Christmas Kids' Craft: Walnut Santa Ornament

Some of the sweetest Christmas tree ornaments are the ones made by the littlest crafters. This retro kids' craft is a whimsical and fun interpretation of Santa Claus that can be made with common craft supplies in just a few minutes.
Santa Ornament

Walnut Santa Ornament

Perfect for the littlest crafters, this easy project uses materials you probably already have on hand. You and the kiddos can turn a bag of walnuts into a whole tree-full of everyone's favorite elf in no time flat.

Perfect for the littlest crafters, this easy project uses materials you probably already have on hand. You and the kiddos can turn a bag of walnuts into a whole tree-full of everyone's favorite elf in no time flat.

Materials Needed:

  • whole walnuts in the shell
  • craft eyes
  • red construction paper
  • cotton balls
  • small red pompom
  • metal ornament hooks
  • hot glue gun and glue sticks or white school glue
  • scissors
  • clothespin or binder clip

Make Paper Santa Hat

With scissors, cut red construction paper into a half-circle with an approximate 3" diameter (Image 1). Twist paper into a cone shape, glue in place and trim if necessary. Allow hat to dry if using white school glue. Tip: When using school glue, hold hat's shape while drying by pinning with a clothespin, paperclip or binder clip.

Scissors Cutting Red Construction Paper Into Semicircle

Cutting Paper Hat For Handmade Walnut Santa Ornament

With scissors, cut red construction paper into a half-circle with an approximate 3" diameter. Twist the paper into a cone shape, glue in place and trim if necessary. Allow hat to dry if using white school glue. When using school glue, hold the hat's shape while drying by pinning with a clothespin, paperclip or binder clip.

Affix Hanger and Embellishments

Bend a wire ornament hook into a ring on one end. Insert wire ends into tip of hat and glue in place (Image 1). Glue hat onto walnut (Image 2). Pinch off a small piece of white cotton ball, pull apart to separate it, then glue to bottom of hat (Images 3 and 4). Attach another small piece of cotton ball to top of hat and allow all glue to dry (Image 5).

Make Santa Face

Glue craft eyes, red pompom nose and a cotton ball beard to walnut to make Santa's face (Image 1). Attach another ornament hook to wire ring glued to top of hat and hang finished ornament on Christmas tree (Image 2).

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