Easy Holiday Crafts to Make with Kids: Festive Fun for the Whole Family
The holiday season is a magical time, and one of the best ways to get into the spirit is by creating festive crafts with your kids. Crafting not only provides a fun family bonding experience but also allows children to explore their creativity while making decorations and gifts they can be proud of. Here are some easy holiday craft ideas that are perfect for kids of all ages.
1. Popsicle Stick Snowflakes
What You’ll Need:
• Popsicle sticks
• Glue
• Paint (white, blue, or silver)
• Glitter, sequins, or buttons for decoration
How to Make It:
• Glue 3-4 popsicle sticks together in a snowflake shape.
• Let kids paint the snowflake and sprinkle glitter or sequins on top while the paint is wet.
• Once dry, attach a string or ribbon to hang on the tree or in a window.
2. Handprint Christmas Trees
What You’ll Need:
• Green construction paper
• Brown paper or cardboard for the trunk
• Glue
• Markers, stickers, or pom-poms for decorating
How to Make It:
• Trace your child’s hand on green paper multiple times and cut out the shapes.
• Glue the handprints in a pyramid shape to form a tree, with fingers pointing outward.
• Add a brown trunk and let kids decorate their tree with pom-poms, stickers, or drawn ornaments.
3. DIY Holiday Cards
What You’ll Need:
• Blank cards or cardstock
• Paint, markers, or crayons
• Stamps, stickers, and other embellishments
How to Make It:
• Encourage kids to create unique designs, like a painted snowman, a fingerprint reindeer, or a drawn Christmas tree.
• Add glitter, stickers, or stamps for extra flair.
• Write a heartfelt message inside and share the cards with family and friends.
4. Cotton Ball Snowman
What You’ll Need:
• White paper or cardboard
• Cotton balls
• Glue
• Markers or crayons
• Buttons, felt, or paper for decorations
How to Make It:
• Draw a snowman shape on the paper and let your child fill it in with glued-on cotton balls.
• Use buttons or paper for the eyes, nose, and mouth, and add a scarf or hat made from felt or construction paper.
5. Salt Dough Ornaments
What You’ll Need:
• 1 cup of flour
• 1/2 cup of salt
• 1/2 cup of water
• Cookie cutters
• Paint and ribbon
How to Make It:
• Mix flour, salt, and water to create a dough. Roll it out and cut shapes using cookie cutters.
• Use a straw to make a hole at the top for hanging. Bake at 200°F for 2-3 hours until hard.
• Once cooled, let kids paint the ornaments and thread a ribbon through the hole to hang them on the tree.
6. Paper Plate Wreaths
What You’ll Need:
• Paper plates
• Green paint or construction paper
• Glue
• Pom-poms, stickers, or small decorations
How to Make It:
• Cut the center out of a paper plate, leaving only the rim.
• Paint the rim green or cover it with green paper.
• Decorate with pom-poms, stickers, or small bows. Attach a ribbon for hanging.
7. Mason Jar Snow Globes
What You’ll Need:
• Mason jars
• Small figurines or ornaments
• Hot glue
• Glitter
• Water and glycerin
How to Make It:
• Glue a small figurine or ornament to the inside of the jar lid.
• Fill the jar with water, a few drops of glycerin (to make the glitter fall slowly), and glitter.
• Screw the lid on tightly and shake for a magical snow globe effect.
8. Pinecone Christmas Trees
What You’ll Need:
• Pinecones
• Green paint
• Glitter, small beads, or pom-poms
• Glue
How to Make It:
• Paint pinecones green and let them dry.
• Decorate with glitter, beads, or pom-poms to resemble ornaments.
• Add a small star to the top for a festive touch.
9. Festive Paper Chain Garland
What You’ll Need:
• Colored construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue or tape
How to Make It:
• Cut strips of paper and create loops by gluing or taping the ends together.
• Link each loop through the previous one to form a chain.
• Use the garland to decorate a tree, mantle, or doorway.
10. Reindeer Clothespins
What You’ll Need:
• Wooden clothespins
• Brown paint
• Googly eyes
• Red pom-poms
• Glue
How to Make It:
• Paint the clothespins brown and let them dry.
• Glue on googly eyes and a red pom-pom for the nose.
• Attach them to gifts or use them as ornaments.
Holiday crafts are a wonderful way to spend quality time with your kids while creating festive decorations and gifts. These easy, kid-friendly projects will keep little hands busy and hearts full of holiday cheer.
Which craft will you try first? Share your creations or your favorite holiday craft ideas in the comments below!