Thursday, December 16, 2010

CRAFT FOR KIDS: HANDPRINT WINTER TREE'S

School vacations are coming up! It's a good time to start gathering ideas to keep kids busy.  Check back for many more fun and easy ideas to come...


Snowy Handprint Tree

What you'll need:

  • 1 sheet light blue construction paper
  • 1 sheet white copy paper
  • Brown acrylic craft paint
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

How to make it:

  1. Lay white paper sideways (landscape) and cut the paper in half using a curvy cut. Place paper across the light blue construction paper. Use the glue stick to attach it to the bottom third of the blue paper.  Use scissors to trim off any excess white paper.
  2. Paint child's palm and fingers with brown paint. Have child spread out his/her fingers then press his/her palm and fingers down onto the paper. Wash off child's hand.
  3. Use finger to paint on a "tree trunk" under the palm print.
  4. Use the glue stick to apply glue to the fingers (branches) and snow (white paper). Sprinkle all glued areas with granulated sugar. Carefully lift paper and tap off excess sugar over the sink or a piece of wax paper.
  5. Use glue stick to draw dots or small circles onto the blue paper, sprinkle with sugar again and tap off excess.

COOKIE COUNTDOWN: RECIPE #18 BIG SOFT GINGER COOKIES

The smell of these baking in the oven is wonderful!

Big Soft Ginger Cookies Recipe
Big Soft Ginger Cookies
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Big-Soft-Ginger-Cookies-2/Detail.aspx
Original Recipe Yield 15 servings
 

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup butter (no substitutes), softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Additional sugar

Directions

  1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg and molasses. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Roll into 1-1/2-in. balls, then roll in sugar. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until puffy and lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool