Posted in Christmas, Kid's Crafts

ADVENT CRAFT CUBBIES

27 of our favorite kid friendly craft ideas

Every year, we pull out our Craft Cubby Advent, a little DIY project made completely from recycled food boxes, and fill it one day at a time. Nothing prepped weeks in advance, nothing overwhelming. Just one small moment added to the cubby each morning. Some days it’s a tiny craft idea. Other days it’s a prompt like “watch a Christmas movie,” “drive around to see lights,” or “make hot cocoa.”

It keeps December fun without turning it into a second job. The boys never know what’s coming, and I love that it gives us permission to slow down and choose something simple instead of trying to plan the entire month in one go.

Since we’ve made so many Christmas crafts over the years, I pulled together 27 of our favorite kid friendly ideas that are quick, cute, and use what you already have at home. These aren’t complicated projects. They’re memory makers disguised as crafts.… just little things that turn an ordinary Tuesday in December into something cozy and intentional.

You can sprinkle these ideas into your own Craft Cubby Advent or save them for a quiet afternoon. Either way, they keep the season magical without overwhelming you, and that’s the whole point.

NEED MORE INSPIRATION? check out:

24 DAYS OF MEANINGFUL THOUGHTFUL ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH KIDS FOR ADVENT

Posted in Lifestyle, Printables

Best Christmas Movies for Kids

(With age ratings + what parents might want to know)

One of my favorite ways to make Christmas feel extra magical—without spending a ton—is a cozy family movie night. Pop some popcorn, grab the fuzzy blankets, and print out these FREE Christmas movie tickets to hand out like you’re running the world’s cutest home theater. Kids instantly get excited when something ordinary feels official, and suddenly you’ve created a whole memory out of just… sitting on the couch together. It’s simple, it’s sweet, and it’s exactly the kind of holiday magic we’ll actually remember. 🎬✨

1️⃣ Home Alone
⭐ Ages: 8+
👀 Notes: Slapstick violence, scary burglars, mild language
💛 Why it’s great: Funny + teamwork + big sibling energy

2️⃣ Elf
⭐ Ages: 7+
👀 Notes: Mild language + potty humor
💛 Why it’s great: Pure joy and belly laughs

3️⃣ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
(choose animated or live-action)
⭐ Ages: 5+
👀 Notes: Some Grinch scariness for littles
💛 Why it’s great: Kindness + growth + Cindy Lou Who 🥹

4️⃣ The Santa Clause
⭐ Ages: 8+
👀 Notes: A parent “disappears,” Santa lore changes, some sass
💛 Why it’s great: Magical + heartfelt father/son story

5️⃣ A Christmas Story
⭐ Ages: 9+
👀 Notes: A bit of bullying, mild language
💛 Why it’s great: Nostalgia, family humor, iconic moments

6️⃣ It’s a Wonderful Life
⭐ Ages: 9+
👀 Notes: Emotional themes (depression), black & white
💛 Why it’s great: Teaches value of a life well loved

7️⃣ The Polar Express
⭐ Ages: 6+
👀 Notes: Some intense sequences, uncanny animation
💛 Why it’s great: Magical wonder + Christmas spirit

8️⃣ Arthur Christmas
⭐ Ages: 5+
👀 Notes: Silly chaos
💛 Why it’s great: Hilarious + big heart + modern Santa ops

9️⃣ Klaus
⭐ Ages: 7+
👀 Notes: Bullying themes early on, mild peril
💛 Why it’s great: Stunning animation + kindness message

🔟 The Star
⭐ Ages: 5+
👀 Notes: Cartoon peril, animals are goofy
💛 Why it’s great: Faith-based Nativity told in a kid-friendly way

Posted in Lifestyle

48 Free Craft Supplies for Kids: Creative Ideas Using Recycled & Household Materials

Looking for ways to spark creativity without breaking the bank? You’d be surprised how many free craft supplies you can find right around your home or in nature! Whether you’re planning a kids’ craft club or simply want to engage in some fun DIY projects, using recycled materials, nature finds, and everyday household items can offer endless possibilities. In this post, we’ll share a list of crafty treasures that cost nothing but will keep your little ones busy, entertained, and inspired!

1. Recycled Materials:

  1. Cardboard Boxes (from shipping or old products)
  2. Egg Cartons
  3. Cereal Boxes (great for making sturdy structures)
  4. Toilet Paper Rolls or Paper Towel Rolls
  5. Food Containers (like yogurt cups, bottle caps, or milk cartons)
  6. Plastic Bottles (can be used for various crafts)
  7. Cans or Jars (for making lanterns or planters)
  8. Bubble Wrap (can be used for textured art or printing)
  9. Old Shoeboxes
  10. Tin Foil (for creating shiny textures or sculptures)

2. Natural Materials:

  1. Leaves (for pressing, stamping, or collages)
  2. Pinecones (great for decorating or creating animals)
  3. Twigs/Branches (for building structures or tree decorations)
  4. Stones/Pebbles (for painting or mosaic crafts)
  5. Acorns (perfect for seasonal crafts)
  6. Flowers (pressed for art or used in nature collages)
  7. Bark (for textured art or rustic crafts)
  8. Moss (great for fairy houses or natural decorations)
  9. Seashells (used in coastal-themed crafts)

3. Paper Scraps:

  1. Old Magazines (cut out pictures or create collages)
  2. Newspapers (perfect for decoupage or crafting paper beads)
  3. Old Greeting Cards (cut into shapes or use for collages)
  4. Old Maps or Calendars (for unique artwork)
  5. Scrap Paper (leftover from past projects)
  6. Old Wrapping Paper (perfect for collage or paper beads)
  7. Envelopes (can be cut, folded, or used in collages)
  8. Old Paper Bags (great for making puppets or wrapping)
  9. Tissue Paper (leftover from gift bags or craft kits)
  10. Paper Plates (for mixing paints or crafting)

4. Fabric Scraps:

  1. Old Clothes (old shirts, socks, or fabric scraps)
  2. Old Bed Sheets or Towels (for cutting into fabric shapes or patchwork)
  3. Old Socks (can be turned into puppets or stuffed animals)
  4. Lace or Ribbon Scraps (for adding textures)
  5. T-shirt Strips (perfect for weaving or knotting crafts)

5. Office Supplies:

  1. Scrap Paper from Old Office Printing (can be used for drawing or cutting shapes)
  2. Old Postcards (used in collage or as greeting cards)
  3. Paper Clips (can be used to make sculptures or other crafts)
  4. Rubber Bands (can be used for weaving or creating shapes)
  5. Binder Clips (for unique 3D projects)

6. Found Objects:

  1. Bottle Caps (great for making jewelry or 3D artwork)
  2. Buttons (from old clothing or spare button jars)
  3. String or Yarn (leftover from other projects or items you no longer need)
  4. Corks (can be used for stamps, cork boats, or even building materials)
  5. Keys (old or spare keys can be repurposed for jewelry or art)
  6. Broken Jewelry (for upcycling or adding to mixed-media projects)

7. Old Toys or Small Items:

  1. Plastic Figurines or Small Toys (can be painted or repurposed for craft projects)
  2. Legos (great for building or creating 3D art)
  3. Old Puzzle Pieces (can be painted or used in collages)