I am so excited to share these Wood Advent Calendar Activity Coins with you today!! I made a beautiful Felt Advent Calendar that I shared with you yesterday, but I needed the activities to put inside. I didn’t want to just write the activities on a piece of folded up paper- that’s no fun!
I wanted something more concrete and sturdy. Like wood. I used little round wood discs that I bought at Michaels, and used a transfer method that I’ll teach you to transfer the activities that I printed onto the discs.
And I love the results! These coins will be a lot more fun for the kids to pull out of our advent calendar than a wrinkled up piece of paper, don’t you think?
Here are just a few of the activities I put on the coins. There are TONS more activities than you will ever use in one year, but I figured the more the merrier, and then you can pick and choose which ones you would like to do with your kids.
I even sized some little Christmas pictures to go on the back of the tokens, or for a day when you give the kids a little present and don’t have the time to do an activity.
Supplies:
* Round wood discs (available at craft stores)
* Q-tip
* Citrasolv Orange Cleaner (available at natural and health food stores) If you’re in So. Cal, I found mine at Sprouts. You can also use the store locator to see if you can buy any near you.)
* Free printable I made for you
Step #1: Print out the free printable sheets
*** You must print these in mirror image on a laser printer, OR get copies made on a copy machine or printed on a laser printer in mirror image!! DO NOT print this out on your inkjet printer, because the ink will not transfer! ***
I just printed these on my computer regular, took my prints to a local copy center, and then had them make copies in mirror image for me. Easy!
Step #2: Cut out each activity that you would like to use, leaving a border around the edges.
Step #3: Put your cut out activity on the wood coin upside down, apply some Citrasolv to the piece of paper using a Q-tip, and use the top of the lid to scratch hard and all over the words to transfer them to the coin. If you’ve ever used a rub-on for scrapbooking, it is exactly like that.
Be careful not to wiggle the paper while you are rubbing, or you will have blurry words. You can lift up one corner very carefully to see if the transfer is working, and rub even harder to make the words darker. Then pull up the paper and voila! Instant gratification 😉
The coin on the left was just finished. Don’t worry, when it dries, it will look like the coin on the right.
Now put your cute little coins inside your advent calendar. Aren’t they cute?
And if you don’t have an advent calendar yet, check out this felt advent calendar tutorial for one you could make. You’ve still got time 🙂
I’d love for you to leave me a comment and let me know what you think of this project. Will you be giving it a try?
If you liked this project, please follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, and Instagram.
XO, Laura
Juliette says
i just love your idea! Don’t know where i am going to find the Citrasolv Orange Cleaner in France, but I am going to give it a try!
Thank you so much for the idea!
Juliette (form france, so pardon my english)
Laura Russell says
Your English is great, Juliette! I just saw Citrasolv for sale on Amazon.com, maybe you could try buying from there. There’s also another transfer method you could try that uses clear tape, which might be easier for you to find. Here’s a link I found on how to do it:
https://inspirationaltechniquesandtutorials.blogspot.com/2009/06/clear-tape-transfer.html
Where in France do you live? I spent a month traveling through Europe with a friend, and I have to say that France was my favorite country by far. You are a lucky lady!
dominika says
These are just gorgeous! Another inspiring tutorial, many thanks!
Dominika
Laura Russell says
Thanks Dominika! You are most welcome, thanks for reading 🙂
Veri's kleiner Winkel says
wonderful idea. I searched everywhere, but I didn’t find these wooden coins! can you tell me a link from ebay or s.th. else? I’m from Germany and here it isn’t possible to get. I do not understand which function the “citrosolve” has – ok you take it for transfering. Is it a simple cleaner or a special thing? I found it on amazon.uk – but 200ml is more than 25 dollar with shipping
greetings – Veri
Laura Russell says
See my comment below- I thought I hit “reply,” oops!
Laura Russell says
Hi Veri, I found a link for you to buy the round wood coins on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Loew-Cornell-1021188-Woodsies-Circles/dp/B003I2C6UO/ref=pd_bxgy_ac_text_y
The Citrasolv is an orange all natural cleaner that is used to transfer the words to the wood. You can also use clear packing tape, which is probably easier and cheaper for you to find in Germany. Here is a tutorial I found that could help you, then you wouldn’t need to buy Citrasolv! https://www.lilblueboo.com/2012/10/packing-tape-image-transfers.html
Hope this helps you! Good luck, and thanks for reading!
Veri's kleiner Winkel says
hello Laura,
I found the Citrosolve in Greatbritian now and thank you for the link with the woodies. The seller does not send to Germany. Hope he will change his mind. I asked about if possible and I’m waiting for his answer 🙂
Very nice tutorial!!! Wish you a nice day and hope you will finde a good way to the next year (sorry about my english – it’s not really perfect 🙂
greetings from Germany from Veri
Laura Russell says
Oh good, I’m glad you found the Citrasolv, and I hope you are able to get the wood. Your English is great! I love reading comments from readers from other countries. I spent a month in Europe and loved your beautiful country. Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂
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