Kids (and a lot of moms too) love to make crafts. I don’t know any 6-year-old who doesn’t want to get finger paint everywhere or glue something together…most often their fingers, but moms know how to undo that catastrophe. Sitting down together with your kids and making something from bits of nothing is not only fun, but its bonding time too!

In today’s world, where ten-year-old’s have iPhones and iPads, and video games are in almost every bedroom, it’s hard to find things to do with your children. My son is glued to his phone and Playstation 3, but we do things together as a family to keep us talking and not disconnected. Crafting for younger children is an excellent way to do that, and even teenagers can get into it, as long as it’s something slightly attitude-y and cool.

Two of my favorite craft ideas at holiday time were always the paper plate wreath, and a holiday character made from craft sticks. I’ve made reindeer, snowmen, elves…you name it, I’ve painted wooden sticks to resemble it.  Some with glitter, some with pipe cleaners…you get the picture.

The paper plate wreath was my favorite in school, and I was very excited when I graduated from construction paper to tissue paper. My earliest incarnations were heavy with glue and very weird color combinations, but hey, I got better. So this holiday season, pick up some craft supplies, sit down with your kids (you don’t really need the kids. I made stuff like this back when I was single), and have some family bonding time over holiday crafts!