Christmas activities Crafts and Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers to Tweens Thu, 24 Mar 2022 15:16:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.1 https://happyhooligans.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/cropped-HH-transparent-icon-512x512-1-32x32.png Christmas activities 32 32 Pringles Can “Santa-scope” https://happyhooligans.ca/pringles-can-santa-scope/ https://happyhooligans.ca/pringles-can-santa-scope/#comments Thu, 16 Dec 2021 12:57:00 +0000 https://happyhooligans.ca/?p=43523 Hey, Lovely!

Do your kids love to watch the sky for Santa on Christmas Eve?

If so, you will LOVE this easy craft!

Kids can turn a Pringles can or any cardboard tube into a fun and festive telescope to watch the skies for Santa with!

We call this "Operations Santa Watch".

Isn't it the cutest ever?!

What an easy way to make Christmas Eve more special and memorable!

Click the link below to check it out!

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Gingerbread Crafts for Kids (Non-Candy Ideas) https://happyhooligans.ca/gingerbread-crafts-for-kids/ https://happyhooligans.ca/gingerbread-crafts-for-kids/#comments Tue, 10 Dec 2019 12:50:00 +0000 https://happyhooligans.ca/?p=31283 These gingerbread crafts are all easy and adorable, and HOORAY, they're all candy-free.

They're perfect for home or the classroom and there's something here for every age, toddler through tween.

Click the link below to see them all!

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7 Cute Alternatives to the Elf on the Shelf https://happyhooligans.ca/7-alternatives-elf-shelf/ https://happyhooligans.ca/7-alternatives-elf-shelf/#comments Wed, 06 Nov 2019 07:47:26 +0000 https://happyhooligans.ca/?p=17507 Hey, Lovelies!

If you're looking for a fun way to count down the days to Christmas with your kids, but you find the Elf on the Shelf thing a little creepy, you'll love these ideas!

I have 7 fab alternatives to Elf on the Shelf that make the month of December fun and meaningful for your family and none of them require that little elf.

In particular, I love #7. It's what I did for years with my boys, and they still talk about how exciting and special it was. Bonus: it really helps kids who can't handle the anxiety of waiting in those last few days before Christmas.

Click the link below to check them all out!

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Christmas Sprinkles Writing Tray Activity for Kids https://happyhooligans.ca/christmas-sprinkles-writing-tray-activity-kids/ https://happyhooligans.ca/christmas-sprinkles-writing-tray-activity-kids/#comments Tue, 11 Dec 2018 15:15:18 +0000 https://happyhooligans.ca/?p=34612 Here's a fun pre-writing activity for toddlers and preschoolers, and a great way to use up the leftover sprinkles from your Christmas baking!

Click the link below to check it out!

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Best Nativity Sets for Kids {They’re Made for Play!} https://happyhooligans.ca/21-fun-nativity-sets-for-kids-made-for-play/ https://happyhooligans.ca/21-fun-nativity-sets-for-kids-made-for-play/#respond Tue, 27 Nov 2018 20:54:49 +0000 https://happyhooligans.ca/?p=34161 Guys! If your kids love playing with nativity sets as much as mine do, you'll LOVE this!

I've rounded up 21 awesome, fun and engaging nativity sets made especially with kids in mind.

They're meant to be touched and rearranged and they'll last for years! Many can double as an advent activity at home or in the classroom when you give your kids one piece per day, finishing with baby Jesus on Christmas Day.

There are so many wonderful ways for kids to learn about the true meaning of Christmas and the nativity story with the buildable sets, wooden blocks, puzzles, quiet books (and MORE!) in this collection!

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Nativity Sensory Bin for Toddlers and Preschoolers https://happyhooligans.ca/nativity-sensory-bin/ https://happyhooligans.ca/nativity-sensory-bin/#comments Mon, 19 Nov 2018 19:37:14 +0000 https://happyhooligans.ca/?p=1674 A Nativity Sensory Bin is easy to make and a wonderful Christmas activity for toddlers and preschoolers play with at home, daycare or preschool. I really enjoy coming up with fun activities for the toddlers and preschoolers in my daycare at Christmas time. The hooligans love digging their hands into a sensory bin, so I recently...

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Santa’s Magic Key – with Printable Poem https://happyhooligans.ca/santas-magic-key-with-poem/ https://happyhooligans.ca/santas-magic-key-with-poem/#respond Tue, 19 Dec 2017 05:33:56 +0000 https://happyhooligans.ca/?p=31449 How does Santa get in if your home doesn't have a chimney or fireplace?

With a magic key , of course!

It's fun and easy to make, and the perfect solution for homes that don't have an obvious entry point for the big guy in red.

Make our Santa key for your kids to hang on the front door on Christmas Eve.

With Santa's magic touch, it will turn your lock so he can let himself in.

There's a free printable poem to go along with your key too!

Click the link to see how to make your key and to get your poem!

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Paint Stick Santa Craft for Kids (with Paint Sticks and Yarn) https://happyhooligans.ca/paint-stick-santa-craft-kids/ https://happyhooligans.ca/paint-stick-santa-craft-kids/#respond Fri, 08 Dec 2017 07:20:59 +0000 https://happyhooligans.ca/?p=31375 Eeek! We've been dying to share our latest Christmas craft with you!

It's ADORABLE!

We made these craft stick Santas with just a few basic supplies. Raid your craft cupboard! You probably have most of what you need on hand already!

Hang them on the Christmas tree or play with them.

They're super-easy to make, and the results are just so stinkin' cute!

Click the link below to check them out! Go!

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Gingerbread Play Dough Cookie Decorating Activity for Kids https://happyhooligans.ca/gingerbread-play-dough-cookie-decorating/ https://happyhooligans.ca/gingerbread-play-dough-cookie-decorating/#respond Fri, 01 Dec 2017 06:55:58 +0000 https://happyhooligans.ca/?p=31240 I'm so excited! Take a look at this simple Gingerbread Cookie Decorating Station I made for the kids.

It's so pretty and inviting, and they'll play with it all month long.

The no-cook dough is really easy to make and it stays super-soft even if you leave it out for hours.

The kids have a ton of fun rolling, cutting and decorating their cookies with odds and ends from the craft cupboard.

It's the perfect Christmas activity keep little ones busy and having fun at home, daycare or preschool.

Just click the link below to check it out now!

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12 Christmas Party Activities and Treats for Kids https://happyhooligans.ca/christmas-party-activities-kids/ https://happyhooligans.ca/christmas-party-activities-kids/#respond Wed, 22 Nov 2017 19:00:03 +0000 https://happyhooligans.ca/?p=31115 Looking for activities to keep the kids busy at your holiday party this Christmas?

Here are 12 fun and easy Christmas activities and treats for your preschool Christmas party or your holiday party with friends, family or neighbours!

Click the link below to check them out!

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Christmas Tree Lacing Activity for Kids (with Paper Plates) https://happyhooligans.ca/christmas-tree-lacing-activity/ https://happyhooligans.ca/christmas-tree-lacing-activity/#respond Fri, 25 Nov 2016 07:23:29 +0000 https://happyhooligans.ca/?p=25416 Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends and followers!

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!

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17+ Awesome Advent Calendars Your Kids Will LOVE! https://happyhooligans.ca/fun-advent-calendars-for-kids/ https://happyhooligans.ca/fun-advent-calendars-for-kids/#comments Fri, 07 Oct 2016 17:43:31 +0000 https://happyhooligans.ca/?p=25007 Get 'em while they're hot!

Today, I'm sharing lots and lots of my favourite advent calendars for kids.

Remember the excitement of an advent calendar when you were a child? Well, advent calendars have changed, and there are some spectacular ones out there now!

Barbie, Thomas, Star Wars, Little People, LEGO, all that come with 24 toys and treasures to make the long wait for Christmas a little more bearable for kids.

Of course, there are some adorable, traditional advents calendars too.

I've rounded up a big collection for you to have a peek at. Check them out! I have a feeling you'll find something here that's just perfect for your child!

Click on the link below to see them all!

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Reindeer Footprint Christmas Card for Toddlers and Preschoolers https://happyhooligans.ca/footprint-rudolph-christmas-cards/ https://happyhooligans.ca/footprint-rudolph-christmas-cards/#comments Sun, 15 Nov 2015 14:40:59 +0000 https://happyhooligans.ca/?p=18135 Everybody loves a footprint craft, right? Kids love making them, and parents and grandparents LOVE seeing a tiny footprint preserved in a craft. Well, these footprint reindeer cards are downright adorable! I love how the goofy googly eyes add a quirky expression to the reindeer's face! Tell the kids to kick off their socks, and make a bunch of these for friends and relatives this holiday season! You could totally use this technique to make homemade wrapping paper too! Have fun!!

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35+ Creative Ways to Use Leftover Candy Canes https://happyhooligans.ca/35-creative-ways-use-leftover-candy-canes/ https://happyhooligans.ca/35-creative-ways-use-leftover-candy-canes/#comments Sun, 18 Jan 2015 06:52:03 +0000 https://happyhooligans.ca/?p=18758 35+ Creative ways to use leftover candy canes or broken candy canes for crafts, activities, recipes and science experiments! Christmas is well and truly behind us now, and if your house is like my house, you still have quite a few candy canes kicking around.  We always seem to end up with loads of leftover...

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32 Classic Christmas Movies For the Family to Watch Together https://happyhooligans.ca/32-classic-christmas-movies-your-family-will-love/ https://happyhooligans.ca/32-classic-christmas-movies-your-family-will-love/#comments Mon, 22 Dec 2014 07:39:49 +0000 https://happyhooligans.ca/?p=18420 It just doesn't feel like Christmas until you've watched your favourite holiday movies with the family, does it?

I recently asked my readers to share their favourite holiday classics with me, and they came up with 32 terrific titles!

Some old, some new, some I'd forgotten, and a few I'd never heard of. Have a look, and tell me - did we miss any of your family's favourites?

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Pin-Up Christmas Tree Decorating Activity for Toddlers https://happyhooligans.ca/pin-up-christmas-tree-decorating-activity/ https://happyhooligans.ca/pin-up-christmas-tree-decorating-activity/#comments Sun, 16 Nov 2014 06:12:31 +0000 https://happyhooligans.ca/?p=17775 If you have toddlers and preschoolers who love decorating the Christmas tree, this Pin-Up Christmas Tree Decorating Activity is a great way to let them do that without them rearranging your real Christmas tree. It’s a great Christmas party activity for preschoolers and toddlers, and a wonderful December activity for the daycare or preschool classroom. It’s easy, inexpensive, and will...

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Cardboard Gingerbread House Decorating Activity for Kids https://happyhooligans.ca/cardboard-gingerbread-house/ https://happyhooligans.ca/cardboard-gingerbread-house/#comments Fri, 20 Dec 2013 05:19:52 +0000 https://happyhooligans.ca/?p=12535 Looking for a candy-free gingerbread house idea? Kids can decorate this cardboard gingerbread house with colourful scraps from the craft room. It’s a fun activity for kids to do at a Christmas party or as a group at daycare or preschool.   We have quite a few gingerbread crafts here on my blog, and this one is...

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Rascally Reindeer Decorations – An Alternative to Elf on the Shelf https://happyhooligans.ca/rascally-reindeer-decorations/ https://happyhooligans.ca/rascally-reindeer-decorations/#comments Wed, 27 Nov 2013 19:34:29 +0000 https://happyhooligans.ca/?p=12231 The Rascally Reindeer – our alternative to Elf on the Shelf! You’ve probably heard of The Elf on the Shelf, right? That mischievous elf who shows up at the beginning of December to keep an eye on your kids as they count down the days until Christmas. By day, the elf sits on a shelf, watching...

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Christmas Village Sensory Bin https://happyhooligans.ca/christmas-village-sensory-bin/ https://happyhooligans.ca/christmas-village-sensory-bin/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:36:01 +0000 https://happyhooligans.ca/?p=1853 This is the first year that I’ve made a Christmas village sensory bin for the Hooligans.  It all started when we set up my formal village the other day. Our village is usually one of the first things that I set up as the Christmas season approaches. I was really late pulling the village out...

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