I have been trying to work in some letter learning into our holiday crafts, this was today’s effort. This will work for any celebration , you can spell out Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Happy New Year… the sky is the limit. I chose to do Noel because 1. I want my son to understand that his mommy’s country speaks 2 languages and because 4 letters was the perfect amount for a 2 year old! In a class allowing each child to do one letter is a great option.
- Gather your materials. You will need some cardboard, paint , a plain kitchen sponge, thin ribbon, scissors, a marker and a few jiggle bells.
- Write out the letters on the cardboard.
Don’t cut them all the way out, this way your child especially if they are young will be more likely to paint to the edges of the letter. Ho Ho Ho is another great option for Santa fans! - Time to paint.
Sponge painting is a great way to encourage lots of paint , within a toddler or preschooler’s attention span. 
We added yellow sparkle paint to our green for some flair
- Alternate between the red and green paint.
- Let all the letters dry.
- When dry cut them out, older kids can do this, but cardboard is tricky for little hands.
- Poke tiny holes in the top of the letters and thread your ribbon through.
- After adding your first letter add a jingle bell and tie a knot, continue with the rest of the letters and jingle bells.
- Hang it up!
“Babar and Father Christmas” by Jean De Brunhoff was one of my very favorite Christmas stories as a child. As an adult i have had some great belly laughs at some of it’s writing which I still think is awesome. Babar goes looking for Father Christmas because he wants to ask him to visit Elephant country. He searches all over Paris and finally ends up in the north pole and finds after much effort Father Christmas. I love the details in this book, as a child I would lay looking at the pictures of Santa’s workshop and imagine what visiting it would be like. As an adult I appreciate the smallest details like how Father Christmas’s flying machine ( not a sled) has P.N #1 on it , meaning of course Pere Noel #1.
Katie says
You have such great ideas that are simple enough to do with my toddler but cute enough that people who see her artwork are impressed. Thanks for giving me so many good ideas!
Allie says
You are welcome Katie, thanks for coming by.
My son was so excited to show his dad the banner and kept pointing out the letters all evening, I love it when things go just as I planned!
Beverly says
Too cute! We will have to make one too! Thanks for the ideas!
The Schaeffer Family says
Your little artist is the cutest!
Annamarie says
Thanks for the great ideas. I love your blog. I am excited to try this.
Debbie says
Another great project.
I have to chuckle at your little guy. He seems to enjoy sampling his art medium as much as using it. Very cute.
(fairy) Godmother says
Madeline is the BEST! We also have the DVD andI highly recommend it. Nothing cuter than a 3 yo little boy walking around singing “I’m Madeline! I’m Madeline!” LOL
We made a craft and I TOTALLY thought of you the other day… it has to do with Christmas dinner place cards and what to do with leftover paint… it’s on the new blog (EntertainingMom@wordpress.com)
Renée aka Mekhismom says
That is a great idea for a holiday project. I might actually make a banner with my 18month old son.
Allie says
Debbie, you have no idea. I think he is 50% crayola.
Rachel@oneprettything.com says
This is so cute, I love it! I’ll be linking.