Laced Paper Christmas Stocking

What you need

• Paper, 1 piece
• Pencil, 1
• Kid scissors, 1 pair
• Hole punch, 1
• Yarn, 1 long piece plus a short loop
• Tape, 1 small piece
• Cotton balls or a strip of white paper, 5 to 8 cotton balls or 1 strip
• Glue stick, 1
• Crayons or markers, a handful
• Glitter glue, 1 tube (optional)

How to do it

Grown-up prep: Set out one piece of card, a pencil, scissors, a hole punch, yarn, tape, cotton balls or white paper, glue and markers. You will punch the holes yourself, so keep the hole punch near you.

1. Fold your card in half, like closing a book.
2. Draw a big boot shape with its top on the open side.
   Ask: Who is this stocking for, and how big should it be to hold a surprise?
3. Cut out your boot through both layers of card. Ask for help if you need it
4. A grown-up punches holes around the edge, a finger apart. A grown-up does this
5. Wrap tape around one end of the yarn to make a needle.
6. Lace the yarn in and out through the holes, leaving the top open.
   Ask: Look at your stitches! How is this like sewing a real sock?
7. Glue cotton balls or a white paper strip along the top for a cuff.
8. Write your name and decorate with stars, stripes or a wished-for gift.
9. Tie on a yarn loop, hang it up, and slip a note inside for someone!
   Ask: Who will you make the next stocking for, and what secret note will you hide inside?

Play it again

• Stocking swap: make one for each person, then secretly fill each other's with drawings.
• Color clash: use a different yarn color for each side and see how bright you can make it.
• Countdown stockings: make a row of tiny stockings and tuck a small note in one each day.