Happy Holidays, everyone!

I realize that although winter break may seem like a good opportunity to do some art projects with your kids, it's also a time when you have a myriad of things to get done.  So you might not have the time or patience to get crafty with your kids.  Let me remind you of one of the true benefits of getting your kids interested in arts & crafts:  sometimes, they can occupy themselves.  Let them have some creative time while you clean, bake, wrap, or whatever it is that you need to do in these last couple of days before the holiday.  Here are a few ideas.  (You decide what it really age-appropriate for your kids, but the idea is to give them some simple materials and open-ended possibilites.)

--Just drawing:  My very favorite activity.  Give them some crayons and a big stack of paper.  Tell them to think about the holiday, draw winter, draw snow, or something like that.  See what they come up with.  I bet you'll love it.

--Easy gifts:  I had a stack of paper strips about 2" x 11" left over from the holiday cards we made.  I gave a bunch to my daughter and suggested that they might make nice bookmarks.  She loved the idea and made a few for herself as well as one for every family member we will see during the holidays.  She wrote their names on the front ad drew a picture of them on the back.  She asked a lot of questions like, "What color eyes does she have?" and "What color shirt do you think she'd like to wear?"  It was a nice activity for her, and I can't wait to see her present them to everyone on Christmas.

--Ornaments:  Same stack of paper stips, different purpose.  My daughter thought of this on her own.  She cut the paper into shorter rectangles, made holes all around the edges with a hole punch (which are really relatively safe even for pre-schoolers), drew a design and looped a scrap piece of ribbon through one of the holes.  I love having this ornament that is completely her own, not made from some craft kit or recipe (not that craft recipes are all bad!)

--Placecards:   If you are having a "kids table" at your holiday gathering, perhaps your kids would like to make the placecards.  Let them trace a cookie cutter shape onto paper (star, gingerbread man, or some other festive shape), then cut it out and decorate it.  If they're not so scissors-savvy, you can cut it out for them after they've decorated it.  Let them make many and use the extras for gift tags, decorations, or ornaments.

I hope this helps.  Have a crafty holiday!