Ah, the post-Christmas lull. The tree’s looking a bit droopy, the Quality Street tin is nothing but toffee pennies, and the kids? They’re surrounded by shiny new presents but seem more interested in the boxes and leftover wrapping paper. Classic.
But don’t despair – that mountain of festive debris isn’t just a mess to deal with; it’s the gateway to a magical DIY circus. Here’s how you can turn your leftover holiday chaos into props for an at-home circus extravaganza.
1. Juggling Balls – For the Budding Clown
What You’ll Need: Wrapping paper scraps, rice or lentils, rubber bands or tape.
Cut your wrapping paper into squares (the more garish the pattern, the better – this is a circus, not a minimalist retreat).
Place a small handful of rice or lentils in the centre of each square.
Gather the edges and secure them with a rubber band or tape to make a ball.
Now you’ve got juggling balls that are cheap, cheerful, and might even help burn off some of that Christmas pudding.
Bonus Tip: When the juggling fails, these double as excellent stress-relief squeezers.
2. A Tightrope – Sort of
What You’ll Need: Wrapping paper tubes, tape, and some bravery.
Lay the tubes end-to-end on the floor and tape them together to create your “tightrope.”
Place it on a carpet or rug for extra safety.
Challenge the kids (or yourself) to walk across without “falling.” Add flair with a balancing prop – like a broomstick or a candy cane.
Pro Tip: The tighter the post-Christmas waistband, the harder this will be. Consider it an incentive to move beyond the cheese board.
3. DIY Circus Hoops – Hula Hoop Magic
What You’ll Need: Wrapping paper, a hula hoop, and tape.
Wrap your hula hoop in leftover paper to give it that dazzling circus vibe.
Add strips of ribbon or tinsel for extra pizzazz.
Voilà! A custom circus hoop that doubles as decor and entertainment. If you don’t have a hula hoop lying around, try bending a coat hanger into a circle and wrapping that instead. (Disclaimer: Results may vary.)
4. A Ringmaster’s Hat
What You’ll Need: Wrapping paper, cardboard from a box, and tape or glue.
Cut a strip of cardboard for the brim and a cylinder for the crown.
Cover the pieces with wrapping paper, assemble, and proudly perch it on your head.
The shinier and more ridiculous, the better. Every circus needs a ringmaster, after all – and you’ve already been juggling household chaos for weeks, so the role fits.
5. Spinning Plates (or a Noble Attempt at It)
What You’ll Need: Paper plates (bonus points if they’re festive leftovers), wrapping paper, and a stick or wooden spoon.
Cover the plates with wrapping paper to give them a circus-worthy makeover.
Attempt to spin them on the end of a stick or spoon.
Sure, they won’t stay up long, but watching them crash dramatically to the floor is half the fun.
6. A Balloon Animal Arena
What You’ll Need: Leftover wrapping paper, balloons, and tape.
Tape a large sheet of wrapping paper to a wall or doorway to create a “circus backdrop.”
Inflate some balloons and attempt to craft balloon animals against this festive stage.
If all else fails, you’ve got an excellent “pop the balloon” game – which, let’s face it, is easier than creating a balloon giraffe.
7. A Circus Stage
What You’ll Need: Wrapping paper, an old cardboard box, and imagination.
Cover the box with wrapping paper to create a miniature circus stage.
Add figurines, toy animals, or whatever you’ve got lying around to put on a show.
This one’s for the little ones – but let’s be honest, you’ll end up playing with it while they’re off eating more chocolate.
So there you have it – seven ways to transform wrapping paper and random holiday leftovers into a circus wonderland. The best part? It keeps the kids entertained and clears some of the mess. Well, sort of.
Now, if only someone would explain why they’re still ignoring the expensive toy train set in favour of the crumpled ribbon… Life really is a circus, isn’t it? 🎪✨ Now if you want a real circus workshop to entertain the children, check out this page!
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