Christmas Countdown - 12 Days to Go!

12 Days 'til Christmas!!!

Only 12 days until the kids get to wake up on Christmas morning, and the excitement is palpable! We have so much to do between now and then, but the kids are too excited to entertain themselves... What to do?? It is time for a Christmas countdown of some fun activities - things the kids can do that may buy you a few minutes of free time. Or at the very least it will give you something you can do with your children to help them pass the time! The best part, the kids will have fun and shh... they won't know they're learning! :)

Gingerbread Playdough

This is a fun twist on regular playdough because it smells just like gingerbread. It is a perfect way for the kids to "make cookies" without actually making cookies.... ;) Simple to make and good for hours of fun!

Recipe

1 c flour

1/2 c salt

2 t cream of tartar

1 T cinnamon

1 t ginger

1 t nutmeg

1 t cloves

2 T oil

1 c water

In a large saucepan, mix together flour, salt, cream of tartar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Add oil and water, and place the pan on the stove on medium. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the dough forms and is the consistency of playdough. Remove from heat and set dough on the counter to cool. Once it is cool enough to handle, knead the dough until you have a good playdough consistency. Store in an airtight container. (Dough will last longer if you store it in the fridge.)

Give the kids some rollers and cookie cutters and let them go to town! I also like to give them things like beads and ribbons to decorate their gingerbread men. Let their imaginations run wild!

Materials needed for tomorrow:

*various pieces of felt, at least one large green piece