It's our 2nd-last day of our Christmas craft series!

We have another super-simple (but gorgeous) craft for you today!

All you need are some twigs, yarn and glue to make these cheerful and eclectic initial ornaments.

This is a super last-minute craft to squeeze in before the holidays.

Click the link below to check it out!

The post Colourful Yarn and Twig Initial Ornament appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

Young children will find today's craft extra special because the first letter of their name (the most important letter in the world!) is the star of the show.

This one is super-easy, fun and colourful.

Kids will strengthen their fine-motor skills and letter recognition skills while making this delightful initial ornament!

Click the link below to see it and to get the how-to!

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The vibrant colours and falling leaves in our yard have inspired me to make this terrific leaf-matching activity for toddlers and preschoolers.

It's great for teaching kids how to match colours, patterns, shapes and sizes. It will also strengthen fine-motor skills and co-ordination.

It's super-easy easy to make too! I've even included a free leaf-shape printable in case you need it.

Click the link below to check it out! x

The post Leaf Matching Activity for Preschoolers (Printable Included) appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

I have another adorable Halloween craft to share with you.

This one is super-easy and requires very little prep and clean up and just a few basic supplies.

If your kids enjoyed our Cardboard Heart String Art project last year, they'll likely love this one too!

Click the link below to check it out!

The post Cardboard Pumpkin String Art Craft for Kids appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

I wanted to share one of my favourite activities for toddlers and preschoolers with you.

If you have little ones who are just itching to butter their own toast or make their own peanut butter sandwiches, this is such a fun way to teach them how to spread with a knife.

Take it outside and have some fun with it! They'll strengthen their fine motor skills and co-ordinaiton, hone their knife-spreading skills and get some sensory play and structure-building in as well!

Click the link below to check out the fun! xx

The post Teach Kids How to Spread with a Knife with Blocks and Shaving Cream appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

I am completely smitten with this latest art project!

I think it's my favourite art activity for the year.

It's so relaxing, it's pretty much mess-free, and it will keep the kids busy for hours (or even days!)

Plus, the results are just SO CUTE!

Click the link below to check it out! Go! Go!

The post Yarn Painting For Kids (Huichol Style Yarn Art) appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

The craft I'm sharing with you today is perfect, given the circumstances right now.

It's a way that we can show love and kindness to our community, safely from our own homes.

These coat hanger hearts make a fun weaving (or wrapping) craft for kids, and are a creative way to send a message of love out to friends, neighbours and passersby.

Hang them from a tree, in a window or from your front porch or balcony, to share some much-needed love and inspiration with your community. xx

The post Coat Hanger Weaving – Hearts for Hope appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

I'm so excited to share our latest, greatest craft with you!

Tweens and teens will love it, and younger kids can make it with a bit of assistance.

It's a DIY caddy to organize pens, pencils and art supplies. It's bright and colourful and really quick and easy to make.

All you need are some cardboard rolls and yarn!

Quick the link below to check it out! x

The post Yarn-Wrapped Toilet Roll Art Supply Organizer for Kids appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

I'm coming at you today with a post that I'm really excited about.

YARN CRAFTS! Loads of them for kids of all ages!

All you'll need is a ball of yarn, and one or two other supplies that you likely already have on hand.

From simple lacing activities for toddlers to classic yarn crafts for 5-10 year olds, to beginner sewing, weaving and knitting crafts for tweens and teens, this post has all of our favourites.

I hope these ideas will keep your kids busy, learning and happy for hours and hours in the coming days and weeks.

Enjoy! xx

Click the link below to check them all out!

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I just wanted to share another fun and easy St. Patrick's Day craft with you.

Did you see the beaded rainbows we made the other day?

Well, these rainbows are similar, but they're sun catchers, and boy, do they look pretty hanging in the window with the sun streaming through them!

Click the link below to check them out!

The post Beaded Rainbow Sun Catcher Craft for Kids appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

I hope your week is off to a good start!

I just wanted to pop in and share this simple bird feeder craft with you.

If you have stale cereal in the cupboard and some fruit that's past its best, this is such a great way to put it all to good use.

Your little ones will strengthen their fine-motor skills, and they'll feel so good doing this simple act of kindness for the birds and squirrels in your backyard.

Click the link below to check them out!

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I have another adorable Christmas ornament for your kids to make today.

It's SUPER-easy and requires very little prep or clean up!

These pretty initial ornaments are made with just cardboard, yarn and buttons.

They're great for strengthening fine motor skills and co-ordination, and a super way to use up some scrap balls of yarn!

The post Yarn-Wrapped Cardboard Initial Ornaments appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

All you need is a piece of cardboard and a shoelace (or even a piece of yarn), and your kids can practice tying a shoe anywhere, any time, without having to actually put their shoes on!

Click the link below to check it out!

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If you have kids who love LEGO, my friend Sarah, just released her 4th LEGO book featuring 25 space-themed projects your kids can build WITH BRICKS THEY ALREADY HAVE!

And each project is accompanied by an adventure story that kids can expand on with their own imaginations!

For less than the price of a new LEGO set, your kids can make 25 projects the bricks they already own!

Check it out with the link below!

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I'm super-excited to show you our latest project!!

Your kids are going to love it because it's fun, easy, and they can make some truly GORGEOUS projects!

We'll show you how to make a cardboard weaving loom and how to weave a project start to finish, so your kids can make wall art, pot holder, trivets and coasters etc.

If you enjoyed circle weaving as a kid, you'll love this throw-back, and if you've never tried it, you HAVE to!

Click the link below to check out how beautiful it is! GO! GO!

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This is something we've been wanting to try for a while! The hooligans LOVED it!

If you have older kids, you have to give it a try. They can make so many cool things and it's so fun and easy!

All you need is a piece of cardboard and some scraps of yarn!

CLICK the link below to check it out!

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Not only are they great for toddlers and preschoolers, you can use them as a teaching tool for older kids too. And hello... they're so easy to make.

My gang has shown a keen interest in sewing lately, so I used these homemade lacing cards to teach them 4 basic sewing stitches.

They loved them!

Click the link below to check them out!

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Remember spool knitting when you were a kid?

It's the same thing, but we're doing it with a toilet roll tube!

It's so fun and the projects knit up quickly!

Click the link below to check out the awesome bracelets the hooligans made the other day!

I've made another video tutorial to go along with it too! It's in the post. :)

The post French Knitting for Kids (with a Toilet Roll Loom) appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

But not your ordinary snowflakes.

Nooo, these are gorgeous woven snowflakes decked out in shimmering gems and sequins.

They're just so pretty!

Make a bunch for the Christmas tree or hang them in a window.

Your kids will love the process. Wouldn't these look beautiful hanging in your home or classroom?

Check the out with the link below!

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I hope you're ok with me providing you with these daily crafts this month! We always shoot for one ornament per day from December 1 -24th, so hopefully we're inspiring you to do the same.

I like to keep them easy so they're totally do-able - minimal supplies, minimal mess, and this one is a winner.

Great for fine motor development, and look how gorgeous it is!

Click the link below to check it out!

The post Yarn and Twig Star Ornaments for Kids to Make appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

Click the link below to check it out!

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I know it can be challenging to think of theme-based activities in November what with Halloween being behind us and Christmas still being so far ahead.

I wanted to share this idea with you. It's something I do every year here in November, and I leave it set up for weeks.

The kids LOVE it! There's loads of opportunity for learning and exploring, and you can pull it all together in a few minutes, with a few dollar store items or things you already have around the house.

Click on the link below to check it out. Your kids will love it!

The post November Sensory Bin for Toddlers and Preschoolers appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

This reusable activity tray will keep your toddlers and preschoolers busy for hours this winter.

It's a great activity to set out for quiet time or at the beginning of your daycare day every morning.

All you need are a few odds and ends from the craft cupboard, and your kids can "build" a snowman over and over again, changing up the look every time.

It's great for fine motor skills, has a wonderful sensory element to it, and encourages constructive thinking and creativity!

Your little ones will love it!

CLICK the link below to see the details!

The post Build a Snowman Activity Tray for Preschoolers appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

The activity we're sharing today is a great way for preschoolers to learn how to print letters, numbers and their name, and it's a terrific way for older kids to practice writing, math and sight words over the summer.

Bonus: it's mess-free and it will keep the kids busy for ages!

Give it a try today!

Click the link below to see the details.

The post Painting Letters With Water – a Fun, Summer Learning Activity appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

It's a quick and easy project for your older kids to make, and your toddlers and preschoolers will love playing with it.

They'll learn colour order and size order, and they're balancing skills will be challenged as they try to build the perfect rainbow-coloured tower without tipping it over.

Isn't it pretty?!

Click the link below to check it out!

The post Rainbow Stacking Stones – a Balancing Activity for Preschoolers appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

Thought you might like this quick and easy snowflake craft if you're getting creative with the kids this week.

It's super-easy but SO pretty!

This is a great activity for little ones working on their fine-motor skills, and sorting and patterning skills, but older kids will love this one as well.

Your kids can make a bunch for the Christmas tree or to hang in a window at home or in the classroom this winter.

Aren't they beautiful? Click the link below to check them out!

The post Beautiful Pipe Cleaner Snowflakes for Kids to Make appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

Toddlers, preschoolers AND big kids will love this classic art process.

They'll learn a new skill too, if you have them pre-plan and colour-code their designs like we did!

The post Crumpled Tissue Paper Butterfly Craft for Kids appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

You've probably heard of them, but have you made one yet?

If you haven't, oh MY, you are missing out!

They're SO easy to make. You can literally create an amazing bin that will provide your child with hours of learning and entertainment, using items you already have around the house.

I've put together a bit of a SENSORY BIN 101 for you to help you get started.

Today, I'm talking about what a sensory bin is, and the benefits of sensory play (it's so GOOD for your child), and I'm providing you with all kinds of suggestions for containers to use, base materials, tools and instruments, and items to include in your sensory bins.

I'm also suggesting themes, and I've included loads of photos of our most popular sensory bins here in my daycare.

So, if you've never made a sensory bin before, you're in for a treat! You'll be making bins for all occasions in no time. Seriously. They're that easy and addictive to make.

And your child is going to be thrilled! We're talking hours and hours of engaged and focused play and learning here. You have to LOVE that!

Click the link below to find out how easy it is to make the BEST sensory bins your kids. I'm hoping you'll be so inspired that you'll get right to making one today!

The post How to Make the Best Sensory Bins: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

Recently, I had the pleasure of "virtually" meeting Stacie Erfle, a paediatric occupational therapist and author who really knows her stuff when it comes to helping children develop their fine-motor abilities with playful, educational activities.

Stacie offered me a copy of her e-book, Fine Motor ABC (which is also available in print), and I loved it! Not only are the activities in her book fun and easy, they incorporate the alphabet, sign language, rhyming, art, spelling, and gross motor activities as well.

I was so impressed by Fine Motor ABC that I invited Stacie over to my blog to tell us more about it, and to give us a deeper understanding of how and why her targeted activities will benefit your child.

She's here with us today!

Click through on the link below to help me welcome Stacie, and to see for yourself what she has to say!

The post Fine Motor ABC – Alphabet Themed Activities to Help Strengthen Fine Motor Control appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

I mean, am I the only one who goes ga-ga looking at the pictures in this post?

And it's not JUST pretty, this craft taught a lot of different skills, and kept the kids busy for over an hour.

The gang that made these were ages 5-10, and they all LOVED it.

Although it's a perfect Valentine's project, you could tweak it to suit any day of the year.

Have a look, and tell me what you think! I mean it! I need to know that I'm not the only one who gets a little starry-eyed with I look at the photos!

The post Paper Plate Heart Lacing Activity for Kids appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

If you're looking for a cool art project to do with your kids at home, or with your students in art class you'll love this one.

When you see it, it may even take you back to your own childhood. may take you back to your own childhood, but we've put a modern day spin on it.

Using just three supplies: coloured water, paper towel and black paper, the hooligans, ages 4 through 10 made this city skyline silhouette art recently, and the results were beautiful!

It's particularly fun because of the drip-art technique we used to make the backdrops.

And not only are the results beautiful, there's lots of fine-motor development going on with this art activity too!

Check it out through the link below!
This one's great for all ages too.

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While you're enjoying your feast this weekend, we're kicking off our Christmas crafting season!

Don't worry, it won't be ALL Christmas crafts between now and the big day. I'll be sprinkling in non-holiday recipes, crafts and activities too so be sure to open your emails when you get them, to see what we've got going on!

For our first Christmas craft of 2016, we've started with this lovely Christmas tree lacing craft/activity.

It's great for strengthening fine-motor skills and for teaching your child the basics of sewing.

The beads really add a beautiful touch, don't you think?

Check it out through the link below!

Click the link below to see them!

The post Christmas Tree Lacing Activity for Kids (with Paper Plates) appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

Just like I do every year, I'll be sharing all of our best stuff with you here on my blog and Facebook page!

We're kicking things off today with a colourful dream catcher craft that we whipped up for CBC parents!

If your child struggles with bed-time fears, anxieties and bad dreams, you'll want to check it out through the link below.

So glad to be back! I look forward to keeping you inspired with lots of fun and creativity again this year! x

The post Dream Catchers Kids Can Make for a Better Night’s Sleep appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

Remember all the hours you spent weaving these? Well, it's time to pass this classic along to your own kids!

Bust out the red and white yarn, and grab a couple of sticks because we're making God's eye ornaments for Canada Day! They're gorgeous, a super representation of our Canadian flag!

And if you're in the U.S., just add blue yarn for a fun 4th of July ornament!

The post Patriotic God’s Eye Ornament – for Canada Day or Independence Day appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

The kids played for hours with this pretend play perfume factory! They chopped and snipped ingredients from the garden, and used tools and instruments to mix up beautiful potions in gorgeous little bottles.

This activity is so fun, and provides many ways for little ones to develop fine-motor skills, co-ordination and creative and critical thinking.

And it's so easy and inexpensive, you can set this up time after time, all summer long!

They'll never be bored again! Check it out!

The post Pretend Play Perfume Factory Activity for Kids appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

Dig it out!

Today I'm going to show you how we use ours to explore and learn about letters!

The toddlers and preschoolers just love playing with those smooth, slick tiles, and just wait until you see the beautiful and inviting set-up.

It's so simple to set this up for your kids or students!

Check it out!

The post Scrabble Tiles for Learning – Letter Activities for Preschoolers appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

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Not only will the explore colour matching and rainbow order, they'll strengthen their fine motor skills too!

Bonus: All you'll need is a paper plate and a small supply of tissue paper, which likely already have on hand.

Great craft for St. Patrick's Day or any day that you need a bright and colourful craft for home or preschool.

Everyone loves a rainbow, right? Check 'em out!

The post Tissue Paper and Paper Plate Rainbow Craft for Preschoolers appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

It's a fun and creative way for preschoolers to work on letter and number formation, and printing their name. Even toddlers can strengthen their pencil grip while they doodle and draw in a salt tray.

We coloured our salt, but you can leave yours plain if you'd rather. This activity sets up in under a minute, and will provide hours of fun and learning.

Make designs, print letters, doodle and draw, and then shake it clean and start all over again!

Have a look! You and your preschoolers are going to love this one!

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These yarn dolls are SO cute, and great for developing fine motor skills and wrapping and winding skills.

I made a bunch with the 3's one morning, and then after school, I showed them to Miss 8. She LOVED them, and made one after another after another. And what did she ask to do the next time she was here? She wanted to make more craft stick dolls!

They're just too cute and fun!! Check them out!

The post Popsicle Stick Dolls for Kids to Make appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

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Weaving is a terrific way to strengthen fine motor skills and co-ordination too! Trust me, even my big kid was challenged by this one a wee bit.

The nice thing about it is it doesn't matter how the kids do it, it's going to look great, making it a super project for all ages.

We jazzed our finished project up with a bit of paint, and they look just darling! Wouldn't you agree?

The post Paper Plate Yarn Weaving Activity for Kids appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

You can use these twig stars on a Christmas tree or a mantel or even hang them out on a patio or deck.

There's lots of fine motor development going on here too!

Check them out! I think you'll love them. :)

The post Twig and Raffia Star Ornaments for Kids to Make appeared first on Happy Hooligans.

This actually didn't even start out as an ornament. We were just doing this as a fine motor activity.

It occurred to me, when we were finished, that we could bend them and shape them, and hang them on the Christmas tree!

FYI: be prepared for some snacking while you're making these. They can never resist. Hee hee

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