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Good Housekeeping has published ideas for making holiday parties more engaging for children, including decorating snowflakes, creating cards and setting up a hot cocoa bar. The suggestions come from crafting expert Kimberly McLeod and are practical party-planning tips, not an announcement of a new product or event.
Good Housekeeping has published a set of ideas for bringing children into holiday gatherings through simple crafts and make-your-own treats. The guide, which includes suggestions from crafting expert Kimberly McLeod, offers hosts activities such as decorating popsicle-stick snowflakes, making holiday cards and setting up a hot cocoa bar.
One activity starts with hosts gluing groups of four popsicle sticks into snowflake shapes before guests arrive. Children and adults can decorate them with supplies such as glitter, stickers, bells and pom-poms, which McLeod recommends. Washable paints or markers can add color. Hosts can attach twine to the finished decorations so guests can hang them on a tree.
The guide also describes a card-making station. Hosts draw wavy lines on folded cardstock to create the outline for strings of holiday lights. Children can press paint-covered fingertips along the lines to make colorful bulbs; adults who prefer not to use their fingers can use cotton swabs. Guests can write messages inside and exchange the cards or take them home. The source recommends washable paint, though it does not specify a brand or cleanup method.
For refreshments, the article suggests arranging cocoa toppings—including crushed candy canes, sprinkles, chocolate, cinnamon and whipped cream—on a counter or a table covered with plastic. McLeod’s snowman marshmallow idea uses two marshmallows stacked on a toothpick, with melted chocolate for facial features, an orange sprinkle for a nose and red licorice for a scarf. The guide also promotes seasonal Simple Pleasures hand soaps, identifying the products as a Good Housekeeping Seal holder; that product mention is part of the source article, not an independently tested finding in this report.
Activities Give Children a Party Role
The ideas address a familiar hosting challenge described in the source: children at adult-centered gatherings may have little to do and can end up running around near decorations. Prepared activity stations give young guests a defined way to participate, while card-making and shared decorating can involve adults as well. Hosts can select one or two projects rather than attempt every suggestion.
The recommendations also rely on accessible materials and let children make something to display, eat or take home. That can help a gathering feel planned for multiple age groups without requiring a formal entertainment program. The article does not present research showing that these activities improve party outcomes; their value is offered as practical guidance for hosts.
Food and craft stations call for ordinary supervision and setup. Toothpicks, small decorations and craft materials should be kept appropriate to the ages attending, and adults should supervise children using them. Cocoa should be served at a safe temperature, with toppings and ingredients identified for guests who have allergies or dietary restrictions. The source does not give detailed food-safety instructions or allergen information.
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A Guide Built Around Simple Stations
The source is a Good Housekeeping holiday-hosting article titled “Host a Fun and Festive Kid-Friendly Holiday Party.” It presents several activities as ideas for home gatherings, rather than reporting on a public event, policy change or newly released research. The supplied material does not state when the article was published, so a more precise publication date cannot be established here.
Its suggestions follow a basic preparation pattern: hosts assemble or draw the activity bases ahead of time, then let guests personalize them. The snowflake shapes are glued before the party, and the card outlines are drawn in advance. The cocoa toppings and marshmallow decorations can likewise be set out for guests to finish. The article also includes product descriptions for refillable seasonal soaps and suggests them as gifts or party favors.
““Some of my favorite craft supplies to decorate with are glitter, glitter stickers, bells, and pom poms.””
— Kimberly McLeod, crafting expert, as quoted by Good Housekeeping
Details Hosts Must Adapt
The source does not provide the article’s publication date, a recommended age range, a budget or a timed party schedule. It also does not specify quantities of supplies or how long each activity takes, so hosts will need to adjust the setup to their guest list and available space.
Although the article promotes particular seasonal soaps, it does not provide independent evidence in the supplied material about their cleaning performance. The product descriptions and suggested uses should be understood as claims and recommendations in the original article. The guide also leaves food allergies, ingredient substitutions and safe serving temperatures to the host; guests’ needs should be checked before refreshments are served.
Hosts Can Tailor the Setup
The source describes ideas readers can put to use for upcoming holiday gatherings; it does not announce a later event or a follow-up report. Hosts can choose activities based on children’s ages, prepare the craft bases before guests arrive and set out washable supplies in a designated area. For the cocoa station, toppings can be labeled and placed where children can reach them safely, while an adult oversees hot drinks and toothpicks.
No further publication, product launch or event is identified in the supplied material. The next step is practical: families planning a party can adapt the suggestions, check with guests about allergies and supervision needs, and decide which activities fit their space and schedule.
Key Questions
What activities does the guide recommend for children?
It suggests decorating popsicle-stick snowflakes, making holiday cards with fingertip-painted lights and personalizing treats at a hot cocoa bar.
What supplies are suggested for the snowflake craft?
The source recommends pre-glued groups of four popsicle sticks, along with decorating materials such as glitter, stickers, bells, pom-poms and washable paints or markers. Twine can be attached so guests can hang the finished snowflakes.
How can guests make the holiday cards?
Hosts draw wavy lines on folded cardstock. Children can use painted fingertips to add colored bulbs along the lines; cotton swabs are an alternative. Guests can then write a message inside.
What should hosts keep in mind when serving cocoa?
Serve hot drinks at a safe temperature, supervise children and check for allergies or dietary restrictions before setting out toppings. The source lists options such as candy canes, chocolate, cinnamon and whipped cream but does not provide allergen guidance.
Source: goodhousekeeping.com
