This post is brought you in partnership with Learning Resources Ltd
It is getting closer to Christmas and we have yet another fabulous and free Christmas Printable for you!! Today’s printable is brought to you in collaboration with Learning Resources, a website dedicated to educational but FUN ideas for kids. We love these Christmas Lacing Cards because, not only are they CUTE (oh how we love cute), but they are great for a number of reasons –
- you can explore basic shapes with your kids – discuss circles, triangles and squares
- introduce the concept if primary and secondary colours when colouring your own
- fabulus for fine motor skills (both when using the “colour your own” versions, as well of course the lacing itself)
- older children can explore lacing patterns too
- theu make wonderful keepsakes – either send them as Christmas Cards or hang them in your Christmas tree OR turn them into Lacing Card garlands
- for those short on time we have a fully coloured printable version of card (skip the colouring part if you wish!)
One craft. SO MANY uses and learning opportunities!
Christmas Lacing Cards for Kids – Materials
- our free Christmas Lacing Cards printable available over on Learning Resources
- scissors to cut out the cube
- needle, knitting needle or toothpick to pre-prick lacing holes
- glue to stick to cardboard or light cardstock
- laces, wool in desired colours
- colouring pens for colouring in printable and decorating cards
- accessories (such as glitter stone stickers)
How to make your DIY Christmas Lacing Cards for Kids
These lacing cards offer crafting fun for a wide age range. So here is our suggestion on how best to do the craft according to age & skill. For both age groups, you have the choice to print your lacing cards in black and white for colouring yourself or full colour. Your choice!! Also, you could for example “only” print the baubles and hang them in your Chirstmas tree or turn all 3 printables into a gorgeous little printable Christmas garland.
For the more experienced hand/ for older children:
- Download and print out the templates.
- Cut out the shapes along the lines. If you chose the colouring in version then best to colour in first.
- Use your needle to prick holes into areas intended for lacing. Adjust hole size with a knitting needle or toothpick.
- Choose your favourite colour and start lacing. You can stitch crosses, simple lines or try your skills on a back stitch or the snowflakes! This is a great opportunity to introduce basic embroidery stitchers to slightly older kids.
- After securing the thread at the back of the lacing card glue it on to the front of a card!
For the more little hand: / For younger children:
- Download and print out the templates.
- Have your little one colour the shapes to his/her liking while exploring shapes and choices of colour. This is a great opportunity to discuss the different shapes and look at the properties of circles, triangles and squares. Discuss how a triangle has 3 sides and 3 points, a square has four sides and points and a circle has…? Ask lots of questions and get that little mind thinking. By choosing the “colour yourself” versions, you can also introduce the concept of primary and secondary colours. Maybe use some water colours and see what happens when you mix yellow and blue?!
- Cut out the shapes or support your little one to cut out the shapes. As the shapes are very simple, this another great opportunity to support scissor handling skills. You MAY need to help a little with the bow…
- Outline the shape on a piece of cardboard and cut out. (It is helpful if a carer does this bit!! As cardboard can be a little trickier to cut)
- Glue template on to cardboard.
- Use your needle and other pointy metal devices to prick holes into areas intended for lacing. Adjust hole size with a knitting needle or toothpick.
- Let your little one use a plastic needle to enjoy some first time lacing.
- You can get out those fancy glitter stone stickers, too! And decorate some more. The stickers look great, but again are a “secret” fine motor activity for small hands.
- If you want to send your art as a Christmas greeting why not glue it onto a card and decorate further?!
These lacing cards for sure offer the chance to craft and learn at the same time. Also it is a fantastic activity to get different generations together at the crafting table! The pieces of art created are truly a joint effort!
I hope you will enjoy these DIY Lacing Cards as much as we do!!!! Remember the Learning Resources website has lots of fantastic ideas for young children to explore, discover and learn from!
Happy holidays!
More wonderful Christmas Crafts for Toddlers here:
[…] Printable Christmas Lacing Cards from Red Ted Art […]