You know that feeling when you look at a simple wall calendar and it just feels so... bland? I mean, wouldn’t it be amazing to have a calendar that’s not just functional but also sparking joy and creativity for kids? What if every month, instead of just numbers and dates, you had a delightful theme that made them giggle and smile? I was inspired by my daughter recently; we were flipping through some old drawings she made, and I thought, why not transform those into a silly, vibrant calendar? I can already picture her excitement every month—maybe unicorns in May, dinosaurs in June? How could anyone resist? Let’s face it, kids just love that kind of magic, and who wouldn’t want to be a part of that excitement?
Items You’ll Need
- Craft paper
- Markers and colored pencils
- Glue sticks
- Scissors (child-safe)
- Stickers (themed stickers)
- Calendar template (printable)
- Laminator
- Binding machine (or hole punch and ribbon)
- Photographic prints (for themed images)
- Decorative washi tape
- Templates for themes (animals, space, etc.)
- Ruler
- Envelopes (for storage of calendar pages)
- Markers for labeling days/months
- Craft storage box (for organizing materials)
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather All Materials
First, I gather all my materials on a clean workspace. I have craft paper, markers, colored pencils, glue sticks, scissors, stickers, a calendar template, a laminator, a binding machine, photographic prints, decorative washi tape, themed templates, a ruler, envelopes, and markers for labeling.
Step 2: Choose a Theme
Next, I decide on a fun theme for the calendar. It could be animals, space, or anything the kids love. For example, I choose 'Space', so I can gather all the space-themed templates and stickers.
Step 3: Design Each Month
Using the printable calendar template, I start to design each month's page. I use craft paper as the background and print the month name clearly.
Step 4: Decorate the Calendar Pages
Now it’s time to get creative! I use colored pencils, markers, and stickers to decorate each page according to the theme. I draw rockets, planets, and stars on the space-themed pages and add themed stickers.
Step 5: Add Fun Facts
For each month, I write fun facts about space. For example, 'Did you know that Jupiter has a great red spot, which is a massive storm?' I use markers for labeling to make it colorful.
Step 6: Incorporate Photographic Prints
I select some photographic prints related to space and glue them creatively on the corresponding month pages. This adds visual interest and excitement.
Step 7: Laminating the Calendar Pages
To ensure durability, I use the laminator to laminate all the decorated calendar pages. This makes them sturdier and more fun to flip through.
Step 8: Bind the Calendar
Next, I bind the pages using the binding machine. If I don’t have one, I can just use a hole punch and tie them together with ribbon.
Step 9: Create Storage Envelopes
I make envelopes to store extra calendar pages or any leftover stickers or decorations. I label these with markers so I can easily find them later.
Step 10: Add Decorative Tape
I go around the edges of the calendar pages with decorative washi tape for an extra pop of color and fun.
Step 11: Organize Under Craft Storage Box
Finally, I place all my leftover materials, including extra craft papers, markers, and tools, into the craft storage box for future use. This keeps everything organized!
Step 12: Display the Calendar
Now it's time to display the finished calendar! I hang it on a wall or place it on a desk where kids can see it and enjoy the creativity every month.