Nell | Rhythms of Play
I love to share arts, crafts, DIY projects, nature activities and seasonal celebration ideas for kids (and the young at heart). We believe in the wonder of childhood, the power of imagination, learning through play, getting outside in all seasons, and co-creating a life you love--one rhythm at a time!
Winter ❄️ or Summer ☀️ Celebration Ideas ☃️❤️
Hey there, The solstice is almost here! The solstice occurs at the same time this weekend across the globe; however, as many of you already know, the season you welcome depends on the side of the equator that you live on. This year, the December solstice will occur at 15:03 UTC on Sunday, December 21, 2025. This means that those of us in the Northern Hemisphere in the US will experience the winter solstice at 10:03 am EST and 7:02 am PST. Please visit Rhythms of Play to learn more about the...
🎄Christmas Arts, Crafts & Creative Fun! ❤️
Hi there, friends! The holiday season is here, and I’m so excited to celebrate it with you! At Rhythms of Play, this time of year is all about slowing down, sharing light, and making meaningful memories with the people we love. ✨ So, if you’re looking for hands-on ways to celebrate the season, I’ve got some joyful inspiration to share with you. Whether you're looking for simple keepsakes, nature-inspired decorations, or easy art projects to keep little hands busy, I’ve got you covered. This...
🎄Handmade Christmas Card Ideas ❤️
Hey there, With the winter solstice and the holidays fast approaching, I wanted to share a few keepsake holiday card ideas you can make and send or give to friends, family, and extended relatives. Making handmade Christmas cards is a fun way to pass the time and a simple way to create meaningful gifts to share with loved ones. Children of all ages will enjoy making and sending them to family, friends, and extended relatives to spread holiday cheer and good tidings for the New Year. Creating...
Simple Countdown Ideas for Christmas ✨
Hi friends, As we settle into the cozy glow of the holiday season, many of us look for simple traditions that help our families slow down, connect, and savor the days leading up to Christmas or other winter celebrations. One of my family's favorite things at this time of year is creating a stone Countdown Calendar or Spiral Advent to display alongside our Christmas decor. Each of these festive DIY projects offers a beautifully minimalist, nature-inspired alternative to traditional Advent...
❤️ Homemade Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List!
Hey there, If you’re looking for thoughtful, handmade gift ideas that everyone will love, I’ve got you covered! At Rhythms of Play, we’ve curated a collection of fun, easy, and creative DIY gift tutorials that kids and adults can enjoy making for family, friends, teachers, loved ones, and extended relatives. Bring smiles and joy to those you love with personalized keepsakes and heartfelt, handmade creations. Whether crafting with little ones or tackling a DIY project independently, there’s...
Fun Gratitude Crafts and Activities ❤️
Hey there, While gratitude is best practiced year-round, the holidays bring a heightened focus on thankfulness. But gratitude isn’t just a seasonal practice. It’s a mindset that can ground us, lift our spirits, and reshape the way we experience our daily lives. Even when life feels overwhelming, taking a moment to acknowledge what we’re thankful for can create space for clarity, connection, and joy. I invite you to join me in practicing gratitude—both during the holidays and throughout the...
Creative Seasonal Arts and Crafts 🍁🌸
Hey there, Regardless of where you live, this time of year offers numerous opportunities to connect with the Earth's cycles through creativity and play. Whether you’re watching autumn leaves fall in the Northern Hemisphere or welcoming the first blooms of spring in the Southern Hemisphere, November invites us to pause and notice the shifting rhythms of nature. For those in the North, November marks the deepening of autumn — a time for gratitude, reflection, and cozy indoor projects. Paint...
✨Shine your light ❤️ on a Fall Lantern Walk💫🏮🍁🍂
Hi friends, As the days get shorter and the evenings darker, it’s the perfect time for a Fall Lantern Walk! ✨ What’s a Lantern Walk? A lantern walk is a traditional autumn celebration. It involves people coming together to enjoy a leisurely walk through a park, garden, or other outdoor area while carrying lanterns or candles to light their way. Often paired with songs, simple stories, or quiet reflection, a lantern walk brings families, friends, and communities together to enjoy the light of...
❤️ Make a gratitude tree--or use the NEW printable!
Hello Reader, Increase feelings of joy, gratitude, and abundance at home, school, or in the workplace, with a gratitude or Thankful Tree! A gratitude tree, also known as a thankful tree, is a simple and meaningful way to reflect on the things that bring joy, comfort, or purpose to our lives. You don’t need a specific holiday to create a gratitude tree. Although many people in the United States and Canada associate the tradition of the thankful tree with Thanksgiving, it is not limited to any...
🎃 Samhain and Halloween Traditions
Hey there, Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival that influenced modern Halloween, begins this Friday evening. What Is Samhain? Samhain (pronounced Sow-in) is the ancient Celtic festival marking the end of harvest and the beginning of winter. Celebrated from October 31 to November 1, it’s the perfect time for families to slow down, reflect, and celebrate the turning of the seasons together. Often called the Celtic New Year, Samhain reminds us that every ending brings a new beginning. Here are...
I love to share arts, crafts, DIY projects, nature activities and seasonal celebration ideas for kids (and the young at heart). We believe in the wonder of childhood, the power of imagination, learning through play, getting outside in all seasons, and co-creating a life you love--one rhythm at a time!