This time of year gets challenging for pretty much all adults. It’s almost guaranteed that you’re buying gifts for your family and friends, constantly keeping an eye on your schedule to make sure you don’t overbook yourself with holiday parties, celebratory dinners, and cookie swaps, while also trying to manage the normal, everyday things on your plate. And if you’ve got kids – or you’re a teacher – forget it. With Christmas and Hannukah coming up (and, of course Winter Break!) kids are completely checked out and bouncing off the walls in anticipation of presents and vacation.
All of that make this a perfect time to review your trusty list of Winter crafts and treats and plan out some ways to keep the little ones entertained while you carry on being a productive adult. What’s that? You don’t have a list at the ready? Don’t worry – we do! We’ve scoured the Internet and rounded up a list of some of our favorite kid-friendly activities.
(And if you’re looking for some healthy treat options, check out this post over at Positive Health Wellness!)
Snowman Donuts
These treats are great to make with your class or with your snowed-in offspring. You could even help the little ones make them to give to their friends or siblings as gifts. And they’re so easy.
Supplies:
- Individual packs of mini powdered donuts (each pack is 1 snowman, so make sure you purchase enough!)
- Black construction paper
- Black and orange permanent markers
- Ribbons, cut into strips about 4-5 inches long
- Hot glue gun
Directions:
It doesn’t get much easier than this, folks!
First, using the markers draw faces and buttons on the packaging. Then, cut out some top hat shapes from the black construction paper. Using the hot glue gun, affix the top hats to the top of the packaging. Finally, tie the ribbon around the “snowman” between the first and second donuts. You can use a bit of hot glue to hold the ribbons in place as well, if you’d like.
Graham Cracker House
via The Newlywed Pilgrimage
This is a treat that doesn’t require any time in the oven and allows kids to get creative. It’s perfect for doing with an entire class, or one-on-one at home.
Ingredients:
- A variety of candies – gum drops, peppermint swirls, M&Ms, mini candy canes – really the world is your oyster here.
- Frosting (maybe go crazy with some Funfetti!)
- Graham Crackers
- Paper plates (optional)
Directions:
First set the candy out in small containers or bowls to keep everything organized. The original blow – The Newlywed Pilgrimage – had the awesome idea of putting the candies into the individual spaces in a muffin tin. The original site also shows tiny houses made to look like tents – but you could make a full-fledged house with this tutorial. Just remember to put your base crackers on a paper plate so that you don’t wind up unable to move it without breaking it! However, the more complicated your structure, the more difficult it will be to keep it standing up since the frosting probably won’t ever harden completely.
Next up you’ll want to lay down your base crackers and put some frosting along the edges to use as glue. Then build up the walls with the remaining crackers, continuing to use frosting to hold everything together.
Once your basic structure is built, continue using the frosting as glue to attach your decorations!
Oreo Snowman Pops
This treat is one that might be a bit difficult to complete in the classroom (due to needing access to a microwave and a freezer), but would be great to work on during a snow day from school or chilly weekend day!
Ingredients and Supplies:
- 1 package of Double Stuff Oreos
- Melting Chocolate – White
- Black and orange frosting
- Lollipop sticks
- Ribbons (optional)
Directions:
Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds, then pull apart the Oreos. Dip the lollipop stick into the chocolate and drizzle a bit on 1 side of an Oreo to use it as glue. Lay the stick onto the cookie and put the other half of the Oreo back with it’s partner (so that you’ve now created an Oreo lollipop). Put the assembled lollipops into the freezer for 30 minutes to let the chocolate glue completely set.
Remove the Oreos from the freezer and make sure the chocolate is still in its liquid form – if it’s not, pop it back in the microwave for a few seconds. Dip the Oreo completely into the chocolate and spoon it on if necessary. Set it on a piece of parchment paper so that the chocolate will harden. Once the chocolate has hardened sufficiently, use the frosting to draw on a face, and then tie the ribbon around the stick as a scarf. And voila – adorable little snowmen that will be too cute to eat… almost.
If you’re a teacher or a community leader remember that Pay4SchoolStuff.com is a great way to ask parents for assistance! You can set up a form that allows parents to sign-up to volunteer to be present the day of your classroom or group’s holiday party, or that gives parents the opportunity to donate go your classroom fund or sign-up to provide an item themselves. By using Pay4SchoolStuff.com donations will be deposited right into the appropriate account and all sign-up sheets will be saved electronically.
Not using Pay4SchoolStuff.com yet? Check us out online for a demo or give us a call at (877) 397-2937.
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