Well, look at these sweet little dudes!
A few simple supplies and some mandarins, and you've got yourself a crafty Christmas snack the kids will gobble up.
Every fall we work with Halos to create content featuring their juicy, perfectly-peelable mandarins. It's such a great fit for us because they're the ideal snack for little hands, and we have plenty of those around here.
I think this might be my favorite project we've made with them yet. It's at least neck and neck with our mandarin planter from last season.
All you need is a couple mandarins, some red and green felt, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, white or cream-colored card stock, a red craft pom pom and a white craft pom pom.
Rudolph came together really quick and easy with two eyes, a single pipe cleaner wrapped around the mandarin body and twisted into antlers, and a red Rudolph nose!
Don't tell Rudolph, but I really think the elf is where it's at. Isn't he adorable? He actually has more of a gnome look as opposed to an elf.
Come to think of it, I don't know the difference between a gnome and an elf. I suppose one lives at the North Pole and one lives under a bridge.
Or is that a troll thing?
Look at his ears! I can't get over the ears. Oh, and if you're wondering how the hat came together…I just cut out a long rectangle piece of felt and then folded it in on itself to glue the top of it together, end-to-end. I pointed the seam towards the back and plopped it on his head, and it formed a funky little triangle with whimsical pieces that stuck out just like I imagine an elf hat would.
Or a gnome hat, whatever.
The boys kept asking where his nose and mouth were, but I intentionally left those out. When you're dealing with mysterious creatures such as elves, I think it's best to leave a little to the imagination! Plus, I knew if I stuck too many pieces onto my mandarin, the boys would have a hard time peeling it all off to eat. Which is kind of the whole point.
Do you and your kids make seasonal treats this time of year?