Christmas Crafts for Kids
NO! These are random, extra bonus ideas that have no bearing on whether or not your kids will have a magical Christmas. They’ll have a magical Christmas because they have you – no lack of Christmas crafting will change that.
38 Best Christmas Crafts for Kids That You’ll Love Making With Them
Christmas is all about spending time with family and friends and making fun memories that will last a lifetime—this rings especially true when it comes to the little ones. Who doesn’t remember tearing open gifts on Christmas morning or crafting salt dough ornaments with grandpa? And while there are endless ways to do this—think snow angels and sledding—there are some days when the weather doesn’t cooperate and indoor activities are the best option. Rather than sitting the kids down in front of holiday movie (although we love doing that, too!), spread your love of DIY Christmas craft ideas by making a Christmas crafts with their help.
The best part about these projects? They make for fun holiday decor that you can use anywhere in the house and are also perfect for gifting. And heading to the craft closet every year will also help cement long lasting Christmas traditions! If you’re looking to add a few more decorates to your Christmas tree, bookmark the many DIY Christmas ornaments ahead. Want an adorable item to put up on your wall or hang from the ceiling? We’ve got you covered. And these ideas are guaranteed to keep them busy during the hours you’re making the holiday feast. I mean what kid isn’t going to have a blast making slime.
Whatever you and your little ones choose to create, the most important thing is that you’ll be spending quality time together—and who doesn’t want that during the holidays? So go grab some glue sticks and paint, and get started making one of on our favorite Christmas crafts for kids.
Christmas Crafts for Kids
Author: Susie Published: 11/17/2022 Updated: 11/15/2022
‘Tis the season for Christmas, crafting, and all things DIY. But what if you have kids at the holidays? Are there Christmas crafts for kids, too? Welcome to the best curated list of Christmas crafts to try this season with your children.
Are there actually doable Christmas crafts for kids?
Christmas and crafting somehow goes together. I’m not sure how this happened. As if parents needs something more on their plate during the busy holiday season: let’s add a Christmas craft for kids into the equation!
It sounds absurd and yet… yet, I love them. I’m a sucker for a holiday craft BUT (and this is a big but), it has to fit my criteria:
- Doable – these has to be a project that can reasonably turn out well
- Actually involve kids – there are a lot of Christmas crafts that are 100% parent done and little (to no) evidence of kids
- Limited supplies – I know these crafts will probably need something extra, but let’s keep the price for new craft supplies reasonable
RELATED: Are you hosting kids at your holiday dinner? Check out my fantastic list of easy Christmas games for kids.
What types of Christmas crafts are on this list?
I’ve broken this list of Christmas kid crafts into categories to help you find what you’re looking for with as much ease as possible.
This list is mixed age. Some Christmas crafts will work for toddlers and others are more “big kid specific.” You’ll have to do that craft-judging before hand to decide which projects are best for your family.
The list is broken up by:
- Christmas crafts for kids
- Christmas art projects
- Homemade ornament Christmas crafts
RELATED: Need some new Christmas books to add to your collection? I have the best list for you to see!
Christmas Crafts for Kids
Pine Cone Christmas Trees
An absolute showstopper! Grab some pine cones and wine corks, plus some green paint and get to work. I love that each tree is unique – not only by the child creating it but from the pine cone shapes.
Yarn and Stick Christmas Trees
Obsessed with this idea: sticks from outside and yarn wrapped around it. This tutorial is fantastic and the finished product couldn’t look cuter.
Sparkly Snowflakes
This is a great craft for toddlers to big kids. Everyone can be successful with this craft which is always the most important.
Paper Cup Christmas Trees
Loving this idea and imagining it working at a holiday party where paper cups are already thriving. Add some ornament/decoration options and kids will love creating these.
Christmas Toilet Paper Craft
Save those toilet paper rolls! We’ve made these and they’re an adorable big kid craft. Older kids can give these a lot of personality with a few Christmas craft supplies.
Waterless Snow Globes
These are adorable – I used to make something similar as a teacher with my students so I know just how great this can turn out. They’re a great final product without a ton of intense crafting.
Handprint Christmas Tree
Need a fantastic homemade gift for a grandparent? Check out this idea – make sure to review the steps on the website for tips.
Christmas Light Suncatcher
With a little tissue paper and some Con-tact paper, these suncatchers are a really fun (and easy) Christmas craft.
Christmas Paper Chain Garland
These are too cute! Paper chains are a favorite around here – and I know my big kids would love making these Christmas-themed ones.
Christmas Tree Outlines
This project uses a Christmas tree outline (which is free to download from the website). How much fun would kids have decorating these trees? Could be a great kids-table activity for a holiday party…
Christmas Paper Plate Whirligig
I cannot wait to make these. Cut apart a paper plate just to make this “whirligig.” Add paper ornaments and wow – wouldn’t this look perfect in a kid room for Christmas?
Macaroni Christmas Wreath
Yes- this wreath is made with pasta! This is a terrific multi-step project to glue down the pasta and paint it.
RELATED: Looking for more Christmas activities to try with kids? I have a great list of them to share with you.
Christmas Art Projects
Tape Resist Trees
This adorable twist on tape resist is the cutest. Add tape to cardboard tree shapes, paint with shades of green, and pull off the tape to reveal a unique mosaic. This is fantastic for all ages.
Sponge Paint Poinsettias
Grab your sponges (old or new) and create gorgeous poinsettia prints for Christmas. My kids will be trying these this year and making holiday cards with them.
Puffy Paint Tree
DIY puffy paint is so much fun to create art with – and this Christmas tree activity is just right. Create a puff paint tree and add pom pom ball ornaments.
Finger Paint Christmas Lights
What a cute project and keepsake. Kids decorate strands of “lights” with their fingerprints. Perfect as a sibling gift to give Grandparents.
Thumbprint Christmas Tree Art
Using a Christmas tree stencil, kids decorate paper with their thumbprints. This is also a great lesson in “negative space,” and a fun Christmas craft from toddlers to big kids.
Christmas Wall Hanging
What a gorgeous final product – and one that kids can be successful with from toddlers to elementary school. Exploring negative space, these can be customized with any holiday word and painted with colors of the child’s choosing.
Christmas Wreaths
An absolute favorite, the two in the photo were done by a 23 month old and a 3.5 year old. This activity is very kid friendly and makes for the cutest final product. Highly recommend.
RELATED: Are your interested in making adorable, simple Christmas ornaments with kids? This list is the one for you!
Homemade Ornament Christmas Crafts
Baking Soda Dough Hand Prints
One of the coolest hand prints to do with your baby/toddler. I’ve done it and it worked. I know it looks intense… it is doable.
Paper Plate Baubles
What a fun idea!! This would make a great holiday station at a party or playdate. Ear-mark this website. This idea is too good and simple to forget.
Perler Bead Ornaments
Perler beads take on a whole new meaning with this activity. This doesn’t use templates, ironing, or painstaking minute details… definitely check this idea out!
Jingle Bell Wreath Craft
I love some jingle bells at Christmas, and this is such a cute idea and use for theme as an ornament.
Craft Stick Ornament
A wonderful craft project for kids – this will look adorable with an gems, jewels, stickers, or pom pom balls you have lying around the house.
Cinnamon Dough Ornaments
I’ve made these every year for the last fifteen (yes, 15!!) years. I love them. The dough is made from cinnamon, glue, and apple sauce – and they keep smelling wonderful for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to do Christmas crafts with kids?
NO! These are random, extra bonus ideas that have no bearing on whether or not your kids will have a magical Christmas. They’ll have a magical Christmas because they have you – no lack of Christmas crafting will change that.
What’s a good Christmas craft for a 3 year old?
My personal favorites for 3 year olds are my cinnamon dough ornaments and the sparkly snowflakes from Toddler Approved. Both are easy, doable, and will help you get to nap time.
Susie Allison, M. Ed
Susie Allison is the creator of Busy Toddler and has more than 2 million followers on Instagram. A former teacher and early childhood education advocate, Susie’s parenting book “Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting” is available on Amazon.