DIY gifts: welcome to the Christmas workshop! What shortens the wait for Father Christmas? An afternoon of crafting! Together with your children, you can make beautiful DIY gifts - and increase the anticipation of the festive season even more. Here are a few tips for crafting fun during Advent.
Creative and active: That's why crafting is so funWhen a work of art is created from scissors, paper and craft materials, children feel strong. They can develop their motor skills, practise their language and social skills and have lots of fun in the process. A finished craft project is an achievement that children can be justifiably proud of - especially when the recipient is particularly happy about it!
Off into the forest! Even when nature is in hibernation, you can find plenty of craft materials on a walk in the forest. Branches and twigs, the last nuts and chestnuts or even moss and dried leaves can be used to create beautiful Christmas ideas - for example garlands or a pretty door wreath. To get started with crafting, craft scissors, colours, paper, decorations and age-appropriate craft sets are of course essential.
Decorative Christmas treeEveryone loves Christmas decorations - especially when they are personalised. Unbreakable plastic Christmas tree baubles are easy to paint. Younger children should use finger paints, older children can get started with water-based acrylic paints. To ensure that the artwork on the Christmas tree baubles lasts, prime them with plastic primer before the afternoon of crafting and seal them with clear varnish after painting. Even more creative? Airbrush sets for easy colour application.
Festive decorative pendantsWool is an ideal crafting material. Together with cardboard, craft glue and beads, it can be used to conjure up pretty pendants. Cut out Christmas trees or stars from a thick cardboard and glue the beginning of a ball of wool onto the cardboard. The children can then wrap it tightly around the shape - criss-crossing as they please. Glue the end of the thread in place and decorate the unique piece with beads or other pretty little things. Use a needle to thread a thin thread through the tip and the decoration can be hung up.
(Not) a hard nut to crackA real wooden nutcracker is quite complicated. However, decorative nutcrackers made from toilet rolls are no problem at all. You'll need empty loo rolls, craft paints, paper and glue. You can find numerous templates and inspiration for the traditional nutcracker look online - or you can let your creativity run wild! Santa, reindeer, angels and many other Christmas friends can be made in no time at all.
