Spring may officially be here, but just tell that to people who are still dealing with snow, cold rain, and frigid temperatures. Mother Nature seems to be determined to cling to winter a bit longer, which is giving plenty of us serious cases of cabin fever.
To help keep ourselves and our kiddos occupied on days when it’s still too cold or wet to get outside, schedule some DIY party decoration craft days. There are plenty of kid-friendly and fun crafts that you can work on now and then set aside until later on this year, when the weather actually begins to warm up. Consider the following ideas:
Paper Straw Garland
Your pool’s water may still be hovering around 40 degrees, but summer will be here before you know it. Prepare for your opening day pool party by working with your kids on a really cute paper straw garland. The 36th Avenue provides easy to follow tips on how to make paper straw garland — it looks complicated, but don’t be fooled.
- Take the kids to the craft store and have them pick out 50 to 100 paper straws in bright and cheery colors.
- Pick up a needle and some embroidery floss too.
- When you are back home, cut the straws in half. If your kids are old enough to use scissors, share this task with them.
- Next, sew the straws together, pushing the needle through the center of each straw. Be sure to leave enough embroidery floss at each end to hang the banner outside later on. Your kids can hand you the straws as you go, deciding on the color pattern for the banner.
If you want, you can make additional paper straw garlands and use them to decorate your kids’ bedrooms or the playroom now, and then move them to the patio for your pool party.
Need some more ideas while you prep for your future pool party? Gather the kids around the computer and pick out some pool games and activities like floating ring toss and basketball. Some things such as the soft inflatable ball and hoop can even be played with indoors until you open the pool later on this spring.
Photo Chandelier
A photo chandelier is another really cool looking outdoor party decoration that is easy to make. Talk with the kids about themes for the chandelier and then have them snap a bunch of photos of their chosen topic. For example, you could showcase photos of your pets in the chandelier, or some of their favorite toys, or photos of the family. Select a handful of photos, print out multiple copies of each, and then trim down each photo and show the kids how to attach them to the photo mobile frame.
This is another craft that you can use to decorate the indoors before hanging it from a tree or patio roof later on this spring.
Glitter Glasses
If you’re prepared for a slightly messy project, have the kids help you make glittered glasses using outdoor-safe plastic glassware.
- Hit the local craft store for some glitter and sealant.
- Apply a thin coating of glue around the base of each glass and partway up each stem, and then have your kids sprinkle the glitter over the glue.
- Once it dries, spray each one with sealant.
You can use the goblets now and then once it warms up, take them outside — since they are plastic, you don’t have to worry about them breaking, and they are the perfect way to brighten up a summer barbecue.