The holiday season is the perfect time to get creative with the kids. Crafting together not only allows for quality family time but also gives you the chance to make personalized decorations that add charm and warmth to your home. Whether you're planning a cozy Christmas gathering, celebrating New Year's, or simply embracing the winter spirit, DIY holiday crafts for kids are a great way to keep little hands busy and create lasting memories. Here are some fun, simple, and adorable craft ideas that kids can make, and that can double as festive decorations for your home.
1. Handprint Ornaments
One of the easiest and most personal holiday crafts you can make with kids is handprint ornaments. These timeless keepsakes capture little hands in paint, making them a perfect gift for family members or a charming addition to your tree.
- Materials Needed : Salt dough or air-dry clay, paint, a paintbrush, ribbon or twine, and a small rolling pin.
- How to Make It : Roll out the salt dough or clay and have your child press their hand into the material to create an imprint. You can shape it into a circle or any fun shape you like. After it dries, let your child paint the handprint and add decorations like glitter, tiny beads, or stars. Thread a ribbon through the hole for hanging.
- Tip : These ornaments also make great gifts for grandparents, with the child's name and year written on the back.
2. Paper Snowflakes
Paper snowflakes are a classic holiday craft that's easy to make and endlessly customizable. Kids can cut out unique snowflakes, decorate them with glitter or markers, and then hang them around the house or on the tree.
- Materials Needed : White paper, scissors, markers or glitter, glue, and string.
- How to Make It : Fold a square piece of paper into a triangle, then fold it again into a smaller triangle. Use scissors to cut out small shapes along the edges to form a snowflake pattern when you unfold it. Decorate the snowflake with markers or glitter for some extra sparkle, and then add a string for hanging.
- Tip : For a modern twist, try using colored paper or adding metallic accents to the edges.
3. Pinecone Ornaments
Pinecones are a perfect natural material to craft with, especially during the winter months. These cute little ornaments bring a rustic charm to your tree and are simple enough for even the youngest crafters.
- Materials Needed : Pinecones, glitter, glue, small pompoms, ribbon, and paint.
- How to Make It : Coat the pinecone with glue and sprinkle it with glitter to create a sparkling effect. Kids can also glue small pompoms or beads on the pinecone for added texture and color. Once the decoration is complete, attach a ribbon to the top for hanging.
- Tip : For a more natural look, simply paint the tips of the pinecones white or silver for a snowy effect.
4. Candy Cane Reindeer
Turn simple candy canes into adorable reindeer with just a few supplies. These cute reindeer can double as decorations and little treats for friends or family members.
- Materials Needed : Candy canes, brown pipe cleaners, googly eyes, red pompoms, and glue.
- How to Make It : Bend the top of the candy cane to form antlers using the pipe cleaners. Glue googly eyes and a red pompom at the hook of the candy cane to create the reindeer's face. You can even add a little bow tie or scarf for extra flair.
- Tip : These reindeer can be hung on the tree or placed on the table as part of a holiday centerpiece.
5. Cotton Ball Snowman
Cotton ball snowmen are a fluffy, fun craft that brings the holiday season to life. Kids can assemble snowmen from cotton balls and add festive details to create their own mini frosty friends.
- Materials Needed : Cotton balls, glue, markers, buttons, small scarves (fabric), and an orange felt piece for the nose.
- How to Make It : Stack cotton balls to create the snowman's body, gluing them together. Add buttons, a felt nose, and use markers to draw on the snowman's eyes and smile. You can also add a tiny fabric scarf to make it look extra cozy.
- Tip : Create several snowmen and display them as a group on a shelf or mantlepiece.
6. Salt Dough Handprint Tree Decorations
Similar to the handprint ornaments, you can also create a simple salt dough tree decoration by making mini handprints. This could be an entire family's handprints to make a very personalized tree ornament.
- Materials Needed : Salt dough, rolling pin, cookie cutter (tree shape), ribbon, and paint.
- How to Make It : Roll out the salt dough and use a tree-shaped cookie cutter to create the base shape. Once you have your tree, press each family member's handprint into the dough. After it dries, you can paint each handprint in a different color and add a ribbon to hang it on the tree.
- Tip : Add tiny details like a glittery star on top of the tree or glue on tiny buttons for decoration.
7. DIY Advent Calendar
Get the kids involved in counting down the days to the holidays with a homemade advent calendar. You can use boxes, bags, or little envelopes to create a fun surprise each day.
- Materials Needed : Small boxes, envelopes, or paper bags, markers, numbers, and small treats or notes.
- How to Make It : Number each box, bag, or envelope from 1 to 24. Fill each one with small treats like candy, stickers, or even a handwritten note. Then, hang the boxes in a row or attach them to a wall with ribbon or string.
- Tip : You can make this a yearly tradition and use the same containers each year to add sentimental value to the calendar.
8. Paper Plate Santa Faces
Paper plates are inexpensive and versatile for holiday crafting. Turn them into jolly Santa faces that can decorate your walls, windows, or even be hung on the tree.
- Materials Needed : Paper plates, cotton balls, red paint, glue, googly eyes, and a red pompom.
- How to Make It : Paint the top part of the paper plate red for Santa's hat. Then, glue cotton balls around the bottom of the plate for Santa's beard and mustache. Add a red pompom for the hat's tip, and glue on googly eyes and a nose. You can even add a little ribbon to hang it from.
- Tip : Make a whole bunch of these paper plate Santas to give to neighbors or friends as part of a DIY decoration exchange.
Conclusion
DIY holiday crafts for kids not only keep them entertained but also allow them to make beautiful, handmade decorations that add a personal touch to your home. These projects are easy, fun, and perfect for getting everyone in the holiday spirit. From handprint ornaments to pinecone reindeer, each craft is an opportunity for kids to be creative while making lasting memories. Plus, these crafts double as lovely decorations for your home or gifts for loved ones, making them the perfect way to celebrate the season. Happy crafting!