I’ve got a quick and easy craft for you – perfect if you are stuck inside with the little ones and on the brink of going crazy waiting for dinner time to roll around. Make and Takes just posted a terrific tutorial for making love birds garland – all you need is some paper, scissors and crayons!

I cut a couple of sheets of basic printer paper into lengthwise strips (just fold the paper in half lengthwise and cut) – so two sheets of paper made four garlands. Once I had cut and folded my paper to their specifications, I traced a freehand bird shape on each one and then let the kids cut the shapes out, warning them to not trim the beaks and tails too small (so they don’t fall apart).

I almost cut my four year old’s garland for her but she insisted on doing it herself and you know what? She totally did great! I forget sometimes how big she is getting and have a real tendency to over-baby her. These kiddos are capable of so much more than we give them credit for!

I think all our birds came out great – it’s always fun seeing the differences in each kids’ artistic methods and creativity – and by the time we were done, it was time to make dinner! Score!