Easy craft projects

[Doseydots]

I am determined to make this December lovely and try to my teenager dds off their gadgets and out of their bedrooms for an hour or two on a weekend.

I fancy doing some simple crafts on a weekend and wondered if anybody had and simple ideas please ?

Maybe too simple but paper chains made out of fancy wrapping paper?

Could you tempt them into crochet/knitting? Religious or not, you could make a nativity scene together. Or squares for a blanket if you want something easier.

We made some (fake) stained glass ornaments one year that still look pretty good. We just had cheappy kits from hobby craft, but with teens you can get some nicer ones.

Jewellery?

There are loads of things online like wreaths & stockings etc.

Just depends what you think you could tempt them off screens with. Would they look online with you?

I follow Easy Peasy Fun on Facebook who have some brilliant suggestions.

Not all Christmassy, but some that we’ve done and enjoyed:
Book marks made with washi tape and ribbon are very effective domesticallycreative.com/washi-tape-bookmarks/ We also use washi tape round small pringles tins to make pen pots.

Last year we made tin can lanterns and key-rings kidscraftroom.com/homemade-gifts-tin-can-lanterns/
mypoppet.com.au/makes/diy-gift-idea-fun-fruit-keyrings/

We've also made Hama bead bowls meaningfulmama.com/day-202-plastic-perler-bead-bowls.html

Tea light holders theimaginationtree.com/jam-jar-and-tissue-paper-luminaries/

I'd like to try these bath bombs this year www.redtedart.com/bath-bombs-recipe-gifts-kids-can-make/

Also, Mason jar scented candles homestead-and-survival.com/how-to-make-your-own-incredibly-scented-mason-jar-candles/ and jam jar snow globes.

These are fab ideas. You are a lovely bunch!

You could make a wreath, could get them out in the garden gathering supplies and then make a wreath, you can buy a base and florists wire quite cheaply online.

Marble baubles: buy plain ceramic baubles . fill a basin with water and add some oil paint to the water and swirl. The oils float on top and when you dip the baubles make gorgeous marble patterns. Choose 2 colours that combine to make a nice 3rd colour (any more and it can get muddy) and paint a couple of coats of pvc for shine. You can also make lovely papers if you use a wide shallow tray. Very easy and beautiful results.

origami there are loads of tutorials online for wrapping presents and folding napkins. It takes a bit of concentration to “get” it but really satisfying.

Edible ones -

Gingerbread house - use a kit and lots of royal icing and sweets to build a scene. Big chocolate buttons make great roof slates! Jelly tots and mini candy canes are obligatory! If you crush boiled sweets and put a teaspoonful into the windows and bake for a few minutes you can create windows. Put an led tea light inside so it glows from within

Mary Berry stained glass cookies for the Christmas tree.

Get a big block of white fondant and some food colouring and make figurines for a Christmas cake. A sitting teddy bear is an easy one to start with but there are loads of tutorials on you tube. It’s basically play dough really!

@thelegohooverer I was looking at the marble bauble technique but got a bit bewildered with the different options - oil paint, marble paint, spray paint, nail varnish etc. Did regular oil paint work ok for you?

Join Lewis have a Christmas sewing advent calendar which I thought looked cute.

@MarmaladeTeepee I just use regular oil paint thinned a little with white spirits. Works perfectly. But that’s just what I happen to have in the cupboard.

@thelegohooverer that's brilliant, thank you! I'm going to give that a go this year.

Type in yarn bobble hat craft! These are so cute and easy to make. I made a ton last year and placed them on my tree and feature garland...