Ever since my kids started asking, "When's the next holiday?" or "How many more days till my birthday?", I’ve felt this tug to create a super personalized calendar just for them. Isn’t it amazing how excited they get counting down the days? I mean, we all know a simple wall calendar just doesn’t capture their enthusiasm. I remember last summer, we made a little countdown to our road trip, and their faces lit up every time we got to color in a box. It made me think - why not give them a calendar that’s filled with their own special dates? It could be anything from family game nights to their favorite movie marathons! Who wouldn’t want a little burst of joy to look forward to every single day?
Items You’ll Need
- Poster board or large paper
- Colorful markers or crayons
- Stickers (fun designs for kids)
- Ruler
- Scissors (child-safe)
- Glue sticks or tape
- Printable calendar templates
- Lamination sheets (for durability)
- Magnet strips (for hanging on fridge)
- String or yarn (for decorative hanging)
- Decorative washi tape
- Stamp set (with fun shapes)
- Access to a printer (for printing out templates)
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather all my materials
I start by collecting all the equipment I need: poster board, colorful markers, stickers, ruler, scissors, glue sticks, printable calendar templates, lamination sheets, magnet strips, string or yarn, decorative washi tape, and my stamp set. I make sure my work area is tidy and organized.
Step 2: Decide on the size of my calendar
I take a look at my poster board and decide how big I want my calendar to be—usually, I go for a larger size so it’s easy for kids to interact with. Once I have the measurements sorted, I use the ruler to mark the dimensions alongside the poster board.
Step 3: Draw the calendar grid
Using my ruler and colorful markers, I draw the grid for the calendar. I make sure to have sections for each day of the month and enough space to write important events or activities. It’s important that it looks fun, so I choose bright colors!
Step 4: Add the month and year
At the top of my calendar, I’ll need to write the month and year. I can use large, bold letters for this, maybe even outline them with a darker color to make them stand out. I might add some fun doodles around the month too.
Step 5: Decorate with stickers and washi tape
This is my favorite part! I take fun stickers and start placing them around the calendar. I use decorative washi tape to create borders or highlight today’s date. The more colorful and whimsical, the better!
Step 6: Print out calendar templates
I’ve prepared some fun printable templates for special dates, like holidays or family birthdays. I print these out and cut them with the child-safe scissors. I’ll glue these onto the calendar in their respective spots.
Step 7: Laminating for durability
Since I want this calendar to last, I carefully place it inside the lamination sheets and run it through the laminator. This makes it sturdy and easy to clean. I make sure there are no bubbles!
Step 8: Adding hanging options
To hang the calendar up, I attach magnet strips to the back so I can stick it to the fridge. Alternatively, I can punch holes at the top and use string or yarn for decorative hanging if I want to display it on a wall.
Step 9: Use the stamp set
Finally, I take my stamp set and add some fun shapes and designs to the calendar. This makes it more interactive, and the kids will love using it.
Step 10: Final touches and cleanup
After everything is in place, I step back and admire my colorful and vibrant personal calendar. I clean up my workspace and organize any leftover materials for future projects. I'm excited to show it to the kids!