Flat Santa

Although we might be unable to physically be with all our loved ones this holiday season, we can send a stand-in: a life-sized picture of our little ones! This is a fun activity for kids, which you can customize to really any character you want and also can give your children a chance to work at their skill level. Some other holiday character options are an elf, gingerbread kid or even a snowman!  This craft is, of course, inspired by the ever popular Flat Stanley!

Supplies:

• Wrapping paper
• Pencil
• Assorted markers
• Tape/glue stick
• Red, white and black construction paper (or markers)
• Scissors
• Cotton balls (optional)
• Googly eyes (optional)
• Current sized kiddo top and bottom (optional)

Directions:

1. Trace your child's body with a pencil onto the white side of the wrapping paper
2. Use current sizes of clothing as a template to trace top and bottom of Santa’s outfit on red construction paper.  If you are feeling bold, free-hand the clothing. Cut out and either tape or glue onto wrapping paper body outline.
3. Draw boots and mittens onto black paper, cut out and tape or glue onto wrapping paper.
4. Measure out hat size using your child's head that you traced on the wrapping paper. Draw out pattern for hat and then cut out.
5. Cut out white “fluff” for hat, shirt, sleeves, belly and boots. Feel free to draw out pattern or just cut out. Tape or glue down. Another option is to use cotton balls.  Please note using cotton balls will make mailing the project more difficult. 
6. Add facial features with markers and googly eyes. Add a beard if you want with cotton balls!
7. Let your Flat Santa dry and either hang for some fun holiday decorations or wrap back up to easily send in the mail!

Janelle Cumro-Sultzer lives in Overland Park with her husband, son and two dogs. Janelle is a former health care executive director and is a mediator in Kansas, helping families in conflict. Janelle loves to focus on learning through play and getting messy with crafts.