Frugal Family Fun Blog » Winter

Puffy Snowflake Paintings

Valerie — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:42:05 +0000

Do you love painting projects, but are too impatient to wait for the paint to dry?? These puffy snowflake paintings are a fun open-ended art project that is simple and quick to do — with only 30 seconds drying time!

I love how each one is completely unique, and the kiddos had SO much FUN making painting after painting, experimenting with layers of texture and color!

Inspired by this post at Play at Home, we made our own microwave puffy paint. Here’s how to make your own:

In a bowl, mix equal parts salt and self-rising flour

Add a few drops of food coloring (optional, especially for snow designs.)

Next, add enough water to make it the consistency of pancake batter. Pour into empty dishwashing soap bottles (or something similar).

Invite your child to join in some puffy painting fun!!! (Use thick card stock paper.)

Yay!! But wait –

…there’s more! Place your child’s painting in the microwave for 30 seconds on high (microwave times will vary, of course.) and *poof* — Paint is dry and super-puffy!

Have fun!!

5 Art and Craft Projects to Celebrate Winter

Valerie — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:50:17 +0000

Looking for some fun crafts to celebrate Winter? Need a few good cures for cabin fever?? Here are some of our favorite “go-to” projects to bring some snowy fun to your day!

1. Winter Tree Silhouette — Featured in the latest issue of Create with Me magazine (a BEAUTIFUL publication), this is one of Emily’s favorite watercolor projects. Simple, and with stunning results!

2. Easy Icicle Craft — Super-simple, very frugal, and lots of fun!!

3. Winter Window Display — No snow where you live? This Winter window display can help!

4. Easy Lacy Snowflakes – Beautiful!!

5. Snow Garland — Make a festive garland with reinforcement stickers and string. Added bonus — if there is a slight breeze, it looks like it’s snowing!

Have fun!!

Wordless Wednesday — Icy Ornaments

Valerie — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:20:28 +0000

I’ve added this post to:

Outdoor Play Party @ Mama Pea Pod

10 Winter Crafts & Activities for Tots

Valerie — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 02:03:50 +0000

1. Set up an “ice cream” shop for hours of pretend play fun!

2. Craft up some shiny snowflake mosaics.

3. Make your own indoor blizzard!

4. Decorate a Christmas tree craft.

5. Go ice skating in your living room. (slippery, but LOTS of fun!)

6. Design a beautiful sun catcher.

7. Paint some festive wrapping paper!

8. Snack on some CUTE and tasty marshmallow snowman treats.

9. Create (and play with) your own pine forest playscape!

10. Paint a candy cane (with the help of some masking tape for perfect stripes). Extra bonus points for painting in your pajamas!

Have fun!!

I’ve added this post to:
Kids Get Crafty @ Red Ted Art

Marbled Ceramic Ornaments

Valerie — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:24:57 +0000

The girls have been busy crafting all kinds of festive gifts for family and friends this holiday season!! This afternoon, we painted ceramic ornaments using the same marbled-painting technique we used on paper here. They had so much fun with this!

Instead of placing a sheet of paper on top of the paint, they placed a plain (and inexpensive) ceramic ornament from the craft store. They love to use lots of bright and cheery colors!!

Once the ornaments were dry, Emily added some of the details with a bit of acrylic paint and a paintbrush.

I love how each one of these ornaments is completely unique, and the kiddos were able to do this with very little help from me.

I plan to add “To:” and “From:” on the back so these can double as gift tags! Fun!!

5 Totally Awesome Stocking Stuffers to Make

Valerie — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 04:52:38 +0000

Please give a warm welcome to Stacy from Kids Stuff World (who is totally awesome) as our newest Pinterest contributor!! Stacy’s been on the look out for amazing stocking stuffer ideas from around the web to share, and here are five of my favorites:
1. Christmas Crayons — Made by recycling old, broken crayons. Get the how-to at Sew Totally Smitten.

2. Bottle Top Stampers — Super easy and quick to make! See the full tutorial at Vanessa’s Values.

3. Gingerbread Play Dough — See The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle for the recipe (and more adorable photos!).

4. DIY Scratch Off Tickets — to redeem for fun outings and activities! See the full tutorial by my lovely and talented friend Amy at Teach Mama!

5. “Sandpaper” Letter Set — From our own little bloggy blog, these “sandpaper” letters are quick, easy, and very frugal to make!

There are lots more ideas for stocking stuffers in our Holiday Stocking Stuffers Pinterest board — ((Thank you, Stacy!!)