Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with a collection of joyful and creative Christmas crafts perfect for kids of all ages! Start with classic salt dough ornaments, using cookie cutters to shape stars and trees, then bake and decorate with paint and glitter. Popsicle stick reindeer bring charm with googly eyes, red noses, and felt antlers. Get hands-on with paper plate wreaths, painting them green and adding paper holly and ribbons. Soft and sweet felt gingerbread people allow kids to customize with buttons and puffy paint, while cupcake liner trees stack into delightful decorations. Clear ornament fillers turn into personalized treasures using glitter, pom-poms, and mini figures. For a tactile treat, beaded candy canes offer fine-motor fun with red and white beads.
Bring nature indoors by painting pinecones with snowy tips, or make mini mitten cutouts with craft foam, sequins, and cotton cuffs. Button snowmen stack up with charm, complete with felt scarves and hand-drawn faces. Handprint Santas create keepsakes from little fingers, turning them into Santa’s beard! Explore imagination with snow globe ornaments using mason jar lids and mini winter scenes. Craft stick snowflakes shimmer with rhinestones and icy glitter, while pom-pom ornaments burst with color and texture. Finally, let light shine through tissue paper stained glass, layering colorful bits between contact paper to hang on windows. These festive crafts are more than just decorations—they’re opportunities to build holiday memories, spark creativity, and celebrate the season with warmth, sparkle, and heart.
1. Salt Dough Shapes
Get hands-on with salt dough holiday fun! Mix simple ingredients, roll it out, and use cookie cutters to create festive shapes like stars, snowflakes, and Christmas trees. After baking and cooling, let kids paint their masterpieces with bright colors and glitter for extra sparkle. These make perfect handmade ornaments, gift tags, or keepsakes that last for years. It’s a timeless craft that’s easy, budget-friendly, and filled with creative possibilities for little hands and big holiday memories.
Supplies
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Water
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters (stars, trees, snowflakes)
- Baking tray
- Acrylic paints
- Paintbrushes
- Glitter (optional)
- Ribbon or string (for hanging)
2. Popsicle Stick Reindeer
Turn popsicle sticks into adorable reindeer! Glue three sticks into a triangle, add googly eyes, a red pom-pom for the nose, and felt antlers on top. Kids will love making these playful decorations to hang on the tree or attach to gifts. Simple materials and big holiday charm make this craft perfect for classroom parties or cozy evenings at home. Each reindeer gets its own personality and brings a smile to everyone’s face. A classic Christmas favorite!
Supplies
- Popsicle sticks
- Googly eyes
- Red pom-poms
- Brown felt (for antlers)
- Craft glue or hot glue
- Twine or ribbon (for hanging)
3. Paper Plate Wreath
Transform paper plates into festive wreaths kids can proudly display! Cut out the center, paint the ring green, and decorate with paper holly, bows, glitter, or mini ornaments. This budget-friendly craft is full of holiday cheer and perfect for little hands. Add a ribbon to hang it on a door or wall. It’s a fun, creative way to introduce young ones to holiday traditions while practicing cutting, painting, and gluing—all in one joyful project!
Supplies
- Paper plates
- Green paint
- Paintbrushes
- Colored paper (for holly leaves)
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Ribbon or bow for decoration
4. Felt Gingerbread People
Soft, sweet, and full of personality—felt gingerbread people are a holiday hit! Cut classic gingerbread shapes from brown felt and let kids decorate with buttons, yarn, glitter glue, and puffy paint. Add silly faces, scarves, and even mini hats. This no-bake version brings out everyone’s creativity without the mess of cookie dough. Perfect for ornaments, garlands, or gift tags. These cuddly little figures are fun for all ages and make charming keepsakes year after year.
Supplies
- Brown felt sheets
- Buttons
- Yarn or ribbon (for scarves)
- Puffy paint
- Glitter glue
- Scissors
- Hot glue or fabric glue
5. Cupcake Liner Trees
Craft adorable mini Christmas trees with just green cupcake liners! Fold, layer, and glue the liners into cone shapes to form a tree. Add tiny stars, sequins, or glitter as ornaments. String several together for a whimsical garland, or hang them individually as decorations. This mess-free craft is ideal for younger kids and can be done in under 30 minutes. A great way to recycle party supplies and add festive flair to your space!
Supplies
- Green cupcake liners
- Glue stick
- Yellow star stickers or cutouts
- Sequins or mini beads
- String or twine (for hanging)
6. Clear Ornament Fillers
Let kids customize their own Christmas magic with fillable ornaments! Use clear plastic globes and let them fill with glitter, pom-poms, snowflakes, fake snow, beads, or mini figurines. It’s a sensory delight that doubles as personalized decor. These ornaments look stunning on any tree and are a sweet way to capture your child’s creativity. Each one becomes a mini time capsule of holiday joy, and they’re easy to make with minimal cleanup.
Supplies
- Clear plastic fillable ornaments
- Glitter
- Pom-poms
- Fake snow
- Beads or confetti
- Mini figurines (optional)
- Funnel or small spoon
7. Beaded Candy Canes
Add a sparkle to your tree with beaded candy canes! Slide red and white beads onto pipe cleaners and bend into the classic cane shape. This fine motor skill activity is perfect for preschoolers and up. Kids will love creating patterns and proudly hanging their sparkly creations around the house. Use them as ornaments, gift toppers, or string together for a cheerful garland. Quick, easy, and festive fun for holiday crafting afternoons!
Supplies
- Red and white pony beads
- White pipe cleaners
- Scissors
- Ribbon (optional)
8. Painted Pine Cones
Bring a touch of snowy nature indoors with painted pine cones! Collect cones from outside, then use white paint to frost the tips for a wintery look. Add glitter or tiny decorations for extra sparkle. These make stunning natural ornaments, table centerpieces, or mantel décor. Kids will love the texture and creativity, while you’ll love how simple and budget-friendly this craft is. A perfect mix of rustic charm and holiday sparkle.
Supplies
- Pine cones
- White acrylic paint
- Paintbrushes
- Glitter (optional)
- Paper plate or tray (for painting surface)
9. Mini Mitten Cutouts
Craft cozy little mittens from foam sheets! Cut out mitten shapes and decorate with sequins, glitter, and cotton trim to resemble winter cuffs. Add holes and string them into a garland, or turn into tree ornaments and gift tags. It’s a fun way to explore textures and design with simple materials. Perfect for a classroom activity or snowy day indoors. These miniature mittens bring warmth and creativity to any festive display.
Supplies
- Craft foam sheets
- Scissors
- Cotton balls or cotton trim
- Sequins or gems
- Craft glue
- Hole punch
- Yarn or ribbon (for garland)
10. Button Snowmen
Stack buttons to build adorable mini snowmen! Use white buttons in varying sizes, glue them vertically on cardstock, and add felt scarves, drawn-on faces, and paper hats. This crafty snowman never melts! It’s a fun mix of texture, color, and imagination. Great for cards, fridge magnets, or ornaments. Kids will love arranging the buttons and giving each snowman a personality. It’s a charming holiday project that uses up your button stash too!
Supplies
- White buttons (various sizes)
- Cardstock or felt
- Felt pieces (for scarves/hats)
- Markers or pens (for faces)
- Glue
- Optional: magnets, ribbon
11. Handprint Santas
Create keepsakes with tiny hands! Trace your child’s hand on cardstock and cut it out. Flip it so the fingers become Santa’s fluffy beard, then add a jolly face, red hat, and cotton trim. These personalized Santas make heartwarming cards, ornaments, or festive fridge art. It’s a wonderful mix of crafting and memory-making, perfect for parents, grandparents, and teachers. Quick, fun, and filled with charm—each handprint becomes a tiny Christmas treasure!
Supplies
- White cardstock
- Red and pink paper
- Cotton balls
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Pencil (for tracing)
- Markers or crayons
12. Snow Globe Ornaments
Craft magical winter scenes inside mason jar lids! Add cotton for snow, mini trees, and tiny figurines to create a snow globe effect. Glue everything in place, add a ribbon, and hang it on the tree. Kids will be amazed at their mini winter wonderlands. This craft encourages imaginative storytelling and detail-focused creativity. Each snow globe becomes a one-of-a-kind ornament full of sparkle, charm, and holiday spirit. A true standout on any Christmas tree!
Supplies
- Mason jar lids
- Cotton balls or fake snow
- Mini trees, reindeer, or figurines
- Hot glue gun
- Ribbon or twine (for hanging)
- Cardboard circles (for backing)
13. Craft Stick Snowflakes
Glue craft sticks into beautiful snowflake shapes and decorate with glitter, rhinestones, or sequins. Use white, silver, or icy blue paint for that frosty finish. These snowflakes can be hung on windows, walls, or trees and make stunning winter decorations. It’s a simple, low-mess project with big visual impact. Great for groups and easy to customize—no two snowflakes are ever alike! Let kids’ creativity shine with this sparkling seasonal favorite.
Supplies
- Craft sticks
- White or blue paint
- Glitter
- Rhinestones or sequins
- Glue
- Twine (for hanging)
14. Pom-Pom Ornaments
Create bright and fluffy ornaments using colorful pom-poms! Glue them into a round ball shape or form mini wreaths using a foam base. Add ribbons, bows, or glitter for extra flair. This craft is soft, sensory-friendly, and super fun for younger kids. Pom-pom ornaments add a cheerful pop of color to your holiday décor and are easy to make in bulk for classroom projects or party favors. They’re lightweight, festive, and absolutely adorable!
Supplies
- Colorful pom-poms
- Foam ball or wreath base
- Hot glue gun
- Ribbon or yarn
- Scissors
- Sequins or small decorations (optional)
15. Tissue Paper Stained Glass
Make glowing window ornaments with tissue paper and contact paper! Cut festive shapes like stars or trees, and fill them with overlapping bits of colorful tissue. When hung in a sunny window, they shine like stained glass! This is a calming, mess-free activity that introduces color mixing and design. Perfect for preschoolers and older kids alike. These translucent creations add instant warmth to windows and bring a soft, artistic glow to the holidays.
Supplies
- Tissue paper (variety of colors)
- Clear contact paper
- Black cardstock (for frames)
- Scissors
- Pencil (for tracing shapes)
- Hole punch
- String or suction cups (for hanging)
