Christmas projects to keep the kiddos busy

We have 2 seperate Christmas parties every year for my husbands family, one for his mothers side and one for his fathers side.  The adults look foward to this all year, a time to catch up and visit.  But the kids really dont have much to do during these

3 hour plus visits.  The kids are always dressed up in their "Christmas Best" the weather is usually cold, and sometimes rainy, so no out side play, and the kids range from newborn on up to teens.  This year I have a plan though.  I bought some inexpensive foam gingerbread men shapes, glitter and glue.  The ginger bread men came with gold hangers to make them into ornaments, and there were 30 men in the package.  I am going to set up a decorating station, well 2 actually, one for the ornaments the kids can decorate and take home, and another for cookies.  I am going to supply already baked cookies, in bell, star, circle, tree, diamond and stocking shapes and bowls of frosting.  I think only white frosting and let the kids decorate them with crystal sugar, gumdrops, m & ms, skittles, and sprinkles.  I decided to only use white frosting just in case they do get it on their clothes.  So no staining.  Then the kids can eat the cookies or take them home.   I will also be supplying 2 ginger bread house kits, the ones that come pre assembled and let the kids decorate those and eat it.  I hope this will keep them busy and happy during the party. If it works out well then I will supply the ornament making stuff every year, regardless if it is held at our home or somewhere else.  I just hope I can keep the non edible decorations and the edible ones seperate, I think 2 seperate tables for sure!  MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I also think this would work well for other get togethers......