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Give your preschool child a head start for school.

There’s nothing like sitting around the fireplace on a cold December night with your hot chocolate while reading “A Christmas Story.” Not only is it warm and cozy but having the family together and reading a classic all at the same time is a sight to behold.

For many of us though a real fireplace just isn’t a part of the picture. Here’s a way for your children to make their own fireplace to sit in front of and enjoy.

What You’ll Need

* Large rectangular box that is not too wide
* Piece of cardboard about 6 inches wider than the rectangular box
* Red, black, brown, gray, orange and yellow paint
* Paintbrushes
* Pencil
* Empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls
* 2 small electric heaters

Instructions

Start with the larger box and at the bottom about six inches in from each side cut out a piece of the box as high as you would like the front of the fireplace to be. You also want to be sure that your fireplace has a bottom so be careful not to cut the bottom from the box.

Once you have the front cut out take a pencil and make the bricks on the fireplace. Leave a little bit between each brick for the mortar. Now have the kids paint the bricks red. Once that is completed you can make the fire in the fireplace.

Using the red, orange and yellow paint have the children put flames on the back inside of the box. Don’t place them too high and remember they need to look as if they are coming out of the logs so don’t go to close to the bottom of the box. Once that is complete paint the bottom and around the cut edges with black paint to give your fireplace a used look.

Now for the mantel. Have the kids paint the piece of cardboard either black or brown. Whichever color they like the best. Once it’s painted and dry place the cardboard on top if the fireplace box and be sure the backsides match up. Once you have it in place glue the cardboard to the top of the box. When the glue has dried cut the piece of cardboard on the sides right up to the box. Now bend the cardboard over to make the front and sides of mantel.

To make the logs take the empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls and paint them brown. Add a few spots of gray for the ash effect. Glue them to the bottom of the box and to each other. This will create the logs with the fire behind them coming out of the logs.

For the warmth you can use the two electric heaters. Place one on each side away from the box. This will give you the warmth of the fire from the sides but keep the chance of an actual fire from occurring. If the kids would like they can also decorate the fireplace mantel. Use garland or pine swags with unlit candles. Maybe even place a Christmas sock or two.

Submitted by Christmas Fun

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