Christmas Village

Christmas is right around the corner and it is likely going to be one we’ve never imagined before. Many of the experiences we’ve grown accustomed to won’t be this year or will be greatly scaled down. And while it may look and feel different this year, we are working to create a winter wonderland experience for children to be involved in. JJs Playhouse Children’s Museum is presenting ArchKIDtecture: Christmas Village.

The Christmas Village will be created by kids!

When it comes to being creative, some of the best materials are already in your pantry. Round up some of your clean, dry empty cereal boxes and food cartons and work with your kids to make their building designs to be placed in the Christmas Village. Not only will they enjoy getting creative using things in new ways, this play village reduces your own waste by reusing something that would’ve otherwise gone into the recycling bin. Encourage them to imagine, create, discover, and build!

Building Ideas

A house A cabin A church A cathedral A Candy Shoppe Bakery

Carousel Duplex/townhouse Benches Small people Grandma’s House

Post office Grocery Store Hardware Store Boutique Ice Skating Pond

Skate Rental Kiosk Farm House Christmas Tree Farm/Shoppe Nativity Scene

School Gingerbread House A Diner Beauty Parlor/Hair Salon Barber Shop

Covered Bridge for cars Chapel Horse and Carriage Veterinarian Office/Pet Hospital

Hot Cocoa Café Pie Shoppe Popcorn Shoppe Pizza Parlor Coffee Shoppe

Restaurant Chocolate Shoppe Tiny House A Light House Doghouse City Hall Ice Cream Shoppe North Pole Santa’s Workshop

Step One: Prep the Boxes

Start with clean, empty containers. Using your tape, seal the boxes or containers closed if necessary. On some boxes, if they have flaps on top, you can tape them together to form a roof.

Step Two: Wrap the Boxes in Paper

Using whatever color or texture of scrapbook, gift wrap, or construction paper you like, wrap the boxes like you’d wrap a present. Children might need a little help with this. If you prefer not to see the tape, adults can use hot glue to seal the edges.

Step Three: Prep the Windows and Doors

Now it’s time to add the decorative accessories. Draw windows and doors on colored and white paper. You can do this freehand or you can print out windows, doors, shutters, etc. and outline them with your black marker. Cut them out and set aside.

Step Four: Affix the Windows and Doors

Using your glue stick, glue the windows, doors, and shutters on each of the boxes wherever you think they’ll look best. Get creative!

Step Five: Raise the Roof

When it comes to making the roofs, you can use what you have on hand. If you have boxes that already have a roof shape from the folds of the box being taped together you can glue or tape pieces of streamers that have been cut to give the appearance of textured shingles. If you just want to use paper, cut a rectangle or triangle that’s the roughly the size of the container. Fold the rectangle in half and glue the inside of the triangle to the top of your box. If it’s a round container, roll your triangle and glue or tape the seam, then glue it to the top of the container.

Step Six: Deliver your Designs

Deliver your designs any day from November 2nd through November 7th between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. To schedule your delivery time, SCHEDULE HERE. Or you may mail/ship to JJs Playhouse Children’s Museum, 1400 Veterans Memorial Blvd. SE, Suite 134-201, Mableton, GA 30126.

NO STRESSING ALLOWED!!

Have fun! Be creative! Create some memories!
The Christmas Village Experience

Our team of Volunteer Architects will design the Village and we’ll let you know when it’s ready to see. You along with other families will have an opportunity to experience the completed Christmas Village complete with treats, family photo opportunities for those Christmas cards, and a whimsical Christmas experience.

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