35+ Christmas Crafts for Kids Ideas to Spark Joy, Creativity, and Holiday Fun in 2025
The holiday season is the perfect time to gather around the table, sip on cocoa, and get creative with Christmas crafts for kids. From twinkling paper stars to sparkly snowflake ornaments, these activities aren’t just fun — they create keepsakes your family will treasure for years.
Whether you’re looking for Christmas crafts for school projects, Christmas crafts for preschoolers, or just some cool Christmas crafts to brighten a chilly afternoon, there’s something magical about handmade holiday creations.
In this post, you’ll find a mix of simple Christmas crafts that little hands can easily make, quick DIYs for busy parents, and even budget-friendly Dollar Tree Christmas Crafts DIY ideas. These crafts are perfect for decorating your home, gifting loved ones, or simply enjoying cozy moments together.
So, grab some glitter, markers, and holiday cheer — let’s dive into inspiring Christmas crafts ideas that turn ordinary afternoons into festive memories.
🎄 Why Christmas Crafts for Kids Are So Special
Crafting during the holidays isn’t just about glue sticks and glitter — it’s about creating lasting memories. When kids dive into Christmas crafts for school or simple at-home DIYs, they develop creativity, patience, and motor skills while having fun. Plus, these homemade Christmas crafts become treasured keepsakes for parents and grandparents.
Whether you’re a teacher, a parent of preschoolers, or just someone looking for cool Christmas crafts to fill a snowy afternoon, the joy comes from seeing children’s imaginations sparkle as brightly as the tree.
✂️ Supplies to Keep Handy for Christmas Crafts
Before diving into the list of Christmas crafts for kids to make, here’s a quick checklist of supplies you’ll want stocked up:
- Colored paper (red, green, white, metallic)
- Cardboard or recycled cereal boxes
- Washable markers and crayons
- Non-toxic glue and tape
- Scissors (safety scissors for preschoolers)
- Glitter, sequins, and beads
- Pipe cleaners, pom-poms, and felt
- Clothespins, popsicle sticks, and googly eyes
- Ribbons, yarn, and string
- Budget finds (buttons, paper plates, Dollar Tree trinkets)
With these basics, kids can create a wide variety of Xmas crafts without you needing to run to the store constantly.
🧸 Christmas Crafts for Preschoolers
Preschool-aged children love simple Christmas crafts that let them explore colors, textures, and shapes. These are easy enough for little hands but still festive enough to display proudly.
1. Paper Plate Santa
- Use a paper plate as Santa’s face.
- Add cotton balls for his beard and red paper for the hat.
- Preschoolers can glue and arrange materials with ease.
2. Handprint Reindeer
- Trace kids’ hands on brown paper and cut them out.
- Use the prints as reindeer antlers, add googly eyes, and a red pom-pom nose.
- Cute enough for classroom walls or fridge displays.
3. Popsicle Stick Christmas Trees
- Glue three sticks into a triangle, paint them green, and decorate with stickers or glitter.
- Attach yarn to hang them on the Christmas tree.
4. Cotton Ball Snowman
- Draw three circles on paper and let kids fill them with cotton balls.
- Add buttons and a paper scarf for a fluffy snowman friend.
🏫 Christmas Crafts for School
Teachers often need Christmas crafts for school that balance fun with practicality. These ideas are easy to prep for classrooms and require minimal cleanup.
5. Paper Chain Garlands
- Have kids cut strips of colored paper and glue them into interlocking circles.
- String them together for cheerful classroom garlands.
6. Christmas Card Collage
- Provide cardstock, stickers, and markers.
- Let students design cards for family or community members.
- A wonderful way to teach kids the joy of giving.
7. Tissue Paper Wreaths
- Cut out large cardboard circles.
- Have students scrunch green tissue paper into “leaves” and glue them around.
- Add red tissue paper “berries” for a festive finish.
8. Classroom Advent Calendar
- Create 25 envelopes or mini bags, each decorated by a student.
- Fill with small notes, jokes, or kindness tasks to open each day.
Related Article: 42 Cozy Winter Crafts for Kids to Spark Creativity
💡 Simple Christmas Crafts (Perfect for Beginners)
Not every craft has to be complex. Sometimes quick Christmas crafts are best for kids who get restless or when parents have limited time.
9. Pinecone Ornaments
- Collect pinecones from outside, spray with white paint for a “snowy” look, and add ribbon loops.
- Kids love gathering materials, and it costs almost nothing.
10. Yarn-Wrapped Candy Canes
- Twist red and white yarn around cardboard candy cane cutouts.
- Cute, soft, and simple enough for younger kids.
11. Button Snowflakes
- Glue buttons onto paper snowflake cutouts.
- Create a tactile craft that’s colorful and fun.
12. Glitter Pine Branches
- Brush glue onto pine twigs and sprinkle glitter over them.
- Perfect for decorating vases or gift toppers.
Related Article: The Ultimate Things To Do Before Christmas Checklist
🎁 Homemade Christmas Crafts (Keepsakes & Gifts)
Handmade items make the best presents. Here are homemade Christmas crafts kids can proudly give to friends and family.
13. Salt Dough Ornaments
- Mix flour, salt, and water to make dough.
- Cut shapes with cookie cutters, bake, and let kids paint them.
- Durable and long-lasting keepsakes.
14. Mason Jar Snow Globes
- Fill jars with glitter, small figurines, and water.
- Kids can shake and watch the “snow” fall.
15. Handmade Gift Tags
- Use cardboard scraps, decorate with markers or stickers.
- A budget-friendly way for kids to contribute to wrapping presents.
16. Photo Frame Ornaments
- Glue popsicle sticks into a square, add a child’s photo inside, and decorate.
- A heartwarming gift for grandparents.
✨ Cute Christmas Crafts (Fun & Decorative)
These cute Christmas crafts add charm to holiday décor and bring smiles all around.
17. Clothespin Angels
- Clip clothespins together, paint white, and add paper wings.
- A sweet and delicate craft.
18. Rudolph Bookmarks
- Cut strips of brown cardstock, add googly eyes and a pom-pom nose.
- A functional craft kids can actually use.
19. Mini Sock Snowmen
- Fill white socks with rice, tie them off, and decorate with scarves and hats.
- Adorable and squishy little buddies.
20. Cupcake Liner Christmas Trees
- Layer green cupcake liners in a cone shape.
- Add sequins or star stickers for ornaments.
🕒 Quick Christmas Crafts for Busy Days
Sometimes you only have 15 minutes. These quick Christmas crafts are festive, fast, and fun.
21. Candy Cane Reindeer
- Twist pipe cleaners around a candy cane for antlers, add eyes and a red pom-pom nose.
- Doubles as a snack and decoration.
22. Glitter Star Ornaments
- Cut star shapes from cardboard, cover in glue, sprinkle glitter, and tie with ribbon.
23. Christmas Sticker Cards
- Give kids blank cards and holiday stickers.
- Instant personalized Christmas greetings.
24. Paper Snowflakes
- Fold paper and cut designs to create delicate snowflakes.
- Kids never get bored of this classic.
🛒 Dollar Tree Christmas Crafts DIY
On a budget? No problem! With a few Dollar Tree finds, kids can make cool Christmas crafts without spending much.
25. Ornament Decorating Kits
- Pick up plain plastic ornaments and let kids fill them with sequins, confetti, or tiny bells.
26. Tinsel Garlands
- Buy $1 tinsel and add paper cutouts, pom-poms, or bells for a festive twist.
27. Dollar Store Snow Globes
- Use plastic bowls, figurines, and fake snow to make mini globes.
28. Candle Holder Jars
- Wrap Dollar Tree jars with ribbon, stickers, or glitter for glowing holiday decorations.
🎨 Creative Christmas Crafts Ideas for Different Themes
Go beyond the traditional — here are Christmas crafts ideas with unique twists:
29. Nature-Inspired Crafts
- Pinecone owls, acorn ornaments, and twig stars bring a rustic charm.
30. Recycled Crafts
- Use cereal boxes for ornaments, bottle caps for wreaths, or old fabric for stockings.
- A fun way to teach kids sustainability.
31. Cultural Christmas Crafts
- Explore how different countries celebrate with crafts like paper lanterns (Philippines) or straw ornaments (Scandinavia).
32. Edible Crafts
- Pretzel reindeer, gingerbread houses, or marshmallow snowmen combine crafting with snacking.
🎅 Cool Christmas Crafts for Older Kids
Older children may crave more challenging projects. These cool Christmas crafts allow them to explore creativity while feeling more “grown-up.”
33. Felt Ornaments
- Cut shapes from felt and hand-sew simple patterns.
- Great for developing fine motor skills.
34. String Art Trees
- Hammer small nails into wood in a triangle shape, then wrap string around.
- Stylish and trendy for tweens or teens.
35. Beaded Snowflakes
- Use craft wire and beads to create sparkling snowflake decorations.
36. Holiday Slime
- Mix glue, baking soda, and glitter for a gooey, sparkly slime.
- A guaranteed hit with older kids.
🌟 Bonus: Family-Friendly Group Crafts
Want projects that everyone can join in? These Xmas crafts bring families together:
- Giant Paper Mural: Cover a wall with butcher paper and let kids draw a giant Christmas scene.
- Family Handprint Tree: Trace and cut out handprints, arrange into a big tree shape, and decorate.
- Advent Activity Calendar: Instead of candy, each day reveals a fun activity or craft.
Final Thoughts,
Christmas is about togetherness, and making Christmas crafts for kids is one of the simplest ways to slow down and enjoy the magic of the season. With these homemade Christmas crafts, you don’t need fancy supplies or hours of prep — just a little creativity and a festive spirit.
From quick Christmas crafts made with everyday materials to cute Christmas crafts perfect for school or preschool, every idea here is designed to bring joy without stress.
The best part? These projects fit every budget and space, proving that holiday cheer doesn’t need to be expensive to be meaningful.
So why not pick a favorite idea, gather your supplies, and start crafting today? After all, the best Xmas crafts are the ones made with love, laughter, and a sprinkle of glitter.
