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DIY Activity Advent Calendar

By Rachelle 24 Comments

When the winter holidays come around, our family gets into a deep DIY groove. How about you? In that spirit, making an advent calendar is a great way to introduce children to the less commercial side of Christmas through hands-on making.

Although my kids adore their chocolate-filled advent calendar, each envelope in this activity advent calendar holds a description of a holiday activity inside such as:

  • make our own ornaments
  • go ice skating
  • sing carols

To keep my life simple, I only put things inside the calendar that are already on our agenda. No need to make the holidays more stressful than they already are, right?

For a full selection of ideas click over to the PDF download of 50 Winter Activities Checklist. 

The Benefits of this Activity

I didn’t grow up with advent calendars, but my children adore them. This handmade calendar, made with the help of children, gives young people the opportunity to:

  • participate in a holiday tradition
  • exercise fine motor skills
  • generate enthusiasm for the festivities to come.

And if you celebrate Hanukkah, you could make something similar for the eight nights of Hanukkah. I know that I would have loved that when I was a kid!

DIY Advent with Kids

DIY Advent Calendar Supplies

Making twenty-four envelopes takes a bit of time, but nothing insurmountable. The steps, however, are beyond simple.

I have a daughter who is thrilled by holidays and had a hunch that she would enjoy making an activity-based advent calendar. When we were still going strong after an hour of folding and gluing, I silently patted myself on the back.

Make an Activity Advent Calendar

Step 1: Cut your paper  to the desired size and fold it in thirds. One side should overlap the other by about 1/2 inch.

Step 2: Fold the bottom up about 1/2 inch and crease the paper.

Step 3: Open everything up. Make two cuts (see photo).

Step 4: Fold the paper together and add glue to seal it up.

Step 5: Add some more glue and seal up the bottom.

Make 23 more, and you’re ready to go.

Step 6: Punch holes in the back of the envelopes, run string through them, and hang the calendar.

Decorate away! And don’t forget to add some numbers.

How this worked for us

This project is more crafty than our usual process-based happenings, but my little one was deeply engaged in the industry of selecting images and do-dads to glue onto the bags. The benefits that I witnessed were:  

  • developing fine motor skills
  • making aesthetic choices
  • practicing with a glue bottle
  • commitment to completing a fairly large project.

I also think she really enjoyed the camaraderie of working side-by-side with me, and I must admit that she’s pretty good company. Oh, and did I mention that she was invested in this for a solid hour? Seriously!!

Activity Advent Calendar Ideas

Our calendar is filled with holiday activities, written on pieces of paper, but you could certainly put small treats in each envelope if you’d like. Here are some ideas for activities, or click here to download the complete list as a printable for your fridge:

If you make an activity calendar like we did, my best advice is to keep it simple. The holiday can be a stressful time, full of so many activities, parties, and travel.  I like to put things in the calendar that we’re already planning to do, so that this doesn’t add more work to an already busy time of year.

Go easy on yourself and don’t overcommit with this project!

December Art Challenge

By Rachelle 4 Comments

Hello, chilly, cozy, sparkly December!

You’re officially invited to join us for the December Art Challenge, filled with all sorts of prompts to get your creative ideas flowing. This month’s selection is filled with maker words that can help you dream up new ways to interpret art materials and processes, with a pop of holiday spirit tossed in for seasonal fun. Don’t worry about the outcomes and let yourself play! Our goal is to have a great time with no judgement.

No experience necessary. Kids and adults welcome.

December Art Challenge

Copy this image and save to your phone or desktop. Print it out and glue into your art journal. Reshare on your Instagram wall. Post to Facebook. Art challenges are more fun with friends, so be sure to ask a buddy to join you.

Cut and Paste Prompt List

If you’d rather cut and paste the list into a document or something else, here’s the full list for the December Art Challenge:

  1. burst
  2. cool colors
  3. heart
  4. symbol
  5. bold
  6. brush
  7. crown
  8. collage
  9. festive
  10. recycling
  11. sky
  12. fluid
  13. horizon
  14. restful
  15. hand lettering
  16. speck
  17. splash
  18. landscape
  19. black and white
  20. blossom
  21. space
  22. pop
  23. cross-hatch
  24. frosty
  25. paper
  26. glue
  27. slanted
  28. soft
  29. geometric
  30. matched
  31. sparkle

How to use the Art Challenge prompts

  1. Print out the prompts. You can screen grab the image above or scroll down for a PDF printable.
  2. Gather sketchbooks or paper
  3. Gather art-making materials: markers, paint, collage papers, glue, etc.
  4. Give yourself a few minutes each day for this challenge. Try the morning after breakfast, after school, after dinner, before bed, etc.
  5. Interpret the daily prompt. Use your imagination, be free, don’t hold back, and have fun.

December Art Challenge

TinkerSketch is a daily sketchbook practice that invites you to experiment and play with ideas and materials in a low-stress, fun, and mind-stretching way.

You’ll start each day with a new prompt and it’s up to you to interpret it however you like. For example, if the prompt is “stormy”, you could draw a picture of a storm, use colors that remind you of a storm, or make expressive marks that feel like they were created in a storm. The possibilities are endless.

Art Challenge FAQ

What is the TinkerSketch Art Challenge?

TinkerSketch is a daily sketchbook practice that invites you to experiment and play with ideas and materials in a low-stress, fun, and mind-stretching way.

Who is this Art Challenge for?

Anyone who wants a creative art boost. The stakes are low and it’s super easy to do, even if you have no experience or low confidence with making.

How much time will it take?

While you can spend as much time at this as you like, just set aside 5-10 minutes each day and you’re in business. By committing to a daily art practice, you’ll experience artistic improvement and personal growth. If you have extra time, you could always dive in for longer, but try to dedicate just a few daily minutes if you’d like to see lasting results.

I need some tips for carving out 5-10 minutes

  • Carry a sketchbook in your bag and pull it out when you’re waiting in line
  • Designate “creative time” where you and your child draw in sketchbooks side-by-side
  • Wake up a little earlier than usual. You can make this more pleasant by lighting a candle, brewing tea, and sitting with your sketchbook for a few minutes before the rest of your home wakes up

What’s the goal?

  • Improve your drawing, painting, mark-making skills
  • Try and explore new ways of art-making
  • Land on new ideas that wouldn’t have emerged otherwise
  • Have fun
  • Model creative thinking for your child (if you’re a parent or teacher)
  • Celebrate the imperfection of your ideas
  • Think creatively

What Tools Will I Need?

  • A sketchbook or a ream of paper. Even post-its or old receipts will work.
  • Mark-making tools like pens and pencils
  • Paint and brush
  • “Attaching” materials such as glue and tape will come in handy
  • Collage materials such as scrap paper, newspaper, old homework, or magazines.
  • Anything else that strikes your fancy. We’ve used hole punchers, chalk markers, tea, and okra (they make beautiful stamps).
  • Our favorite supplies are listed below.

Mistakes are Gifts

“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” – Michael Jordan

The point here isn’t to create a masterpiece but to unleash your creative energy. Your creations don’t have to be works of amazing art, and in fact they probably shouldn’t be all that spectacular, especially if you’re pushing yourself to try something new, experiment, and be bold. Be confident with whatever you create, knowing that you’re on a journey to feed your creativity.

Our Favorite Art Journal Tools

Amazon links to favorite product included below.

  • Strathmore Sketchbooks: One of my very favorite sketchbooks is the Visual Art Journal for Mixed Media by Strathmore. The pages weight is 90 lb. and you can get this book in a number of sizes. My personal favorite for on-the-go is 5.5″ x 8″. If you like to work big, they have one that’s 9″ x 12″.
  • Pens: Get yourself a few pens that you love to use, and be sure to have at least one waterproof, archival pen in the mix so that you can paint over your pen lines without worrying about your drawing bleeding with water. Micron Pens are a designer favorite, and they come in tons of sizes and colors. This all-black set includes a few different pen sizes and this brush-tip set includes six different colors. Sharpies are another wonderful choice with so many options to choose from.

More Details

For more details on how the TinkerSketch Art Challenge works, click here to read for a full list of recommended resources and ideas on how to get started with this challenge.

Printable of the December Art Challenge

Grab your PDF printable here >> Download the December Prompts Printable (free)

Scribble art collage, a playful drawing idea

By Rachelle Leave a Comment

When you’re faced with a blank page, do you ever freeze up? I do this all the time, and there are so many reasons. For example, maybe I’m trying to squeeze in an art session it in between other responsibilities and there’s too much pressure, or it could be that pressure to make something monumental which blocks the ideas from flowing.

Fear of the blank page can be enormous, and I’m here to say that it’s time to forget all of that! If you’d like to get into a habit of creating, the most important thing is, ahem, to create. The antidote to all this struggle can be a warm-up exercise to get you out of a maker funk.

I’m in the early stages of creating TinkerLab Art Cards™ and have a few fun ones for you to play with this week. These cards are just the thing to get the mind moving without all the drama. Try one or all of these three prompts to get your art making, collage, and drawing ideas to flow. You can do this spontaneous art prompt solo or with kids, using one, two, or three TinkerLab Art Card as prompts.

Today’s TinkerLab Art Cards:

  • Glue geometric paper shapes into a composition
  • Fill the page with scribbles
  • Add collage pieces from a magazine or old book

Do these in any order, and add other ideas if you’d like.

Would you like to download the cards and use them in your morning routine, art practice, art journaling time, or for early finishers in your classroom? Here you go!

Download these Art Cards here.

Winter Activities Checklist

By Rachelle 1 Comment

The air is getting a bit crisper, the clocks are set back, fireplaces are cozying up houses, and winter is on its way. With that, it’s time to start dreaming up ways to celebrate the season.

With our lives feeling overly full, this list is a a gentle reminder and starting point, and by no means a list of all the things you should plan to do this holiday season. The holiday season can be a stressful time, full of so many activities, parties, and travel.  I like to put things in the calendar that we’re already planning to do, so that this doesn’t add more work to an already busy time of year.

How we use the Winter Activities Checklist

Our family aims to build traditions and we like keep things simple. We’ll make a copy of the list for our fridge or magnet board, and reference it when we’re building an activity advent calendar, looking for fun things to do to fill an hour, or when we’re planning out the season. It’s nice to have this list handy as a reminder of seasonal activities that we love to share and celebrate as traditions each year.

Some of the winter activities, like look at holiday lights or play in the snow can be easy to blend into the rhythm of your day. Others, like go ice skating or have a family craft night may require a little more planning.

While we won’t do everything on the list, our absolute not-to-miss winter activities include: drink hot cocoa, pick out a tree (this is our favorite NorCal spot), make latkes (my mom’s recipe is this best!), make ornaments, watch the Nutcracker (my kids are in it this year!), make ornaments, play in the snow, and donate food to those in need.

What’s on your list?

50 Winter Activities for families

Look at holiday lights

Go caroling

Make latkes

Visit Santa

Build a Fire

Make cookies

Play with friends

Have a family craft night

Make a popcorn garland

Make Salt Dough Ornaments

Donate food to those in need

Decorate a tree

Watch the Nutcracker

Make a winter art project

Make a gingerbread house

Make gingerbread cookies

Build a snowman

Decorate the house with lights

Sing Carols

Light Candles

Take a family holiday photo

Make paper snowflakes

Eat a Candy Cane

Play the dreidel game

Build a fire

Wrap presents

Make holiday cards

Pick out a tree

Drink hot cocoa

Make a snowflake collage

Wear new pj’s

Go Ice Skating

Make Reindeer Food

Volunteer

Go sledding

Make Paper Winter Stars

Watch a Christmas movie

Read holiday stories

Buy a special ornament

Make ornaments

Make a wreath

Make homemade gifts

Hang stockings

Look at holiday lights

Play in the snow

Do something nice for someone

Host or join a cookie swap

Eat chestnuts

Write a letter so Santa

Make treats for the neighbors

Winter Activities Download

Download the winter checklist (pdf) here.

Open Studios – Nov.9

By Rachelle Leave a Comment

Are you in (or near) Northern California?

Please join me for a free drop-in improvisational art-making workshop at the TinkerLab studio in Palo Alto, CA, this Saturday, November 9, 1 – 4.

We’ll play with a prototype of the TinkerLab Art Cards to guide impromptu collages, drawings, and paintings that celebrate intuitive, adventurous, chance-driven art. This all-ages event is part of Cubberley Open Studios, with 20 other artists opening their doors, a rare chance to peek behind the curtain!


Map here.

November Art Challenge

By Rachelle Leave a Comment

November, how did you get here so quickly? It was just Halloween, and poof! We’re getting deep into Fall. Clocks are about to change, leaves are falling, and coziness is setting in. I love how this season really invites us indoors and makes it okay to curl up with a sketchbook and a warm cuppa.

You can join our monthly challenges on TinkerLab’s Instagram page, and follow along with the hashtag #tinkersketch.

How to use the Art Challenge prompts

  1. Print out the prompts. You can screen grab the image above or scroll down for a PDF printable.
  2. Gather sketchbooks or paper
  3. Gather art-making materials: markers, paint, collage papers, glue, etc.
  4. Give yourself a few minutes each day for this challenge. Try the morning after breakfast, after school, after dinner, before bed, etc.
  5. Interpret the daily prompt. Use your imagination, be free, don’t hold back, and have fun

November Art Challenge

TinkerSketch is a daily sketchbook practice that invites you to experiment and play with ideas and materials in a low-stress, fun, and mind-stretching way.

You’ll start each day with a new prompt and it’s up to you to interpret it however you like. For example, if the prompt is “stormy”, you could draw a picture of a storm, use colors that remind you of a storm, or make expressive marks that feel like they were created in a storm. The possibilities are endless.

For more details on how the TinkerSketch Art Challenge works, click here for a full list of recommended resources and ideas on how to get started.

Download the printed version

Download the printed version to paste into your sketchbook or attach to the fridge. There’s also a word grid that you can cut out and glue into your sketchbook for each day of the month.

Download here.