christmas crafts for kids

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! A magical month full of festive fun, twinkle lights and Christmas cheer. One special tradition in our home is Christmas Crafts. As a former elementary school teacher there is nothing that I enjoy more than making these memories with my own children! Here are some easy Christmas Crafts for Kids to do with your own family.

When crafting with littles it is important to remember, the messier the better! Which means, let them explore, create, and most importantly PLAY!!! Children learn best through play. Thus, making this the perfect opportunity to explore new textures and smells. You may want to consider working outside. Nature always inspires creativity for our family.

Many times as mamas we avoid crafts with our kids because we worry it won’t look like the picture. However, just go ahead and lower your expectations now. Accept that it won’t look like the picture and that is the beauty of it! Make it your own because crafting is so much more than the finished product. It is memory making. It is ART. More so, it is teaching our children that their creativity is beautiful. Plus, we will hang it up and cherish their work no matter how it turns out!!!

christmas crafts for kids

The holiday season is the perfect time for creating memories with your kids through crafts! Not only does it keep little hands busy, but it’s a great way to share the festive spirit and create personalized decorations and gifts. Whether you’re looking for an afternoon activity or a way to add a personal touch to your holiday decorations, these three crafts are perfect for moms and kids in the Triad. Grab your supplies, get comfortable, and let’s get started on these Christmas Crafts for Kids!

Salt Dough Ornaments

Materials:

• All-purpose flour (2 cups)
• Salt (1 cup)
• Water (up to 1 cup)
• Acrylic paint
• Modge Podge
• Ribbon
• Knife

Instructions to make Salt Dough:

1. First, mix flour and salt in a large bowl.
2. Add 2 Tbsp. of water (one at a time) mixing well each time.
3. Knead the dough with your hands.
4. Roll the dough onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
5. In the meantime, heat the oven to 250 degrees.
6. Ask your child to place their hand into the dough.
7. Cut around the handprint and then, discard the extra dough.
8. Punch a small hole at the bottom of the hand print.
9. Bake for 2 hours and lastly, let cool for 2 hours.

Decorating Your Ornament:

1. First, paint the ornament.
2. Then, apply Modge Podge to both sides of the ornament.
3. Next, loop ribbon through the hole and tie in a bow.
4. Lastly, hang on the tree!

Christmas Wreath

Needed Materials:

• Green tissue paper
• Felt stickers
• Ribbon
• Paper plate
• Glue stick

Wreath Instructions:

1. First, cut tissue paper into small pieces.
2. Then, cut out the center of one paper plate.
3. Thirdly, roll the glue stick all around the paper plate.
4. Now, invite your child to sprinkle the tissue paper all over the paper plate.
5. Fun part! Choose your favorite felt stickers to decorate your wreath.
6. Next, cut 5 inch strip of ribbon and tie in a bow around the top of your wreath.
7. Finally, hang it on your child’s bedroom door or gift to a friend!

Make it Your Own:

• You can tweak this craft to make a wreath for almost any holiday, such as Valentines Day, 4th of July, Halloween, etc.
• Write down your child’s 3 favorite colors and then go to the store and find tissue paper in these colors.
• Purchase smaller plates and make mini wreaths for all of your friends.

Gingerbread Play Dough

Materials:

• Flour – 1 Cup
• Salt – ½ Cup
• Vegetable oil – 1 Tbsp.
• Ground ginger – ½ Tbsp.
• Ground cinnamon – ½ Tbsp.
• Water – ½ cup

Play Dough Directions:

1. First, mix the dry ingredients.
2. Then, add oil and slowly add the water.
3. Finally, knead the dough until smooth.

At last, breath in that gingerbread goodness! You can pullout kitchen tools, play dough toys, nature treasures, whatever your child loves. Now, let the fun and creativity begin as your child plays with their new holiday play dough!

Handprint Christmas Tree

What better way to remember how little your kiddos were than by turning their handprints into an adorable Christmas tree? This craft is simple, fun, and makes for a cherished keepsake. It’s a great way to teach kids about holiday traditions while creating a festive decoration for your home.

What You’ll Need:

• Green, brown, red, yellow, orange, & blue paint
• Canvas 
• Red Sharpie
• Paint Brushes
• Q-Tips

How to Make It:

1. Paint the Hands: Begin by painting the palms and fingers of your child’s hand with green paint. For younger children, you can do the painting yourself and guide their hand.
2. Press the Handprint: Help your little one press their painted hand onto the canvas to form the layers of the tree. You can do several handprints to create the “branches” of the tree. Each new handprint should overlap slightly with the previous one.
3. Add the Tree Trunk: Once the handprints are dry, paint the trunk of tree at the bottom of the handprints.
4. Decorate the Tree: Now for the fun part! Use a Q-tip to add pops of color to the tree that will resemble ornaments. Then using your Q-tip paint a star at the top of the tree. 
5. Display: Write your child’s name and the year at the bottom of the canvas in Sharpie. Once everything is dry, hang your handprint tree on the wall or give it as a special gift to grandparents or other loved ones!

DIY Ornaments

Homemade ornaments are a classic way to personalize your Christmas tree and bring some extra joy to the season. This craft is especially fun because each ornament can be unique, and it’s something you can look forward to pulling out year after year.

What You’ll Need:

• Popsicle Sticks
• Red & Green Paint
• Ribbon or Decorative String
• Paintbrushes
• Hot Glue Gun
• Black Sharpie
• Red Cardstock
• Photo of your child
• Glue Stick
• Scissors

How to Make It:

1. Paint the Ornament: Have your child help paint 4 popsicle sticks that will make the border of the ornament. 
2. Hot Glue: Hot glue the popsicle sticks together. Then glue the ribbon on the back of the ornament that will make a loop. Finally glue red card stock onto the backside of the ornament (where you glued the ribbon). You will only need a tiny bit of hot glue to hold everything in place. 
3. Glue on the Photo: Once the ornament is dry, use a glue stick to glue the photo of your child to the red cardstock. You may need to trim the photo to make sure it fits into the ornament properly. 
4. Personalize: Add your child’s name and the year on the ornament so that each one becomes a special memory. Over time, you’ll build a beautiful collection of handmade ornaments.

Magic Paint Brush Christmas Cards

Send a little holiday cheer with personalized Christmas cards your kids can help create! These “magic” Christmas cards involve using water, and the fun part is that you don’t need any traditional paint to create beautiful artwork—just water and a christmas card!

What You’ll Need:

• Magic Christmas Cards
• Paintbrushes (you can use a sponge if you prefer)
• Water 
• Crayons or oil pastels (for the “magic”)
• Holiday-themed stamps or stickers (optional)
• Holiday-themed stamps or stickers (optional)

How to Make It:

1. Magic with Watercolor: Have your child dip their paintbrush into a small cup of water. Once they start painting the Christmas Card colors will magically appear! These cards can be purchased through Usborne Books. 
2. Personalize: After the painting is dry, add a personal message inside the card. You can also add stamps, stickers, or glitter to make each card extra festive.
3. Send Some Cheer: Once the cards are complete, you can mail them to friends and family or hand them out to neighbors to spread holiday cheer!

These Christmas Crafts for Kids—are perfect for moms in the Triad looking to share some creative holiday fun with their kids. Whether you’re turning handprints into holiday trees or sending out homemade cards filled with love, these activities will keep everyone entertained while also helping you build memories that last long after the holiday season ends.

Happy crafting and happy holidays! 🎨🎄✨

Do you have any Christmas Crafts for Kids that you love to do? Share them with the TMoM readers in the comments below. Let all of those holiday craft ideas shine!

By TMoM Team Member Brooke Coley

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