Babies and toddlers grow so quickly! By this time next year, your baby may be walking and talking, and your toddler may be moving on to Pre-K. Seasonal keepsake crafts are a special way to preserve this precious season when your children are small.
There are dozens of fun and easy crafts for babies and toddlers on the internet, and these are great boredom busters to display on the fridge. But there’s something special about keepsake crafts that you can display and cherish for years to come. Here are a few fun and easy ideas to preserve the tiny toeprints and handprints that are sure to bring a smile every holiday season.
Fingerprint Lights
A sweet way to preserve those tiny fingerprints is with this simple framed craft from Beneath the Rowan Tree. Scatter different colored fingerprints across a cardstock paper and connect them with a swirly line from a permanent marker. Cut the cardstock to fit a frame, and you have a personalized touch to your living room every holiday season.
Painted Footprint Stocking
If you want something quick and simple, these painted footprint stockings from A Beautiful Mess are precious and easy!
Simply purchase a stocking ornament (with or without a picture frame) and choose a washable paint color. Ensure your child’s foot is clean and dry, and then apply the paint liberally to the sole of their foot. Press their foot gently at the foot of the stocking and let it dry.
Salt Dough Christmas Tree Handprint Ornaments
Babies and toddlers have the perfect-sized hands for sweet little ornaments. The Imagination Tree gives an excellent recipe and guide for creating an easy salt dough mix that is dyed Christmas tree green.
Roll a ball of the dough into a flat circle and poke two holes so you can hang the ornament from a ribbon. Gently press your child’s hand into the middle with their fingers pressed together. This will give the appearance of Christmas tree branches. Bake at 200 F for 2-3 hours.
Decorate your child’s handprint with paint, glitter, and other craft supplies, and thread a ribbon through the holes. Now you have a unique keepsake gift that preserves your baby or toddler’s small handprint.
Handprint Reindeer Plate
Far from just hanging an ornament on a tree, a cute keepsake plate is an excellent way to share and display your child’s handprint every year.
Although this craft is fairly simple, it does take a little planning. You will need:
While you’re at it, why not make more than one plate? Fun Handprint Art gives instructions for a darling “mistletoes” plate. Personalized plates like these make excellent and irreplaceable gifts for grandparents.
These are all simple crafts that take advantage of the one or two years that your child is small at Christmastime. You’ll never regret taking the time to preserve these memories!
