65 Christmas Crafts for Kids
It's no secret that kids love Christmas — they also love crafts, so combining the two is a guaranteed win-win. Build their anticipation for the big day with our fun project ideas for crafters big and small.
By:
H. Camille Smith
Make a Plate for the Big Guy
Everyone knows that Santa loves cookies. But did you know he also has a soft spot for kids' artwork? Ensure he's in a top mood when stuffing your stockings by crafting a customized plate to serve Santa's favorite midnight snack. Learn how to make the paint food-safe.
From:
Marian Parsons
Or, a Sweet House for Wee Folks
Your little bakers will love helping you decorate this sweet farmhouse. Get all our tips for turning a basic gingerbread house into the cutest edible holiday decor around.
Turn Craft Supplies Into Costumes
Raid your craft stash to deck out your littest elf like, well, an elf, reindeer or even the big man himself. Our step-by-step instructions show you how.
Deck Out With Yarn Pom-Poms
Kids love seeing their handiwork displayed at Christmas and these yarn pom-poms are so cute that you won't be able to resist decorating the tree with them or using them instead of bows as colorful gift toppers. Get crafting with our step-by-step instructions.
From:
Marian Parsons
Craft a Sweet Snow Globe
A Christmas tree you can eat? Yes, please! Kids will love assembling and decorating this mini Christmas tree that they can display — then devour! Get the recipe.
Make Glowing Ice Lanterns
Get an assist from Mother Nature (or your freezer!) to turn a few plastic containers and water into magical, glowing ice lanterns. Make your own with our step-by-step instructions.
From:
Marian Parsons
Whip Up Easy Twig Ornaments
Your littlest crafters will enjoy helping you scavenge sticks outside, then wrap with yarn to create these cute handmade ornaments that are ideally sized for tiny hands. Learn how to craft your own with our step-by-step instructions.
Make Potato-Stamped Gift Wrap
Forgo storebought gift wrap this year and get a little help from the kiddos to craft one-of-a-kind paper that's big on the cute factor but easy on the wallet. Get our tips for using a potato to create this pretty paper.
From:
Marian Parsons
Whip Up These Share-Able Snowmen
Delicious, adorable and a fun craft for kids to make for classmates, teachers or neighbors, these melt-in-your-mouth snowmen are sure to delight. Get the recipe.
Customize One of Our Free Printable Cards
Our free printable template and step-by-step instructions make crafting this cute card a snap, even for the littlest crafters. Just print out the design, then let the kids go to town embellishing it however they'd like.
From:
Kim Stoegbauer
Try a Throwback Craft
Felt holders for candy canes are a retro kids' craft that your little ones will enjoy making just as much as you did. So turn on some Christmas music, gather up your supplies and get crafting with our step-by-step instructions.
From:
Marian Parsons
Make an Indoor Snowman
This cheery snowman is sure to brighten up your foyer, kitchen or front porch. Just glue three graduated-size wood blocks together then spray-paint everything white. Add buttons to the smallest block for eyes and cut a carrot nose out of orange craft foam. Finish your snowman with a child's size winter hat and scarf. Get more crafty entryway decorating ideas.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Assemble a Herd of Printable Paper Deer
Craft time is playtime with these moveable card stock deer. You only need scissors and brads to turn this free printable pattern into an activity for all ages. For the smallest crafters, precut the brad holes to make assembly a breeze.
Dress Up Mason Jars for the Holidays
Craft your own sparkling holiday lanterns on the cheap! Glitter, glue and an empty glass jar are all you need. Our step-by-step instructions will make this project a snap.
From:
Marian Parsons
Craft "Sweet" Ornaments
"Frost" craft-store wood cut-outs with white puffy paint to create gingerbread cookie lookalikes that can be displayed for many Christmases to come. Learn the tricks to perfecting this vintage-inspired look with our step-by-step instructions.
From:
Marian Parsons
Turn Clothespins Into Snowflakes
In just a few steps, you can turn wooden clothespins into beautiful snowflake ornaments. This is a great project for older children to tackle on their own or for small kids with help from a crafty adult. Turn any day into a snow day with our step-by-step instructions.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Give Hot Cocoa a Little Character
Marshmallows, pretzel sticks, candy corn and a bit of icing are all you need to assemble a few of these marshmallow snowmen that'll add a playful finishing touch to their hot cocoa. Learn how to make them.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Make Waterless Snow Globes
Don't throw out that empty glass jar — instead, turn it into a mini winter wonderland. Blogger Michelle Edwards created these by hot-gluing small Christmas trees to the inside of the jars' lids, pouring fake snow into the jar then screwing on the lids.
Craft a Character for Your Tree
Basic craft supplies and mini pinecones are all kids need to craft a whole tree-ful of tiny woodland elves. Make your own with our step-by-step instructions.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Or, Turn Tins Into Tiny Dioramas
Vintage mini gelatin molds and tart tins are easy to source at flea markets or thrift stores and make perfect wee winter dioramas for decking the halls. Get an assist from the kiddos and our step-by-step instructions to craft these playful ornaments.
Whip Up Edible Ornaments for Your Feathered Friends
For the holidays, don't just decorate the Christmas tree inside your house. Make these birdseed ornaments to add color to bare winter trees and treat hungry feathered friends to a snack. Kids will love making them to display in their own yard and to give as gifts to their favorite nature lovers. Get our tricks for making them.
From:
Marian Parsons
Craft Nutty Santa Ornaments
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. Get step-by-step instructions.
From:
H. Camille Smith
Make Colorful Yarn and Button Trees
Great as a centerpiece or mantel or foyer decoration, these yarn-covered trees will add a colorful pop to any room. Get crafting now to make your own.
Inspire Their Inner Chef
Kids love desserts and they also love to help out in the kitchen. Help them grow their culinary skills by whipping up one of our homemade holiday treat recipes together.
Upcycle Party Gear
Turn leftover plastic wine glasses and a few basic craft supplies into sweet scenes inside an ornament-style snowglobe. Learn how to help kids craft their own.
Make Melt-Proof Snowball Ornaments
Add a little snowy sparkle to your Christmas tree this year. These easy-to-make snowballs are a fun craft for kids big or small and can be reused year after year. Learn how to make your own.
From:
H. Camille Smith
Get Crafty With Candy Canes
Mini candy canes, googly eyes and basic craft supplies — felt, pom-poms and glue — are all you need to whip up a whole herd of these adorable reindeer for your tree.
Make a Sweet Tray
Put a new spin on classic holiday candy with a starlight mint serving tray. To create it, lay peppermints side-by-side on a cookie sheet and place the pan in a warm oven until the mints have evenly melted. Remove the pan from the oven and set aside to allow the candy to fully cool. Once dry, the shiny, slick surface is perfect for serving snacks. Get more modern holiday decorating ideas.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Count Down With a Mitten Advent Calendar
Although the busy days leading up to the holidays speed by for adults, Christmas can't get here fast enough for kids. Help them count down the days with this clever advent calendar. Fill the mittens with a small toy or treat to bide the time and build excitement for the big day.
From:
H. Camille Smith
Get Crafty With Gift Wrap
While it's universally acknkowledged that kids are experts at unwrapping gifts, with just a little help from an adult, they can also master the art of wrapping them — our free printable tags and 35 creative gift wrap ideas make wrapping pretty packages a snap.
From:
Kim Stoegbauer
Light the Way for Santa
Make sure the big guy has no trouble finding your house on Christmas Eve with this updated and safer version of the classic Santa's runway. Make your own with our step-by-step instructions.
Printable Holiday Card
This easy-to-craft card is the perfect way for kids to let grandparents or distant relatives or friends know that they're thinking of them around the holidays. Just print our free template onto card stock then embellish with a bit of yarn or twine. Get step-by-step instructions.
From:
Kim Stoegbauer
Bake a Batch of Cookie Dough Ornaments
Kids love playing with soft dough — mix up a batch then shape it into sweet tree ornaments. For the dough, you need: 4 cups of flour, 1-1/2 cups of water and 1 cup salt. First, preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Combine ingredients, then knead the mixture into dough and roll out flat. Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into seasonal shapes and embellish however you'd like, then place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown. While cookies are still soft, use a knife to make a hole in each for hanging. Once they've cooled, spray them with a clear protective food coating, thread ribbon through and hang on the Christmas tree.
Sub Painted Pails for Stockings
Give your holiday decorations a playful twist by swapping out traditional fabric stockings for metal pails painted with fun, bright colors. Learn how to make your own.
From:
Marian Parsons
Turn Pinecones Into an Easy Garland
Kids are natural scavengers. Put their talents to good use hunting up pretty pinecones to dip into craft paint then knot onto yarn for an easy, rustic decoration. Get more tips for crafting one of your own.
Inspire Their Inner Artist
This fun gift wrap can be created with materials you probably already have on hand. First, wrap gifts in blue construction paper. Dip the eraser end of a pencil in slightly thinned-down white craft paint or tap it onto a white ink pad and stamp dots onto paper. Create snowflakes by starting with a center dot then working your way out in symmetrical lines and rings. To create the snowman, overlap white dots to build up his body and embellish with an orange paper carrot nose and a black marker coal mouth, eyes and arms. Get more crafty gift wrap ideas.
Get Creative With Party Supplies
The holidays = parties. Make yours a stand-out by dressing up basic paper cups to resemble Santa's lead reindeer. Cut antler shapes out of craft foam and give each cup a face with a craft foam muzzle, googly eyes and a pom-pom nose. Check out more tips for throwing a rudolph-themed holiday party.
Creatively Top Treats
Planning a party? Delight small holiday guests with easy-to-create (and oh-so-cute!) "dipped" deer figurines. Sealed with food-safe shellac, these crafty cupcake toppers can be used again and again.
Craft Rustic Yarn Ornaments
Cover inexpensive foam balls with yarn to create a rustic Christmas ornament the kids can hang on the tree or use to top wrapped gifts. Choose traditional wool or synthetic yarn for a smooth look or get creative by wrapping the balls with fun, novelty yarns with fluffy, faux-fur textures or variegated colors. Get crafting with our step-by-step instructions.
From:
H. Camille Smith
Turn Old Toys Into Playful Decor
Boys and dads alike will love the idea of repurposing toy soldiers into a masculine, playful wreath. Just hot glue the toys directly to a wire wreath base, alternating the soldiers' colors and positions as you attach them. Check out 8 more creative holiday wreath ideas.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Create a Marshmallow Snowstorm
What would the holidays be without a little snow? Tie marshmallows onto fishing line for a magical decoration kids will love; they can even help assemble then later disassemble (and devour!) it. Get step-by-step instructions.
Upcycle Old Board Games
Turn topping gifts into game-time with these clever gift tags that can also double as personalized tree ornaments or even holiday place cards. Crafting them is a snap: Just hot glue wooden game tiles to twine or matte ribbon.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Give Them A House of Their Own
Decorating gingerbread houses is a holiday tradition that's fun for the whole family. Prebake the cookie house sections then fill bowls with assorted candies and let the fun begin. Get tips for throwing a kids' holiday party where decorating gingerbread houses is the main event.
Craft a Few Indoor Snowflakes
Every kid has at least one puzzle they've stopped playing with because it's missing pieces. Put the remaining pieces to good use as clever snowflake decorations. Just select puzzle pieces with similar outlines then hot glue them in the shape of a snowflake to a small cardboard circle. Coat the pieces with white spray paint then attach the snowflake to a napkin ring, hair barrette, candleholder — or any everyday item that could use a little holiday update.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Try a Fresh Twist on Ornaments
Fresh fruit has long been used to decorate Christmas trees; the bright pop of color and fresh scent is hard to beat. This year, instead of studding the orange with cloves, opt for a more fashion-forward approach and use tacks as designer Tobi Fairley has here. To attach the ribbon for hanging, Tobi cut 2 shallow slits around the orange's navel then slid through a loop of leopard-print ribbon.
From:
Tobi Fairley
Make Your Own Mini Trees
Whip up these springy mini trees to add a playful holiday touch to any area of your home, either indoors or out. Just wrap plastic-coated wire (available at your local hardware store) around craft-store foam topiary forms then pull out the form and voila — instant Christmas tree.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Creatively Count Down the Days
Although kids will enjoy helping you decorate the takeout boxes and assemble the advent calendar, they'll really love opening one up each day to discover the surprises you've hidden there. Start your own holiday countdown with our step-by-step instructions.
Make Rustic Yardstick Stars
Turn yardsticks and twigs into star-shaped sculptures that are perfect for decking out your outdoor areas. This is a great craft for older kids who are comfortable working with basic power tools. Get started with our step-by-step instructions.
Marshmallow Tree Pops
Kids big and small will have a blast making (then devouring!) these cute, easy-to-create chocolate treats. Get crafting to make your own.
Create an Indoor Snowstorm
Use fishing line to string together paper snowflakes for a budget-friendly holiday decoration you can leave up all winter long. Get more tips and make your own.
Make a Monogrammed Gift Topper
Forget traditional ribbon bows and top your gifts with a yarn-wrapped initial instead. Older kids and crafty teens will want to try this easy project to create personalized packages that stand out from the pack.
From:
Michelle Edgemont
Turn Cookie Cutters Into Ornaments
Metal cookie cutters are too pretty to keep hidden away in a drawer, especially if they're family-hand-me-downs. After you've finished your holiday baking, back the ornaments with colorful paper and put your favorites on display.
Stack a Mini Tree
Cut wooden dowels into varying lengths from large to small. Spray-paint them white then glue the dried dowels together, alternating each dowel's direction to create a full, rounded design. Top the tiny tree with a glittered chipboard star. Design by Paul Lowe
Repurpose Old Bulbs
Don't toss old light bulbs — instead, give them new life as glittering tree ornaments. A few coats of metallic spray paint and a ribbon for hanging are all you need. Smaller light bulbs work best grouped together in odd numbers, while larger lightbulbs are best as single ornaments.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Craft Game Piece Ornaments
Get the kiddos crafting to make a few of these playful ornaments that are a snap to make using Scrabble letters glued onto a strip of colorful ribbon. Use the letters to spell out holiday sayings or family members' names. Get crafting with our step-by-step instructions.
Stamped Holiday Lights Gift Wrap
This artistic gift wrap is as easy to create as it is cute. First, wrap gifts in newsprint or butcher paper. Then, create a lightbulb-shaped stamp from a wine cork by cutting away the sides with a craft knife to leave just a pointed oval shape. Brush a light coat of paint onto the lightbulb portion of the stamp then firmly press it onto the wrapped gift. Continue adding stamped bulbs in a line, alternating colors, until you're happy with the design. Allow paint to dry then add the string with a permanent marker. Get more crafty gift wrap ideas.
Turn Old Shirts Into Ornaments
Upcycle plaid or flannel shirts the kids or Dad have outgrown into menswear-inspired ornaments to add a rustic, outdoorsy touch to your tree. Get crafting with our step-by-step instructions.
Turn Coffee Filters Into Trees
Dip coffee filters in fabric dye for a trendy ombre effect then stack them to create a quick-and-easy tabletop Christmas tree that's just the right size for a holiday centerpiece or party decoration. Learn how to get the trendy, color-gradient effect.
Customize With Stamps
Turn alphabet stamps and bakeable clay into fun, one-of-a-kind ornaments or gift tags. Get crafting with our step-by-step instructions.
From:
Michelle Edgemont
Make a Snowflake Table Runner
Cutting folded paper into lacy snowflakes is a holiday pasttime you can put to good use to craft a whimsical winter table runner. Just transfer the paper snowflake patterns to white felt, then cut out and attach the felt snowflakes to a readymade fabric runner. Get more tips with our step-by-step instructions.
Make an Easy Rag Wreath
Upcycle odd bits of fabric into a cute holiday wreath. A great project for beginning crafters, this easy-to-make fabric wreath requires no sewing and can be made in under an hour. Get crafting with our step-by-step instructions.
Turn Felt Into Festive Poinsettias
Cut several basic leaf shapes out of red felt, stitch together and embellish with a button to easily craft a whole garden-full of poinsettia look-alikes. Glue them onto ribbon to create streamers or add a ribbon loop to turn them into ornaments. Get crafting with our step-by-step instructions.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Cinnamon Scented Ornaments
Enjoy all of the fun of making Christmas cookies without all of the butter, sugar, fat and calories! These fragrant (non-edible) and festive cinnamon ornaments are a must-make kid-friendly Christmas craft that will have you rolling, baking and decorating. Get crafting with our step-by-step instructions.
From:
Marian Parsons
Playful Pom-Pom Wreath
Bump up your holiday decor's warm-and-fuzzy factor with this playful wreath. Kids will love combining pom-poms of different sizes, textures and colors to create a one-of-a-kind look. Check local fabric stores for a readymade pom-pom garland to wrap around the foam wreath form to make quick work of covering the foam then layer on single pom-poms, attaching them with fabric or hot glue.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Upcycle Old Holiday Cards
To add a sentimental touch to your tree, use a circle cutter to cut out pretty sections of past year's cards then attach them to twine with hot glue. Working on the garland can be a new holiday tradition, creating a decoration that will grow a bit longer each year as you add the previous year's cards. Get step-by-step instructions.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
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