The busy holiday season is synonymous with long to-do lists, and chances are that at about this time of year you're starting to pencil in tasks like "buy mom's gift" and "decorate tree." But the season could also be a great chance to get crafty with your kids, and in case you're looking for some inspiration on some easy activities you can do as a family, we've teamed up with Minute Maid and their #doingood campaign to compile simple DIY tree decorations your family will love putting together.
I'll admit that twenty-five years after creating them, the homemade ornaments I made with my mum are still the most satisfying to hang on the tree — and surprisingly they're still in one piece! They certainly weren't complicated, and often involved cotton ball snowmen and hangers made from bent paper clips, but they evoke memories of sitting at the dinner table with my sister and mom, fingers sticky with glue. This year, we're helping Minute Maid spread the valuable message that parents, who often wonder if they're doing a good job, are doing better than they think. Making great holiday memories doesn't require a lot of time, effort, or money, and these ideas may be just the thing to help you and your family make this year's tree the most special one yet!
1. Mason Jar Lid Wreaths
If you can wrap string and tie a bow, you really can't mess these up. The genius base? The lids from those ubiquitous Mason jars. Twine, string, a little ribbon, and you're on your way to these sweet wreaths.
2. Pipe Cleaner Icicles
The perfect Christmas ornament for toddlers that involves two supplies and very little mess. Click over to Happy Hooligans for the simple tutorial - and more tips and tricks for easy crafting with small kiddos.
3. Pinecone Reindeer Ornaments
These pinecone reindeer include our favorite crafting supply - googly eyes! But they can also provide a little extra fresh air activity to do with your kids. First, take a walk in the woods and collect a bag of pinecones, and then sit down with some cocoa and a few crafty supplies to dress them up like reindeer!
4. Snowman Tea Light Ornaments
These tea light snow men will add a little extra sparkle to your tree and involve minimal crafting skills. Just keep an eye on that black permanent marker if your kids are quite little! Hop over to Kid Friendly Things to Do for the simple tutorial.
5. Kids Fingerprint Ornaments
You can pick up blank ceramic ornaments at your local craft store and embellish them with paint pens or permanent markers. We love this idea from The Happier Homemaker - a string of Christmas lights made of your kids' fingerprints!
6. Bottle Cap Snowmen
These adorable bottle cap snowmen involve a little more paint and hot glue, but they'd provide a great bonus lesson in recycling for your children while you let the paint dry!
7. Winter Pinecone Owls
Extra pinecones from your walk in the woods? Make these fuzzy owls with just a little bit of cotton wool and felt. Kids will get a kick out of accessorizing the owls to create different personalities.
8. Borax Icicle Ornaments
These Borax icicles are one part science experiment and one part Christmas craft. If you're more of a scientist than Martha Stewart, Amanda Katherine's tutorial for crystalized icicles is the perfect holiday DIY for you. The extra bonus? The jars you use to create the icicles can be turned into tea light vases that look like they're frosted in ice!
9. Stick Snowflakes
If you can handle a few twigs, paint, hot glue and a little dose of glitter, these snowflakes from A Little Pinch of Perfection are going to be right up your alley. They'll glisten perfectly on your tree!
This post is sponsored by Minute Maid.
Images: Sadie Seasongood, Happy Hooligans, Kids Craft Room, Kid Friendly Things To Do, The Happier Homemaker, One Artsy Mama, Easy Peasy and Fun, Amanda Katherine, A Little Pinch of Perfection.
