Winter Crafts & Recipes to Beat Boredom | The North Shore Moms

This story was provided by The Local Moms Network Contributor Maria Provenzano, of From Scratch with Maria and The Hallmark Channel. 

Looking for some creative crafts that are easy and fun to do to entertain the kiddos when the weatherman predicts a snow day? Look no further than these adorable craft ideas and tasty recipes that are sure to occupy your kids’ minds and bellies. Read on for the quick and simple how-to’s that will delight your house full of stir-crazy kids!

PAPER PLATE SNOWGLOBES AND MARSHMALLOW IGLOOS

MATERIALS: 

TO CREATE THE SNOW GLOBE:

  • Paper plates
  • Sheet protectors
  • Markers for kids
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • Scissors
  • Fake snow and/or glitter

TO CREATE THE MARSHMALLOW IGLOO:

  • Mini marshmallows
  • Non-toxic school glue
  • Foam brush
  • Paper bowls
  • 3oz paper cups
  • Paper plates
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • Scissors

 

INSTRUCTIONS

 

TO CREATE THE SNOW GLOBE

 

  1. Let your kids have fun drawing an image with markers on the center of a paper plate.

2.While they do that, cut a circle out of the center of another paper plate with scissors so that you have about a 2” border.

  1. Place the sheet protector down over the circle you cut out and cut out a circle about ½” bigger.
  2. To create the window of your snow globe, glue the sheet protector circle to the side of the paper plate that curves upward.
  3. Grab the paper plate with your child’s drawing and use hot glue to adhere it to the paper plate with the window along the edge. Leave a few inches open to funnel in some snow.

 

PRO TIP: When crafting with kids make sure the adults in the room take on the hot glue duty.

  1. Have your kids help you funnel in some glitter and faux snow.
  2. Seal up the opening with some hot glue and enjoy!

TO CREATE THE MARSHMALLOW IGLOO:

 

1.First create the structure for your igloo, place a paper plate upside down then flip a paper bowl upside down on top and attach with glue to the center of the plate.

  1. To create the entrance of the igloo cut a paper cup in half and glue it to what will become the front of the igloo.
  2. Set your kids up with some non-toxic glue, a foam brush, small paintbrush and mini marshmallows. Let the kids go to town adding marshmallows!

 

PRO TIP: Tell your kids to use the small paintbrush for little groove around the edge of the bowl if they can’t get in there with the foam brush!

SNOW DAY POPCORN BALLS

This yummy treat is a true snow day favorite because the kids will have so much fun helping make these but even more, love eating these after a day playing inside or outside in the snow. The best part, they can be customized with any mix-ins you or your little ones like — from sprinkles to chocolate chips or anything else you can dream up!

 

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 10 ounces marshmallows
  • 12 heaping cups of popcorn (aka 3 quarts)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • Sea salt

Directions

  1. In a large heavy pot, melt the butter over medium to low heat.
  2. Stir in the brown sugar and marshmallows.
  3. Stir until the mixture is almost completely melted.
  4. Remove the pot from the heat.
  5. Stir in the vanilla.
  6. Stir in the popcorn and mix until well coated.
  7. Allow the mixture to cool enough so that it can be handled.
  8. Scoop out the desired size of the popcorn ball and use your hands to shape the mixture into a ball.
  9. Place the popcorn balls on a baking sheet lined with wax paper to cool.
  10. Before they cool, sprinkle the tops of the popcorn balls with a small sprinkle of sea salt.

Or, if you’re in the mood to bake together, you could totally try these fun Snowball Cookies that bring the fun of the snow inside with the perfect dusting of powdered sugar. And, because we all know mama will need some time to rest and relax after a packed snow day with the kids, these DIY Snowflake Soaps and Snowball Bath Melts are just the thing to help you unwind too!

 

Last but not least, we could all use something to keep us warm and cozy on a snow day, and this veggie soup won’t disappoint — you’ll want to make an extra batch and save this one for a healthy weekday lunch or weeknight dinner as well. For more snow day and ANY day craft ideas for kids sign-up for my weekly newsletter by heading to From Scratch with Maria. Stay warm my friends!

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