Kids Crafty Santa

Here is an easy kids project to do before Santa gets here. I invented this guy today in preparation for a kids class tomorrow. Here is what you need:

Ping pong ball

flesh color acrylic paint

googly eyes (2)

3 cotton balls (regular size)

1 5"x6" piece of paper  ( I used a scrapbooking paper but you can use red craft paper or anything else)

4 small pom poms (1 white - 3 any color you like)

Glue

Hole punch

Awl or sharp poking device

Red and Tan Felt

1 chenille pipe cleaner (white used here)

Instructions: 1. Cut paper to size and roll into a tube, Glue overlapping ends or staple. I stapled here because I didn't want to take the time to hold the paper until the glue dried. You can also glue and hold it in place with paper clips until dried. Glue or staple top side of tube so the edges are flat together.

2. Paint ping pong ball with flesh colored paint. Once paint is dry punch two small holes with your awl. They should be exactly opposite each other.  Take your pipe cleaner and insert into your ball and push it through the other side. Pull enough through to bend and push back into the hole a good inch or so. Doesn't need to come back out the other side but make sure you leave about an inch on the side opposite your loop you just made.

3. Punch a small hole in the top center of the paper tube you made in step 1. Put the pipe cleaner through this hole (not the loop side) and wrap it around itself until your "head" is on good. You should be able to hold the loop and they should hang together without slipping.

NOW THE FUN PART!!!

For those of you with little ones I would do these first few steps yourself (except maybe the head painting step)

4. Glue on your cotton ball beard and create a red felt hat out of a half circle shape. Glue this on leaving a gap for your hanging loop. Fold the top of the hat over and tack with glue (mine didn't hold)

5. Glue pom poms on the end of the hat and down the front of his body.

6. Cut hand or mitten shapes out of the tan felt and glue on the paper on the sides.

7. Glue googly eyes on  (or paint if you prefer)

8. Create a message or drawing on a separate piece of paper and place inside paper tube. You could also put a gift card in here too. Glue or staple the open end pinching it together in the opposite direction, creating a sort of triangle shape.

Give as a gift from your little creator.

I hope I didn't forget any steps.... Enjoy!