The holiday season is the perfect time for kids to get creative with their hands and make fun crafts. These simple and festive Christmas craft ideas are perfect for kids to create and share with family and friends. From homemade ornaments to greeting cards, these crafts will keep your little ones entertained and allow them to spread the Christmas joy!
1. DIY Christmas Ornaments
Creating handmade ornaments is a wonderful way for kids to add their personal touch to the Christmas tree. These DIY ornaments can be made from various materials such as felt, salt dough, or even popsicle sticks.
Materials:- Salt dough (flour, salt, and water) or air-dry clay
- Glitter, paint, and ribbon
- Cookie cutters or a rolling pin
- Craft glue
- Ornament shapes: 3 to 4 inches in diameter for a nice-sized decoration.
- Ribbon: 6-8 inches for hanging.
Instructions:
- Roll out the salt dough or air-dry clay to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Use cookie cutters to make shapes like stars, trees, or bells.
- Let the kids decorate with glitter, paint, or stickers.
- Once dry, add a ribbon or string for hanging.
Tip: These make great gifts for grandparents or teachers!
2. Christmas Handprint Cards
Handprint cards are a fun and personal way for kids to send their holiday wishes. Kids can make a reindeer, Christmas tree, or even Santa’s face using just their hands and some simple craft supplies.
Materials:- Construction paper (green, red, and white)
- Non-toxic paint (brown, black, red, and green)
- Markers
- Glitter
- Cards: 5x7 inches for a standard greeting card size.
- Handprint size: About 3-4 inches for younger kids' hands.
Instructions:
- Have the child paint their hands with brown paint and make a handprint on a piece of paper.
- Use the thumbprints for the eyes and nose of the reindeer or Santa.
- Decorate with a red nose for Rudolph or a Santa hat.
- Add a festive greeting inside the card.
Tip: These cards are perfect for sending to family members!
3. Paper Plate Christmas Tree
This easy-to-make craft will keep kids entertained while they create their own little Christmas tree.
Materials:- Paper plates
- Green paint or markers
- Colored construction paper (for decorations)
- Scissors and glue
- Stickers or glitter (optional)
- Paper plate: Standard size (9 inches in diameter).
- Tree size: Cut the plate into a triangle with a height of 6 to 7 inches.
Instructions:
- Paint or color the paper plate green.
- Cut the plate into a triangle shape for the tree.
- Let the kids decorate their tree with stars, pom-poms, or glitter.
- Add a trunk at the bottom and hang it up!
Tip: Kids can even make a small tree for their bedroom door or as a gift for someone.
4. Pinecone Santa Claus
Transform a simple pinecone into a cute Santa Claus decoration. This craft is an excellent way for kids to use natural materials to create something fun for the holiday season.
Materials:- Pinecones
- Red paint
- Cotton balls
- Felt or construction paper
- Googly eyes
- Glue
- Pinecone: 3-4 inches tall, to create a good-sized Santa figure.
- Santa's hat: 2 inches tall.
Instructions:
- Paint the pinecone red for Santa’s hat.
- Once dry, glue cotton balls around the top to form the fluffy brim of the hat.
- Add googly eyes and a cotton ball nose to complete the face.
- Cut out a beard shape from felt or cotton and glue it onto the pinecone.
Tip: These make great table centerpieces or cute gifts!
5. Reindeer Recycled Bottles
This craft uses recycled materials to make adorable reindeer. It’s a great way to teach kids about recycling while having fun crafting.
Materials:- Empty plastic bottles
- Brown paint
- Craft foam or construction paper (for antlers, eyes, and nose)
- Googly eyes
- Glue and scissors
- Bottle size: Standard 16.9 oz plastic bottle for the reindeer body.
- Antlers: Cut craft foam pieces about 4 inches tall.
Instructions:
- Paint the plastic bottle brown for the reindeer body.
- Cut out antlers from craft foam and glue them to the bottle.
- Attach googly eyes and a red pom-pom nose.
- You can even glue a little bell to the neck for added Christmas cheer.
Tip: These can also be used as fun gift holders or decoration pieces.
6. Christmas Cookie Cutter Stamps
Use cookie cutters as stamps to create beautiful holiday-themed prints on cards, wrapping paper, or even cloth bags.
Materials:- Cookie cutters
- Ink pads or fabric paint
- Paper or fabric
- Cookie cutters: Standard sizes like 2-3 inches wide for a manageable stamp.
- Paper size: 8.5x11 inches for wrapping paper or cards.
Instructions:
- Dip the cookie cutter into an ink pad or fabric paint.
- Press the cookie cutter onto the paper or fabric.
- Let the design dry and decorate with additional doodles or glitter.
Tip: These crafts make excellent personalized gift wrap or festive fabric bags!
7. Christmas Snow Globes
Making your own snow globe is a magical way to bring the winter wonderland into your home. Kids will love creating their own miniature scenes inside jars.
Materials:- Small jar with a lid
- Fake snow (or glitter)
- Small figurines or decorations (like a mini tree or Santa)
- Hot glue gun
- Jar: Small, 4 to 5-inch mason jar or similar size.
- Figurines: Miniatures, about 1-2 inches tall for the jar interior.
Instructions:
- Hot glue the small figurine to the inside of the jar lid.
- Fill the jar with glitter or fake snow.
- Screw the lid tightly onto the jar and shake gently to create a snowstorm.
Tip: These homemade snow globes are perfect as keepsakes for family members!
8. Festive Felt Stockings
Kids will love creating their own felt stockings to hang on the mantel or decorate as a gift. It’s a simple project that results in something they can cherish for years to come.
Materials:- Red or green felt
- White felt (for the stocking trim)
- Scissors, glue, or a needle and thread
- Buttons, sequins, or other decorations
- Stocking size: About 12 inches tall for a mini stocking, ideal for kids.
- Trim: 1 to 2-inch wide felt strips for the top.
Instructions:
- Cut a stocking shape out of felt.
- Glue or sew on the white trim along the top of the stocking.
- Let kids decorate the stocking with buttons, sequins, or fabric paint.
Tip: Personalize it by adding the child’s name to the stocking with fabric markers!
9. Candy Cane Crafts
Candy canes are a symbol of the season, and kids can use them to create simple holiday decorations, cards, or even candy cane bookmarks.
Materials:- Craft wire or pipe cleaners
- Red and white beads
- Ribbon or twine
- Pipe cleaners: 6 to 8 inches long.
- Beads: 1/4-inch in diameter for easy stringing.
Instructions:
- Bend the wire into a candy cane shape.
- String red and white beads onto the wire to make a candy cane design.
- Let kids add a ribbon at the top to hang it or add it to a card as a cute decoration.
Tip: These candy cane crafts can be used as tree ornaments, bookmarks, or even gift toppers!
10. Santa’s Beard Craft
This is a simple, fun craft for younger children. They’ll love making Santa’s beard with cotton balls while practicing their fine motor skills.
Materials:- Paper plate
- Cotton balls
- Red construction paper
- Glue
- Paper plate: Standard 9-inch plate for a big, fun beard.
- Cotton balls: About 1-inch in diameter for a fluffy look.
Instructions:
- Cut out a beard shape from the paper plate.
- Glue cotton balls along the edge to form the fluffy beard.
- Cut out a Santa hat from the red construction paper and glue it to the top of the plate.
Tip: You can also turn this into a fun hat for kids to wear during a holiday party!
These Christmas crafts for kids are perfect for spreading holiday cheer, helping your little ones express their creativity, and giving heartfelt gifts to loved ones. From handprint cards to reindeer bottle decorations, each project allows kids to experience the joy of crafting and sharing during this festive season. These easy, fun, and meaningful activities are sure to become treasured holiday traditions!
Last updated on: December 4, 2024