Introduction
There’s something magical about a Christmas tree adorned with handmade ornaments, especially when they’re crafted by little hands. As a mom of three who’s weathered countless craft sessions (and cleaned up more glitter than I care to admit), I’ve discovered that DIY Christmas ornament crafts aren’t just activities—they’re memory-makers. Each year when we unpack our ornament collection, my kids beam with pride spotting their creations from years past. Today, I’m sharing 25 kid-friendly ornament ideas that have been tested and approved in our home, plus all the tips I wish I’d known when I started this tradition!
Why DIY Christmas Ornaments?
Let me tell you why making DIY Christmas ornaments with kids has become my favorite holiday tradition. Beyond the obvious benefit of keeping little hands busy during the excitement-filled days before Christmas, these crafts create a treasure trove of keepsakes that tell your family’s story year after year.
When my oldest was four, we made our first salt dough handprints. Now at twelve, he rolls his eyes at the tiny impression, but I catch him smiling when he thinks I’m not looking. These ornaments become time capsules of childhood that you’ll cherish long after the glue dries.
Plus, there’s the learning aspect. My kids have developed fine motor skills, practiced following instructions, and learned about measuring while making ornaments. And let’s be honest—homemade decorations have character that store-bought ones simply can’t match.
Pro Tip: Date each ornament on the back with your child’s name and age. Trust me, in ten years, you’ll be grateful for this detail!
Materials You’ll Need
Before diving into specific projects, let’s talk supplies. I’ve learned (the hard way) that having a well-stocked craft cabinet makes the difference between a fun afternoon and a frustrating one. Here’s what I recommend keeping on hand:
- Construction paper in holiday colors (red, green, white, gold)
- Child-safe scissors (and adult scissors for tougher cuts)
- White school glue and glue sticks
- Paints (washable!) and brushes
- String, yarn, or ribbon for hanging
- Pipe cleaners
- Pom-poms in various sizes
- Googly eyes
- Felt sheets
- Salt, flour, and water (for salt dough)
- Clear plastic ornament balls (available at craft stores)
- Natural materials like pinecones, twigs, and dried orange slices
Pro Tip: I keep a “Christmas Craft Box” that comes out each December with all these supplies. It saves me from hunting down materials every time inspiration strikes, and the kids know exactly where to find what they need.
Easy Paper Ornaments
Paper is the perfect starting point for little crafters—it’s inexpensive, forgiving, and requires minimal prep. Here are five paper ornament crafts kids can make with basic supplies:
- 3D Paper Stars: Cut five identical star shapes, fold each in half, and glue them together to create a dimensional star.
- Paper Strip Trees: Cut graduated lengths of green paper, stack them from largest to smallest, and secure with a brad fastener.
- Accordion Angels: Fold paper accordion-style for the body, add a paper circle face and doily wings.
- Paper Snowflakes: A classic! I still remember the disappointment on my daughter’s face when her first snowflake turned out as a weird blob. The trick? Fold the paper properly before cutting (YouTube tutorials saved us).
- Woven Paper Hearts: A Scandinavian tradition that looks complicated but is actually manageable for kids around 7+.
Pro Tip: For paper ornaments that will last multiple seasons, laminate them after they’re complete or coat with a thin layer of Mod Podge.
Creative Salt Dough Ornaments
Salt dough ornaments have been my family’s go-to for years. They’re essentially edible play dough (though I don’t recommend snacking on them!) that hardens when baked. Here’s my foolproof recipe and five creative ways to use it:
Basic Salt Dough Recipe:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup warm water
Mix ingredients until you have a smooth dough. If it’s too sticky, add more flour; if too dry, add water drops.
- Handprint Keepsakes: Press your child’s hand into rolled dough, cut around it, add a hole for hanging, and bake.
- Cookie Cutter Shapes: Use holiday cookie cutters to create classic shapes, then let kids paint after baking.
- Fingerprint Light Strings: Form a string of lights shape, then let kids add colorful fingerprint “bulbs.”
- Personalized Name Ornaments: Roll out letters or use alphabet cookie cutters to spell names.
- Paw Print Memorials: Don’t forget the furry family members! Our dog’s paw print ornament became especially meaningful after he passed.
Pro Tip: Bake salt dough ornaments at 250°F (120°C) for 2-3 hours until completely hard. I once rushed this process and ended up with ornaments that crumbled within days—patience pays off!
Unique Nature-inspired Ornaments
Some of our most beautiful Christmas ornament crafts have come from materials we gathered on family walks. Nature-inspired ornaments bring an organic element to your tree and connect kids to the outdoors:
- Pinecone Elves: Add felt hats, googly eyes, and tiny pom-pom noses to pinecones.
- Dried Orange Slice Suncatchers: Slice oranges thinly, dry in a 200°F oven for 4-6 hours, and add ribbon.
- Twig Stars: Arrange five small twigs in a star pattern and secure with twine or hot glue (adult help needed).
- Pressed Leaf Ornaments: Preserve colorful fall leaves between wax paper or laminating sheets.
- Acorn Cap Bells: String acorn caps together with beads to create a miniature bell garland.
Pro Tip: When collecting natural materials, make it a scavenger hunt! Give kids a list of items to find, turning the gathering process into part of the fun.
Fun Felt Ornaments
Felt is my secret weapon for kid crafts. It’s colorful, doesn’t fray, and is forgiving for little hands still developing fine motor skills. Here are five felt ornaments that even my preschooler could manage (with a little help):
- Felt Gingerbread People: Cut gingerbread shapes and decorate with buttons, ribbon, and fabric paint.
- Stuffed Felt Trees: Cut two identical tree shapes, sew or glue edges leaving a small opening, stuff with cotton, and seal.
- Felt Mitten Pairs: Create matching mitten pairs in different patterns—they look adorable strung together.
- Pocket Ornaments: Make small felt pockets that can hold tiny treasures or notes.
- Felt Photo Frames: Create simple frames from felt and insert small family photos.
Pro Tip: For younger children who can’t manage needle and thread, fabric glue works wonderfully. Just allow plenty of drying time before handling.
More Creative Ornament Ideas
Still looking for inspiration? Here are five more DIY Christmas ornament ideas that have been hits in our home:
- Clothespin Reindeer: Transform wooden clothespins with brown paint, googly eyes, and red pom-pom noses.
- Puzzle Piece Wreaths: Glue puzzle pieces (from incomplete sets) into a circle and paint green.
- Popsicle Stick Sleds: Glue sticks together, add runners, and embellish with tiny decorations.
- Clear Ornament Fill-ups: Fill clear plastic ornaments with colorful pom-poms, beads, or even glitter (if you’re braver than I am).
- Cardboard Tube Angels: Upcycle toilet paper tubes into sweet angels with paper wings and yarn hair.
Pro Tip: When crafting with multiple children, I’ve found it helpful to create a “sample” ornament first. This gives kids a vision of the finished product while still allowing for creative interpretation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is appropriate for making DIY ornaments?
Children as young as 2 can participate in ornament making with simplified tasks like adding stickers or fingerprints. By age 4-5, most kids can handle basic cutting and gluing with supervision. Complex projects involving sewing or detailed work are better for kids 8+. Remember, it’s about the process, not perfection!
How can I ensure the ornaments are safe for kids?
Always use non-toxic materials and supervise closely, especially with small items that could be choking hazards. For younger children, avoid buttons, small beads, and other tiny decorations. Opt for child-safe scissors and washable paints. When in doubt, I always err on the side of caution—I learned this lesson after finding my toddler with a mouthful of sequins!
What are some eco-friendly materials for ornaments?
Some of our favorite eco-friendly materials include recycled paper, cardboard from packaging, natural items like pinecones and twigs, fabric scraps, and biodegradable glues. We also repurpose old Christmas cards into new ornaments—a tradition my grandmother started that we continue today.
Can these crafts be used as gifts?
Absolutely! Handmade ornaments make heartwarming gifts for grandparents, teachers, and family friends. We often make extras specifically for gifting. For a special touch, we include a photo of the child with their creation and the date. These personal gifts are often treasured more than store-bought items.
How should I store homemade ornaments?
I learned the hard way that tossing handmade ornaments in a box leads to broken hearts come next December. Now I wrap fragile ornaments in tissue paper and store them in compartmentalized containers or egg cartons. For salt dough ornaments, I add a silica gel packet to prevent moisture
