowman or tree at the center of the small paper plate. It's a good idea to affix the clay shapes to the plate with more modeling clay or craft glue.

Step 4
To create a snowy environment for your snowman or tree, partially fill the plate with white glitter. Or, if you'd like, you can cut out a piece of decorative reflecting paper and glue it to the bottom of the plate.

Step 5
You can add snowflakes to the clear container by dabbing several dots of white paint all over the container and allowing it to dry.

Step 6
Roll four small spheres of modeling clay and press them onto the edge of the container--to help prevent the container from slipping around on the plate--then lower the glass container over the snowman or tree.

Craft Tip
Hosting a holiday party? Set one of these at each place at the table.

Acorn Aliens

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:57:00 GMT

Encourage your little artist to use her imagination to transform acorns into aliens or "crazy" creatures.

Supplies
1 large acorn
Smaller acorns
Pine needle branches
Leaves
Flowers
Tiny twigs
Feathers
Tiny pinecones
Wiggly eyes

Directions
Begin by deciding whether the acorn will be a face, a body, a nose---or a spaceship! Then add on details, making up creatures as you go along. You'll need a quick-drying glue because the pieces are rather tiny for little hands. You can also use playdough to secure the bits to your acorns.

Hot Mulled Cider

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:48:00 GMT

Make this delicious hot apple-cinnamon drink to warm up cold tummies. Or, whip up a big batch and serve in a punch bowl at holiday gatherings.

Ingredients:
2 cups apple cider
2 cinnamon sticks
1 clove
1 tart apple, cored and sliced

Directions:

Step 1
Bring the cider, cinnamon sticks, and clove to a simmer over medium heat in a small sauce pot. Let the mixture simmer for about 3 minutes.

Step 2
Pour into mugs and add the sliced apples. Have your child carefully garnish each mug with a cinnamon stick.

Snowmen Cookies

treeadmin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:45:00 GMT

Have a decorating party featuring snowmen (and women) cookies! Your little bakers will love using all the decorations--frosting, pretzel sticks, spice drops, and sprinkles.

Supplies:
1 roll (18 oz.) refrigerated sugar-cookie dough
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 bag (12 oz.) white-chocolate chips
2 tbsp. vegetable shortening
2 orange spice drops, cut into quarters
1 can (16 oz.) vanilla frosting
Red and blue paste food coloring
White and pink confetti sprinkles
8 small pretzel sticks
1 tube black decorating frosting

You’ll also need:
2 cookie sheets
Parchment paper
Rolling pin
2 plastic resealable bags

Kitchen Tip:
Make sure the frosting is at room temperature. This will make it much easier to work with.

Directions:

Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2
Knead the cookie dough and the flour on a clean work surface until smooth. (Kids can help with this part.) Divide the dough in half and roll out one piece to a scant 1/4-inch thickness. Help your kids learn about shapes by cutting out and assembling the different parts of the snowmen. Use round cookie cutters of three different sizes for the snowmen bodies (circles) and use scraps of dough to make the hats (squares and rectangles) and snowmen noses (triangles).

Step 3
Transfer the shapes to the sheet pans. Roll any scraps with the remaining dough and continue cutting out shapes until you have eight snowmen.

Step 4
Bake the cookies until golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer them to a wire rack and cool completely.

Step 5
Parents should heat the white-chocolate chips and the shortening in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until just melted. Remove from the heat, but leave the bowl over the pan to keep the chocolate fluid. Carefully dip the cookies to coat just the tops of the snowmen in white chocolate up to their hats. (This is a job for grownups.) Allow the excess chocolate to drip away over the bowl and return the cookies to the sheet pans.

Step 6
Kids can now add the piece of orange spice drop for the nose while the chocolate is still wet. Continue with the remaining cookies. Refrigerate until set, about 5 minutes.

Step 7
Tint half of the vanilla frosting pink and half of the frosting light blue with the paste food color. Spoon each color into a resealable bag.

Step 8
Snip a small corner from the pink-frosting bag and help kids pipe a hat and skirt on four of the cookies. Pipe several pink dots for buttons. Add a white confetti sprinkle to the skirt and hat. Use a dot of frosting to attach the pretzel sticks as arms.

Step 9
Snip a small corner from the blue-frosting bag and help kids pipe on a hat and a vest to the remaining cookies. Add the confetti sprinkles and pretzel sticks. Lastly, pipe the eyes and mouth with the black tube frosting. Let the cookies set for at least 1 hour.

Kitchen Tip
An alternative method for adding the white chocolate mixture to the snowmen is to apply it with a pastry brush.