The holiday season is a magical time for children, filled with opportunities to express their creativity and engage in fun activities. Christmas crafts not only provide an outlet for artistic expression but also foster family bonding, allowing kids to create gifts, decorations, and keepsakes that can be cherished for years. Here’s a detailed list of 21 of the best Christmas crafts that kids will love, along with step-by-step instructions to inspire creativity!
1. Paper Plate Santa
Materials:
- Paper plates
- Red construction paper
- Cotton balls
- Markers
- Glue
Instructions:
- Cut a triangle from the red construction paper to form Santa’s hat and glue it to the top of the paper plate.
- Use cotton balls to create Santa’s beard and glue them around the bottom of the hat.
- Draw eyes, a nose, and a mouth using markers, and finish with a cotton ball at the tip of the hat.
2. Salt Dough Ornaments
Materials:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup water
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
- Paint and brushes (optional)
Instructions:
- Mix flour, salt, and water to form a dough. Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, then make a small hole at the top for hanging.
- Bake the ornaments at 200°F (93°C) for 2-3 hours until hard. Once cool, kids can paint and decorate them as they like.
3. Pinecone Christmas Trees
Materials:
- Pinecones
- Green paint
- Glitter or sequins
- Craft glue
- Small pots or bases
Instructions:
- Paint the pinecones green and let them dry.
- Kids can decorate them with glitter or sequins to resemble ornaments.
- Place the decorated pinecones in small pots or secure them to a base for display.
4. Christmas Card Making
Materials:
- Cardstock
- Markers
- Stickers
- Glue
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Fold the cardstock in half to create a card.
- Let kids design the front using markers, stickers, and drawings.
- Encourage them to write personal messages inside for family and friends.
5. Recycled Christmas Wreath
Materials:
- Old magazines or wrapping paper
- Cardboard (for the base)
- Glue
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Cut the cardboard into a circle to form the base of the wreath.
- Cut the magazines or wrapping paper into strips or shapes.
- Glue the paper onto the cardboard, layering it to create a colorful wreath.
6. DIY Advent Calendar
Materials:
- Small boxes or envelopes
- Wrapping paper
- Stickers or markers for decoration
- Treats or notes for each day
Instructions:
- Decorate each box or envelope with wrapping paper, stickers, or markers.
- Fill each one with a small treat or a fun holiday activity.
- Arrange them in a decorative way to create the advent calendar.
7. Homemade Snow Globes
Materials:
- Mason jars
- Small holiday figurines (e.g., trees, snowmen)
- Glitter
- Distilled water
- Glycerin (optional, for slower snow effect)
Instructions:
- Glue the figurine to the inside of the jar lid and let it dry.
- Fill the jar with water, a dash of glycerin, and a sprinkle of glitter.
- Secure the lid back on, turn it upside down, and give it a shake to see the “snow” fall!
8. Christmas Tree Paper Chains
Materials:
- Colored construction paper (green, red, white)
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
Instructions:
- Cut the construction paper into strips about 1 inch wide.
- Create a loop with one strip and glue or tape it to secure.
- Continue adding strips through the previous loop to form a chain. Hang it around the house for decoration!
9. Handprint Reindeer
Materials:
- Brown construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Googly eyes
- Red pom-poms
Instructions:
- Trace the child’s hand on the brown paper and cut it out.
- Glue the handprint to a larger piece of paper to form the reindeer’s body.
- Add googly eyes and a red pom-pom for the nose to complete the look.
10. Holiday Gift Tags
Materials:
- Cardstock
- Scissors
- Ribbon or string
- Markers, stamps, and stickers for decoration
Instructions:
- Cut the cardstock into tag shapes.
- Let kids decorate with markers, stamps, or stickers.
- Punch a hole at the top and tie on some ribbon for attaching to gifts.
11. Yarn-Wrapped Christmas Trees
Materials:
- Cardboard cone or foam cone
- Yarn in various colors
- Glue
Instructions:
- Start at the bottom of the cone and glue the yarn in place, wrapping it around until the cone is covered.
- Kids can alternate colors for a fun design or use one solid color.
- Add embellishments like beads or buttons to the yarn-wrapped trees.
12. Snowflake Window Decorations
Materials:
- White paper
- Scissors
- Glitter or markers
Instructions:
- Fold the white paper into quarters and cut shapes along the edges to create snowflakes.
- Kids can sprinkle glitter on them for sparkle or use markers to color them.
- Tape the finished snowflakes to windows for a winter wonderland effect.
13. Christmas Sock Puppets
Materials:
- Old socks
- Felt or fabric scraps
- Googly eyes
- Craft glue
Instructions:
- Turn the sock inside out and glue on felt pieces for eyes, mouths, and other features.
- Use yarn or fabric scraps for hair or other decorations.
- Kids can create a fun holiday puppet show with their creations!
14. Jingle Bell Bracelets
Materials:
- Elastic string or cord
- Jingle bells
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Cut a length of elastic string to fit around the wrist.
- Let kids string jingle bells onto the elastic.
- Tie the ends together to create festive bracelets they can wear!
15. Christmas Candy Canes
Materials:
- Red and white pipe cleaners
Instructions:
- Take one red and one white pipe cleaner and twist them together in a spiral.
- Bend the top to create the shape of a candy cane.
- Kids can make a whole bunch to hang on the tree or give as gifts.
16. Scented Cinnamon Ornaments
Materials:
- 1 cup applesauce
- 1 cup ground cinnamon
- Ribbon for hanging
Instructions:
- Mix applesauce and cinnamon to form a dough.
- Roll it out and cut shapes with cookie cutters.
- Use a straw to make a hole at the top, then hang them with ribbon.
17. Felt Christmas Stockings
Materials:
- Felt in various colors
- Scissors
- Craft glue
- Decorations like buttons, ribbons, and markers
Instructions:
- Cut out two stocking shapes from the felt.
- Decorate one piece before gluing the two together, leaving the top open.
- Kids can hang these stockings by the fireplace or in their rooms.
18. Holiday Painted Rocks
Materials:
- Smooth rocks
- Acrylic paint or paint pens
- Sealer (optional)
Instructions:
- Clean and dry the rocks.
- Let kids paint holiday-themed designs, like snowmen, Christmas trees, or reindeer.
- Optionally, seal the painted rocks with a clear spray to protect the designs.
19. Gift Wrap Art
Materials:
- Plain brown paper
- Paints or stamps
Instructions:
- Spread the brown paper on a flat surface.
- Kids can use paints or stamps to create their own wrapping paper.
- Once dry, use the decorated paper to wrap gifts for family and friends.
20. Christmas Countdown Chains
Materials:
- Colored construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
Instructions:
- Cut the construction paper into strips.
- Create a loop with one strip and secure it, then add subsequent strips through the last loop to form a chain.
- Hang the chain and remove one link each day leading up to Christmas.
21. Star Garland
Materials:
- Yellow or gold paper
- Scissors
- String or ribbon
- Glue
Instructions:
- Cut out star shapes from the yellow or gold paper.
- Decorate the stars with glitter or markers.
- String the stars together to create a beautiful garland to hang in the home.
Conclusion
These 21 Christmas crafts for kids not only provide hours of entertainment but also offer opportunities for family bonding and skill development. From creating ornaments to personalized gifts, these projects foster creativity and the spirit of giving. So gather your supplies, invite the kids to join in, and enjoy the festive crafting together! Each craft is a chance to celebrate the season and make lasting memories that can be cherished for years to come. Happy crafting!
