The holidays are the perfect time for families to come together and get creative with DIY crafts. Whether it’s for decorating the home, making homemade gifts, or just enjoying some quality time together, holiday crafting brings joy and festive spirit to the season. Here are some fun and easy holiday craft ideas for kids of all ages that will keep everyone busy and help spread the holiday cheer!
1. Handprint Christmas Tree
Materials:
- Green construction paper
- Markers or crayons
- Glitter (optional)
- Glue
- Star sticker or yellow paper
Instructions: Start by helping your child trace their hands on green construction paper (the handprints will form the shape of the tree). Cut out the handprints and glue them in an overlapping pattern to create a Christmas tree shape. Decorate the tree with markers, crayons, or glitter to make it sparkle. Finish off with a star on top, using a sticker or cutting a star shape from yellow paper.
Why it’s great: This craft is perfect for younger children, as it involves tracing hands and adds a personal touch to holiday décor. It’s a memorable keepsake that families can cherish for years.
2. Snowman Cupcake Liner Craft
Materials:
- White cupcake liners
- Orange paper (for the nose)
- Black markers or buttons
- Glue
- Black construction paper (for the hat)
- Scissors
Instructions: Flatten out a white cupcake liner and glue it onto a piece of construction paper as the body of the snowman. Cut a small triangle from the orange paper and glue it to the center of the liner as the snowman’s carrot nose. Draw or glue on black buttons or use small black circles for eyes, buttons, and a mouth. You can also cut a small rectangle or top hat shape from black construction paper and glue it on top of the snowman’s head.
Why it’s great: This simple and fun craft is great for kids of all ages, allowing them to practice their cutting and gluing skills. Plus, it’s a great way to recycle cupcake liners into a cute holiday decoration!
3. Paper Plate Wreath
Materials:
- Paper plate
- Green construction paper
- Red pom-poms or buttons
- Glue
- Scissors
Instructions: Cut out the center of the paper plate, leaving a circular ring. Next, cut small pieces of green construction paper to resemble holly leaves. Glue them around the ring, overlapping them to create a wreath effect. Add red pom-poms or buttons to represent berries. You can also add a festive ribbon at the top for hanging!
Why it’s great: This craft is easy to make, and it’s an excellent way for kids to get hands-on with shapes and textures. It’s perfect for hanging around the house or even giving as a gift to family members.
4. Popsicle Stick Snowflakes
Materials:
- Popsicle sticks
- White paint or glitter glue
- Scissors
- Ribbon for hanging
- Hot glue gun (adult supervision required)
Instructions: Lay out six popsicle sticks in a snowflake pattern, gluing them together in the center to form a star shape. Once the glue is dry, paint the sticks white or apply glitter glue for a sparkly effect. After the snowflakes dry, tie a ribbon around the top for easy hanging on the tree or in windows.
Why it’s great: This craft is perfect for older kids who are learning how to handle glue and scissors. Popsicle stick crafts are durable and versatile, making this snowflake design a charming holiday decoration!
5. Salt Dough Ornaments
Materials:
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1/2 cup water
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
- String or ribbon for hanging
- Paint and markers for decorating
Instructions: Mix the flour, salt, and water together to form a dough. Roll it out on a flat surface and use cookie cutters to create festive shapes (stars, trees, or hearts). Poke a hole at the top of each ornament for a ribbon or string. Bake the ornaments in a 250°F oven for about 2 hours, or until they are hard. Once cool, let kids paint and decorate the ornaments. Thread string or ribbon through the hole for hanging.
Why it’s great: Salt dough ornaments make a fun family activity and give kids the opportunity to create keepsakes that will last for years. The best part? They can be given as gifts to grandparents or hung on the tree!
6. Pom-Pom Santa Hat
Materials:
- Red construction paper
- White pom-poms
- Glue
- Scissors
- Cotton balls (optional)
Instructions: Cut out a triangle from red construction paper to create the base of the Santa hat. Glue white pom-poms along the bottom edge of the hat. Use a larger pom-pom or cotton ball for the tip of the hat. Once it’s dry, you can add a small strip of white paper around the hat to make it look like a fluffy band.
Why it’s great: This simple craft is great for younger kids to develop fine motor skills as they glue pom-poms onto the paper. It’s a festive addition to the holiday décor or can be worn as a fun, homemade headpiece.
7. DIY Advent Calendar
Materials:
- Small envelopes or paper bags
- Markers and stickers
- Glue or tape
- Small candies or treats
- Ribbon or string for hanging
Instructions: Use small envelopes or paper bags, numbering them from 1 to 24. Decorate each envelope with holiday-themed stickers or drawings. Inside each envelope, place a small treat, toy, or note with a holiday activity. Hang the envelopes on a string or arrange them on a board to create your advent calendar.
Why it’s great: This DIY advent calendar is a fun way to count down the days until Christmas. It engages kids with a new surprise every day, from little treats to fun activities, adding excitement to the season.
8. Candy Cane Reindeer
Materials:
- Candy canes
- Brown pipe cleaners
- Googly eyes
- Red pom-poms
- Glue
Instructions: Take a candy cane and bend it slightly at the hook to create the reindeer’s antlers. Wrap a brown pipe cleaner around the curved end of the candy cane for antlers. Glue on googly eyes and a red pom-pom at the bottom to create a nose. You can also tie a festive ribbon around the reindeer’s neck for extra decoration.
Why it’s great: These candy cane reindeer are simple, yet adorable, and make great stocking stuffers or small gifts. They also introduce kids to using pipe cleaners for creating 3D shapes.
9. Holiday Greeting Cards
Materials:
- Blank cards or construction paper
- Markers, stickers, and stamps
- Glitter glue (optional)
- Washi tape
Instructions: Create custom holiday greeting cards by folding pieces of construction paper into the shape of cards. Use markers, stickers, and stamps to decorate the front, or create simple holiday-themed drawings, such as trees, snowmen, or stars. Add a personal message inside, and finish off with a bit of glitter glue for sparkle.
Why it’s great: Making your own greeting cards is a heartfelt way for kids to spread holiday cheer. They can make cards for family members, friends, or even teachers!
10. Holiday Paper Chains
Materials:
- Colored construction paper (green, red, gold, etc.)
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
Instructions: Cut the construction paper into strips (about 1 inch wide). Let your child glue or tape the ends of each strip together to form links, then connect them to create a long paper chain. Hang the chain around the house, on the tree, or as a festive garland.
Why it’s great: This classic craft is simple, inexpensive, and great for kids of all ages. It’s also a fun activity for practicing patterning and helps decorate the house in a vibrant, personalized way.
Final Thoughts:
Holiday crafting is a wonderful way to celebrate the season and make lasting memories with kids. These DIY projects are not only fun and easy but also provide an opportunity for children to create personalized gifts and decorations. Whether you’re making handprint trees, baking salt dough ornaments, or crafting reindeer from candy canes, these festive activities will bring a touch of homemade magic to your holiday celebrations. Happy crafting and happy holidays!
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