Take a break from the summer heat and throw a very merry Christmas crafty party in July! Kids love Christmas, so why not anticipate your holiday decorating and celebrate early? You can use items you’ve collected throughout the summer, like rocks or seashells, and put them to good use with these Christmas crafts for kids! You can also find inspiration for more holiday crafts with these personalized Christmas books for kids.
Seashell Ornament
With seashells you collected at the beach, you can make a holiday ornament that will remind you of your fun summer adventures! You’ll need:
- Bead Cap
- String
- Seashell
- Hot glue gun and glue (parental assistance required)
- Decorations: glitter, paint, jewels, and anything else you like!
- Paint brush
Decorate your seashell, using paint, glitter, jewels and any other craft material you like! Loop your twine through the hole in the bead cap and tie a double knot with your loose twine ends. This forms the loop for tree hanging. Hot glue the bead cap onto your shell, and your seashell ornament is ready for the season!
Rock Snowman
Make your own unique frosty friend that will never melt! Kids can use rocks they have collected over the summer or go on an expedition to search for the perfect rocks. You’ll need:
- 3 Round rocks
- White, black, and orange paint
- Paint brush
- Googly eyes
- Hot glue gun and glue (parental assistance required)
Lay down newspaper to keep your craft area clean or use a wipeable placemat. Paint all three of the rocks white. Once dry, take your paint brush and paint small black dots to make two eyes and a mouth. Use googly eyes to make a silly snowman! Paint an orange triangle to create the nose. You can also scatter fake snow around your snowman for a winter wonderland display or put your rock snowman in a shallow box with sand to create a summer display!
Dried Flower Garland
This Christmas in July activity teaches your child how to dry flowers and makes a festive floral decoration you can hang above a bed, tie to a banister, display on a fireplace mantle, or wrap around a Christmas tree! You’ll need:
- Assorted flowers
- Twine
- Scissors
- Rubber bands
- Hot glue gun and glue (Optional: parental assistance required)
First, you’ll need to dry your flowers. You can buy flowers at a store, or have your child pick them in your garden! Gather the flowers in bunches and tie each bunch together at the stems with a rubber band. Use twine to hang the bunches in a well-ventilated area and away from direct sunlight, like an empty closet. Your child can observe the drying process over the next few weeks, noting how they shrink and change!
When the flowers are dry, cut their stems down, to a length that still allows you to tie the twine around the ends. With your twine, tie a double knot around a dried flower. Repeat this process for each dried flower. Tie them closer together for a stacked look. Finally, tie a double knot at each end of the twine and your garland is complete! For a distinctly winter-themed garland, use mostly red flowers and hot glue acorns and pine corns (which your child can collect in the backyard) in between the dried flowers!
Christmas Tree Picture Frame
Create a keepsake picture frame that will display a favorite family picture of your summer fun or family vacation! Kids will love using their creativity with this Christmas in July craft. You’ll need:
- A photo to frame
- Black Marker
- Scissors
- Popsicle sticks
- Elmer’s Glue
- Green paint
- Paint brush
- Small foam star
- Mini pom poms in assorted colors
Glue three Popsicle sticks in a triangle shape, overlapping the Popsicle stick ends. Paint the sticks green. Once dry, glue a foam star to the top of your picture frame tree and decorate the two sides with mini pom poms to look like ornaments. Place your frame over a favorite family photo from the summer. Make sure to line it up so you don’t cut out someone’s face! Trace the outside of the frame with a black marker and cut the photo along the lines. Then glue your photo to the back of the photo frame.
Now you have a family keepsake you can display every holiday season! If you are seeking more ways to preserve family memories, a personalized ornament can be customized with your child’s name and photo and makes a perfect Christmas gift!
Resources
https://www.rd.com/home/decorating/how-to-dry-flowers-5-awesome-ways-to-preserve-a-bouquet/
