The doll cradle Josh made for his 4 yr old sister

Last year for Christmas Josh (then 8 years old) made this wooden doll cradle for his 4 year old sister. For the cost of a 1x 10 and a couple dowels, he fulfilled his sister’s desire for a rocking cradle for her dolls. 

The complete materials list requires a 1×10, a 1×6, a 1 inch dowel, a 1×1 firring strip, and finishing nails, screws, and wood glue. We had everything but the 1×10 and the dowel.  The remaining wood and the paint we had, gleaned from Freecycle earlier in the year.

Josh was involved in each step with either his father or I helping him as needed. It was a fun time, when the garage was off-limits, as our own little Santa’s workshop.

Candle Decorated with Candy Canes and Ribbon

My 9 year old cub scout came home with this great little gift idea last week. It’s made with a religious candle from a dollar (or 99 cents) store, ribbon, and candy canes (also from a dollar/99 cent store). It’s a quick, and festive gift idea that kids can make easily. And it’s cheap (er…frugal) at less than $3 for all the materials. It could be less if you pick up the candles at a thrift store or in bulk.

Basically, they tied ribbon around the top, and then tied a short piece of ribbon to hook end of the candy cane and tied the other end of that ribbon to the ribbon around the top. And did this so there was candy canes hanging on all sides.