Water Color Christmas Decoration

I made copies of this cute coloring page ornament on card stock. I supplied the children with water colors. Some chose to use crayons. Each painted or colored their custom color ornament. We cut them out, punched a whole in the top, and tied a ribbon on for hanging.

Santa Boot Ornament & Coloring Page

This was a two part activity. The Santa boot ornament was made from a plastic candy box. I had dehydrated the marshmallows to use for the white fluff around the top of Santa's boot. The children glued the row of marshmallows around the top of the boot. They then added a green ribbon for hanging. ( I forgot to take pictures during this craft.)

The coloring page was a picture I found online for free. It was just perfect and the kids had fun coloring Santa putting on his boots.

Christmas Candy Walk Activity

This activity was a new one at this years Christmas day camp. It was a variation to the old fashion carnival cake walk. I had a bowl filled with candy and prizes. I gave each child an empty goodie bag. The squares of our outdoor courtyard were labeled with Christmas pictures. (two each of a gingerbread man, reindeer, Santa, and a holiday penguin.) We moved around the circle until the Christmas music stopped. Everyone stopped on a block and I drew a matching card from a bag and yelled out the winning picture. It was thrilling for them every time they won a prize. They did not tire of the game and we played until all of the candy and prizes had been won.

Variation: I would yell to change directions, hop, skip, or twirl. They thought that was fun too!

Christmas Day Camp Schedule 2008

I post the day camp schedule on the fridge to keep me on track during the day. The little readers among us make sure we stay on schedule too!

Thanksgiving 2008 Adult Table

My daughter and her husband hosted Thanksgiving at their home this year. This nice big table sits all of the adults. The table was beautiful and the food was delicious!

The kids were very content at their own table. We all had a lot to be thankful for this year. Everyone is happy, healthy, and employed!

Kid Friendly Thanksgiving Table

This was the kids table at Thanksgiving this year. My daughter hosted it at her home. The place mats she created with a coloring project and crayons tied in a holiday napkin was a great idea for the kids.

The True Meaning of Christmas Book

This is something I created to reinforce the true meaning of Christmas with my grandchildren. I read this simple book to the kids then each child created their own copy.

I bound the books by using a piece of card stock on the outside, and plain paper on the inside. I folded it in half to create the number of pages needed. It is stapled along the top and bound with white duct tape to cover the staples.

I cut all of the pieces out ahead of time, numbered the pages, and I gave the kids the picture and the text one page at a time. Each child had their own glue stick to glue the pieces in place.

Those children that can't read yet can use the pictures to remind them of the true meaning of Christmas.

Very Own Christmas Cup

I supplied these Christmas cups at the grandkid's Christmas day camp. I wrote all of the kids names on them. I have kept them at my home to be used during the holidays to save on dishes, spills, and germs being passed along from not remembering who's cup is who's!

They have already gotten a lot of use and the kids look forward to taking them home on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Picture Frame Craft 2008

These festive frames were created using a red foam frame purchased from the dollar store. I cut the tissue paper (red, green, Christmas striped, red dotted) into 1 1/2 inch squares. I gave each child a baggie with equal amounts of each color. Papa had made each child a tool to use to simplify the process for the children. Papa inserted and glued pencils into a block of wood to give the children a sturdy base to work on.

The small squares of tissue paper were twisted over the top of the eraser then dipped in glue on the flat edge created from the eraser end before sticking it to the frame. Each child had a small shallow lid of some sort with glue in it for the dipping. The children continued the process creating their own pattern or design until they had gone all the way around the frame.

Each child chose the background color and the Christmas tag design. They glued the tag in place and put the backing on the frame to finish their project.

They turned out cute don't you think?

Star Christmas Cupcakes 2008

Decorating star cupcakes is a tradition at our Grandkid's Day Camp. This year I supplied each child with two pre-baked chocolate cupcakes, a small dish of bright yellow icing and a baggie filled with marshmallows in the shapes of green Christmas trees, and pink stars. I also gave them red and green M&M's.

I had made up some sample cupcakes for them to see. They each showed their own creativity in the fun and colorful designs they created. Each child had a paper towel on the kitchen counter with their name on it. When they were done decorating their cupcakes they placed them on their paper towel.

They eat one of their cupcakes after dinner and the other is saved to take home.

Star on a Stick Craft Project

I knew this project would be a favorite. In years past we have had just one star on a stick which is part of our hands on nativity. The kids all loved the star so this year each child made their very own.

The little guy above is being helped by his great grandma who spent the day with us too.

I cut the stars out of cardboard ahead of time. The sticks were heavy gift wrap rolls that I had saved from last Christmas. Before starting the project we spread newspaper over the table and had the children roll their sleeves up. We gave each child a sponge brush and their own little pot of paint. We first painted the edges then just one side of the star.

It took about three coats of paint to get good coverage. We allowed the stars to dry. I attached the stars to the sticks using hot glue. Shiny ribbon was added for some extra sparkle.

Tip: When doing messy or sticky projects keep a tub of baby wipes nearby for spills and sticky little hands.

Christmas Day Camp Picnic 2008

It turned out to be a perfect day for an outdoor picnic in Arizona. It was sunny, grass was still green, and the outdoor temperature was just right. Blankets were spread and hungry tummies were filled with the sack lunches they had prepared all by themselves.

After lunch we stayed outdoors for a while and played some games in the grass. We did a Christmas stocking relay and we played drop the hankie using a Christmas scarf.

Packing our Picnic Lunch

This was a do it yourself lunch packing project. Each child made their own sandwich, bagged up some chips, chose a fun Christmas treat, and added a juice box and a napkin to their fun reindeer lunch sacks. Each of their names were written on their bags. The packed lunches were set aside until it was time for our outdoor picnic.

Christmas Day Camp Tote 2008

I used ice cream buckets again this year for the base of our tote to hold the day's projects. I had an ample supply of these buckets because my elderly parents eat a whole lot of ice cream and keep the containers for me.

This year we tore up a variety of tissue paper in Christmas colors and prints. We used sponge brushes to apply Elmer's glue to the bucket. Tissue paper was applied to cover the outside of the bucket. A curly ribbon was added to the handle for a bit of holiday flair!

Each of the child's names were written with a marker on the tote they created. As projects were finished they placed them in their tote.

Christmas Day Camp Invitation

The Grandkid's Day Camp is part of our Ho...Ho...Ho...liday Schedule. This year it was just two days after Thanksgiving. The parents all knew the date and time well in advance but the children did not receive their invitations until a few days before.

The invitations were made from a store bought photo sleeve Christmas card. I created my own invitation text on my computer. Printed it out, cut to fit, and inserted it into the photo sleeve. Each child received their own invitation. I used a Christmas sticker where the postage stamp would be since I hand delivered them to the children.

This year I also gave the children and parents a copy of the day's schedule. The two older children arrived to the day camp with the schedules folded up and in their pockets. They kept close track to the schedule and time all day long!

Christmas Day Camp Invitation

2008 Grandkid's Christmas Day Camp

Our Christmas Day Camp began at 9:00 a.m.. The kids arrived excited and they were ready to start their fun filled day. We had a full day of projects and activities. These photos are from the end of the day with all of their finished projects packed and ready to take home. They were all showered and in their pajamas when mommy and daddy picked them up.

I will be sharing the individual projects and activities from this years day camp.