By Ashley M. Casey

Staff Writer

With the Thanksgiving leftovers finally finished and a layer of snow coating the ground, your kids likely have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads. To help families get into the holiday spirit, the town of Van Buren is hosting Christmas crafts and other activities in the coming weeks.

Christmas craft days

Van Buren Town Hall will be home to a series of kids’ craft workshops Saturday, Dec. 10.

From 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., children ages 3 and older can make keepsake handprints in a 3-D plaster mold. Kids will take their handprints home to dry overnight and decorate later. The fee is $13 and the class is limited to six children.

From 12:30 to 3 p.m., kids can make their own set of four to eight holiday decorations, including ornaments, reindeer pals and salt dough handprints. Families can enjoy Christmas movies while they work. This program is open to children ages 5 or older, but younger children may sign up if they are accompanied by an adult. The fee is $20 and the workshop is limited to 15 participants.

Finally, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., kids ages 6 and older can build their own gingerbread houses. The gingerbread has already been baked, so you won’t need to mess up your kitchen at home. Christmas movies will be shown during the workshop. The fee is $12 and the workshop is limited to 15 participants.

‘Santa’s Helper’ day

Corral the little ones for sledding, crafts and more from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Van Buren Park lodge off Connors Road. While you’re wrapping up your holiday shopping, your kids will be decorating Christmas cookies and watching holiday movies.

The fee is $15 per child and the program is limited to 15 attendees. Kids must bring their own lunch and drinks, but some snacks will be provided. Remember to bring your own sled as well.

Decorate your plate

Your family can stick around after Santa’s Helper babysitting to decorate Christmas cookie plates from 4 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Van Buren Park lodge. These plates make great keepsakes, special gifts or vehicles for Santa’s Christmas Eve treats. As a bonus, kids can decorate their own cookies to bring home as well. The fee is $10 and the workshop is limited to 15 participants, ages 3 and older.

To register for these programs, contact the Van Buren parks and rec department at 638-4727 or [email protected]. The Van Buren parks and recreation department is located at Van Buren Central Park, 7350 Canton St., Baldwinsville. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information about current and upcoming programs, visit townofvanburen.com/parks-and-recreation or like “Town of Van Buren” on Facebook.