The winter months have a way of dragging on for many parents of young twins. It’s too cold to spend much time outside, but spring still feels far away. You have probably colored, play-doughed, and puzzled day in and day out. So what else can you do to keep your twins busy?
Try these easy, affordable craft ideas to help transform the winter doldrums into winter pizazz!
Ice Stained Glass
What you need:
- Pie pan
- Water
- Yarn
- Pine needles, greenery, leaves, flowers or anything from nature that is decorative
Directions:
Fill the pie pan with water. Line the inside edge of the pan with yarn so it goes completely around the pan. Keep the ends loose and up out of water. Place the leaves and pine needles inside the pan. Put it in the freezer. If it is below freezing, place outside.
Remove once it is completely frozen over. Dipping it in warm water will help if it is stuck in the pan. Hang your ice stained glass outside on a tree. A variation would be to add food coloring instead of leaves and greenery.
Winter Snow Globe
What you need:
- Old baby food jar
- Water
- White or silver glitter (stay away from the light fluffy kind as it floats on the surface)
- Green or red ribbon
- Figurines (optional)
- Florist clay or modeling clay (optional)
- Glycerin (optional, to help slow the snowfall)
Directions:
First, you need to wash the baby food jar. Attach figurine to the inside of lid using clay. Figurines should be waterproof. Cake toppers, ornaments, and plastic dolls are good objects to use. Test if the figurine is the correct height so you can see it. Then, fill the jar with water and glycerin. Add ½ teaspoon of glitter. Screw the cap on and invert. Glue a ribbon along the cap. No ribbon? Paint the cap! The cap can be glued on if you have little hands who may be tempted to unscrew!
Snow scene
What you need:
- Shaving cream
- White glue
- Paper
Directions:
Mix half shaving cream with half glue. Paint a snow scene on colored paper. The paint will be puffy and will dry that way!
Make snow with detergent
What you need:
- 2 cups of Ivory Snow
- 1/2 cup water
Directions:
Using an electric mixer, whip the mixture until it is light and fluffy. It can be used to decorate windows, crafts, and trees. Use wet hands when handling to keep it from sticking. It will dry and last for up to two weeks. To remove, just add water.
Salt Crystal Snowflakes
What you need:
- Salt
- Water
- Paintbrush
- Black construction paper
Directions:
Boil water and pour it into the cup. Add a few teaspoons of salt in water. You will see salt crystals forming at the bottom. Stir. Dip paintbrush in water and paint snowflakes on paper. Let air dry.
