Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in 3D opens in theaters everywhere Friday. Are you excited? We are!

To help get you “in the mood”, here are some recipes and crafts to do with your children to bring out their creative side and inner princess or beast. How about make a charm bracelet and princess ring to wear to see Beauty and the Beast?

Make your own Princess with a Belle paper doll

Go here and print the template. You’ll need paper/cardstock, scissors or a craft knife, glue and a pen or pencil. After making Belle you’ll want to make Faithful Phillipe and find some toys to use as props you they can ride, play and interact together!

Make a paper horse (Faithful Phillipe)

Bring Faithful Phillipe, Belle’s loyal horse to life with some cardstock, string, paint and glue. Disney Family Fun provides the template and step-by-step instructions to create your own trusty steed. In addition to telling and showing you how to construct Phillipe they also have suggestions for creating a background scene:sandpaper or a neutral-colored foam drawer/shelf liner to make ground, use a model horse stable for background props or paint your own stable on cardboard and prop it up , prop suggestions inlude using a toy wagon and fill with dry grass, straw or make tiny hay bales. Be creative!

Go here  for template. You’ll need: Scissors, Pencil, Golden brown heavy cardstock , Dark brown colored pencil, Craft paint in: dark brown, medium brown, cream or light tan, and white, Small paintbrush,Mod Podge and medium-size paintbrush or foam brush, Off-white cotton yarn (medium-weight multi-play yarn is recommended),Glue dots, 2 paper clips, Pliers, Good quality glue stick or tacky glue,pinch-style clothespins  and black construction or craft paper. Follow step-by-step directions at Disney Family Fun.

Little Princess Belle Costume

This dress is beautiful but will take about 9 hours to make. But you may find it well wohht the time and effort when your little princess wants to wear it all the time! You’ll need:Costume pattern, Bright yellow satin, approx. 5 yards for the gown, 2 1/4 yards pale yellow lining for the slip, 1 yard of crinoline,Velcro (to open/close the gown). You can find instructions here. Note: you will need a dress pattern.

Belle’s Crown

Every Princess needs a crown, make your very own crown in Belle style with this template. Your little girl will be ready for the ball in a yellow dress with this handmade crown!You’ll need:Scissors, Yellow felt(stiff), white glitter felt (stiff), hot glue gun, 7 small, clear acrylic gems, paper or cloth flower and clothe covered headband. Follow the step-by-step instructions at Disney Family Fun.

Belle’s Easter Crown

This flashy crown is made with a ring of paper eggs but doesn’t have to be made just for Easter. I’m sure your princess would love to wear it during dress-up. Get the template here. And you’ll need :Measuring tape, Scissors, Scrapbook paper and a glue stick . Follow the step by step instructions here.

Belle’s Valentine Bookmarks

These are one of my favorites and I can’t wait to make these with my daughter! Make beautiful Belle Valentine bookmarks with your princess for marking your place at storytime. The longstem roses made from pipe cleaners tuck neatly instead your books and are fun to make, pretty to look at.
You’ll need: Heart template, scrapbook paper (pink or red with patterns works nicely), glue dots, green pipe cleaners, ribbon. Follow the step-by-step instructions at Disney’s Family Fun.

Lumière’s Flickering Hearts Valentine

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast! What better way to share a Valentine than with a handmade one showcasing the hopeless romantic Lumiere and your child’s fingerprints? You’ll need Template for Lumière’s Flickering Hearts Valentine, scissors , craft or scrapbook paper (white and golden yellow), glue stick, 8.5- by 11-inch sheet of cardstock folded in half for the card, fine-tipped marker, heart stickers or red finger paint. I think the finger pain and using fingerprints gives it a cute and personal touch that makes it a keepsake. Follow the step-by-step instructions at Disney Family Fun.

Disney Princess Valentine’s Stickers

If you’re not very crafty, like me then you’ll love these. You just print the template on sticker paper and then cut the stickers out along the lines! There’s Belle, Cinderella, Aurora, Snow White, Ariel and Jasmine.

Jeweled Scrapbook

This cute scrapbook is fit for a princess and a great place for her to play with her stickers or draw some royal adventures! And they’d make really cool, inexpensive party favors for a princess party. You’ll need: Door hinge, ribbon, scissors, colored paper, glue, rhinestones and white paper. Follow the directions here.

Princess Valentine Heart Rings

Make beautiful Princess rings with this Princess template. Of course there’s Belle but you can also print and make: Snow White, Aurora, Cinderella, Ariel, Jasmine, Tiana and Rapunzel. Wouldn’t these be great in Valentine’s grab bags? All you need is: cardstock and scissors. Follow the instructions at Disney Family Fun.

Disney Princess Charm Bracelet

Download the Princess Charms here. You’ll need: White or clear shrink paper for inkjet printers (can be found at art/craft supply stores or online), printed charms, clear nail polish, scissors, hole punch and Jewelry accessories (barrette, charm bracelet or necklace, pin etc). Follow the step by step instructions at Disney Family Fun.

Disney Princess Jewelry Box

Now after you’ve made your princess rings and Belle charm bracelet you’ll need a place to store them. What better place than a Disney Princess Jewelry Box? You’ll need jewelry box template, cardstock, scissors/craft knife and glue. Follow the step by step instructions at Disney Family Fun.

Tissue Tube Candelabrum

Every castle needs a light. Make this cool tissue tube version of Lumiere to light the way. You know all those old toilet paper and wrapping paper rolls you just toss out, this craft has a good use for them. No template for this one, follow the instructions here. You’ll need: Pencil,Scissors, Cardboard egg carton, Craft knife, 3 toilet tissue tubes or a gift wrap tube, Ruler, Scrap cardboard, Acrylic craft paint (yellow and white) and paintbrush, Low temperature glue gun or tacky glue, 2 yellow pipe cleaners, Googly eyes and a black permanent marker.

Lumiere’s Mother’s Day Candles

The best cards are the ones that have a personal touch, especially when its from your child. This is a great card for Dad to help the kiddos make and you’ll have a keepsake. You’ll need the template,Scissors,Pencil, Scrapbook paper, Glue stick, Cardstock, black marker or colored pencil, finger paint (yellow and red), and sticker letters (optional). Step by step instructions are here.

Cogsworth cupcakes

Has all of this crafting made you hungry? Just writing about it has made me want a snack. How about making some Cogsworth cupcakes? These are cute, almost too cute to eat! Ingredients and directions can be found at Disney Family Fun.

Strawberry Rose Shortcake

Remember the fragile rose Beast keeps under the glass dome? I recommend you either eat this rose or keep it in the refrigerator. You’ll need: a shortcake dessert shell, Whipped cream, 2 large strawberries, a mint leaf. Find instructions for assembly here.

Enchanted Roses

Beautiful flowers that won’t die! What you’ll need: cherry or strawberry fruit roll-ups, green apple fruit candy and frosted mini cupcakes. Step by step directions are here.

Mrs. Potts Cake Pops

These Mrs. Potts cake pops would be great for a Beauty and the Beast birthday party or even a fun afternoon snack while watching the movie with friends. Directions and ingredients can be found here.

Chip the Teacup

And if you have a Mrs. Potts then her son Chip is probably close by. Make your own Chip the teacup with: Model Magic air-drying modeling compound (white and yellow-found in craft stores), Scissors, Egg carton cup,pencil and colored markers. Step by step instructions can be found here.

Lumiere’s Christmas Candle Cupcakes

Yes, Christmas has come and gone but this is a cute cupcake and there’s no reason it couldn’t work for a Beauty and the Beast themed party! Here’s what you need: Yellow candy melts (or melted white chocolate tinted yellow),Lollipop sticks (sold in the cake decorating aisle at craft stores), batch of baked cupcakes, red frosting or cookie icing. Find step by step directions here.

I’d love to see your creations. If you make any of these recipes or crafts please come back and leave us a comment with any suggestions or tips!