get crafty with the kids

Before anyone can say “I’m bored,” wow them with a lineup of fun crafts and activities. All it takes is a bit of planning and few key supplies to launch days of fun and creative connection over the holidays.

You have a long gift list. Kids love making gifts. What could go wrong? Um. Lots. These fun and foolproof suggestions have been honed over many years of trial and error.

Hot cocoa in a jar: Layer hot cocoa mix, powdered milk, marshmallows, and crushed candy canes in a mason jar. Affix a festive label and wrap it up with a bow. Be sure to keep a sample or two.

Sugar scrub: Combine granulated sugar, vegetable oil (olive, almond, or anything without a strong odor), and essential oils. Make it fabulous with stickers or custom labels or ribbon.

Framed artwork: Set up an art station—crayons, markers, or colored pencils and heavy paper—and set your kids loose to make a drawing, write a poem, or whatever moves them. Be sure to have them sign it—even if it’s just a scrawl. Add a frame for wall worthiness.

Fairies. Gemstones. Vintage cars. There is a craft kit for every obsession. And the best part is, no one has to hunt down special ingredients or tools. It’s all there, ready to go.

Cooking with kids can be as relaxed or ambitious as you want it to be. Try these simple ideas.

Toddlers: A two-year-old will enjoy standing on a stool at the kitchen counter and mixing just about anything in a bowl with a wooden spoon. They’ll also love handling (and overhandling) a piece of dough on a floured cutting board. This project can last as long as you need it to.

Tweens and teens: With extra time at home, older kids can get into solo experimentation with elaborate recipes. Multilayered cakes. Complex sauces. Ornate entrees. (My family still remembers the time I made beef Wellington at 15. I may not have completely cleaned up after myself.) Look online for “challenging cake recipes” or dig out the old cookbooks.

All ages: Make and decorate sugar cookies. All ages can help mixing the dough, cutting out shapes with cookie cutters, and then laying down the original designs. Do buy enough piping bags for several colors/flavors, and so no one has to take turns. (Trust me on this.)

It doesn’t take much to get kids to perform, and you can set the stage for show-offs with a few easy props.

Toddler variety show: All you need is a sturdy box, a low table, or even a colorful placemat. Their imaginations will fill in the rest. Add costumes, stuffed animals, old hats, and a wooden spoon/microphone and anything is possible.

Dance party: Nominate someone to make the music mix, clear some space, lower the lights and you have yourself a dance party. If you are feeling really extra, add a laser light show. Portable speakers make it easy to take the party anywhere.

Karaoke: We’ve all seen the transformative power of the karaoke machine. There's nothing like watching the little ones groove to the sound of their amplified voices for the first time—or older friends reveal their love of Peaches & Herb.

Since we’re all spending more time at home this year, why not really go to town with the homemade holiday decorations? Here are some easy ideas that even the youngest family members can help with.

Paper snowflakes: This works best with lightweight, square paper, but really, anything will do. Fold the paper in half, diagonally, and then in half again, to make a triangle, and then start experimenting with cuts. Once you have a few snowflakes you love, tape them on the windows or attach string to make Christmas tree ornaments. Search online for tips on cool shapes and cutting strategies.

Gift-wrapped front door. With some holiday wrapping paper, tape, ribbon, and bows, your kids can transform the front door into a giant gift! Who knows, they may even get inspired to decorate the bedroom doors, too.

Sidewalk chalk: Challenge the kids to make your sidewalk or entryway more festive. Give them some colorful chalk and set them loose. If the weather is keeping everyone inside, you can make a giant indoor chalkboard with peel-off chalkboard wallpaper. You may love it so much you’ll never take it down.

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