Showing posts sorted by relevance for query christmas lights. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query christmas lights. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query christmas lights. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query christmas lights. Sort by date Show all posts

7 Winter and Christmas Activities to Do with Your Kids

Simple Christmas Activities to Do with Your Kids


Winter is here! Oh, and Christmas is also just around the corner! Not only do kids love this time of year, but so adults do too! Even the most mature people in society can’t help but get a little giddy when it’s snowing outside and the bells are ringing! Christmas brings out everyone’s inner child. Of course, winter means it’s time for fun, family, holiday activities and lots of them! Read on for 7 simple winter and Christmas activities to do with your kids.



Simple Christmas Activities to Do with Your Kids




Seven Simple Activities to do with Kids during Winter Season


There's no need to spend a lot of money or stress over making glorious holiday decorations and delectable cookies to achieve the perfect Christmas with kids. Simple winter and holiday activities make the best, long lasting memories. Why not start a new family Christmas tradition with these simple activities for family time with the kids.


  1. Decorate your whole house with fancy lights

Winter isn’t the holiday season without fancy lights. 

From the colorful to the vibrant, get creative and beautiful LED fairy lights to your favorite rooms. Make sure to get the kids involved by allowing them to have input on which lights go in which location. LED lights don't get hot like those old fashioned Christmas lights so go crazy this year!

To get some amazing Christmas lights, as well as other cool bulbs and lamps, go to powerpointelectrics.co.uk. Be a clever mom or dad by ordering your lights now before it’s too late! The more lights, the merrier the holiday season. Your kids will treasure this family tradition, so go make it a thing!


  1. Spend a day at your local slopes

Fingers crossed; it’s going to snow this winter! When it does, the entire family should wrap up nice and warm and head down to your local slopes. They’ll probably be lots of other families and kids there, too, which will make the occasion extra memorable. In Indiana, you can also do some stellar snow toboggan sledding at Pokagon State Park.


Don't Miss these Halloween activities!


  1. Create paper snowflakes

Kids love to get creative during winter and Christmas time. A great winter holiday activity idea is to create snowflakes out of paper. Follow this easy tutorial on how to make paper snowflakes from Martha Stewart. Make sure to carefully guide your kids through the steps, and don’t forget to be extra careful with sharp scissors! Once you’ve created your paper snowflakes, scatter them around your home for a special winter holiday decoration.


Here are some more fun snowflake activities from the Adventures of Kids Creative Chaos.


  1. Read Christmas stories

It's impossible to count the abundance of classic Christmas stories. So, this winter, give your kids freedom of choice when it comes to which stories they want to hear. Maybe it will be The Polar Express, or – wait for it - How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Click here for some great holiday books for kids that you may not of yet read!


Don't miss these Christmas activities!


  1. Go on a Netflix marathon with the family!

Usually, the weather is freezing cold during the winter months in Indiana. Of course, this means that a lot of time is spent indoors (preferably with marshmallow.)

When your family is relaxing around the house during the holiday, load up Netflix and go on a movie-watching marathon! Elf, anyone? If you need extra help, here are 37 of the best Christmas movies for kids available on Netflix. 


Don't miss these New Year activities!


  1. Have a cozy fire in your backyard

Bonfires don't have to be just for fall! If you have a nice spacious backyard, you should have a cozy (and safe) fire. You’ll even be able to toast some marshmallows, have some hot chocolate, and tell your best Christmas stories. While you're at it, make some savory s'mores!


Don't miss these holiday recipes!


  1. Build igloos and snow forts

When it snows, it’s only right that the entire family has a huge snowball fight! When you do, make sure to build some igloos and forts to make it extra exciting. You can even make indoor snowballs for an indoor snowball fight!



Recommended:





Christmas Tree in Snow clipart, photo, images, and cartoon pictures

Christmas Tree in Snow Pictures and Free Clip Art Printables

I surfed the Internet and came up with these beautiful Christmas clipart photos of Christmas Trees in snow and we have many types of Christmas Trees* for you. Click the image to visit the website of origin, find more beautiful photos available for free or purchase.  Happy Holidays! Enjoy!
Christmas Tree in Snow Clipart printable
Cartoon Christmas Tree in Snow from Microsoft Clipart images.
Christmas Tree in Snow with colored lights from Word Clipart images.
Tiny Charlie Brown Christmas Tree in Snow with white lights.

Photos of Christmas Trees in snow
Lit Christmas Tree in Snow from Indigo Crossing Blog.

Christmas Tree in snowy hillls from Pixadus.com posted by Coy.

Also from Indigo Crossing Blog.

photo of Christmas Trees in snow craft waffle cone tree
Waffle cone Christmas Trees in snow from popcorn.
Free Printable Christmas tree Cartoons and clipart images
Christmas Tree from Rudolph's Shiny New Year with Yukon Cornelius, Bumble, Santa, and Rudolph.
  

From make-handmade.blogspot.com (blog no longer exists.)

Christmas Tree Clipart from Microsoft Office and Word.


From Latoro.com Screensavers visit for tons of wall paper to download.

Twig ornament Christmas Trees from Michele Made Me Blog.

From Recovering Craft Hoarder Blog. Click image to visit blog.

Here is  a great website for free clipart images.
Click on the photo to visit clipartguide.com

You can find great clipart images in word and office programs like this cartoon Christmas tree with decorations.

Christmas Tree in snow cartoon clipart.


Recommended Reading:

Old-Fashioned Christmas Illustrations Clipart*

Christmas Quote: Tinsel in a Tangle

Winter Backgrounds - Christmas Vector Clip Art Images*



*If any of these images are yours and you would like more than a link back please let me know.









ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


25 Best Holiday Light Displays and Christmas Activities Indiana: Speedway and Beyond

Holiday Fun Activities and Light Shows in Indiana


'Tis the season! Are you looking for fun family activities and things to do this holiday season? We've gathered up the 25 best holiday light displays in the greater Indianapolis area and beyond. During the holidays, Indiana is a festive place. Many of the holiday light displays start the weekend before Thanksgiving. Some of these Indiana holiday activities and light shows are free. 

This post contains affiliate links.





You've eaten until your belly feels like it is going to pop. You've unbuttoned the top button of your pants to make room for desserts. What next? You can sit in the chair and watch the same old holiday movies while in a food coma or you can go for a ride and get in the holiday spirit with a festive holiday light show display or an immersive holiday activity that's fun for the whole family. If you start now, you can do them all before New Year's Day!

25 Best Holiday Light Display Shows and Family Friendly Activities in Indiana


Speedway - Indianapolis Motor Speedway Holiday Light Show

2016 was the inaugural light show at the Indianapolis 500 Motor Speedway. Pay per car load and take a ride around the famous track.




See over 2 million lights at the Brickyard: 11/17 - 12/30, $25 per car Monday to Wednesday, $30 Thursday to Saturday, $50 for vehicles with 15+ passengers, speedy passes also available for an additional cost. 


Danville - Ellis Park Drive Thru Light Display

Winterland is open daily starting 11/24 thru 12/30 (Closed Christmas Day)
Sunday to Thursday 6pm to 9pm and Friday & Saturday 6pm to 10pm. $10 per car load.

See Santa in the Train Station on Friday, Saturday and Sunday through December 23rd.

Copy and print this discount coupon to save $5 at the gate.






CarmelChristKindlmarkt

The Carmel Christkindlmarkt offers a  blend of traditional German foods and gifts, surrounding a beautiful outdoor ice skating rink. The whole family will enjoy exploring the market and making cherished memories. Event is located at 10 Center Green - Between The Palladium and The Tarkington Theater 11/18 - 12/24 (Closed Thanksgiving Day) Wednesday thru Thursday 4-9 pm and 1-9 pm weekend days.


Kokomo - We Care Park Light Display

Located on the north side of Kokomo in the 2300 block of North Market Street (just west of the intersection of Gano and Lafountain) this outdoor display has over 1,000,000 lights and animated displays. Drive thru the park or walk the 3 acres to enjoy.


Muncie - Minnetrista Enchanted Luminaria Walk

Kick off the holiday season with this family event. Experience sweet treats, winter games and crafts, carriage rides, and holiday music in celebration of the season. Enjoy rides and food for a small fee. Indoors, Minnetrista also hosts a holiday tree event.


Fishers - Conner Prairie by Candlelight  

As a past Conner Prairie Interpreter and Manager of Music and Theatre programming, I participated in this event many times. Dress warmly. This magical, family friendly 90-minute walking tour transforms you back in time to 1836 Prairietown where it’s the night before Christmas. 12/8-12/23, $16/adult ($14/adult member) $13/youth ages 2-12 ($11/youth member) Groups of 15+ guests $15/adult & $12/youth. Tours begin at 6 PM and run every 12 minutes until 9 PM. Best for ages 7+.


Fishers - Winter Wonderland


Celebrate the magic of the season when Fisher's Nickel Plate District transforms into a Winter Wonderland, complete with a place to leave letters for Santa. Starts 11/30, FREE.






Fishers - Reynolds Farm Christmas Light Show
A million bulbs illuminate a 57' tall abominable snowman and donations benefit a local food bank. 11/21 - 1/1, FREE.





Indianapolis Museum of Art - Newfields - Winterlights 

Winterlights is an outdoor strolling experience in the gardens of IMA. Wear comfortable walking shoes and warm clothes. Enjoy millions of lights that dance to music and beverages and firepits to roast s'mores at Newfields (Art Museum).  11/9 - 1/7, $8 to $20, FREE for children 5 and under, 5 & 7 PM  






Indianapolis - Christmas at the Zoo 

Twinkling lights surround the seals, sea lions, walruses and tigers. 11/24-26, 29-30; 12/1-3, 6-10, 13-23, 26-30, $9.95 for children and $12.95 for adults.


Indianapolis - Circle of Lights 

See the Soldiers and Sailors Monument transformed into a giant Christmas tree made of more than 4,000 lights. Lighting of the tree is 11/24, FREE. 


IndianapolisChinese Lantern Festival

Thirty sets of giant Chinese Lanterns light up the Indiana State Fairgrounds. 11/24 - 1/7, $10 to $15, FREE for children 4 and under.



Broad RippleBroad Ripple Lights Up!

Broad Ripple lights up for the holidays complete with a Wonderland activity village and twilight parade. 12/3, FREE.


Mooresville - Victorian Christmas Celebration

The annual Victorian Christmas Celebration features a number of fun stops and activities throughout Mooresville. A free shuttle service takes you to each stop so you don't miss a thing! Enjoy carolers, craft fair, carriage rides, performances and Victorian characters 12/2, FREE.

While in Morgan County, hop over to Martinsville and see the candy canes being made at the Martinsville Candy Kitchen.


Santa Claus  - Santa Claus Indiana for the Holidays

The town with Santa's name is packed with holiday activities. Visit Santa, mail a letter and more. Check the website for dates and details.

Columbus - Holiday at the Farm

Bloomington - Canopy of Lights

French Lick - 50 Days of Lights


Indianapolis Indoor Holiday Events


Garfield Park Conservatory Crossing

See the Conservatory decked with a brilliant display of poinsettias, enjoy model trains and villages, and thousands of twinkling lights. 11/24 – 12/31, Monday-Saturday: 10-5 pm, Sundays: 1-5 pm, Evenings Hours (until 8 pm): December 15, 16, 21, 22, and 23, $4 per person or $10 per family (2 adults max.)


Indiana State Museum - Celebration Crossing 

Celebration Crossing comes alive with holiday merriment from the sounds of bands, bell and vocal choirs and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will entertain visitors in their cozy home through 12/24. Take a trip back in time by gazing into the recreated L.S. Ayres store windows rekindling Christmases past. 11/24 - 1/7, included with museum admission. Don't miss the train - it will make cherished memories for years to come.


Photo courtesy of the Indiana State Museum.


Children's Museum of Indianapolis - Jolly Days

Celebrate family traditions and holidays with Jolly Days Winter Wonderland. Enjoy favorites like the two-story Yule Slide, Jingles the Jolly Bear, and visits with Santa. 11/24 - 1/7, included with museum admission.


The Eiteljorg MuseumJingle Rails  

This popular locomotive wonderland and Indianapolis family tradition opens  11/18 - 1/15, included with museum admission.


Indiana History Center - Festival of Trees

The history center is full of festive activities at the Festival of Trees. Visit the website for a full list of holiday happenings. 11/17 - 1/6, included with museum admission.


Nearby Events - Mason, Ohio - King's Island Winterfest

Ring in the holidays with the return of WinterFest at Kings Island on select nights 11/24 - 12/30. The park transforms into nine enchanting winter wonderlands featuring ice skating on the Royal Fountain, the Eiffel Tower transformed into a magical Christmas tree, up to 17 rides including Mystic Timbers, more than 5 million lights and 14 holiday characters spreading merriment, like Jack Frost and Sugar Plum Fairy. Visit the website for hours and cost.


Recommended:

Things to do in Indiana

Holiday Road: Dress the whole family in festive Christmas pajamas while you tour the light shows from the comfort of your vehicle.

Ring in Ring in the holidays with the return of WinterFest at Kings Island on 
Pin it!


25 Best Holiday Light Displays and Christmas Activities Indiana: Speedway and Beyond

Make Pipe cleaner Sparkly Spirals for your Christmas Tree: Fun for preschoolers

Everyone can make these fun, easy pipe cleaner spiral ornaments for your tree even preschoolers

It's beginning to look a lot like CHRISTMAS all around our house! There's a tree in the Liv-ing room... A Santa on the mantle... And the Snow is expected very soon. So, we made Christmas Tree Ornaments from Pipecleaners. Enjoy!


Easy pipe cleaner spirals preschoolers can make
Easy pipecleaner craft - make holiday decorations.
I have a gorgeous 9' Tree that I bought one-hundred years ago when I was much younger and less wiser :-) Last year, it ended up on the floor several times due to toddlers or my blind cat who likes to climb it. This year we bought a Wal-mart Special. My grandmother always had a white tree. I remember thinking (even back then) maybe its a bit tacky.

Yesterday's tacky is today's classy?

Well, maybe not...
But I miss my grandma and her Tacky Tree.


White Christmas Tree with Lights.
White Christmas Tree with Lights.
I like it, I really like it! The kids love it. The downfall is lights are on green strands that scream out 'ugly' to me. I am sure I will spend the next few days trying to camouflage them as I discreetly re-hang the ornaments that the kid's spent the afternoon happily placing on the bottom of the tree.

It is very endearing with my Sesame Street Carolers hanging from the lower branches as it sits on a table in hope to avoid the blind cat. The new kitten isn't as easily fooled. He keeps batting a Big Bird. We suspect he might have sprayed it too.  I'm glad he approves.

So, you ask, what's the craft, lady? It is unbelievably SIMPLE. On my last trip  to the Dollar store to purchase UNBREAKABLE ornaments, I found sparkly, green pipe cleaners.


I speculated braiding them into mini-wreaths or garlands. The sparkly green looks nice with the white tree. After we put the tree up those green wires me. I contemplated covering them with garland or ribbons while I distractedly wrapped a pipe cleaner around my finger. Of course, you can wrap them around a pencil too.



Make a pipe cleaner spiral christmas tree decoration.
Wrap a pipe cleaner around your finger to make a spiral.

My son wanted the cool, slinky-like spiral. So, I bent one end into a hanger shape and he placed them on the tree-  faster than I could make them.

Make Pipe cleaner Sparkly Spirals for your Christmas Tree: Fun for preschoolers
Pipe Cleaner Christmas Ornament Spirals.
They don't break! If Mr. Tigger bats them down, c'est la vie, they probably cost a penny a piece. The perfect, artsy-adornment for my tacky tree... Tacky Ornaments. Cute! Fun! Spirals!

My favorite art form - perhaps even my trademark. Choose lots of primary colors for green trees.


Recommended Reading:

Christmas Ornaments Stained Glass Coloring Book (Dover Stained Glass Coloring Book)*

Christmas Games

Things to Make and Do for Christmas (Usborne Activities)*









ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


7 Homemade Christmas Ornament Craft Ideas

Heirloom Ornaments and Decorations from our Family Tree

Our tree has lots of beautiful ornaments, expensive ones, antique family heirlooms, and decorations celebrating the kids' first Christmas. The best Christmas ornaments are those we make ourselves. They don't have to be embarrassing! These homemade ornaments are craft projects you can do as a family, and they will last for years to come. Enjoy!


This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.*

7 easy homemade handmade Christmas Ornament Decorations for the Tree



Fimo Clay is easier than salt dough, and it lasts longer than play dough. Many craft stores carry it. Just open, create, and insert hole in top with a straw. Voila! Quick, simple, holiday ornaments or package tie-ons.


7 Homemade Christmas Ornament Craft Ideas
One year, my niece made everyone beautiful 
homemade gift ornaments from Fimo clay.

Legend of the Christmas Tree Cardinal Decoration.
Christmas Tree Cardinal Legend.


The cardinal is considered the Christmas bird and is a reminder to Christians of their faith in Christ. This one is an old family heirloom, but you can make a homemade no-sew new one with felt and tacky glue. Cut two layers of the cardinal, stuff with scrap fabric or tissue paper, glue the seams together, and use Sharpies to draw the features.

Ever since I can remember, we've had a cardinal near the top of our tree.


Winter Snowflake Crochet Craft for Tree Ornament.
Handmade Winter Snowflake Crochet Craft for Tree Ornament.


Crochet a beautiful snowflake like my Grandmother did, then paint it with a glue/water solution or Modge Podge. You can also use Fabric Starch. Make a solution, place snowflake into bag, pour in liquid starch. Find How to DIY here.


Old-fashioned cookie cutters make awesome Christmas Tree ornaments.
Old-fashioned cookie cutters make awesome 
Christmas Tree ornaments. Just insert a ribbon.

Ski Craft for Kids
Homemade Craft Stick Snow Ski Ornament Craft.
Perfect After-school or Scout project.

My Mother and Aunt used to make an ornament for all the cousins every Christmas. My Aunt made lots of crafts in 4-H programs. This one is a favorite that stood the test of time. 

Just paint two craft sticks with acrylic paint, hot glue them in the mid-point forming an "x", apply fake snow or white glitter paint to each end, and decorate with a bow. Holiday Snow Ski Ornament is a great Christmas craft idea for kids.




Christmas Tree Craft Stick Fridge Magnet or Holiday Puppet.
Homemade Christmas Tree Craft Stick Fridge Magnet or Holiday Puppet.

Get preschoolers and elementary kids crafting with this simple holiday decoration. I cut out two of various holiday shapes: Triangles, Circles, Stars. Then, place a popsicle stick between the layers and glue the edges together. 

Collect old advertiser fridge magnets, cut them up and repurpose them. You can attach to the back with tacky glue or glue between the layers to hide the magnet. 


A red triangle and pink circle make a great Santa Face. Let the littles decorate the ornaments with glitter, star stickers, and pipecleaners. Place low on fridge and let the little use them to make a holiday puppet show or give as gifts to the Grandparents!  :-)




Homemade Christmas Decoration Fridge Magnet
Homemade Christmas Decoration Fridge Magnet.

DIY Handmade Paper Pulp Heart Christmas Tree Craft Ornament
DIY Handmade Paper Pulp Heart Christmas Tree Craft Ornament.

Here is a fun link explaining how to make these ornaments or plantable paper seed cards. Great gift idea! My high school Art teacher (the spark of my creativity) gave these as gifts one year. 


Recommended Reading:

Christmas Party Games 

Heirloom Ornament Ideas for Tree

Little Christmas Decorations to Knit and Crochet*







ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


Christmas Past: Favorite Ornaments Adorn Our Tree: Homemade and Repurposed Heirlooms: Grandma's Cookie Cutters

Turn Heirloom Baking Items into Ornaments with these Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas

Remember making Christmas cookies with Grandma? Those sugar cookies were covered in colored candy sugar, icing piped from a tube, and chocolate coated candies. It is a favorite memory I try to recreate every year with my kiddos minus those old-fashioned plastic cookie cutters. Remember? The cutters were floured, but it was still nearly impossible to remove the reindeer antlers or any other tiny details in the cookie cutter. So, we turned ours into heirloom Christmas Tree Ornaments. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.*


Make Christmas Tree Ornaments from old Cookie Cutters



So, to honor the memory, I tied a Christmas ribbon* through the top of our heirloom ornaments and hung them on our tree. The light reflects behind them with a beautiful red glow making the perfect heirloom decoration for the tree.



Heirloom Decorated Christmas Tree with Lights
Heirloom Decorated Christmas Tree with Lights.

Old fashioned Red Plastic Cookie Cutter Angel
Red, plastic angel cookie cutter ornament. 
Old fashioned Plastic Red Cookie Cutter Wreath
Red Cookie Cutter holly and "Merry Christmas" gift ornaments for tree decorations.
Handmade Paper Heart Ornament, Metal Cookie Cutters,  and Handmade Wooden Decorations.
Handmade Paper Heart Ornament, Metal Cookie Cutters, and Handmade Wooden Decorations.


Recommended:

Handmade Christmas Tree Ornaments

Holiday Cardboard Tube Creatures

Metal Christmas Cookie Cutters*





ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)