One of the easy Christmas crafts for children to make is this colourful mobile

8 -10 ice cream sticks;

Glue;

Glitter;

10 Buttons in matching set of twos. Make sure the buttons are flat at the back;

Pipe cleaners;

Beads (optional);

Thick cotton or thin string;

Craft knife;

Method:

Glue 2 ice cream sticks together in an x shape. Cut off the rounded ends of the remaining ice cream sticks. Glue the rounded ends from the ice cream sticks onto the backs of the buttons, like the petals of a flower.

Thread beads onto the five lengths of string or cotton. Tie the four 25cm lengths of string or cotton close to the ends of the 2 ice cream stick glued in the shape of an ‘x’. Tie the longer length in the middle of the ‘x’ shape.

Apply a little glue to each tied string to avoid them slipping off easily.

Tie the pipe cleaner securely around the centre of the ‘x’ shape leaving a piece to make a loop or hook for easy hanging.

This Christmas craft is suitable for children aged 7 years and up. You will also need about 6 pipe cleaners, Modge Podge (craft glue) and 1 metre (about 1 yard) of ribbon. Bells and bows are optional.

Use a stencil to make shapes on box cardboard. Cut these out. Use the same stencil and cut out the same shapes on cotton print fabric. You will need 2 fabric shapes for each cardboard shape.

Modge Podge the fabric onto the back and front of the cardboard shapes covering the ribbon. Leave the shapes to dry. Decorate the edges of the shapes with coloured pipe cleaners. Glue the other loose ends of the ribbon onto the ends of the ‘x’ shaped ice cream sticks. Wrap the one side of pipe cleaner around the centre of the x shape and make a loop or hook on the other side.