Paper Bag Christmas Crafts for Kids: Festive and Easy Ideas

Paper bags might be so boring, but with a bit of creativity, they can become awesome Christmas magic: they can be made into puppets, can be handmade into decorations, can be crafted in pennies and are great for kids of any age. You only need to take your scissors, glue, and Christmas spirit!

1. Paper Bag Reindeer

Materials:

• Brown paper lunch bags
• Brown construction paper
• Red pom-poms or buttons
• Black markers
• Googly eyes
• Glue sticks
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Stuff paper bag with tissue paper or newspaper crumpled up
2. Top of bag fold and rubber band
3. Cut antler shapes from brown construction paper
4. Glue the antlers to the twisted top of the bag
5. Attach googly eyes and a red pom-pom nose
6. Draw on a mouth with black marker

There’s nothing quite so sweet as the expression on children’s faces when they discover Rudolph had been sitting in their lunch bag the entire time. These small reindeer buddies are ideal for gift toppers or table decorations. Explore 15 easy reindeer craft ideas for kids here.

2. Santa Claus Gift Bags

Materials:

• White or brown paper bags
• Red construction paper
• Cotton balls
• Pink construction paper
• Glue sticks
• Scissors
• Black marker

Instructions:

1. Cut out a large triangular shape from red paper for Santa’s hat
2. Glue the hat to the top portion of the bag
3. Add a cotton ball to the tip of the hat
4. Cut a beard shape from white paper and glue below the hat
5. Add cotton balls to make the beard fluffy
6. Cut small circles for eyes from white paper, add black dots
7. Cut a small pink circle for the nose
8. Draw on a smile with black marker

Kids love the process of building Santa’s face piece by piece, and honestly, the wonkier the better. Each bag becomes its own unique version of jolly old St. Nick. Explore more super easy Santa crafts for kids to try this Christmas.

3. Christmas Tree Treat Bags

Materials:

• Green paper bags
• Brown construction paper
• Star stickers or yellow paper
• Colorful buttons or small pom-poms
• Glue sticks
• Scissors
• Ribbon

Instructions:

1. Cut the top of the green bag into a triangle tree shape
2. Cut a small rectangle from brown paper for the trunk
3. Glue the trunk to the bottom of the bag
4. Decorate with buttons or pom-poms as ornaments
5. Add a star to the top using stickers or cut yellow paper
6. Wrap ribbon around the “trunk” section for extra decoration

They make great party favor bags, and kids just love the idea that their Christmas tree can double as a storage unit for snacks. It’s the greatest magic trick. Check out 25 other Christmas tree crafts for kids here.

4. Paper Bag Gingerbread Houses

Materials:

• Brown paper lunch bags
• White paint or correction fluid
• Cotton swabs
• Colorful cereal pieces (like Fruit Loops)
• Glue sticks
• Brown and white crayons
• Small candies (optional)

Instructions:

1. Fold down the top of the brown bag to create a house shape
2. Use white paint and cotton swabs to add “icing” details
3. Draw door and window outlines with brown crayon
4. Glue colorful cereal pieces as decorative elements
5. Add white crayon details for snow on the roof
6. Fill with small treats if desired

5. Christmas Angel Puppets

Materials:

• White or cream paper bags
• Yellow or brown yarn
• White coffee filters or tissue paper
• Gold star stickers
• Pink crayons
• Black markers
• Glue sticks
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Draw a face on the bottom of the upside-down bag
2. Glue yarn pieces for hair around the face
3. Fold coffee filters in half and glue to sides as wings
4. Add gold star stickers to the wings
5. Color rosy cheeks with pink crayon
6. Draw eyes and mouth with black marker
7. Add a gold star sticker as a halo above the head

These angels are ideal for small nativity plays, and there’s something really nice about seeing children bring their paper bag friends to life using puppet shows.

6. Paper Bag Snowman

Materials

• Black paper bag (or brown bag with black paper/paint)
• White construction paper (for the belly)
• Orange construction paper (for the beak)
• Googly eyes
• Colorful fabric scrap, ribbon, or paper strip (for the scarf)
• Glue stick or craft glue
• Scissors
• Cotton balls (optional, for snow decoration)

Instructions

1. Cover a paper bag with black construction paper or paint it black.
2. Cut a large oval from white paper and glue it to the front for the belly.
3. Cut a triangle from orange paper and glue it on as the beak.
4. Attach googly eyes above the beak.
5. Cut two black wings from construction paper and glue them to the sides.
6. Tie a colorful strip of fabric, ribbon, or paper around the “neck” as a scarf.
7. (Optional) Place cotton balls around the base to look like snow.

Kids will love this cuddly snowman they can create indoors without any snow!

7. Elf Gift Bags

Materials

• Brown or green paper bag (green construction paper can be glued on)
• Red and green construction paper (for hat, collar, accents)
• Beige/tan construction paper (for ears/face)
• Pink paper or markers (for cheeks)
• Googly eyes
• Cotton balls (for hat trim)
• Colored paper circles or real buttons (for shirt)
• Glue stick or craft glue
• Scissors
• Black marker

Instructions

1. Cover the paper bag with green construction paper if it isn’t already green.
2. Cut a beige/tan rectangle and glue it on the flap for the face.
3. Add googly eyes, pink paper circles (or color with marker) for cheeks, and draw a smile with a black marker.
4. Cut and glue on elf ears from beige/tan paper.
5. Make a red triangle hat and glue cotton balls along the bottom edge.
6. Add green zig-zag shapes for the hat trim and glue them under the cotton.
7. Cut or glue on large buttons (or use real ones) down the front of the elf’s body.

Check out more elf crafts for kids here!

8. Elf Shoe Stockings

Materials:

• Green paper bags
• Red construction paper
• Jingle bells
• Ribbon
• Glue sticks
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Markers or crayons

Instructions:

1. Cut the paper bag to create a boot/shoe shape
2. Curl the toe end upward to create the elf shoe point
3. Cut zigzag trim from red paper
4. Glue the trim around the top opening of the “shoe”
5. Punch holes near the top for ribbon
6. Thread ribbon through holes to create a hanger
7. Attach a jingle bell to the curled toe
8. Decorate with additional colors as desired

These cute little stockings bring such charm to any Christmas vignette. And the jingle bells bring that nice touch of holiday music to each soft breeze.

9. Star of Bethlehem Lanterns

Materials:

• Yellow or gold paper bags
• Star-shaped hole punch or templates
• Battery-operated string lights
• Clear tape
• Glue sticks
• Glitter (optional)
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Use star punch to create star patterns all over the bag
2. If no star punch, cut small stars with scissors using templates
3. Add glitter around the star holes for extra sparkle
4. Place battery-operated string lights inside the bag
5. Fold top of bag down and tape in place
6. Turn on lights to test the star pattern effect

The manner in which light glows through those little small star holes makes something so enchanting. It’s almost like having a portion of the Christmas story right in your own living room.

10. Christmas Owl Ornaments

Materials:

• Brown paper bags
• Felt pieces in various colors
• Large googly eyes
• Orange or yellow construction paper
• Ribbon
• Cotton stuffing
• Glue sticks
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Fill small paper bags with cotton stuffing
2. Twist and tie the top with ribbon, leaving long ends
3. Cut wing shapes from brown felt
4. Glue wings to the sides of the bag
5. Attach large googly eyes
6. Cut small triangle from orange paper for beak
7. Use the ribbon ends to hang as ornaments

These clever little owls provide just such a homey woodland feel to Christmas displays. Kids love the way the big googly eyes impart each owl with its very own personality. Explore 24 other Christmas tree ornaments to make with your kids,

11. Paper Bag Christmas Stockings

Materials:

• Red, green, or white paper bags
• Felt pieces
• Ribbon or yarn
• Jingle bells
• Glue sticks
• Scissors
• Markers or paint
• Cotton balls

Instructions:

1. Stuff lightly with tissue paper to maintain shape
2. Cut paper bags into traditional stocking shapes
3. Decorate with felt pieces in Christmas shapes
4. Add cotton balls to the top for fur trim
5. Attach jingle bells with glue
6. Use markers to add names or designs
7. Punch hole at top and add ribbon for hanging
8. Stuff loosely with tissue paper to keep shape

12. Snowman Luminaries

Materials:

• White paper bags
• Orange construction paper
• Black construction paper
• Battery-operated tea lights
• Hole punch
• Glue sticks
• Scissors
• Clear tape

Instructions:

1. Use hole punch to create snowflake patterns on the white bag
2. Cut small triangle from orange paper for carrot nose
3. Cut small circles from black paper for eyes and mouth
4. Glue face pieces to one side of the bag
5. Cut thin strips of black paper for stick arms
6. Place battery-operated tea light inside the bag
7. Fold top of bag down and secure with tape

When you turn off the lights and these little snowmen start glowing, it creates the most magical atmosphere. Kids are always amazed by how something so simple can look so enchanting.

13. Grinch Puppet

Materials:

• Brown paper lunch bags
• Green construction paper
• Red construction paper
• White construction paper
• Glue stick
• Scissors
• Black marker

Instructions:

1. Cut green paper to cover front flap of paper bag
2. Glue green paper to bag flap
3. Cut red triangle for hat and glue to top of flap
4. Cut small white circle and glue to hat tip
5. Draw eyes on the flap portion with black marker
6. Draw mouth on the bag body below the flap
7. Add eyebrows and other Grinch details
8. Insert hand into bag to operate puppet

Explore more fun Grinch crafts for kids here.

Christmas crafts need not be expensive or time-consuming. Paper bag crafts for kids are not only versatile but affordable. They can create decorations, puppets, and gift bags that add an added touch of magic to Christmas.

…

Looking for more holiday inspo? Explore cute pipe cleaner crafts, easy popsicle stick Christmas crafts, and handmade Christmas cards for kids.

You can also find budget-friendly painted rock ideas for Christmas, paper plate crafts, and  toilet paper roll crafts – fun ways for kids to celebrate the holiday. Don’t miss our Preschool Christmas Gifts for Parents post for more handmade holiday inspiration!

Once Christmas has passed, don’t pack away the creativity—discover even more fun in our winter crafts for kids collection!