Christmas craft ideas for kids are a wonderful way to spark creativity, build fine-motor skills, and make joyful memories during the holiday season. Whether you’re a teacher planning December activities, a parent looking for screen-free fun, or a caregiver prepping for festive indoor days, these crafts offer simple, colorful, and meaningful ways to celebrate. From paper ornaments to handmade gifts, this list provides kid-friendly Christmas projects that are easy to prep, budget-friendly, and full of seasonal charm.
35+ Christmas craft ideas for kids
These Christmas crafts are designed to be simple, engaging, and accessible for kids of all ages. Whether you’re teaching in a classroom or crafting at home, each activity includes clear steps and materials to make holiday crafting stress-free and fun.
1. Paper plate Santa
This classic craft lets kids transform a plain paper plate into a cheerful Santa face. Children practice gluing, cutting, and assembling while learning facial features and textures. It’s ideal for quick, low-prep holiday activities.
Materials: Paper plate, red construction paper, cotton balls, googly eyes, glue stick, scissors, and markers.
How to do it:
- Cut a red triangle to form Santa’s hat and glue it onto the top of the paper plate.
- Glue cotton balls along the hat’s brim and at the tip as the fluffy pom-pom.
- Add cotton balls around the bottom half of the plate to form Santa’s beard.
- Attach googly eyes and draw Santa’s rosy cheeks and smile.
2. Pom-pom Christmas tree
Kids will love decorating their own mini paper Christmas trees using colorful pom-poms. This craft is great for fine-motor skills and encourages kids to choose patterns and color combinations.
Materials: Green cardstock or paper, scissors, assorted pom-poms, glue.
How to do it:
- Cut a large triangle from the green paper.
- Draw faint horizontal lines to guide ornament placement (optional).
- Glue pom-poms across the tree to resemble ornaments.
- Add a star sticker or draw a topper.
3. Handprint reindeer
This keepsake craft turns kids’ handprints into adorable reindeer, perfect for parents to cherish. It helps children explore textures and shapes through stamping and assembling.
Materials: Brown paint, paintbrush, cardstock, googly eyes, red pom-pom, glue, marker.
How to do it:
- Paint the child’s hand with brown paint and press it upside down onto paper.
- Once dry, the fingers become antlers, and the palm becomes the reindeer’s face.
- Glue on googly eyes and a red pom-pom nose for Rudolph.
- Draw a mouth, eyebrows, and background details.
- Add the child’s name and date to turn it into a memory craft.
4. Salt dough ornaments
Salt dough ornaments last for years and allow kids to create keepsakes in any shape they like. They can be painted, glittered, or personalized with names and dates.
Materials: Flour, salt, water, mixing bowl, rolling pin, cookie cutters, baking sheet, acrylic paint, ribbon.
How to do it:
- Mix 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt, and 1 cup of water to form a dough.
- Roll the dough to ¼-inch thickness and cut shapes with cookie cutters.
- Use a straw to poke a hole for hanging.
- Bake at low heat (around 200°F / 93°C) for 2–3 hours until dry.
- Paint and decorate the ornaments once cool, then add ribbon.
5. Pinecone Christmas trees
Kids turn natural pinecones into mini tabletop Christmas trees. This tactile craft is great for sensory play and holiday decorating.
Materials: Pinecones, green paint, paintbrush, sequins, small star stickers, glue.
How to do it:
- Paint pinecones green and let them dry completely.
- Glue sequins or mini gems onto the tips as ornaments.
- Add a tiny star sticker or bead at the top.
- Place the pinecones on a small cardboard circle for stability.
- Display on a shelf or windowsill.
6. Tissue paper wreath
This wreath mimics real holiday greenery using scrunched tissue pieces. Kids can add berries, bows, or glitter for extra flair.
Materials: Paper plate, scissors, green tissue paper, glue, red ribbon.
How to do it:
- Cut out the center of the paper plate to form a ring.
- Tear green tissue into squares and scrunch them into small balls.
- Glue the scrunched pieces around the plate, filling every space.
- Tie a ribbon bow and glue it to the bottom of the wreath.
7. Craft stick snowflakes
These snowflakes encourage creativity as kids form geometric shapes using craft sticks. They can be decorated in endless ways.
Materials: Craft sticks, glue, white paint, glitter, string.
How to do it:
- Arrange craft sticks into a snowflake pattern (three sticks crossed works well).
- Glue the sticks together and let them dry.
- Paint white and sprinkle glitter while wet.
- Glue the string on the back to hang.
- Display on windows, trees, or bulletin boards.
8. Gingerbread coloring craft
Kids color their own gingerbread cookies or houses using fun patterns, candy details, and icing designs. This activity is mess-free but still captures the excitement of holiday baking.
Materials: Gingerbread coloring pages, crayons or markers, glitter glue (optional)
How to do it:
- Provide gingerbread cookie or house outlines.
- Let kids color candy decorations, frosting swirls, and gingerbread details.
- Add glitter glue to mimic shiny icing.
- Display finished pieces as a classroom “gingerbread village”.
9. Christmas tree garland
Children create a festive garland using paper trees and string, perfect for decorating classrooms.
Materials: Colored cardstock, scissors, hole punch, ribbon or twine.
How to do it:
- Cut multiple tree shapes from colored paper.
- Decorate with markers, stickers, or glitter.
- Punch holes at the tops of the trees.
- Thread them onto twine, spacing evenly.
- Hang across walls or windows.
10. Reindeer clothespins
Clothespins become adorable reindeer that can clip onto cards, gifts, or string lights.
Materials: Wooden clothespins, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, small red pom-pom, glue.
How to do it:
- Glue googly eyes onto the top of the clothespin.
- Add a red pom-pom to the front for the nose.
- Cut pipe cleaners and twist them into antlers; glue them on the back.
- Let dry before using as décor or clips.
- Clip them onto bags or ornaments.
11. Pom-pom snowman
This cozy craft lets kids build a soft snowman from fluffy pom-poms. It’s great for winter sensory play.
Materials: Large and small white pom-poms, felt scraps, buttons, glue.
How to do it:
- Glue one large pom-pom and one small pom-pom together.
- Cut a scarf and hat from felt and glue them on.
- Add button eyes and a nose.
- Decorate with mini buttons or sequins.
- Place on a paper base to display.
12. Paper strip Christmas trees
This craft teaches kids patterning and size order while building fun paper trees.
Materials: Colored paper strips (various lengths), glue, scissors, star sticker.
How to do it:
- Arrange strips from longest to shortest.
- Glue them vertically onto a backing paper.
- Add a trunk at the bottom.
- Finish with a star sticker at the top.
- Display the finished tree.
13. Fingerprint Christmas lights
Kids use fingerprints to create colorful light strands, making this perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.
Materials: Paper, markers, washable paint.
How to do it:
- Draw a winding light string with a marker.
- Dip fingers into paint and press down to make bulbs.
- Add details like shine marks.
- Write a holiday message underneath.
14. Snowflake coloring & cutting craft
Kids color intricate snowflake designs and then cut them out to create winter-themed decorations. This activity supports fine-motor development and symmetry recognition.
Materials: Snowflake coloring pages, crayons or markers, scissors.
How to do it:
- Hand out printable snowflake outlines.
- Let children color the patterns using cool winter shades.
- Carefully cut out the snowflakes.
- Hang the snowflakes on windows or create a “snowfall wall”.
15. Snowman paper bag puppet
This craft turns paper bags into puppets for winter storytelling and pretend play.
Materials: Paper bag, felt pieces, buttons, glue, markers.
How to do it:
- Turn the bag upside down and decorate the flap as a snowman face.
- Glue felt pieces to create a hat, nose, and scarf.
- Add button eyes or draw them on.
- Decorate the body with buttons or glitter.
16. Yarn-wrapped ornaments
Kids wrap cardboard shapes with yarn to make textured ornaments that double as keepsakes.
Materials: Cardboard shapes, yarn, glue, scissors.
How to do it:
- Cut stars, trees, or circles from cardboard.
- Tape one end of the yarn to the back.
- Wrap yarn tightly around the shape.
- Tuck or glue the end to secure.
- Add a loop to hang.
17. Q-tip snowflakes
This craft lets kids design delicate snowflakes by arranging Q-tips symmetrically.
Materials: Q-tips, glue, blue cardstock.
How to do it:
- Cut Q-tips into halves and thirds.
- Arrange them into snowflake designs on the paper.
- Glue each piece in place carefully.
- Add glitter for a frosty effect.
- Display the snowflakes on a bulletin board.
18. Santa hat cone
A fun 3D craft where kids make a wearable Santa hat from simple materials.
Materials: Red paper, cotton balls, glue, tape.
How to do it:
- Roll red paper into a cone shape and tape it.
- Cover the bottom edge with cotton balls.
- Add a large cotton ball to the top.
- Adjust the size to fit each child’s head.
- Decorate with glitter if desired.
19. Button Christmas tree
Kids glue colorful buttons onto a drawn or cut-out tree shape for a bright, textured craft.
Materials: Green cardstock, buttons, glue, markers.
How to do it:
- Draw or cut out a Christmas tree.
- Sort buttons by color or size (optional).
- Glue buttons on as ornaments.
- Add a trunk and background details.
- Mount onto cardstock for display.
20. Foil star ornaments
These shiny ornaments look like real metal stars and brighten any tree or window.
Materials: Cardboard stars, aluminum foil, glue, yarn.
How to do it:
- Cut stars from cardboard.
- Wrap them tightly in foil to cover completely.
- Gently press to define edges.
- Glue a yarn loop to the back for hanging.
- Decorate with stickers if desired.
21. Paper chain countdown
Kids build a paper chain to count down the days until Christmas, tearing off one link each day.
Materials: Colored paper strips, glue, markers.
How to do it:
- Write numbers 1–25 on paper strips.
- Decorate each strip with drawings or stickers.
- Form loops and glue ends together, linking them as you go.
- Hang the chain in a visible place.
- Tear one ring daily in December.
22. Cupcake liner angel
This cute angel craft uses cupcake liners to make wings and gowns.
Materials: Cupcake liners, paper circles, markers, glue.
How to do it:
- Fold a cupcake liner in half for wings.
- Use another liner flattened as the gown.
- Add a paper circle head on top.
- Draw a face and hair.
- Glue all parts together and decorate.
23. Snow globe drawing craft
Kids create their own mini snow globe scenes using simple materials.
Materials: Clear plastic plate, glitter, glue, markers, cardstock.
How to do it:
- Draw a winter scene on cardstock.
- Glue a clear plate over the drawing.
- Add glitter inside before sealing edges.
- Attach a base at the bottom from cardboard.
- Display as a faux snow globe.
24. Reindeer headband
Kids craft a wearable reindeer headband perfect for holiday performances or parties.
Materials: Brown paper, pipe cleaners, tape, glue.
How to do it:
- Cut a strip of brown paper to fit the head.
- Twist pipe cleaners into antlers.
- Glue or tape antlers to the back of the band.
- Decorate with a red nose cutout.
25. Santa beard countdown
This interactive craft lets kids “grow” Santa’s beard by adding cotton balls each day.
Materials: Santa face printout, cotton balls, glue, markers.
How to do it:
- Print a Santa face with a blank beard.
- Write numbers 1–25 on the beard area.
- Each day, glue one cotton ball over a number.
- Decorate Santa’s hat and suit.
- Hang it as a countdown calendar.
26. Christmas tree suncatchers
Kids create bright window suncatchers shaped like Christmas trees.
Materials: Black paper, contact paper, tissue paper, scissors.
How to do it:
- Cut a tree frame from black paper.
- Stick the frame onto contact paper.
- Fill empty spaces with colorful tissue paper pieces.
- Cover with another sheet of contact paper.
- Cut out and hang in a sunny window.
27. Sock snowman
A soft snowman made from socks and rice makes a cute winter keepsake.
Materials: White sock, rice, ribbon, buttons, rubber bands.
How to do it:
- Fill a sock with rice and tie with a rubber band.
- Tie another band to form the head and body.
- Add ribbon as a scarf.
- Glue on buttons and draw a face.
- Roll down the sock opening to form a hat.
28. Popsicle stick reindeer
Kids build reindeer faces using popsicle sticks and fun embellishments.
Materials: Craft sticks, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, pom-poms, glue.
How to do it:
- Glue three sticks into a triangle shape.
- Add googly eyes to the top portion.
- Glue a red pom-pom at the bottom for the nose.
- Attach pipe cleaner antlers to the back.
- Decorate with glitter if desired.
29. Marble-painted ornaments
Kids create unique ornament designs by rolling marbles through paint.
Materials: Marbles, paint, tray, paper circles, string.
How to do it:
- Place paper circles in a shallow tray.
- Add small drops of paint in holiday colors.
- Drop marbles in and tilt the tray to roll them.
- Let the paint dry completely.
- Punch a hole and add string to hang.
30. Wrapping paper collage
Kids reuse leftover wrapping paper to make festive artwork.
Materials: Wrapping paper scraps, scissors, glue, cardstock.
How to do it:
- Cut wrapping paper into various shapes.
- Arrange pieces on cardstock to form a picture.
- Glue everything down securely.
- Add drawing details around the collage.
31. Cardboard gingerbread house
Kids design a flat cardboard gingerbread house with endless decorating possibilities.
Materials: Cardboard, scissors, markers, stickers, pom-poms.
How to do it:
- Cut a house shape from cardboard.
- Draw candy decorations with markers.
- Add stickers, pom-poms, or sequins as “candy.”
- Color the roof with icing patterns.
- Display upright on a shelf.
32. Cotton ball snow scene
Kids build a snowy winter landscape using fluffy cotton balls.
Materials: Cotton balls, blue paper, glitter, glue.
How to do it:
- Glue cotton balls to create snowdrifts and clouds.
- Add glitter to mimic sparkling snow.
- Draw snowmen, trees, or animals around the scene.
- Glue extra pieces for texture.
33. Paper cup reindeer
This craft turns simple paper cups into cute reindeer characters.
Materials: Brown cups, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, red pom-pom.
How to do it:
- Glue googly eyes onto the front of the cup.
- Add a pom-pom nose.
- Insert pipe cleaners into the sides for antlers.
- Draw a smile or add accessories.
- Place chocolates or treats inside.
34. Elf paper puppets
Kids create movable elf puppets perfect for storytelling.
Materials: Paper, brads, markers, scissors.
How to do it:
- Draw and cut out elf body parts.
- Color in clothing, hats, and shoes.
- Use brads to attach arms and legs.
- Add facial details.
35. Elf coloring activity
This coloring activity invites kids to design their own holiday elf, choosing the outfit, hat style, and colors. It inspires storytelling and character imagination.
Materials: Elf coloring pages, crayons or colored pencils.
How to do it:
- Provide elf outline worksheets.
- Let kids color clothing, shoes, and accessories.
- Encourage kids to name their elf and write a short holiday story about them.
36. Cinnamon stick ornaments
These ornaments smell amazing and look charming on any tree.
Materials: Cinnamon sticks, ribbon, beads, glue.
How to do it:
- Tie ribbon around the cinnamon stick.
- Add beads or bells for decoration.
- Glue a loop for hanging.
- Optionally add greenery or felt shapes.
- Hang on the tree for a lovely scent.
37. Playdough Christmas trees
Kids shape and decorate 3D playdough Christmas trees using beads as ornaments.
Materials: Green playdough, beads, sequins, small tray.
How to do it:
- Roll playdough into a cone shape.
- Press beads and sequins into the cone.
- Add a star bead on top.
- Place the tree on a small tray.
- Play and redesign as desired.
38. Painted rock snowmen
Kids turn rocks into adorable snowmen using paint and markers.
Materials: Smooth rocks, acrylic paint, brushes, markers.
How to do it:
- Paint rocks white and let them dry.
- Draw snowman faces and scarves with markers.
- Add hats or buttons with paint.
- Seal with varnish if using outdoors.
- Display indoors or in the garden.
Final thoughts
Christmas craft ideas for kids bring joy, creativity, and hands-on learning into the holiday season. Whether you’re crafting at home, in a classroom, or during a festive event, these simple projects help children express themselves while making memories that last well beyond December. From ornaments and puppets to sensory crafts and handmade gifts, each activity offers opportunities for imagination and skill-building. Choose a few favorites, gather your materials, and enjoy watching kids proudly create their own Christmas magic.
For even more fun activities to pair with these crafts, check out our Christmas arts and crafts worksheets!
