20 Fun & Easy DIY Christmas Crafts for Kids to Try This Year

There’s something magical about creating your own Christmas decorations and keepsakes instead of buying them from the store. DIY Christmas crafts turn simple materials into festive treasures, all while giving kids and families the chance to slow down, bond, and create lasting memories together. These crafts are not only budget-friendly, they’re also filled with opportunities for learning—whether it’s fine motor skills for preschoolers, creative problem-solving for older kids, or simply the joy of expressing holiday spirit through art.

In this list, you’ll find 20 fun and easy DIY Christmas crafts for kids that work beautifully across different ages, from toddlers making their first paper snowflake to older kids who enjoy more detailed projects. Plus, many of these crafts double as handmade gifts, classroom activities, or holiday décor, making them as practical as they are joyful.

Why DIY Christmas Crafts Are Perfect for the Holidays

The holiday season is often filled with to-do lists, expenses, and endless activities—but DIY Christmas crafts offer a way to slow down and bring the focus back to what truly matters: creativity, connection, and joy. Instead of buying pricey store-bought décor or gifts, simple homemade crafts provide a budget-friendly and stress-free alternative that still feels special and memorable.

Crafting together also has powerful learning benefits for kids. From fine motor skill development in toddlers using glue and scissors, to problem-solving and creativity in older children who experiment with patterns and colors, these hands-on activities go far beyond holiday fun.

Best of all, the results are meaningful. A handmade ornament, a paper wreath, or a salt dough keepsake isn’t just another decoration—it’s a memory captured in time. Whether they’re displayed around the home, given as thoughtful gifts, or treasured as family keepsakes, DIY Christmas crafts double as décor and heartfelt reminders of the season’s warmth.

20 DIY Christmas Craft Ideas to Try This Year

When it comes to holiday fun, nothing beats rolling up your sleeves and creating something festive with your kids. To make things easy, we’ve gathered 25 DIY Christmas crafts that are simple, affordable, and adaptable for different ages. From paper plate trees to handmade ornaments and even adorable reindeer, these ideas cover every holiday theme—whether you’re decorating your home, preparing classroom activities, or making keepsake gifts.

Christmas Tree Crafts

When people think of holiday crafting, Christmas trees are usually the first thing that comes to mind. These DIY Christmas crafts are simple, colorful, and perfect for kids who love to decorate their own little versions of the family tree.

1. Paper Plate Christmas Trees

• What it is: A simple triangle-shaped tree made from a paper plate, painted green, and decorated with sequins, pom-poms, or stickers.
• Materials: Paper plates, scissors, green paint or markers, glue, sequins/pom-poms/stickers.
• Why kids love it: Easy to make and fun to decorate—kids can personalize their tree however they like.

2. Popsicle Stick Christmas Tree Ornaments

• What it is: Popsicle sticks glued into a triangle shape, decorated with buttons, glitter, or small stars, and hung as ornaments.
• Materials: Popsicle sticks, glue, paint, small decorations, string or ribbon.
• Why kids love it: They get to build their own ornament and hang it proudly on the Christmas tree.

3. Pinecone Mini Christmas Trees

• What it is: Real pinecones painted green and decorated with beads or glitter to resemble tiny Christmas trees.
• Materials: Pinecones, green paint, small beads or sequins, glue.
• Why kids love it: Pinecones feel like a magical discovery from nature, and turning them into trees is a creative transformation.

4. Button Christmas Tree Art

• What it is: A tree shape made by gluing buttons of different colors and sizes onto cardstock or canvas.
• Materials: Cardstock or canvas, green buttons (or multi-colored), glue.
• Why kids love it: It’s like building a puzzle with buttons, and the finished product makes a great piece of holiday art.

These Christmas tree–themed DIY Christmas crafts are simple, festive, and perfect for sparking creativity. Whether it’s a pinecone tree or a button design, kids will love making decorations that brighten up the holiday season.

Santa & Reindeer Crafts

Nothing says Christmas quite like Santa and his trusty reindeer. These DIY Christmas crafts bring the North Pole to life, letting kids create silly beards, jolly hats, and reindeer with bright red noses.

5. Cotton Ball Santa Beard Mask

• What it is: A fun wearable mask where kids glue cotton balls to paper to make Santa’s fluffy beard.
• Materials: Cardstock, scissors, glue, cotton balls, string or elastic.
• Why kids love it: They get to “be” Santa and giggle behind their silly, fluffy beard.

6. Santa Hat Popsicle Sticks

• What it is: Popsicle sticks arranged in the shape of a Santa hat, painted red, with cotton balls or felt trim.
• Materials: Popsicle sticks, red paint, glue, cotton balls or white felt.
• Why kids love it: It’s quick, colorful, and festive—plus, they can hang it as an ornament or use it in holiday displays.

7. Handprint Reindeer

• What it is: A reindeer craft where the child’s handprint becomes the antlers, paired with a cut-out face and googly eyes.
• Materials: Brown construction paper, markers, googly eyes, red pom-poms, glue.
• Why kids love it: Kids adore seeing their own handprints transformed into Rudolph’s antlers—personal and creative.

8. Toilet Paper Roll Reindeer

• What it is: A reindeer made by decorating a cardboard tube with paper antlers, googly eyes, and a red pom-pom nose.
• Materials: Toilet paper rolls, brown paint or paper, googly eyes, pom-poms, glue.
• Why kids love it: They enjoy turning something ordinary into a festive reindeer friend.

Santa and reindeer crafts never fail to bring holiday cheer. With these DIY Christmas crafts, kids can step into the magic of the North Pole while making adorable creations to share and display.

Snowman & Winter Crafts

Snowmen and snowflakes are classic symbols of winter, making them a natural choice for holiday projects. These DIY Christmas crafts are playful, easy to make indoors, and bring snowy fun even if there’s no snow outside.

9. Sock Snowmen (No-Sew)

• What it is: Old white socks filled with rice, tied off, and decorated with scarves, buttons, and a carrot nose.
• Materials: White socks, rice, rubber bands, fabric scraps, buttons, markers.
• Why kids love it: They get to “build a snowman” indoors—soft, squishy, and completely customizable.

10. Paper Circle Snowman

• What it is: A snowman made from three different-sized paper circles stacked and decorated with hats, scarves, and buttons.
• Materials: White construction paper, colored paper, scissors, glue, markers.
• Why kids love it: Super easy to make, with lots of creative freedom for dressing up their snowman.

11. Snowflake Popsicle Sticks

• What it is: Popsicle sticks glued into a snowflake shape, painted white, and sprinkled with glitter.
• Materials: Popsicle sticks, glue, white paint, glitter, string (for hanging).
• Why kids love it: Sparkly, magical, and fun to hang as ornaments or window decorations.

12. Coffee Filter Snowflakes

• What it is: Folded coffee filters cut into unique snowflake designs.
• Materials: Coffee filters, scissors, optional markers for coloring.
• Why kids love it: Cutting and unfolding is like opening a surprise every time, and no two snowflakes look the same.

Snowman and winter-themed DIY Christmas crafts capture the magic of a snowy day, no mittens required. They’re quick to make, fun to personalize, and bring a frosty sparkle to your holiday décor.

Ornament & Keepsake Crafts

Homemade ornaments are a timeless holiday tradition. These DIY Christmas crafts turn everyday materials into meaningful keepsakes that can hang on the tree or be treasured for years to come.

13. DIY Salt Dough Ornaments

• What it is: Homemade ornaments shaped with cookie cutters, baked, and decorated with paint or glitter.
• Materials: Flour, salt, water, cookie cutters, paint, ribbon.
• Why kids love it: They get to play with “dough” and see their creations become lasting keepsakes.
• Extra resource: Try this Salt Dough Ornament guide for more ideas.

14. Clear Ornament Fill-Ins

• What it is: Clear plastic ornaments filled with colorful items like pom-poms, sequins, or glitter.
• Materials: Clear plastic ornaments, pom-poms, sequins, glitter, ribbon.
• Why kids love it: It’s quick, mess-free, and every ornament looks different based on what they choose to fill it with.

15. Handprint or Fingerprint Ornament Balls

• What it is: Plain ornament balls decorated with handprints or fingerprints to create snowmen, reindeer, or holiday patterns.
• Materials: Plain ornaments, acrylic paint, markers.
• Why kids love it: Personal and creative—their little hands become part of the holiday décor.

16. Cinnamon Stick Ornament

• What it is: Cinnamon sticks bundled with ribbon and decorated with beads or small greenery to resemble mini trees.
• Materials: Cinnamon sticks, ribbon, beads, glue, small faux greenery.
• Why kids love it: It smells amazing, looks festive, and feels like making “real” rustic decorations.

Homemade ornaments and keepsakes are more than decorations—they’re lasting memories. These DIY Christmas crafts give families meaningful mementos to enjoy year after year.

Wreaths & Garland Crafts

Wreaths and garlands instantly make a space feel festive. These DIY Christmas crafts let kids help decorate the home with cheerful chains, pom-poms, and handmade wreaths that feel personal and inviting.

17. Handprint Wreaths

• What it is: A circular wreath made from cut-out handprints, layered to look like evergreen leaves.
• Materials: Green construction paper, scissors, glue, ribbon.
• Why kids love it: They enjoy tracing and cutting their hands—and seeing their “hands” turned into a festive decoration.

18. Pom-Pom Garland

• What it is: Colorful pom-poms strung together on yarn to create a soft and playful garland.
• Materials: Pom-poms, yarn or string, needle (large/tapestry style).
• Why kids love it: Bright, fluffy, and fun to drape around the tree, mantel, or classroom.

19. Paper Chain Advent Calendar

• What it is: A chain made of red and green paper loops, with 24 links to count down to Christmas.
• Materials: Colored paper, scissors, glue or tape.
• Why kids love it: They get to tear off a loop each day—building excitement as Christmas gets closer.

20. Clothespin Wreath

• What it is: A wreath made from clothespins clipped around a wire frame and painted in festive colors.
• Materials: Clothespins, wire frame, paint, glue, small decorations.
• Why kids love it: Painting and clipping clothespins feels hands-on and interactive, and the result looks surprisingly professional.

From paper chains to pom-pom garlands, these wreath and garland DIY Christmas crafts are perfect for kids who love to decorate. They make any home, classroom, or party space feel festive and cozy.

Tips for Parents, Teachers, and Homeschoolers

Holiday crafting should feel fun—not stressful. With a little preparation, DIY Christmas crafts can be a smooth and joyful experience for everyone. Here are a few tips to keep things easy and engaging:

• Prep supplies in advance. Set out scissors, glue, markers, and paper so kids can dive right in without waiting.
• Choose age-appropriate crafts. Younger kids do best with simple projects like paper snowflakes, while older children can handle more detailed ornaments or wreaths.
• Make it meaningful. Turn crafts into holiday cards, handmade gifts, or keepsakes that kids will be proud to give or display.
• Encourage independence. Allow kids to make creative choices—even if the final result looks a little “imperfect.” That’s what makes it special!
• Keep it fun. Play Christmas music, sip hot cocoa, and turn crafting time into a memory-making activity the whole family enjoys.

Crafting during the holidays isn’t just about the end product—it’s about the smiles, laughter, and moments shared along the way.

Christmas Activity Pages Printable Bundle

Between decorating, baking, and gift wrapping, the holiday season can feel overwhelming. That’s where our Christmas Activity Pages Bundle comes in—it’s your ready-to-go solution for keeping kids happily engaged while you focus on everything else.

Inside this festive pack, you’ll find a variety of screen-free printables designed for ages 3–7: coloring pages, dot markers, cut-and-paste projects, mazes, tracing sheets, and more. Each activity is fun, educational, and easy to print whenever you need it.

What You’ll Get Inside the Bundle

• 47 Adorable Mixed Christmas Activity Pages Book – A cheerful mix of puzzles, games, and challenges that spark learning through play.
• 31 Christmas Cutting Practice Worksheets – From straight lines to fun shapes, these sheets help preschoolers build confidence with scissors.
• 30 Christmas Cut & Paste Worksheets – Hands-on crafts that boost fine motor skills while letting kids create their own festive designs.
• 35 Holiday Christmas Dot Marker Pages – Stress-free coloring with dot markers that bring holiday patterns to life.
• 120+ Christmas Coloring Pages – (3)Three themed collections filled with hours of coloring fun for kids who love to get creative.
• I Spy Christmas Book for Kids – A festive challenge that sharpens observation and counting skills in the most playful way.

With over 300+ joyful, screen-free pages, this bundle guarantees your little ones will stay engaged, learning, and smiling all December long. download the Christmas Activity Pages Bundle today and Make this Christmas easier and more magical.

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