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Christmas is a magical time, but it can also feel like a whirlwind—especially when you’re trying to keep your little ones entertained while prepping for the holidays. Luckily, Christmas crafts are a great way to keep those tiny hands busy while making beautiful decorations and gifts that your family will treasure. Bonus: These activities help your kids feel involved in the holiday fun!
Here are a few simple, mess-free Christmas crafts that young children will love, and a few tools to make crafting a breeze.
1. Popsicle Stick Snowflakes
Popsicle sticks are the unsung heroes of kids’ crafts. You can make simple yet adorable snowflakes by gluing the sticks together in star shapes and letting your kids decorate them with paint, glitter, or sequins. Attach a string to hang them on your Christmas tree, and voilà—instant holiday charm!
What You’ll Need:
- Craft Popsicle Sticks – These bulk packs are perfect for multiple snowflakes and future projects!
- Non-toxic Paint – Safe for little fingers and easy to clean up.
- Glitter and Sequins – Add some sparkle to your snowflakes for that extra holiday glow.
2. Paper Plate Christmas Trees
Another easy, mess-free option: grab some paper plates and cut them into triangles to create little Christmas trees. Let your kids paint them green, add stickers for ornaments, and use pom-poms as tree toppers. You can even attach small sticks or straws at the base to create a “trunk.”
What You’ll Need:
- Paper Plates – Sturdy enough to hold their shape and perfect for painting.
- Pom-Poms – These colorful balls are great for tree toppers or garlands.
- Stickers – Holiday-themed stickers make decorating fun and easy for little hands.
DIY Reindeer Footprint Christmas Cards
Get your little ones involved in creating a unique and personal Christmas card this year! These reindeer footprint cards are perfect for sending to loved ones, and they make a charming keepsake to remember those tiny toes.
What You’ll Need:
- Brown Paint – for creating the footprint base
- Googly Eyes – for the reindeer’s eyes, bringing the card to life
- Red Pom-Poms – to make that iconic Rudolph nose
- Pipe Cleaners – for the antlers
4. Pinecone Ornaments
Next time you’re outside, collect a few pinecones for this simple craft. Your child can paint them in festive colours or sprinkle glitter on them to create a natural ornament. You can tie a ribbon around the top to hang it on the tree or display it on the mantel.
What You’ll Need:
- Mini Pom Poms – Small enough to fit between the scales
- Craft Glue – Any craft glue should be fine but you can use a hot glue gun with extra supervision
- Ribbon for Hanging – Pick festive colours for a holiday-ready finish.
5. DIY Salt Dough Ornaments
Making salt dough ornaments is a fun way to create lasting memories. Help your kids mix up a batch of dough (just flour, salt, and water), roll it out, and cut holiday shapes using cookie cutters. After baking, they can paint and decorate their creations. These make perfect keepsakes or gifts for grandparents!
What You’ll Need:
- Holiday Cookie Cutters – Shapes like stars, Christmas trees, and snowmen.
- Non-toxic Acrylic Paint – Perfect for painting the ornaments once they’re baked.
- Glitter Shakers – Add some sparkles with colourful glitter
Recipe:
- 2 Cups of flour
- 1 Cup salt
- 1 Cup Water
Mix the ingredients together then cut out your shapes and bake at 80 degrees Celsius for 3 hours. Then all that’s left to do is paint, seal and hang them up!
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6. Paper Chain Garland
This classic craft is a fun way to help kids practice their cutting and gluing skills. Use colourful construction paper, cut into strips, and let your child glue the ends together to form a chain. Drape the garland around your Christmas tree or in doorways for a cheerful touch.
What You’ll Need:
- Colourful Construction Paper – A variety of colours makes the garland even more festive.
- Child-Safe Scissors – Perfect for little hands learning how to cut.
- Glue Sticks – Easy and safe for little crafters.
Why These Crafts Work for Busy Moms
These Christmas crafts aren’t just fun for the kiddos—they also help foster creativity and give your kids a sense of accomplishment. Plus, they’re easy to set up and clean up, which is a win for any busy mom! Crafting together can be a great way to slow down and enjoy quality time as a family, without the pressure of perfection.
And if you’re not a fan of the craft aisle chaos during holiday shopping, all the materials listed above can easily be ordered from Amazon and shipped right to your door. That means less time running errands and more time making memories with your little ones!
These easy Christmas crafts are not only fun for kids but also help make your holiday season a bit brighter and more meaningful. Whether you’re decorating the house or giving homemade gifts, these projects will keep your kids entertained and proud of what they create.
If you’re planning to tackle any of these crafts, you can grab all the materials you need through the affiliate links above. Happy crafting, and here’s to a magical (and crafty!) Christmas season!
