Christmas Gifts for Parents From Preschoolers

Christmas is a festival of celebrations and gift giving. Gift-giving during Christmas traces back to ancient Roman festivals. This tradition eventually evolved as the Biblical story of the three wise men became popular in Roman Catholicism. However, gift-giving is not always about buying something from a gift shop, as many choose to make gifts by hand; in fact, even kids in preschool can make their own Christmas gifts for their parents.

Finger Paint Art Christmas Cards

Finger painting is a simple and entertaining activity for preschoolers that allows them to express their creativity. You will need the following materials:

Washable paint
Construction paper
Colored pens
Old shirt or smock

Children may create finger paint art by using their fingers instead of paintbrushes, dipping their fingers into bottles of paint then drawing figures on paper. Children may draw any of the many Christmas symbols, such as Christmas trees or Christmas lanterns, or they may choose to create an image not associated with the holiday. The finger-painted art is the front face of the Christmas card. The preschooler may then write a short message with assistance from an adult or finger paint another symbol on the inside of the folded paper.

Christmas Ornaments

Children can create Christmas ornaments from various materials. Preschoolers can make a variety of ornaments using simple materials found in the home. A very simple ornament is a cotton ball snowman. You will need the following materials:

Cotton balls
White construction paper
Glue
Scissors

Cut three circles in different sizes from white construction paper. The suggested diameters of each circle are 2, 4 and 6 inches each. The child can then glue the three circles to one another to form a snowman. Cover the snowman with glue on one side, then stick cotton balls on the side covered with glue. You may use colored construction paper to decorate the snowman further.

Miniature Soap Christmas Tree

Making miniature soap Christmas trees is a simple activity for preschoolers. You will need the following materials:

5 to 7 bars of soap
Red and white colored toothpicks
Cardboard
Knife

An adult should assist the preschooler with cutting the soap bars into small cubes. Once the child has cut the soap bars he should stick toothpicks on each side of the small soap cubes. The adult should again assist the child in cutting a circle from the cardboard. The cardboard will act as the base for the miniature soap Christmas tree. The child can then stack the small soap cubes with toothpicks to form a Christmas tree.

References

• Family Education: Activities & Craft Ideas for Kids