20 Magical Christmas Crafts for Kids Perfect for School or Home

Christmas holiday season means glue sticks, construction paper, and a little bit of creative chaos. Something magical happens when children get carried away with Christmas crafting. These 20 Christmas crafts for kids are great for creating memories that will last even after all the ornaments are packed away.

1. Paper Plate Angels

A cute angel made with white paper plate and cotton balls.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut one paper plate in half to create wings
  2. Glue the wings to the back of a whole paper plate to form the angel’s body.
  3. Cut a circle from the leftover plate to make the angel’s face and glue it onto the top center.
  4. Glue cotton balls around the face to create hair.
  5. Use a black marker to draw eyes, a nose, and a smiling mouth on the face.
  6. Twist a gold pipe cleaner into a halo shape and glue or tape it behind the head.

These sweet little angels are among the most beloved Christian Christmas crafts for kids. Explore more easy paper plate Christmas crafts for kids.

2. Handprint Christmas Trees

A handprint Christmas tree.

Materials:f

Instructions:

  1. Trace child’s hand on green paper multiple times
  2. Cut out 3-4 handprints
  3. Arrange handprints in tree shape, largest at bottom
  4. Glue handprints overlapping slightly
  5. Cut a small rectangle from brown paper for trunk
  6. Glue trunk at the bottom
  7. Add star at top and decorate with pom-poms

This is one of those Christmas crafts for kids at school that teachers absolutely love because it’s personal and makes a wonderful keepsake. Explore more easy Christmas tree crafts for kids here.

3. Felt Christmas Stockings

A felt Christmas stocking.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut stocking shape from colored felt (cut two pieces)
  2. Cut cuff shape from white felt
  3. Glue white cuff to top of one stocking piece
  4. Decorate with child’s name using markers
  5. Glue sequins or buttons as decorations
  6. Glue or sew the two stocking pieces together, leaving top open
  7. Add ribbon loop for hanging

These adorable stockings are perfect Christmas keepsake crafts for kids that families will treasure for years.

4. Pinecone Christmas Trees

A Christmas tree painted in a pine cone.

Materials:

  • Pinecones (various sizes)
  • Small paintbrushes
  • Small star stickers or beads
  • Green acrylic paint
  • White paint for snow effect
  • Small pom-poms
  • Glue
  • Small wooden base (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Paint pinecone green and let dry completely
  2. Dab white paint on tips for snow effect
  3. Glue small star to the top
  4. Add tiny pom-poms as ornaments
  5. Glue to wooden base if desired
  6. Let dry completely before handling

These Christmas tree crafts for kids work beautifully as part of a winter nature study, and kids love hunting for the perfect pinecones during family walks.

5. Cupcake Liner Christmas Trees

A Christmas tree made with green cupcake liners.

Materials:

  • Green cupcake liners
  • Small colored paper dots (ornaments)
  • Yellow paper (for star)
  • Scissors
  • Glue

Instructions:

  1. Flatten and stack green cupcake liners in layers to form a tree shape.
  2. Glue small paper dots onto the tree as ornaments.
  3. Cut out a yellow paper star and glue it to the top.

6. Reindeer Handprint Cards

A Handprint reindeer card.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Fold cardstock to create card
  2. Trace child’s hand on brown paper
  3. Cut out handprint
  4. Glue handprint to front of card with fingers pointing up (antlers)
  5. Cut small circle from red paper for nose
  6. Glue on googly eyes and red nose
  7. Draw mouth with black marker
  8. Write holiday message inside

These charming cards are among the most popular homemade Christmas card crafts for kids.

7. Cotton Ball Snowmen

A cotton ball snowman.

Materials:

  • Cotton balls
  • Black buttons or circles
  • Orange construction paper
  • Blue construction paper for background
  • Glue stick
  • Black marker
  • Small strips of fabric for scarf

Instructions:

  1. Glue three cotton balls in snowman shape on blue paper
  2. Cut tiny triangle from orange paper for carrot nose
  3. Glue nose to middle cotton ball
  4. Add black buttons down the front
  5. Draw stick arms with black marker
  6. Tie small fabric strip around neck for scarf
  7. Draw coal eyes and smile

This is definitely one of those cute Christmas crafts for kids that brings out everyone’s creative side.

8. Egg Carton Bells

A pair of bells made with egg cartons.

Materials:

  • Egg carton cups
  • Gold paint (or markers)
  • Paintbrush
  • Yarn or string
  • Small beads
  • Scissors
  • Hole punch (optional, or use scissors to poke hole)

Instructions:

  1. Cut out individual cups from an egg carton.
  2. Paint the cups gold and let them dry completely.
  3. Use a hole punch or scissors to make a small hole in the top of each cup.
  4. Thread a piece of yarn through the hole.
  5. Tie a bead to the loose end inside the cup to act as the clapper.
  6. Tie a loop at the top of the yarn for hanging.

9. Paper Plate Santa

A Santa made with paper plate, red construction paper and cotton balls.

Materials:

  • Paper plates
  • Cotton balls
  • Red construction paper
  • White construction paper
  • Pink construction paper
  • Black marker
  • Red marker
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Cut paper plate in half
  2. Cut triangle from red paper for hat
  3. Glue hat to top of plate
  4. Cut circle from pink paper for face
  5. Glue face to center of plate
  6. Glue cotton balls for beard around bottom edge
  7. Add cotton ball to tip of hat
  8. Draw eyes and rosy cheeks

Santa crafts are always a hit, and this one falls perfectly into the category of easy kids Christmas crafts. Explore more super easy Santa Claus crafts here.

10. Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Trees

A Christmas tree made with a toilet paper roll.

Materials:

  • Empty toilet paper rolls
  • Brown construction paper
  • Green construcction paper
  • Small star stickers
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors
  • Crayons or markers
  • Small stickers for decorations

Instructions:

  1. Cover toilet paper roll with green construction paper
  2. Cut small trunk from brown paper and glue to bottom
  3. Cut Christmas tree shape from green paper
  4. Decorate tree with crayons and small stickers
  5. Glue decorated tree to covered roll
  6. Add star sticker to top
  7. Stand upright for 3D display

Recycling meets creativity in this eco-friendly craft that kids absolutely love. Your kids may also love these other 25 Christmas tree crafts. 

11. Candy Cane Ornaments

A candy cane ornament made with pipe cleaners.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Twist red and white pipe cleaners together
  2. Shape into candy cane form
  3. Curl the top into a hook
  4. Thread small jingle bell onto bottom
  5. Secure bell by twisting pipe cleaner end
  6. Attach ribbon loop for hanging

Sometimes the simplest Christmas crafts for kids are the most satisfying. Check out more Christmas pipe cleaner crafts here.

12. Paper Snow Globes

A paper snow globe.

Materials:

  • Clear plastic cups
  • Blue construction paper
  • White paper circles (hole punch confetti)
  • Christmas stickers
  • Clear tape
  • Glue stick
  • Cotton balls for clouds

Instructions:

  1. Cut blue paper to fit inside cup as background
  2. Add Christmas stickers to blue paper
  3. Glue paper inside cup
  4. Add white paper circles for “snow”
  5. Stretch cotton balls for clouds at top
  6. Tape securely (adult supervision needed)
  7. Turn upside down and gently shake

These magical little snow globes capture the wonder of a winter wonderland in miniature form.

13. Mini Christmas Wreath

A Christmas wreath made with popsicle sticks.

Materials:

  • 6-8 popsicle sticks (or more, if you want it bigger)
  • Green paint
  • Small red beads or buttons
  • Red ribbon
  • Glue
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Paint all popsicle sticks green and let dry
  2. Arrange sticks in a circular pattern, overlapping at the ends
  3. Glue all connection points to form a wreath shape
  4. Attach small red beads or buttons as berries
  5. Cut a small piece of red ribbon and tie into a bow
  6. Glue the bow to the bottom of the wreath

These miniature wreaths are incredibly cute and make perfect decorations for a kid’s room. Plus, they’re one of those popsicle stick Christmas crafts that actually look quite sophisticated. Explore more popsicle stick Christmas crafts for kids, along with these 12 Christmas wreaths they’ll love to create.

14. Felt Christmas Ornaments

Felt Christmas ornaments.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut simple Christmas shapes from felt (trees, stars, stockings)
  2. Cut two of each shape for front and back
  3. Decorate one side with markers, buttons, or sequins
  4. Apply fabric glue around edges
  5. Press pieces together, leaving small opening
  6. Complete gluing and add ribbon loop
  7. Add cotton stuffing if desired

These soft, touchable ornaments are perfect for little hands.

15. Paper Bag Reindeer

A paper bag reindeer.

Materials:

  • Brown paper lunch bags
  • Googly eyes (or draw eyes with markers)
  • Red pom-pom (for Rudolph’s nose)
  • Brown construction paper (for antlers)
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors
  • Black marker

Instructions:

  1. Turn the paper bag upside down so the flap becomes the face area
  2. Glue on two googly eyes near the top of the flap.
  3. Add a red pom-pom for the nose in the center of the flap.
  4. Cut out two antlers from brown construction paper.
  5. Glue or tape the antlers to the top of the bag.
  6. Use a black marker to draw a smile or other facial details.
  7. Optional: Fill the bag with small treats or tissue

This craft also works wonderfully as one of those Christmas crafts for kids preschool teachers love because it combines creativity with storytelling opportunities. Explore more reindeer fun with 15 easiest reindeer crafts for kids, and these budget-friendly paper bag Christmas crafts.

16. Pom-Pom Reindeer

A pom pom reindeer.

Materials:

  • Large brown pom-pom
  • Small red pom-pom
  • Googly eyes
  • Brown construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue

Instructions:

  1. Glue googly eyes onto the brown pom-pom.
  2. Attach the red pom-pom below the eyes for the nose.
  3. Cut antlers from brown construction paper.
  4. Glue antlers to the top of the pom-pom.

17. Clothespin Reindeer

A clothespin reindeer.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Twist pipe cleaner into antler shape
  2. Glue antlers to top of clothespin
  3. Glue googly eyes to clothespin head
  4. Glue red pom-pom for nose
  5. Let all glue dry completely
  6. Clip to Christmas cards or use as decorations

These tiny reindeer are absolutely precious and so simple that they fall perfectly into the kids Christmas crafts easy category.

18. Paper Angel Chain

An angel chain made with construction paper.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Fold paper accordion-style
  2. Draw angel shape on top fold
  3. Cut through all layers, keeping folds connected at hands
  4. Unfold to reveal chain of angels
  5. Color faces and add halos with gold crayon
  6. Add details to robes
  7. Display across mantle or doorway

These connected angels create a beautiful display and are lovely additions to any collection of Christian Christmas crafts for kids.

19. Button Christmas Tree

A button Christmas tree.

Materials:

  • Green construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick or liquid glue
  • Assorted green, red, and orange buttons
  • Yellow button or star sticker (for the top)

Instructions:

  1. Let the glue dry before displaying.
  2. Cut a large triangle from green construction paper to make the tree shape
  3. Glue the triangle onto a background sheet if desired.
  4. Arrange buttons of different sizes and colors on the tree to look like ornaments.
  5. Glue each button in place, filling the tree shape.
  6. Add a yellow button or star at the top of the tree.

20. Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough Christmas ornaments.

Materials:

  • Acrylic paints
  • Salt
  • Fluor
  • Water
  • Cookie cutters
  • Straw for holes
  • Paintbrushes
  • Ribbon

Instructions:

  1. Mix flour and salt in bowl
  2. Gradually add water until dough forms
  3. Roll dough to ¼ inch thickness
  4. Use cookie cutters to make shapes
  5. Use straw to make holes for hanging
  6. Bake at 200°F for 2-3 hours until hard
  7. Paint when completely cool and add ribbon

These classic ornaments represent the ultimate in Christmas arts and crafts for kids because they’re both fun to make and create lasting keepsakes. Explore more salt dough ornament ideas here.

A girl making Christmas crafts.

Looking for more Christmas inspo? Discover more easy Christmas crafts your kids will love, and 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!

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