Modern Kids Toys

Introduction to Christmas Crafts for Preschoolers

The holiday season is my favorite time to get crafty with the little ones in my life. There’s something magical about watching a preschooler’s face light up when they create their very own Christmas decoration. As someone who’s spent countless December afternoons covered in glitter and glue (sometimes more than the crafts themselves!), I can tell you that Christmas crafts for preschoolers offer so much more than just festive decorations.

These creative activities help develop fine motor skills, encourage imagination, and create lasting memories. I remember the year my nephew proudly hung his handmade ornament on the tree and announced it was “the most beautiful thing ever” – that moment alone was worth all the cleanup afterward!

I’ve compiled 15 of my favorite preschooler-friendly Christmas crafts that are simple enough for little hands but still create impressive results. These DIY projects use materials you likely already have at home, making them perfect for impromptu crafting sessions when cabin fever strikes.

1. Paper Plate Snowman

Paper plate snowmen are a classic for good reason – they’re incredibly easy to make yet utterly adorable. I’ve found this craft works wonderfully even with the youngest preschoolers.

• Start with a plain white paper plate
• Let your child glue cotton balls all around the edge
• Use markers or construction paper to add eyes, a carrot nose, and a smile
• Cut out a small hat from black construction paper
• Add a ribbon scarf for extra flair

Pro Tip: For a 3D effect, use two paper plates and staple them together at the top, stuffing a few cotton balls between them to create a puffy snowman face.

2. Handprint Christmas Tree

This Christmas craft for preschoolers creates a keepsake you’ll treasure for years. I still have my daughter’s tiny handprint tree from when she was three, and it brings tears to my eyes every December when I unpack it.

• Paint your child’s hand with green washable paint
• Press it onto paper with fingers spread, pointing downward
• Make 3-5 handprints, slightly overlapping to form a tree shape
• Once dry, let them decorate with fingerprint “ornaments” using colorful paint
• Add a yellow handprint at the top as a star (or use a yellow thumbprint)

Pro Tip: Use canvas instead of paper for a more durable keepsake that will last for many Christmases to come.

3. Pine Cone Ornaments

Nature walks become treasure hunts when you’re collecting materials for crafts! Pine cone ornaments are a wonderful way to bring the outdoors inside during winter.

• Collect pine cones during a nature walk (a craft and outdoor activity in one!)
• Tie a ribbon loop around the top of each pine cone for hanging
• Let your preschooler paint the pine cones with washable paint
• While the paint is still wet, sprinkle with glitter
• Optional: add small pompoms as “ornaments” on the pine cone

Pro Tip: Bake pine cones at 200°F for 30 minutes before crafting to eliminate any bugs and fully open the scales.

4. Cotton Ball Snowflakes

I learned the hard way that preschoolers and scissors don’t always mix well. These cotton ball snowflakes require no cutting but still create beautiful results.

• Draw a simple snowflake pattern on blue construction paper
• Help your child apply glue along the lines
• Place cotton balls along the glue lines
• Sprinkle with silver or white glitter for extra sparkle
• Punch a hole at the top and thread with ribbon for hanging

Pro Tip: Pull the cotton balls apart slightly before gluing to create a fluffier, more textured snowflake.

5. Reindeer Headbands

These wearable crafts are always a hit at holiday gatherings. My niece wore hers throughout our entire Christmas dinner last year!

• Cut a strip of brown construction paper to fit around your child’s head
• Help them trace their hands on brown paper and cut out for antlers
• Attach the handprint “antlers” to the headband strip
• Add googly eyes and a red pompom nose
• Secure with staples or tape to fit their head

Pro Tip: For a longer-lasting version, use a plain plastic headband as the base instead of paper.

6. Button Wreaths

This is a perfect craft for using up those random buttons in your sewing box. Just be sure to supervise closely, as buttons can be choking hazards.

• Cut out a ring shape from cardboard (I trace around a small plate, then cut out the center)
• Cover the ring with green paint or paper
• Let your preschooler arrange buttons all over the wreath
• Secure with white glue
• Add a red ribbon bow at the top

Pro Tip: Sort buttons by color beforehand to create patterns or let your child make a rainbow wreath.

7. Santa Beard Masks

These masks never fail to produce giggles and adorable photo opportunities. I still laugh remembering how my son kept his on for hours, even while eating lunch!

• Cut a half-moon shape from a paper plate
• Punch holes on each side and attach elastic or string
• Let your child glue cotton balls all over the plate
• Add a pink construction paper nose above the beard
• Draw rosy cheeks with pink marker or crayon

Pro Tip: For a fun activity, play “Santa says” (like Simon says) while wearing the masks.

8. Yarn Wrapped Stars

This Christmas craft for preschoolers helps develop fine motor skills and creates beautiful ornaments.

• Cut star shapes from cardboard
• Punch a hole at the top for hanging
• Show your child how to wrap colorful yarn around the star
• Secure the yarn end with a dot of glue
• Add sequins or beads for decoration

Pro Tip: Use popsicle sticks glued in a star shape as an alternative to cardboard for a sturdier ornament.

9. Felt Christmas Stockings

These mini stockings are perfect for holding small treats or as decorations.

• Cut stocking shapes from red felt (two identical pieces per stocking)
• Help your child glue the edges together, leaving the top open
• Cut a small strip of white felt for the top trim
• Let them decorate with fabric paint, sequins, or felt shapes
• Add a loop of ribbon for hanging

Pro Tip: Use fabric glue rather than white glue for a stronger bond that won’t fall apart.

10. Jingle Bell Bracelets

These musical bracelets are not just crafts but also instruments for holiday songs!

• Measure pipe cleaners to fit around your child’s wrist
• Thread jingle bells onto the pipe cleaner
• Twist the ends together to secure
• Add beads between bells for extra color
• Bend the sharp ends inward for safety

Pro Tip: Make extras to give as gifts to grandparents or teachers.

11. Craft Stick Puppets

These puppets inspire imaginative play long after the crafting is done.

• Paint craft sticks in festive colors
• Cut out holiday character shapes from construction paper (Santa, reindeer, elves)
• Help your child glue these onto the craft sticks
• Add details with markers, googly eyes, and scraps of fabric
• Create a simple puppet theater from a cardboard box

Pro Tip: Record your child’s puppet show to share with distant family members who can’t visit for the holidays.

12. Glitter Pine Trees

Fair warning: this craft involves glitter, so prepare for some sparkly cleanup! But the results are worth it.

• Cut triangular tree shapes from green construction paper
• Let your child apply glue in patterns on the tree
• Sprinkle with glitter and shake off excess
• Add a small brown rectangle as a trunk
• Display on windows or attach to string for hanging

Pro Tip: Do this craft in a cardboard box to contain the glitter mess!

13. Egg Carton Reindeer

Upcycling at its finest! These little reindeer are adorable and eco-friendly.

• Cut individual cups from an egg carton
• Paint them brown
• Add googly eyes or draw them with markers
• Cut pipe cleaners in half and attach as antlers
• Glue on a red pompom nose

Pro Tip: Make a whole family of reindeer in different sizes by using both regular and mini egg cartons.

14. Paper Chain Garland

This classic craft teaches patience and pattern-making.

• Cut strips of red, green, and white construction paper
• Show your child how to form a loop and secure with glue or tape
• Thread the next strip through and form another loop
• Continue until the chain reaches desired length
• Hang on your tree or across a doorway

Pro Tip: Create a countdown chain with 24 links in December, removing one each day until Christmas.

15. Popsicle Stick Snowflakes

These sturdy ornaments have survived multiple Christmas seasons in my house.

• Arrange 6-8 popsicle sticks in