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Valentines Day Easy Kids Craft

Stuck for easy kids craft ideas to do with your nanny kids for Valentines Day? Given we’re big fans of crafting and diy, I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to get creative with the children. Plus, Valentines Day gifts are the perfect opportunity.

Today I’m sharing two low-prep Valentines Day easy kids craft ideas I’ve done with my charges this year.

Here’s how to make Baby Hand Print Flowers and an I Love You To Pieces card with your children, perfect for last-minute Valentines Day gifts. Plus check out these Valentines Day Washi Tape Love Heart Sticky Notes.

>>> How To Make Baby Hand Print Flowers (Valentines Day Easy Kids Craft)

You’ll Need:

Paint (Water colours & Poster paint)
Paper
Scissors
Markers/Pens
Clear Dry Glue

>>> More: Here’s 10 Essential Craft Box Supplies

// Make: Baby Hand-Print Flowers

For your younger kids (from 6m+)
I know what you’re thinking! Painting with a baby? Not. A. chance! Although painting with a baby can be challenging, it really is worth it. Plus, your employers will think you’re awesome.

As a once off for the mums and dads to look back on and compare, why not do some hand print flowers this Valentines Day.

To Make:

1. Use the paintbrush to fold out their fingers and press onto paper from palm to fingers. Tip: remember to have a cloth and soapy water at the ready.

2. Once you’ve got a few handprints, cut them out individually, arrange & glue with a few painted stems.

If you’re ready to accept the challenge and get painting, here’s two tips for successful handprints with babies.

>> Keep their other hand busy. Whether it’s a snack, toy or even a clean paintbrush to try to distract them whilst you quickly paint & press.
>> Naturally, the baby will grab the brush. Whilst their hand is around the brush, twist around ensuring the inside of their hand is completely covered.

I know first hand that these tips are easier said than done, and it may take a few attempts. Painting with babies and toddlers doesn’t always work but it *is* possible. Plus, Footprint flowers work just as good and look great too.

// Make: An “I love you to pieces!” heart

For your older kids (3y+)
Together with my 3-year-old charge, we made this “I Love You To Pieces” heart. We also had some help from her little sister. We loved the end result and they were both very excited to give it to their mum when she got home.

To Make:

1. Use watercolours to paint patterns on a piece of paper and allow to dry. You will use it later to cut into pieces.

2. On thick card, draw or source a heart stencil and paint with poster paint.

3. Once dry, cut water-coloured paper into pieces and glue onto the dried heart.

Painting with babies doesn’t always work but it *is* possible #nannylife #craft #DIY

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>>> More: Valentines Day Book Marks, and Valentines Day Washi Tape Love Heart Notes.

Happy Crafting & Happy Valentines Day!
Olivia, xx

>>> What are you making with the kids for Valentines Day?

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Olivia is a career nanny of 5 years and craft extraordinaire. Having travelled Australia working with many families, Olivia now resides in Sydney and cares for 7 children aged 15 months to 1o years old. Craft + diy activities feature prominently in their daily schedule. You can follow Olivia on instagram {@oliviasfoster} for crafty ideas and activities.

10 Essentials For Your Craft Box

Before we dive in, let me introduce Olivia Foster, our new crafts contributor here at NANNY SHECANDO. We are so excited to have her join the team and can’t wait to get busy with the diy supplies. Just go easy on the glitter action ok, my crafts studio is still sparkling from the Christmas craft!

10 Essentials For Your Craft Box (Nanny Approved)

As a nanny to 7 creative kids, art & crafts are programmed into our schedule every day. Not only are they a great leisure activity, but they also foster the children’s learning and development.

I don’t know about you, but I could go crazy buying supplies for my arts & craft stash; filling box after box ready for a crafty week with my nanny-kids! So I’ve put together a list of 10 essentials for your craft box.

1. Paint

Painting is a creative, somewhat messy, versatile activity.

It is a confidence booster and encourages thought & decision-making through choices of colours, designs, shapes and patterns. Whether you use poster paint or watercolours, the options are endless & it is a great form of stress relief or ‘quiet time’ activity.

2. Googly Eyes

Googly eyes are an easy way to bring drawings and paintings to life or an important addition to rock people and play-doh creations.

3. Bubble Wrap

Rainy days when you’re stuck inside is the best time to bring out bubble wrap! Whether your charge is 2 or 10, they’ll be entertained for hours… or at least till they’ve popped every one. My favourite bubble wrap activities are;

> Hopscotch – cut out squares of bubble wrap and tape to the floor like a hopscotch court.

> Boots – tape bubble wrap to your charges feet like boots – optional to add paint and a large piece of paper.

4. Cotton Tips

Cotton tips are a great substitute to paint brushes.

For a mess-free activity to build fine motor skills, pour some paint into a zip-lock bag and use cotton tips to draw and/or write letters and numbers. Alternatively, use shaving cream or rice. Cotton Tips can also be used as bones for a Halloween skeleton craft.

5. Balloons

Whether I’m planning an activity, craft or just need to buy some time, balloons are a must!

Games include volleyball, tennis (rackets made from paddle pop sticks and paper plates) or simply, “don’t let the balloon touch the ground.” Balloon games promote gross motor skills, hand/foot eye coordination as well as communication skills.

For craft, fill balloons with water and use as a stamp with paint and a large piece of paper. Use as gift wrap to add a personal touch to a present.

6. Glitter, Gems & Sequins

I have a love/hate relationship with glitter. It seems like a good idea to begin with, but it WILL go everywhere and you WILL still find it around the house 3 days later.

For a *relatively* mess-free glitter activity, make a snow globe or calming bottle. To make a calming bottle, combine glitter/gems, warm water and glitter glue to a plastic bottle. Follow the same step to make a snow globe, gluing a small figurine to the inside of the lid. Use a hot glue gun to glue the lids shut. Mason jars are perfect for older children.

7. Pipe Cleaners

Pipe cleaners are a great alternative to string or elastic when threading beads, particularly for children aged 2+. It is easy to thread, holds its shape and can be manipulated into shapes, letters, numbers, bracelets etc. Pipe cleaner craft actively encourages concentration, hand eye coordination and strengthens the pincer grip.

8. Scissors

Using scissors is a tricky skill my NK’s (nanny kids) are always eager to learn.

Once they’ve mastered how to hold the scissors, start by rolling play-doh into worms and cutting up into small pieces. Then move onto strips of coloured card, cutting along thick straight, curved and zigzag lines.

Collect toy catalogues for children to cut out toys and paste onto a drawn shopping trolley, a letter to Santa or a simple ‘I wish’ list.

9. Large Roll of Paper

Although it won’t fit in a craft box, a large roll of paper is a resourceful tool for any arts/craft collection.

Tracing my NK’s bodies with markers is one of my go-to activities. Let their creativity run wild to decorate – paint clothing and body parts and/or apply fabric squares, cellophane, paper, etc to complete. We also identify and label body parts & hang for all to see!

10. PVA Glue

Glue is essential for completing a creative masterpiece. Source clear dry glue with a spout tip opening for easy application. Plus, you can even add glitter to the bottle for a little extra sparkle.

I have a love/hate relationship with glitter. It’s a good idea until it goes everywhere. #nannylife #craft

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While I’ve only listed 10 essentials for your craft box, there are countless supplies you could add. Collect or invest in cotton buds, white and coloured paper and card stock, cellophane, crepe paper, wool, beads, buttons, popsicle sticks, feathers, pom-poms, wooden pegs, stickers, masking tape for easy kids crafts and activities.

Or recycle items from around the house such as toilet or paper towel rolls, yoghurt containers, envelopes, sponges, egg cartons, cereal and tissue boxes, newspaper and photographs to stock up your craft supplies. Happy Crafting!

>>> Do you have a craft box full of supplies at your house?

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Make: Christmas Tree Collage Craft

Get crafty with the kids this holiday season with this easy + fun make your own decorative christmas trees! Plus craft activities are great exercises for kids to engage their fine motor skills.

Christmas Tree Collage Craft

We’ve been doing lots of craft recently. One of the many benefits of my nanny role is that Miss 5 is home with me 2 days per week. Miss 5 is so into art and crafts that she’s got a permanent little stool perched alongside the work bench. Most days I come prepared with a plan of DIY action, but on a good day, we can mix from cardboard craft to sewing to christmas cookie baking to sea life dioramas without a hitch.

To make this really simple Christmas Tree Collage Craft, I found a free printable template on Pinterest from Colouring Pages. Or you could draw your own.

You’ll Need

scissors
clear dry PVA glue
sequin & glitter
pipe cleaners (optional)
colouring pencils or textas (or paint)
white paper or card stock
christmas tree stencil (we used this free printable christmas tree)

To Make

1 // Get the kids to design their christmas tree template. We kept it simple and just coloured it in with textas and crayons. You could paint them, cut them out and glue onto contrasting backgrounds, or leave completely blank for a white christmas tree look.

2 // Then paste a thin layer of craft paste/glue that will dry clear. We used standard PVA clear-dry glue.

3 // To “decorate” the christmas tree, glue on your sequins, sparkly pipe cleaners, and then dust with glitter. We just improvised and decorated as we went, but you could also select your sequins and colour patterns before starting.

4 // Leave to dry on a flat surface, then arrange within your real christmas decorations. We glued the entire project onto a large piece of white card stock and hung above the christmas tree.

We made this fun and super easy Christmas Tree Collage Craft in about an hour after lunch whilst Mr 12 months was sleeping. If you do have little inquisitive toddlers under your feet, make sure you keep the scissors out of reach and the sequins in a closed container as they could present a choking hazard. For more great kids craft ideas, check out our fun kids christmas crafts pinterest board.

Art + craft is perfect for children’s fine motor skills development #nannylife #craftforkids

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>>> Do you have a little one that loves arts and craft?

________

Follow Hope @NannyShecando’s board Create | Christmas + Craft on Pinterest.

A Touch Of Spring: Rolled Felt Flower Brooch

We are carrying on a spring flower theme for the step into spring series with today’s tutorial, this time from Sarah of Hunting for Ladybugs. It’s just the thing to help you step into spring. She has a super quick tutorial to make these sweet rolled roses that you could put on a brooch, use in gift wrapping or place in a vase on your window sill. Add a few drops of rose essential oil for the ultimate Spring indulgence!

Wearing a Touch of Spring: Rolled Felt Flower Brooch

You Will Need:

Some felt (thick card would also work well)
Scissors
Brooch Pin
Needle & thread (or hot glue gun)
Fabric Glue (optional)

Begin by tracing around something round – my circle is about 10cm diameter.

Cut it out.

Now cut it around in a spiral shape working from the outside in. Start with a straight line from the outside edge before spiralling. I’ve marked where I cut in pencil so you could see but just eyeball yours (otherwise you’ll see pencil marks on the top of your petals).

You’ll have some scraps – the centre circle and a little bit after my first loop around (you’ll want the spiral an even-ish width all the way around).

Now to roll. Begin at the outside edge as you roll the felt snake around itself. Keep the bottom edge aligned as you roll it around and around. The very centre of your circle will become the outside petals of the rose. They should splay out a little.

Thread your needle and secure the ends with hand-stitching. You could use a glue gun here if you preferred.

Ta Dah! A finished rose.

I made two more roses using the same method and then glued them onto a leaf shaped piece of teal felt. I then glued (you can also stitch) a brooch pin onto the back to finish my project.

I’ve also made this pink set as a small posy for a vase. This time I started with two circles of felt, both abt 20cm diameter. I cut and rolled the two tones of pink together to give the finished rose a bit more depth and interest.

Sarah has also recently made Mums Take Five (Wednesday’s #stepintospring spring flower craft), a fantastic new Cityscape Skirt to wear for Spring and has posted a tutorial on how to add simple appliqué shapes onto clothing.

Sarah Caporn is the hands behind handmade business Hunting for Ladybugs. Sarah has an adorable patch of cyberspace that is all about her love of sewing. As well as taking custom orders, she adores teaching people to sew and has developed a range of ‘Sew Your Own’ project kits to do just that. They include everything you’ll need to get stitching with loads of online support along the way via her Helpdesk group on Facebook.

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Step into spring with this easy do-it-yourself springtime centrepiece from Sheridan Anne, isn’t it just gorgeous! Celebrating the arrival of spring all week on the blog. Featuring some great “step into spring” tips to ease you into the new season, with favourites from Money Mummy, Mums Take Five, Sheridan Anne, and Hunting For Lady Bugs.You’ll surely be inspired to put a little spring into your step! Join us, and tweet your favourite spring themed posts using #stepintospring.

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The Step Into Spring Series:

Welcome To Spring
5 Ways To Spring Clean Your Finances
Spring Crafts: Pipe Cleaner Flowers
5 Easy Ways To Sort Out Your Superannuation For Spring
Chickpea Zucchini & Mint Patties For Spring
A DIY Springtime Centrepiece
Spring Fashion: Cityscape Skirt Applique Tutorial
Spring Cleaning: A Caddy Of Homemade Cleaners

A DIY Springtime Centrepiece

Joining our step into spring series today is the lovely Sheridan from Sheridan Anne, a home organisation, crafting, DIY and family centred blog. Sheridan has a “ready-made family”, is super knowledgeable on all things de-cluttering to sort out your life. She’s also pretty handy with a glue gun, a sewing machine or some pliers and loves scouting for a good bargain!

Step into spring with this easy do-it-yourself springtime centrepiece from Sheridan Anne, isn’t it just gorgeous!

A DIY Springtime Centrepiece

Thank you so much for having me Hope. I just love Spring. The “in-between” seasons are my favourite. I don’t know about you, but the warmer months bring a lot more entertaining, barbecues, and celebrations for my family. It seems to bring us all together.

This year I have been focusing on organising one area of my life and home at a time. I’ve been so successful at de-cluttering that I’m finally getting into the fun part; decorating around my house! I really wanted to make something different to decorate my outdoor table, something that no one else would have.

That’s how I decided to make this Springtime Centrepiece.

YOU’LL NEED:

Candle Mirror
Cake Stand Lid/Bell Jar
Floral Wire
Faux Flowers
Needle Nose Pliers

NOTE:

As an alternative to making your own wreath, you could purchase a crown of flowers from a cheap jewellery store to use instead. If you decide to go this route, you can pretty much skip to the seventh step, and it turns this 15 minute project into a 2 minute project!

TO MAKE:

1. Clip the ends of your flowers with the pliers so that they are separated from one another (not too short, you’ll want part of the stem to fix each flower into place).

2. Cut a bunch of 15cm lengths of floral wire with the pliers and put aside for when needed.

3. Begin arranging the flowers how you’d like them to display. I started by leaving some stems long and shaping them into a semi-circle then building on that basic structure.

4. Wrap other flowers around each other’s stems. If the wire in the stem of the flower isn’t strong enough to hold, this is where you will need to start twisting floral wire around the arrangement to hold it in place. Use your judgement on which areas need to be held by wire and which don’t need to be.

5. Continue this process until you make it all the way around the wreath. Once you are done, fill in any gaps with extra flowers. Wrap the structure in floral wire to secure all of the stems.

6. Wipe down your mirror and glass ware.

7. Place the wreath upside down into the bell jar or cake stand lid, followed by the mirror upside down.

8. Turn the whole thing the right way and place on the table.

Bonus points if you happen to have a cute little critter to join in on your centrepiece – I got this wire bird <<here>> from Kmart for $4!

| “And there you have it – a cute and unique Springtime Centrepiece that will brighten any table.”

I hope you enjoy this simple and effective project. If you’re inspired, why not put a little spring into your step and give this a go for your outdoor table. And don’t forget that to share with us your photos, tag Nanny Shecando and Sheridan Anne in your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Google+ photo. Share your step into spring tips with the hashtag #stepintospring! Thanks for having me Hope!

To see more #stepintospring posts from Sheridan Anne, <<click here>> to head over and check out her caddy of homemade cleaners to help you get ready for the big spring clean!

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