3 Things to Do With Buttons~ Christmas Gifts & Craft Ideas!

Now that the kids are on Christmas vacation, we're trying to find fun and creative ways to keep them busy. Once we saw the bookmarks we just knew that they would also make FANTASTIC Christmas gifts for friends and family who love reading as much as we do. Take a peek! You might just find something you'd like to do!


Mark a page
Bookworms of all stripes will love these bright place markers. They make sweet stocking stuffers -- and they're fun and easy for kids to create. Simply cut lengths of ribbon (ours are 12 to 14 inches long, to fit a standard-size hardcover book), then attach buttons to the ends using tacky glue or a glue gun. Shown here are just a few of the decorating options: sandwiching the ribbon's ends between two buttons; stacking smaller atop larger buttons; and grouping several small buttons in a pattern.



Tiddle a Wink
Our Button Skee-Ball game is an update of tiddlywinks. To make the target, use 2-inch-wide poster board rings 28, 21, 17, and 8 inches long, secured at the seams with double-sided tape.
Attach printed point values (or simply write them on)and assemble the rings as shown, securing them with more double-sided tape. Cut out a felt launchpad. Players take turns using a large button to flip 10 small buttons toward the target. The player with the highest total score wins.


Jazz up a window
A button mosaic becomes a cheery sun catcher when it's sandwiched between layers of clear Con-Tact paper. To make one, cut out a square of Con-Tact paper, remove its backing, and lay it sticky-side up. (If you like, slide a drawing beneath the square as a guide.) Place buttons on the square to create a shape, leaving at least a 1-inch border on all sides. When you're done, cover the mosaic with a second Con-Tact paper square. Smooth the edges with a cotton swab and cut out the mosaic, leaving a -inch border on all sides. Stick your creation to a window with glue dots or tape.

Article written by FamilyFun.com