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The original idea for this super cute activity came from the very creative Wonder’s Days. We don’t have an Elf on a Shelf so I tweaked it slightly. I made seed packets, complete with instructions for the activity. My kiddos got one of these packages for our first advent activity. I also gave some away as gifts to my niece, nephew, neighborhood friends, and Minnie’s BFF. They were such a great gift because they were are fun, creative, and inexpensive to make!!
Here is what you need: fake snow, glitter/confetti, round peppermint candy, candy cane, small bags, and MY {FREE} Printable to attach
Follow the directions on the free printable and you will end up with this: 1 bag of North Pole Potting Snow (fake snow), 1 bag of North Pole Fertilizer (glitter/confetti), 1 wrapped present for Mom from Santa (this is then candy cane with directions to swap out the round peppermint ‘seed’ with candy cane), and Magical Peppermint Seed Packet (round peppermint in seed packet with instructions for planting.
The recipient of the present will pick a pot, container, bowl, or whatever to plant in
Put the North Pole Potting Snow in the pot
Read the directions on the seed container & plant the seed in the potting snow
Apply North Pole Fertilizer
and wait….magically (with Mom’s help) overnight the seed will grow into a candy cane!
Pretty cool, huh?! My kids though it was amazing! They are planning to try and leave the candy cane in the the ‘soil’ to see if it gets any bigger =-) I reminded them that plants only grow a certain height and then then they stop; but it doesn’t hurt to experiment!!
Again, here is the {Free} Peppermint Seed Printable. I’d love to know if you use this! Please leave me a comment so I can check out your kids experiencing some Christmas magic too =-)
And don’t miss my 8 week Holiday Traditions Series with ideas for making your holiday intentional! (click on image below)












THIS is a wonderful idea!!! It reminds me a lot of the Lollipop Tree my mom made me when I was little based on the old Burl Ives song. Of course, it wasn't until 2nd or 3rd grade that gullible little me didn't realize it was fake :)
ReplyDeleteLove this, Beth! The printable is so cute. Isn't it fun to see their reaction? We did gingerbread houses the other day and they wanted to know if the peppermints were magic or not. Thanks for the nice blog mention.
ReplyDeleteLittle Wonders' Days
Cute!! Love the smile in that last picture!
ReplyDeleteThat is SUCH a cute idea! Love it! We will use it next year in our countdown for sure!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute idea!
ReplyDeleteThat is great! I'll have to try that. Adelle would get such a kick out of it.
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool. Following you back
ReplyDeleteThanks for this great printout! I had to use it a little bit differently then you did but it was perfect for helping us deal with our elf on the shelf mishap
ReplyDeletehttp://siayla.blogspot.com/2011/12/elf-on-shelf-mishap.html
What a fun idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the printables. I have happily downloaded and printed them.
ReplyDeleteThat is so wonderful! I would LOVE for you to come link this up in my new linky called Homescholing on the Cheap! It isn't just for people who homeschool but for ideas such as this that is cheap for kids to do and something with which they can learn & grow. This is perfect for the linky.
ReplyDeleteIt is new every Thursday but the link stays up all week. Hope you stop in and share!
THanks, Kelli
http://3boysandadog.com/deals/2011/homeschooling-on-the-cheap-12152011/
This is a really cute idea! Thanks for sharing - found you via live life intentionally :)
ReplyDeleteSUCH a cute idea! I my girls would think this is GREAT! Thanks for linking up to Fun Stuff Fridays on Toys In The Dryer!
ReplyDeleteHaha, this is such a cute idea.:) What fun to do with your kids.
ReplyDeleteShiloh
everydaygameplan.net
This is really a great idea! My son would love it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will link this post to my Christmas Traditions Link Up in the Other or Crafts category. It starts tomorrow!
Fun idea! I bet your kids will remember it for a long time. Thanks for sharing at Monday Madness.
ReplyDeleteHow cute!!! I might just do this with my little guy on Christmas Eve. What a fun surprise to see a full grown candy cane on Christmas morning.
ReplyDeleteHappy to have found your site through the TGIF Linky Party!
Pamela @ Learn Mommy Learn
Thanks for the cute printables. Our elf left my son some supplies to grow a Magic Peppermint seed. He loved it.
ReplyDeletehttp://puppydogtails.blogspot.com/2011/12/magic-peppermint-seed.html
Super Cute Idea!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea! We plant a magical jellybean on Easter Eve!
ReplyDelete❤Mrs. McKown
Little Literacy Learners
Beth,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing this. We used it yesterday. Boogs loved it!
This is one of the most adorable activities!!!! I think I pinned this already but I will double check...Thanks for sharing at Thrifty Thursday!! Hope you had a fantastic Holiday Season!
ReplyDeletewhat a cute idea-my kids will love this!!
ReplyDeleteSo fun! I love this idea & will be doing this with my son for sure! Thanks for sharing your cute idea!
ReplyDeleteI can't get it to download...can you help me? Or if anyone else got it to download, would you email it to me? hyankovich1@gmail.com I've now downloaded 4shared.com & another program where this is but I can't get the pdf.
ReplyDeletePhotosnappinmama -
ReplyDeleteThanks for catching that was one of the few remaining files I had on 4 shared. I just moved it to Google Docs. Link has been updated!
Beth