Mumsnet Talk

with a 3 yr old.

I have no idea where to begin .

Thankyou

go to hobbeycraft we went today there are loads of ideas and cheap stuff (just finished painting boxes for sweets with my just 4 year old girl).

i just bought some pinking shears from hobby craft they were a bit expensive but now i will be able to do lots of cutting while 2yo DS does some sticking on some lovely christmas cards and felt tree decorations.

We have done 5 footprints with paints in shape of Christmas Tree (5 foot Christmas Tree!)

Hands as antlers on reindeer face

Hand as the angels dress and hands the other way up as the wings

Cut out Christmas tree in green card and added baubles as either finger prints or cut out pieces of Christmas paper.

But stuck for ideas this year

5 brown thumb prints in a line. Let them dry. Add red little finger prints onto the tummies.Draw on wings, beak and eyes and you have a row of christmas robins - looks very very cute.

Do teh same for penguins with black and white thumbprints.

I can thoroughly recommend teh Usborne Christmas activity book.

Thankyou , there are some really good ideas here. I shall try some out.

A very unmumsnetty xxx

Get some old Christmas wrapping paper and cut into Christmassy shapes, then stick on folded coloured card. I have been doing this with DS (2) and it has been very popular. We have managed angels, trees, holly leaves and stars. Add glitter if you're feeling strong!

I have planned (but not attempted...) green cut out Christmas trees that DD1 (2.10) can decorate with glitter glue pens while DD2 (16 months) helps by attempting to eat the glue and swallow the lids. Then they'll get stuck onto some black card with maybe a red Christmas tree pot. Then let the kids loose with the gold star stickers and hope that one lands on top of the tree. Friday is D-day, Saturday will see me head to the nearest supermarket to buy more....

I think for a child, it would be an idea to give them for Christmas a kit box with cards and flower press with maybe some easy templates. My daughter got that when she was about 6 and she loved it. She created some lovely cards. You might follow it up with a calligraphy set when she is a bit older. If your child is good with their fingers, it is a must. My daughter spent days and days doing just that. signed vividblossom.

We're going to attempt holly cards, DS1's fingerprints as the berrys, DS2's footprints as the leaves.

Will also be pinching some ides from here, especially like the robin/penguin one, so thanks!

(I hope none of you are related to me, I will be outed as a mumnetter if you recieve one of these cards!)

Usbourne Big Book of Christmas Things to make and do is FAB and has loads of VERY simple but gorgeous ideas.

Is about £6 on Amazon at the moment. Comes with lots of stickers to help decorate although the best ideas don't need extra stickers I find.

Will be a complete investment as there's more advance stuff for when she gets older also Christmas baking for children.

I'm thinking potato print Xmas trees myself.

Though am liking the robins in a line too.