15 Christmas Kids Crafts That’ll Keep Little Hands Busy (and Out of the Cookie Jar!)
We all know the holiday season can get a little wild. Why not channel that energy into something fun and creative with our kids and the whole family ?
When the weather outside is more “blizzard” than “beach day,” it’s the perfect excuse for us to pull out the glue and glitter for some fun crafts . Let the chaos happen—right at the kitchen table.
Fifteen Christmas kids crafts are about to save our sanity, bring everyone together, and make some seriously cute memories. No need to worry if we aren’t Pinterest perfect; it’s all about the laughter, the mess, and those little faces lighting up with holiday joy.
1) Salt Dough Ornaments – classic, super fun, and great for little hands!
Who doesn’t love the messy magic of making salt dough ornaments? We just need flour, salt, and water—so easy, even on a Tuesday night.
The kids can squish, roll, and cut to their hearts’ content, creating cute shapes . Let’s break out the cookie cutters and get as creative (or colorful) as we want!
These ornaments last for years and are perfect for those tiny hands. Check out this easy salt dough ornament recipe at Julie Blanner’s blog if you need a starter.
2) Paper Plate Snowmen – easy, cute, and perfect for decorating.
Paper plates basically live in every kitchen, right? Let’s grab a stack and turn them into the cutest snowmen ever in a fun way .
These little guys are so easy, even our wildest toddlers can handle it. We can add buttons, markers, and maybe a little extra glitter if we’re feeling bold.
Looking for step-by-step tips? Check out this fun paper plate snowman craft for a little inspo and other ideas . Hang them up, and boom—instant winter magic!
3) Popsicle Stick Reindeer – mess minimal, smiles maximum.
Crafts can get wild, but this popsicle stick reindeer is totally low-drama. Grab some popsicle sticks, brown paint, googly eyes, and a red pom-pom.
Glue the sticks into a V-shape, snap one in half for antlers, and stick those googly eyes and nose on. So easy and so cute—check the steps here for inspo.
4) Candy Cane Heart Craft – sweet and simple, literally a candy cane heart!
Who doesn’t love a craft you can eat when you’re done, especially when they make perfect gifts ? We grab mini candy canes, shape them into hearts, and either drizzle with chocolate or leave them as is.
Seriously, it’s almost too easy. This one is perfect for little hands (or honestly—ours).
They look crazy cute on a cookie plate. Need the step-by-step? We’ve got real-life mom-tested tips at Glorious Treats.
5) Toilet Paper Roll Santa – recycle and create some Christmas magic.
Who else has a mountain of empty toilet paper rolls? Same here.
Let’s turn them into the cutest Santas ever because seriously, crafting and recycling is a win-win for us. We just need some red paper, cotton balls, and glue.
Suddenly that plain tube is wearing Santa’s hat! This Santa Toilet Paper Roll craft is so simple the kids can totally make it solo—or we can join the fun and get messy together.
6) DIY Christmas Tree Cards – personalized cards that kids can send
Making Christmas tree cards is like pure kid magic. All we need is paper, markers, maybe some tissue paper, and our wildest imaginations.
These cards are perfect for gifting to teachers, grandparents, or anyone who loves a pop of homemade cheer. There are so many cute ideas out there—think washi tape, handprint trees, or sparkly bits for bling.
If we want even more inspo, check out these best ideas and easy DIY Christmas tree card ideas for kids.
7) Pinecone Christmas Ornaments – nature meets holiday sparkle.
Who else loves a craft with free supplies from the backyard? We grab a bunch of pinecones and turn them into ornaments with just glue, ribbon, and a sprinkle of glitter.
No fancy skills needed, just a cozy afternoon and some Christmas tunes. Kids can get creative by adding pom poms, tiny bows, or even painting the edges white to look like snow.
If you need more inspo, check out these super fun pinecone Christmas crafts for kids.
8) Paper Snowflake Garland – cut, fold, and let it snow inside!
Who’s up for a classic craft with a little twist? We grab white paper, fold it up, and snip away to make our very own winter wonderland—no mittens needed!
We love how each snowflake is totally unique. Stringing them up as a garland makes any room feel extra cozy.
It’s super simple and even the littles can help. For an easy how-to, check out this step-by-step paper snowflake garland guide. Let’s make it snow… mess and all!
9) Popcorn Garland for the Tree – snack and craft combo, yes please!
Who says you can’t eat your craft supplies? Making a popcorn garland is basically an excuse for us to sneak a few bites while the kids “help.”
All we need is some popped popcorn (go ahead, make extra!), a needle, and string. It’s super old-school and looks adorable on the tree—check out this easy tutorial .
It’s fun to see how long we can make our popcorn garland before snacking wins.
10) Handprint Christmas Wreath – adorable keepsake and easy to do.
How cute is this?! We get to trace our kids’ hands (wiggly fingers and all), cut them out, and turn them into a wreath masterpiece.
It’s messy, it’s imperfect, and we love every second of it. All we need is some green paper, glue, and a cardboard circle.
If we’re feeling fancy, we can jazz it up with a ribbon bow or even add a sweet tag. And boom—an instant keepsake for the fridge, door, or grandma’s wall.
11) Pom-Pom Snowman – soft, squishy, and ridiculously cute.
Okay, seriously, how adorable is a pom-pom snowman? We get to skip the cold but still enjoy crafting our own fluffy, squishy snow buddies.
Grab some white yarn, old buttons, and let’s go wild with the googly eyes. This is one of those crafts you can do in your pajamas, with snacks, and zero mess outside.
You can customize each little snowman with scarves or hats. See more fun ideas for pom-pom snowmen at Mom On Timeout or AllFreeChristmasCrafts.
12) Cotton Ball Snowballs – fluffy fun for toddlers
Let’s be real—who actually wants cold wet snow in the house? Not us!
That’s why we love making soft, fluffy cotton ball snowballs for indoor fun. We just grab a bag of cotton balls, squish them together, and let the epic indoor “snowball fight” begin.
No mittens, no frostbite, just happy, giggly chaos. Bonus: The cleanup is a breeze, and it’s actually perfect for burning off that wild toddler energy.
Check out all the ways to play with these easy “snowballs” right here.
13) Pipe Cleaner Candy Canes – bendy and colorful holiday vibes.
We love crafts that are as easy as they are cute, and pipe cleaner candy canes totally deliver. All we need are red and white pipe cleaners, twist them together, and bend them into a candy cane shape.
Zero stress—just fun twisting and bending crazy shapes. No special tools or glue required.
These little guys are ready to hang right on the tree or jazz up gifts. Find more ideas for these candy canes at this helpful pipe cleaner candy cane tutorial if you need inspo!
14) Felt Christmas Stockings – mini ones for dolls or big kid creativity.
Let’s be real, we all need more felt in our lives—and making these mini Christmas stockings for dolls is totally a vibe. We can cut out tiny stocking shapes with felt, decorate them with glitter, and pretend we’re giant elves.
Don’t have a doll? No problem!
Our kids love making bigger stockings for themselves, or honestly, for our pets, and we can find some free printables to help . Grab a free template and check out this cute DIY felt Christmas stocking idea for inspo.
15) Jingle Bell Bracelets – make some noise and get jingly!
Let’s be real, we are here for all the sparkle and sound! Jingle bell bracelets are honestly so easy, and the kids go wild shaking their wrists and making music.
We just need some stretchy cord, colorful beads, and a handful of jingle bells. There’s no wrong way to decorate them—glitter anyone?
If you want a step-by-step guide, check out this easy tutorial for a jingle bell bracelet that even we can’t mess up.
Prepping for Christmas Craft-a-thons
Before we let the glitter fly, getting ourselves set up can save us a whole lot of chaos and “oops, not the carpet!” moments. Being ready with the right setup and supplies makes a big difference when a bunch of excited kiddos jump into craft time.
Choosing Mess-Friendly Spaces
Seriously, mess is part of the fun, but we do not need paint handprints on our couch. Our go-to is the kitchen table, because it’s easy to wipe down and close to the sink.
If that’s not an option, we lay out an old shower curtain or plastic tablecloth on the floor—hello, new crafting zone. Keep breakable stuff out of reach if we’re crafting with littles.
For extra protection, we line the area with newspaper or a cheap plastic drop cloth from the dollar store. Have a trash can or recycling box close so abandoned glue sticks and paper scraps don’t end up in every corner of the house.
And if we want bonus points, keep a roll of paper towels or wet wipes nearby for super speedy cleanups.
Supplies to Keep Stocked
Let’s talk basics: we always keep a stash of washable markers, crayons, and safety scissors. Glue sticks are a must (double if our kids go heavy on the glue).
Construction paper in every color saves the day. Popsicle sticks, googly eyes, and pom-poms? Absolutely essential.
Glitter is optional, but we’re brave, right? We also grab pipe cleaners, felt scraps, card stock, and old magazines for cutting.
Don’t forget tape or stickers for instant fun. For storage, we love using clear bins or caddies—super easy to grab, super easy to put away, and we can see what we’re missing at a glance.
Check out more fun ideas for Christmas kids crafts at Nifty Thrifty DIYer and Handy Little Me for extra inspiration.
Making Crafts Easier (And More Fun!)
We all want to keep our sanity and still have a blast with DIY holiday projects. The real magic happens when we let messes happen and give our kids the freedom to explore new ideas at their own pace.
Encouraging Creativity Over Perfection
Let’s be real—Pinterest fails are a regular part of our holiday crafting traditions. We seriously don’t need every snowman to be perfectly round or every tree to stand straight.
It’s way more important to let our kids run wild with their own cool ideas. When we ditch the idea that everything has to look a certain way, nobody feels frustrated or left out.
Our goal is to have fun! We can use paper plates, old buttons, sparkly pom-poms, and let the kiddos choose the colors and decorations.
Sometimes Santa ends up with three eyes—honestly, those are the crafts we remember and laugh about the most. If we want to help our kids grow confident, handing over creative control matters.
When they can decide, “Hey, I want my reindeer pink, not brown,” we get to celebrate their style. Messes are part of the package, but that’s half the fun anyway.
Ways to Get Tiny Hands Involved
Little ones aren’t just here to watch—they want in on the action! Even our toddlers can help tear paper strips, stick googly eyes, or roll out the dough for salt dough ornaments.
It’s all about matching the craft steps to what they’re able to do. Easy jobs for tiny hands:
Gluing cotton balls onto snowmen
Pressing stickers or foam shapes
Dipping fingers in washable paint for thumbprint wreaths
Stuffing tissue paper into clear plastic ornaments
We can also use big tools like chunky markers or fat paintbrushes to make things more manageable. Safety is key, so we skip super sharp scissors and keep an eye on glitter explosions.
When our littles get to play, they feel so proud to show off their creations—plus, we get a break from doing it all ourselves! Looking for inspiration? You’ll find even more kid-friendly craft ideas at 15 Christmas Crafts For Kids.
Storing and Showing Off Holiday Masterpieces
We know the glitter gets everywhere, and the glue is never where you put it last. But those Christmas crafts? They deserve their moment to shine—and a spot where we can actually find them next year.
Displaying Crafts Around the House
Let’s be real: our kids’ holiday masterpieces are too cute for a box in the closet. We love hanging homemade ornaments on the tree, even the ones with more glue than glitter.
For things like paper snowflakes or painted popsicle stick creations, a simple string and some clothespins across a window turns any room into an art gallery. If your fridge door is already packed, grab a few command hooks and hang crafts on doors or down the hallway.
We can even frame the extra special ones to pop on a shelf for everyone to see. Displaying kids’ crafts adds so much joy to our home during the holidays.
Plus, it gets everyone talking about who made what! For more inspiration for displaying all those creative projects, check out some clever ideas from other crafty parents.
Smart Tips for Saving Special Projects
We all know it—some crafts are just too special to toss. To save space and sanity, let’s pick our favorites each year and stash them in a clear bin labeled with our kid’s name and the year.
This way, we can look back and see how their art has changed. It’s honestly kind of wild how fast those little masterpieces evolve.
Snap photos of crafts that won’t last or are just too big to keep, and use leftover wrapping paper for a creative backdro . You can drop those pictures into a holiday photo book and maybe start a new tradition.
For super fragile projects, wrap them in tissue paper or bubble wrap. It’s not foolproof, but it helps.
If you’re running out of space, try donating a few crafts to loved ones. Or turn old drawings into quirky little gift tags for next year—why not?
For more organizational magic, you can find awesome storage and display ideas for kids’ art.
