I love the spirit of Christmas, and I love that there are so many amazing Christmas crafts and recipes to try out in December. So when the opportunity arose to review Beth Gorden’s new e-book, Christmas Crafts For Kids – 100+ Activities, Crafts, and Recipes based on Children’s Books, I knew it would be a great match and I was not disappointed. I received an e-book copy in return for posting my honest opinions on this book. This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.
Christmas Crafts For Kids – 100+ Activities, Crafts, and Recipes based on Children’s Books is an interesting and useful way to organise Christmas activities and will make the season more memorable.
This 167 page book is presented with a book for each day from December 1st to the 24th. Beth has also provided an alternative choice of book for each day, but keeping with the theme of the day. So if you aren’t able to find one book, you have a second to choose from. Most of these books I’m not familiar with, but this means we’ll have fun looking in the libraries for these books to expand our Christmas reading experience. There’s even an ‘extra’ day included if you’re really keen or want to switch out one of the other days.
Each day there is at least one recipe and one other activity, but there are some days that you’d never finish all of the options even if you tried, there are so many! Some of the crafts are old classics that I remember from my childhood and are nice to see being revived, but most are new to me and I look forward to trying them out with my family over the next few years.
The ideas, crafts, activities and recipes contained within Christmas Crafts For Kids aren’t just for Christmas! Keep an open mind and you’ll find lots of uses for this book. You’ve already seen our recreations of Beth’s egg carton camel craft and her Camel hand art. Both of these ideas we used as we read Humpfree The Humpless Camel, which explains the lack of ‘humps’ in ours. Beth uses these crafts for the books “Humphrey’s First Christmas” and “Caleb Crosses the Country: A Camel’s Tale“.
And because it isn’t yet the official Christmas season (not that you will know this from the decorations in the shops) we didn’t want to start our own Christmas activities too early and spoil the specialness and excitement for the children. But we did want to try out one of the many recipes within this book. Last weekend Phil did the honours and mixed up a batch of Snowy French Toast for breakfast from the books “Dream Snow” and “The Snow Globe Family“. (Pretend there’s a lovely star-shaped marshmallow in the middle of the toast, we’d just finished off our marshmallows the day before in some s’mores.).
Christmas Crafts For Kids caters mainly to the ages of 2 – 12 (the ages that will most likely be reading Christmas story books), but you’re never too old to watch How The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and make a themed pizza!
Most of the supplies used in this book you will already have, or they are easy to get. To make things easy for you, there is a handy and comprehensive materials listing at the back of this book for both the crafts and the recipes. There’s also a complete book list (including the alternate choices) by date in an appendix.
It would be fun to use this book each year and do one item for each story. In this case this book would keep you busy for years to come! Which makes it great value for money. Or choose one book a week and do a couple or all of the activities to go with that book.
If you’re really pressed for time but you still like the idea of reading a book a day with your children, Beth also has an add-on packet that can be purchased. This packet includes a daily printable ornament, 3 count-down calendars, as well as 3 activities not included in her original book.
To purchase your own copy of either (or both) of these fantastic Christmas Crafts With Kids resources, simply click here or on the book cover below.
We’ve had a lot of fun browsing through this book, and we will be taking it with us this week on our trip to the library to see which books we can order in to our branch for December. And because we won’t even come close to finishing all of these ideas, we’ll be referring back to it over the year when we need a little crafty inspiration.
Now I’m curious what your favourite book is? Let’s share in the comments.
Beth Gorden is the imagination behind the website 123 Homeschool 4 Me. She is the mother to 3 young children from the ages of 2-8, a wife, and a home educator. In addition to her website you can follow Beth through Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.
Julie grasso says
This sounds like a fabulous idea. When little G is a bit older I will be sure to pick this up. Thanks again for joining us on the Kid Lit Blog Hop
Crystal McClean says
It’s a really cool book 🙂 I’m taking our list of books to the library on Tuesday to see what’s available and doing the activities accordingly.
Jennifer G. says
I would have to say the classic, The night before Christmas 🙂
Susan says
Oooo, sounds like a great book! 🙂
Crystal McClean says
You’d absolutely love it, Susan!
Midge says
Oliver Twist is mine. Good luck to all.
katrina day-reilly says
the snowman
Stephanie @ From the Burbs to the Boonies says
What an awesome book. I think the ideas would probably keep you busy for lots of Chrismtas-es. Brady and I’s favorite book I don’t have, I think they read it in church but I want to find it. It’s about a tree that gets cut shorter and shorter and shorter and becomes a Christmas tree for all kinds of people, I think even a mouse :)Oh I found it online, it is Mr. Willowby’s Christmas tree.
Crystal McClean says
Thanks for explaining it, I think I’ve read it at some point and quite enjoyed it. The library doesn’t yet have their Christmas stock out yet, but we’ll be searching for great books once it’s out 🙂
Adelien says
I think Christmas is the only holiday that I have similarly with people from other countries. This book looks pretty interesting for me. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Crystal McClean says
You’re right, there are many holidays that are different or are the same but celebrated at different times. Even in mainly non-Christian countries you can sometimes see Christmas/winter decorations and feel more a part of the culture.
Missy Homemaker says
I can honestly say I don’t think I have a favorite Christmas book. I just love them all so much!
This looks like a really fun book.
Tammy Doiel @creativekkids.com says
The Crippled Lamb is my favorite book for Christmas. The e-book with activities sounds great!
sarah says
I dont have a fave Christmas recipe book but I do use some of my nans recipes… they’ve gone on for generations!
annette @ A Net In Time says
i don’t know if I have favourite Christmas book. Christmas reindeer is a fun read though, but not sure I’d say it was my favourite. 🙂
Heather says
I have a book called “A Greener Christmas” that I look at every year. But, other than that, The Night Before Christmas 🙂
Crystal McClean says
I love The Night Before Christmas 🙂
TheBargainBabe says
ooh my favorite Christmas book? Yikes, that is hard! I’ve had a lot of little nativity story books for my kids. The Humphrey camel book looks cute. 🙂
Jill @ Called To Be A Mom says
These look like a lot of fun! I love doing Christmas Activities and my kids love any arts and crafts I let them do! This is a win win. I can give me ideas.
Crystal McClean says
Christmas is great! I burned myself out with activities two years ago and didn’t want to see the craft box for a good month afterwards. Last year was a better pace 🙂
Jessica @ fantabulosity.com says
OMG, you just made me so hungry by looking at that French toast! Lol. I never thought about using powdered sugar as “Snow.” What a great idea! I’m always looking for activities for my kiddos, and I’ll definitely have to check this book out! Awesome! Thank you!
Crystal McClean says
It’s great to get new ideas and uses for things, I’m glad you’ve somethingnew to try and you haven’t even read the book yet 🙂