Kid Craft: Packing Peanut Igloo

This week I'm sharing another craft made from packing supplies. This time I'm making an igloo out of packing peanuts.  The secret to this project is that the packing peanuts are biodegradable so no glue is required.  All you need are three things: cardboard, water, and water soluble packing peanuts.

To make the base for your igloo, trace a 5.5 inch circle on cardboard.  Add a rectangle to the circle according to the measurements above. Cut out your base.

Dip the packing peanuts in water and adhere them to the base as pictured above.  The water will make the peanuts sticky.  Only get the side of the peanut wet that's going to stick to something, just like you would with glue.

*I like to soak a folded paper towel in water and place it on a plate.  Then I pat the packing peanuts on the paper towel to get them moist.  Just make sure not to get them too wet or they will start to disintegrate.

For the opening of the igloo, stack three peanuts on each side directly on top of each other.  Then add two peanuts in the center to make an arch shape.  Refer to the pictures above.

Now add three more layers directly on top of each other around the circle.  In the picture there's only three layers but there should be four.

Now you're going to make the top of the igloo arch.  For the next layer line the circle as before but have the peanuts closer to the inside of the circle.  Do this with two more layers.  For the top, add as many peanuts as you need to fill the hole.  From the picture above, you can see that I used three.

You can also cut the peanuts with scissors if you need them to be smaller.

It's hard to see in the photo but I added a little glitter to the igloo for some extra sparkle.  The polar bear came from a piece of junk mail. 

Featured in Family Fun Magazine

A few months ago Family Fun Magazine asked me if they could feature my Christmas pom pom ornament in their December/January 2013 Issue.   Well the issue is finally out for all to see.  If you have a chance, check out the magazine when you're at the store or pick up a copy.  They always have great crafts targeted for kids between ages 3-12.  I know I'm probably biased but I really like the crafts they share in the magazine.  In fact, there's a metal washer necklace craft on page 83 that I can't wait to try out with my kids.

There's the Pom Pom ornament on the left.  I like how they switched it up and used shades of purple for the pom poms.  You may recall, the original ornament was sparkly and multicolored.

Christmas Popdown Calendar

One of childhood's simple pleasures is popping bubble wrap.  Even now, I'll find myself popping a couple bubbles when I receive a package.  It just calls to me.  Inspired from this simple amusement, I created a Christmas Popdown Calendar for my children.  I can tell it's already going to be a hit in our house.  My youngest keeps circling the calendar waiting for me to hand it over to her.  I just hope I don't find all the circles popped three days into December.

Want to make a popdown calendar of your own?  Here's what you'll need.

Supplies
Bubble wrap - 1" circles
Scissors
Glue
Two toothpicks
Paintbrush or Q-tip
White Cardstock

Print out the template on cardstock.

For the pink/orange template click here.

For the red/green template click here.

Carefully cut out 25 circles from bubble wrap.

Turn bubble upside down and brush glue around the edge of the circle.  Place down on number.  Hold one edge down with toothpick and run the second toothpick around the edge to seal to paper.  It took me about 30-45minutes to glue all the bubbles down.

*Make sure the bubbles are glued on well so they don't fall of when you pop them.

To display your calendar, place it in a frame without the glass. 

Free Thanksgiving Printables

Photo Credit:  Oana Befort

I can't believe Thanksgiving is only two days away! I feel like we just celebrated Halloween. If you're feeling like the holiday caught you off guard too, here are a few printables to help you with last minute details.

Thank Your Cards (pictured above) - Sincerely, Kinsey 

Place Cards and more - Hank and Hunt

Grateful Mod Party Printables -  Hostess with the Mostess

Food Gift Labels - nickwilljack

Easy Thanksgiving Kid's Table Setting

This may come as a surprise but sometimes I rather just buy a decoration instead of make it. After all the shopping, cleaning and cooking I just want to purchase the final touches for a party.  I've learned I can't make it all.  If you're feeling the same way about Thanksgiving, here's an easy idea for a kid's table setting. 

Often you can buy kid custom placemats but I've found oversized coloring books work just as well.  The main thing is that the paper is a heavy weight and larger in size.  The coloring page above came from a picture frame pad by Melissa & Doug.  I picked up the 40 page pad at Marshalls for $4.  Usually you can find these kinds of coloring pads at discount stores.  I also saw some that were kind of like "Where's Waldo" that one could color as well.

Page from Doodles at Dinner by Deborah Zemke 

The picture above is from a coloring book meant to be used as a place mat.  This paper is actually a little smaller than the picture frame paper but the weight is about the same.  I'm sharing this so you can see there isn't much difference in buying a paper pad designated for place settings vs. a drawing pad.

To finish off the place setting, take a couple colored pencils or crayons and secure them with ribbon.  Then just tuck in a name tag. The colored pencils don't have to be fancy either.  I used these twig pencils because that's what we had laying around the house.  Good old fashioned crayons will work fine.

*Other idea - line the table with craft paper for drawing. This is always a crowd-pleaser. It's not everyday that one gets to draw directly on the table.