The Multicultural Guide To Your Advent Calendar

The Multicultural Guide To Your Advent Calendar

The origin of the Advent Calendar can be traced back to the 19th. Century. The first styles came from the German protestant area where religious families made a chalk line for every day in December until Christmas Eve. The first known Advent Calendar which was made by handwork is from the year 1851. Since then, this Christian tradition has been part of the Holidays repertoire of many families around the world. Family member and friends look for the perfect Advent Calendar to begin the holidays celebrations. 

This calendar come in a multitude of forms, from a simple paper calendar with flaps covering each of the days to fabric pockets on a background scene to painted wooden boxes with cubby holes for small items. Many families craft their Advent Calendars themselves, making of this process a great opportunity to kick off the Christmas season. There are so many wonderful ideas out there to create the perfect calendar for your family. Chocolates, candy, fudge, small toys, pocket books and many other items are suitable to keep children excited about opening their calendar every day. 

How to nurture children’s curiosity and raise global awareness during the Holidays season?

A multicultural Advent Calendar is the answer! 

Each day of this years advent my family and I are concentrating in being present, giving our time and attention as a gift, and learning more about holiday traditions around the world. These are some of the ideas that have made our Multicultural Advent Calendar possible. Remember to include some nick-knacks from your country of origin to learn more about your own heritage. Cultural awareness begins with the recognition and appreciation of one’s culture. 

  1. Time to visit your local ethnic market. 

From food to pottery, ethnic stores are a great place to introduce your children to another culture. It is a tiny appetizer to the knowledge of fruits, vegetables, tea, coffee, sweets, pastries, and even clothing from other countries. Depending on the age of your children, you can simply buy a traditional sweet as a gift for some of the days of the Advent Calendar, or you can gift the excitement of a new adventure. How? Write a note that the kids will unwrap to discover that they have been invited to explore a new supermarket with many things from far away lands. You can even include a small allowance for them to spend there. 

2. Sweets and Storytelling go together.

Enclosed your child’s favorite chocolate and a note inviting him to spend time on the sofa with mom and dad listening to a fun Christmas story. We have many books that we have collected over the years about Christmas around the world. Children love to hear what people from other countries eat on Chistmas Eve, or what present kids receive in other cultures. Keep it fun! 

3. Spending time together is always fun.

In any language, in any culture, the need for interaction is key element of happiness. The Holidays season is a great opportunity to give ourselves to others and experience the positive rush of thinking of others and helping the community. Including some “days” in your Advent Calendar designated to spending time together as a family is always fun and cheap (for those like us that are always on a budget). My daughter loves rubbers (erasers), so for her we packed tiny unicorn erasers along with a note (pink paper of course) that says “hot cocoa time with mom”. On that day, I turn off my mobile phone, set the iPad aside, and make delicious hot chocolate to be drunk with my princess, just the two of us, chatting and enjoying the warmth of our decorated living room. 

4. Treasure hunt meets Christmas season.

Treat your children to clues that will lead to a wonderful prize! Maybe a weekend getaway or a visit to a museum to learn more about your local culture. Kids will be for sure excited about going on a trip with mom and dad, and parents can make of this trip the perfect opportunity to explore their own traditions. Make an effort to prepare beforehand for the event. Reading about the place to be visited is always a good idea, that way children can reinforce hands-on what they have learned at home. Remember that if traveling is beyond the means of your family’s budget, you can try the next big thing: find a movie that will anchor your adventure. A film about other culture is a nice foundation for further knowledge. 

5. Teach you child the “saving & sharing” lesson. 

Saving is a skill that must be learned from a young age. Depositing a special Advent “bonus” into your child’s account is an exciting way to nurture the love for saving. Therefore, prepare an Advent day where kids unwrap a chocolate and a note that says that money has been added to their savings account. Do you want to take this gift one step further? Encourage your children to look for a charitable cause to donate part of their bonus to help those in need. There are a huge number of websites with information about charity institutions around the world. Help your children to choose one and then learn more about that country.

In conclusion, it is important that your family enjoys the Advent time and learn about diverse Christmas traditions. However, let’s not forget that despite the pervasiveness of Christmas, it is critical that any globally minded person not assume that everyone celebrates it. Be open to diversity and enjoy different cultures and “Christmasses”. 

Have a wonderful Advent time! For more such stories from me, visit Little Nomads.

How to make a Paper Octopus

How to make a Paper Octopus | DIY Kid’s Crafts

It’s almost summer and its a perfect time for DIY projects, especially that the kids are going to be always home. So let’s dive deep with this cute Paper Octopus Craft that’s absolutely fun to make.

This is a simple craft activity that you can do with your kids at home or make this with your class at school or kindergarten. The cheerios that we glue on to the octopus tentacles make the octopus more real and cute. Let’s get started.

DETAILED VIDEO TUTORIAL AVAILABLE

Supplies Needed:

  • Construction paper of different colors
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Googly Eyes
  • Punch hole
  • Cheerios
  • String
Method:
  1. Take any two construction papers and fold it into a half, trace and cut the octopus shape as shown in the video.
  2. Now using them as a template cut another octopus shape from the other two construction paper. But this time make sure the tentacles are faced with a different angle. Watch the video for more clear information.
  3. Paste all the octopus shapes together aligning one after another.
  4. Cut the paper into an oval size shape and paste onto the octopus head. Paste the google eyes over the oval-shaped paper.
  5. Fill all the sides of the octopus head with round color papers of different sizes.
  6. Using a punch hole create some round shaped papers and paste it all over the tentacles with a regular gap.
  7. Once dried, paste the Cheerios onto the tentacles in the gaps between punch hole papers.
  8. Punch a hole in the head of the octopus and add a string to hang it or play with it.

That’s it! A cute adorable Paper Cheerios Octopus is ready to have fun with. Isn’t it a great paper craft idea? Let me know what how much do you like it. If you have created a different version of this, feel free to share with me.

We would love to hear from you. Make this and show it off! Email it to us at contact@localhost or upload it on social media and tag us. @passionatemoms,@raisingworldchildren. We would feature the best ones on OUR platform for the world to see!

 

rwc keepsake art

Fingerprint Keepsake Canvas Art | Craft for Preschoolers

Keepsake crafts are a great way to save the fond memories to look back on. This fingerprint keepsake canvas art is a perfect DIY craft to treasure your little one’s fingerprints! A simple canvas can be turned into a masterpiece with some painty little fingerprints of your little ones! Isn’t a cute keepsake craft for babies, toddlers and preschoolers which can be treasured forever.

Compete Tutorial here 

 

Supplies needed:
  • 6×6 Canvas
  • Kids paint
  • Peel and stick Countertop sticker or any sticker
  • Any paper
  • Scissors
  • Pencil
Method:
  1. Collect all the materials mentioned above. Now take a peel and stick countertop sticker and cut it into a size of the 6×6 canvas.
  2. With a help of any paper trace and cut a heart shape from the 6×6 countertop sticker as shown in the video.
  3. Now carefully peel the sticker and paste onto the canvas.
  4. Choose your desired colors up to 3 and help your kid to do the fingerprint painting on the canvas that is not covered by the sticker.
  5. Let it dry, sometimes you can leave it for overnight.
  6. Once the paint is dry, carefully peel the sticker from the canvas.

Viola! you have an adorable keepsake fingerprint painting to treasure forever. I am sure this works as a great gift for your loved one’s birthday, mothers day, fathers day and valentines day too. Do you have any other idea for a keepsake craft? Share with me in the below comment section.

Fingerprint Keepsake Canvas Art | Craft for preschoolers

We would love to hear from you. Make this and show it off! Email it to us at contact@localhost or upload it on social media and tag us. @passionatemoms,@raisingworldchildren. We would feature the best ones on OUR platform for the world to see!

Origami Mini Heart Photo Frame- DIY Fridge Magnet

Origami Mini Heart Photo Frame- DIY Fridge Magnet

Origami Mini Heart Photo Frame is a perfect project for kids (and beginner grown-ups, too!). This makes a beautiful last minute gift for Mother’s day too! Haven’t got time to get your mom a gift? Just grab a paper and make this photo frame and gift her with a favorite pic in it, Voila! Addition to this adorable paper gift, paste a magnet in the back side of the frame and make it as a fridge magnet. Wouldn’t be a great idea to record your happy memories in the kitchen?

DETAILED TUTORIAL HERE 

Let’s get started with the supplies you need:
  • 12×12 cm square patterned paper or origami paper
  • Glue Gun
  • Magnet button
  • Mini square photo
Method:
  1. Take a 12×12 cm square paper and fold it all the side to create crease all over the paper.
  2. Now carefully fold the paper and make the photo frame as shown in the video.
  3. Once done, place a square size pic inside the frame.
  4. To make it as a fridge magnet, paste a button magnet in the back side of the frame.

That’s It! A cut photo frame plus a fridge magnet is ready! I am sure this simple yet creative craft will be a great addition to your craft adventures.

We would love to hear from you. Make this and show it off! Email it to us at contact@localhost or upload it on social media and tag us. @passionatemoms,@raisingworldchildren. We would feature the best ones on OUR platform for the world to see!

Origami Mini Heart Photo Frame - DIY Fridge Magnet

Featured Image DIY Paper Pinwheel

How To Make A Pin-less Paper Pinwheel That Spins

Paper Pinwheels are one of the simplest DIY craft kids could make with very little supervision. As an added feature how about, we make some pinwheels which are totally “PINLESS”. Yeah, you read it right. The tutorial below is a Kid’s Safe Pinless Paper Pinwheel which could absolutely spin.

DETAILED VIDEO HERE

 

Detailed Description:

Supplies Needed:
  • Any patterned paper or recycled paper – Square size
  • Glue Stick
  • Paper Punch
  • Scissors
  • Paper or Plastic Straw
  • Chenille stem

Have fun creating this pin-less paper spinning wheel kid safe spinning wheel to enjoy summer with.

Method:
  1. Take a square piece of paper and fold it to find the exact center and punch a hole.
  2. Now cut the paper diagonally halfway through, make sure you don’t reach the center.
  3. Next punch every second corner of the paper, as shown in the video and start folding in the corners.Using the glue stick, paste all the corners together. Make sure, the holes are all lined up.
  4. For the stem part, take a plastic straw and cut a small piece from it and keep aside.
  5. Cut a circle shaped paper from cardstock paper and poke a pin on it and put through the chenille stem through the hole. Roll one end of the chenille stem so, it doesn’t come off from the cardstock paper.
  6. Now bead the pinwheel and also the small piece of the straw along with the cardstock paper.
  7. Make a small cut in the bigger piece of the straw and put the chenille stem through it as shown in the video.Put a knot at the end so that pinwheel stays in place.

That’s It! A pinless yet spinning Paper Pinwheel is ready!!! With these pinwheels, your kids could enjoy the extra outside hours with so much fun.

We would love to hear from you. Make this and show it off! Email it to us at contact@localhost or upload it on social media and tag us. @passionatemoms,@raisingworldchildren. We would feature the best ones on OUR platform for the world to see!

DIY Paper Butterfly Featured Image

How To Make DIY Paper Butterflies

These paper butterflies are just awesome. Isn’t it amazing how a single square sheet of paper can be turned into something as beautiful as these paper butterflies? This is a perfect craft to do with your kids which you can use it as a wall decor too. Let’s get started with the supplies you need.

DETAILED VIDEO TUTORIAL 

Accordion Style Paper Butterfly:

Supplies Needed:

  • Square Paper
  • Scissors
  • Chenille stem

Method:

  1. Cut the square paper into two halves.
  2. Take one of the paper and fold it in the ends as shown in the video.
  3. Now fold the paper in accordion style starting from the middle of the paper.
  4. Take another piece of paper and turn it vertically to fold it in accordion style.
  5. Now join the two folded papers using the chenille stem and leave the ends long enough to form the antennas.
  6. Now carefully expand the papers to form the butterfly-like appearance. That’s It! you have your paper butterfly to decor your wall.

Pinterest Image for DIY Paper Butterfly

Origami Butterfly:

This is an easy craft and a perfect way to introduce origami to your kids.

Supplies Needed:

  • Square paper
  • Scissors

Method:

  1. Create a number of folds across the center of the square paper as shown in the video.
  2. Now, open out the paper and you should have folds crisscrossing the square in a star.
  3. Now using the diagonal folds as a guide, you will need to push each side inwards where the diagonal fold is to create a triangle shape. (See video.)
  4. Fold the half of each curved tip side and fold it inwards towards the middle crease.
  5. Now flip the paper and fold the pointy tip behind and bring it up to peek about 5mm over the top edge. Fold that 5mm tip down to overlap the main part.
  6. Now bring the two curved points back down to the front to make a crease in the center, to keep everything in place and finish off the butterfly shape.

That’s It! It’s so easy you can’t stop at one. Make a whole lot and have fun.

We would love to hear from you. Make this and show it off! Email it to us at contact@localhost or upload it on social media and tag us. @passionatemoms,@raisingworldchildren. We would feature the best ones on OUR platform for the world to see!

How To Make DIY Paper Basket - Easter Craft For Kids

How To Make DIY Paper Basket – Easter Craft For Kids

Here is an easy Easter Craft video tutorial for kids. DIY Paper Easter Basket is a perfect addition to any Easter celebration. They are so simple yet adorable to make. This cute, homemade Easter basket filled with mini favors will bring a smile to your kid’s sweet faces.  Let’s get started with the supplies you need.

Embed Link:

Supplies Needed:
  • Construction Paper  (2 different colors)
  • Stapler
  • Glue stick, Glue gun (optional)
  • Scissors
  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • Patterned paper
  • Mini cotton ball

DIY Kids Craft For Making An Easter Basket for Egg Hunt

Method:
  1. From each paper cut long strips of paper of equal size. Make sure you have 8 strips of each color paper.
  2. Arrange any one color paper strips horizontally near to one another and paste the one end using any tape. I used washi tape (it’s easy to peel off later with no damage to the papers).
  3. Now place other color paper strips vertically over the horizontal strips as shown in the video.
  4. While placing it, paste the strips to make sure it stays in place.
  5. Once the “Paper Mat” like shape is formed, carefully peel the washi tape from the paper strips.
  6. Now apply glue on the end and paste it together. Staple the pasted end.
  7. Repeat the steps on all ends. You have a lovely paper bowl.
  8. Now to make it more like a basket, again cut two color strips and paste it connecting the two ends to form a “handle”. Your Paper Basket is ready1!.
  9. To give an easter feel to your basket, trace and cut a cute bunny from a patterned paper.
  10. Paste the mini cotton balls on the bunny and paste it on the basket as shown in the video.
  11. That’s It, your cute Paper Easter Basket is ready to be filled with mini favors!!!

DETAILED TUTORIAL 

Let us know what’s in your Easter Basket? We would love to hear from you! Also, if you have a favorite Easter project, craft or activity that you like let us know.

We would love to hear from you. Make this and show it off! Email it to us at contact@localhost or upload it on social media and tag us. @passionatemoms,@raisingworldchildren. We would feature the best ones on OUR platform for the world to see! Check out More crafts here.

Shamrock crafts for ST.Patrick's Day

St. Patrick’s Day DIY Crafts for Kids

DIY craft for Valentines day

How To Make DIY Valentine Monster And Pom Pom Love Bug

Are you looking for a Valentines day kid’s craft that you could make together?  Then you are in luck! The below tutorial on how to make a ” Valentine Monster”  and a “Pom Pom Love Bug”  with heart antennas are great for kids. They would just love the idea of creating something and they can play with at home.

Caution: I am sure you will have a love bug infestation! I wonder what kind of exterminator you call for that.

Ready to make some love bugs of your own? Let’s get started!

DETAILED VIDEO TUTORIAL HERE 

 

 

Valentine Monster:

Supplies Needed:

  • Woolen yarn
  • 4×5 Inches cardboard paper( I just cut mine from a Cheerios box)
  • Googly eyes
  • Egg carton (For making the bug stand still)
  • Hot glue or Craft glue (Takes a bit more time to dry)
  • Heart shaped Foam sheets
  • Pipe cleaners or chenille stem
  • Scissors


Method:

  1. Take the cardboard piece and wrap the woolen yarn around several times to make a thick layer. Make a tight knot and remove the cardboard carefully.
  2. Now opposite to the knot cut the yarn as shown in the video. Level it by cutting the extras on the edges.
  3. Take an egg carton and cut the single egg holder, paste the yarn bundle over the egg carton.
  4. Now starts the easy part. Just paste the heart shaped stickers and make a face. Paste googly eyes over the foam sheet. You can add a mouth if you want but it’s totally optional.
  5. Take a 3-4 inch chenille stem folded in half for the antenna. Glue the chenille stem onto the top of the monster.
  6. Finally, paste the mini foam hearts onto the stem. Your Valentine monster is ready!

DIY kids craft for valentines day | Valentines craft for kids easy

Pom Pom Love Bug:

Supplies Needed:

  • Mini ready made Pom poms (available at the craft stores).
  • Googly eyes
  • Hot glue or Craft glue (Takes a bit more time to dry)
  • Foam heart shapes
  • Pipe cleaners or Chenille stem
  • Scissors
  • Construction Paper

Method:

  1. For this project, I used red and black mini pom poms. Paste the two pom poms together.
  2. Now paste the googly eyes and the bent chenille stem as an antenna.
  3. Trace a mini heart on a cardstock paper and cut it out. Glue the bug over the cardstock paper to make it stand still.
  4. Finally, paste the mini foam hearts onto the stem. Your Pom Pom Love Bug is ready!

I am sure your kids would have a bug blast! Ok, which one is your favorite?  Valentine monster or Love bug? I’d love to hear what your kids come up with to add to what I’ve created.

We would love to hear from you.

Make this and show it off! Email it to us at contact@localhost or upload it on social media and tag us. @passionatemoms,@raisingworldchildren. We would feature the best ones on OUR platform for the world to see!

  Suja Dinesh Raising World children Where Cultures Meet Parenting  Sindhuja Kumar is a proud mom and a lifestyle blogger living in Connecticut, USA and origin from Tamilnadu, India. She is happily married and nothing excites her more than being a mom. She blogs to keep herself sane, more or less writing about positive parenting adventures, DIY Craft tutorials & scrumptious recipes that empowers every mom and woman to stay inspired and living an elegant life in a creative way. Check her work @ PassionateMoms.

 

 

DIY Paper Chinese Lantern

How To Make DIY Chinese Paper Lantern- Chinese New Year Crafts

Chinese lanterns are so easy and fun to make that they often associated with festivals. These paper lanterns are quite popular to make for Chinese New Year. This is such a great project for kids who are starting to master the use of scissors! So, why not you could make these paper lanterns with your kids and teach them a bit about Chinese culture? Let’s get started with the step by step tutorial.

VIDEO TUTORIAL AVAILABLE 

Supplies Needed:
  • Cardstock paper
  • Scissors
  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • Glue gun or school glue
  • Washi Tape or any color paper or satin ribbon

Create your own Chinese new year lanterns ! A Great DIY Craft to do with kids for Chinese lanterns.

 

Method:
  1. To make paper lanterns, take the cardstock paper and cut into two pieces of 5 inches and 6 inches each. Now apply some glue on the corner of the 5-inch paper and roll it forming a cylinder shape.
  2. Now take the 6-inch piece and begin by cutting down the long side of .5 inches and set them aside.
  3. Next, fold the sheet of paper in half to form a long and skinny rectangle, as shown.
  4. Draw pencil marks as a guide to make sure you don’t cut all the way to the edge of the paper.
  5. Open it up, and place the cylinder over the sheet.  Apply glue to both ends and paste it around the cylinder shape as shown.
  6. Now take the .5 inches paper strip and glue it as a lantern handle.
  7. Use washi tapes or satin ribbon or any colored paper strips and paste it over the lantern to decorate it, if desired.
  8. That’s It! Hang your paper lanterns from the ceiling, or place them on the table for a colorful and festive centerpiece!

We would love to hear from you.

Make this and show it off! Email it to us at contact@localhost or upload it on social media and tag us. @passionatemoms,@raisingworldchildren. We would feature the best ones on OUR platform for the world to see!

Comment below and tell us what else you want us to try out next! Make sure to leave a lovely thank you to the creator. 

Suja Dinesh Raising World childrenSindhuja Kumar is a proud mom and a lifestyle blogger living in Connecticut, USA and origin from Tamilnadu, India. She is happily married and nothing excites her more than being a mom. She blogs to keep herself sane, more or less writing about positive parenting adventures, DIY Craft tutorials & scrumptious recipes that empowers every mom and woman to stay inspired and living an elegant life in a creative way. Check her work @ PassionateMoms.