Kids can get their hands dirty and have lots of fun during the holiday season, which is a great excuse for glitter, paint, and paper. These cute Christmas crafts for kids are quick, easy, and inexpensive so they can be done at home or in the classroom.
1. Paper Plate Santa
Materials
- White paper plate
- Red construction paper
- Pink construction paper or red pom-pom
- Cotton balls
- Black markers
- Glue
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Cut a triangle from red paper for Santa’s hat
- Glue the hat to the top of the plate
- Add cotton balls for the hat trim and beard
- Draw on eyes with marker
- Glue on the nose
- Glue a cotton ball for the hat’s pom-pom
Kids love this festive favorite — one of the most loved Christmas art and crafts for kids that’s easy and joyful for preschool or home fun. Explore more easy and fun Santa crafts here.
2. Handprint Reindeer
Materials
- Brown paint
- Construction paper
- Googly eyes
- Red pom-poms
- Black marker
- Glue
Instructions:
- Paint child’s hand brown and press onto paper
- Let the handprint dry completely
- Glue on googly eyes near the thumb area
- Add a red pom-pom nose
- Draw a mouth with black marker (the fingers become the antlers)
This classic, easy Christmas craft for kids keeps little ones giggling while creating adorable keepsakes. Look for more reindeer craft ideas for preschoolers and older kids here.
3. Festive Snowman
Materials
- Popsicle sticks (1 or more if you want it wider)
- White paint
- Black marker or small black beads
- Orange marker or small orange bead
- Colorful ribbons or fabric scrap
- Glue
Instructions:
- Paint the popsicle sticks white and let dry
- Glue the sticks side by side to form the snowman’s body
- Use black marker to draw two dots for eyes and small dots for buttons
- Add an orange triangle or bead for the carrot nose
- Tie a small ribbon around the “neck” area for a scarf
- Draw a smile with the black marker
Popsicle stick crafts are perfect holiday activities – cheap, manageable mess, and kids love the results.
4. Cotton Ball Snowmen
Materials
- Cotton balls
- Black paper
- Glue
- Orange construction paper
- Buttons
Instructions
- Glue three cotton balls in a row.
- Cut out a hat and carrot nose.
- Add eyes and buttons for detail.
This is an easy and adorable Christmas crafts for kids activity that also teaches kids about shapes and textures.
5. Paper Chain Garland
Materials
- Red construction paper
- Green construction paper strips
- Glue sticks
Instructions:
- Cut paper into strips about 1 inch wide and 6 inches long
- Form the first strip into a circle and glue closed
- Thread the next strip through the first circle
- Close the second strip to form a chain link
- Continue alternating colors until desired length
A nostalgic addition to any home or classroom — Christmas crafts for kids to make don’t get simpler than this.
6. Thumbprint Christmas Lights
Materials
- Black construction paper
- Colorful ink pads
- Thin black marker
Instructions:
- Draw a wavy line across the paper with marker for the wire
- Press thumbs into different colored inks
- Stamp the colored thumbprints above the line to create light bulbs
- Add small lines with marker connecting each “bulb” to the wire
- Let dry completely
A colorful Christmas craft that doubles as wall art or a class display.
7. Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Tree
Materials:
- Toilet paper rolls
- Green construction paper
- Glue
- Brown paint
- Star stickers
- Foam shapes or small circular stickers
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Paint toilet paper rolls brown for tree trunks
- Let dry completely
- Cut green construction paper into cone shapes
- Roll and glue paper into cone shapes that fit over rolls
- Slide cones onto painted rolls
- Secure with glue if needed
- Add star stickers to tops
- Decorate with circular stickers as ornaments
Discover more budget-friendly toilet paper roll Christmas crafts to make at home or school.
8. Salt Dough Ornaments
Materials
- Acrylic paints
- Salt
- Fluor
- Water
- Cookie cutters
- Straw for holes
- Paintbrushes
- Ribbon
Instructions:
- Mix flour and salt in bowl
- Gradually add water until dough forms
- Roll dough to ¼ inch thickness
- Use cookie cutters to make shapes
- Use straw to make holes for hanging
- Bake at 200°F for 2-3 hours until hard
- Paint when completely cool and add ribbon
Excellent Christmas crafts ideas for kids to create handmade gifts for the family. Look for more salt dough ornament ideas here.
9. Christmas Tree Farm Scene
Materials
- 1 white paper plate
- Green triangle cutouts
- Brown rectangles
- Cotton balls
- Blue paint or paper
- Glue
- Star stickers
Instructions:
- Paint or cover the plate with blue for sky
- Cut various sized triangles from green paper for trees
- Cut small brown rectangles for tree trunks
- Arrange and glue trees across the bottom of the plate
- Stretch cotton balls and glue as snow on trees
- Add star stickers to tree tops
- Create snow drifts with cotton along the bottom
These paper plate Christmas crafts are cute and fun for your kids. At the same time, they make lovely gifts for grandparents.
10. Egg Carton Penguin
Materials
- Egg carton cups
- Black and white paint
- Orange foam sheets
- Googly eyes
- Glue
Instructions
- Paint the cup black leaving a white oval on the front for the belly.
- Cut and glue orange beak and feet.
- Glue on googly eyes and add a small scarf if desired.
- Optional: Use felt to make earmuffs.
Egg carton Christmas crafts are cheap, sustainable, and super cute for holiday displays or gifting.
11. The Grinch
Materials:
- Empty toilet paper rolls
- Green paint
- Red construction paper
- White construction paper
- Black marker
- Glue stick
- Scissors
- Cotton balls
Instructions:
- Paint toilet paper roll green and let dry
- Cut a triangle from red paper for the hat
- Glue hat to one end of the roll
- Draw two black dots for eyes
- Cut a small white strip and glue below eyes for the snout area
- Draw a small curved line for the mouth
- Glue cotton ball to tip of hat
- Add eyebrows with black marker for extra Grinch attitude
Check out this festive collection of Grinch crafts for kids.
12. Pom-Pom Christmas Wreath
Materials
- Cardboard wreath rings
- Green pom-poms
- Glue
- Ribbon bow
Instructions
- Cut a large cardboard ring.
- Glue green pom-poms all around.
- Add a red bow.
This wreath can be used for decorating doors or walls. Look out for more Christmas wreath crafts for kids using simple supplies.
13. Glitter Pinecones
Materials
- Pinecones
- School glue
- Glitter
Instructions
- Spread glue over the tips of the pinecone.
- Cover with glitter abundantly.
- Let dry fully.
Nature meets sparkle in this easy Christmas craft for kids. Explore these pinecone Christmas crafts with fun steps where kids can join in.
14. Button Christmas Tree
Materials
- Cardboard triangle base
- Assorted buttons
- White glue
- Brown felt or paper for trunk
- Small star button or sticker
Instructions:
- Cut triangle shape from cardboard
- Glue brown rectangle at bottom for trunk
- Cover triangle with green paint (optional)
- Glue buttons all over the tree shape
- Add special button or sticker as star
A hands-on favorite — one of the sweetest Christmas crafts for kids to make at home or daycare. Explore 25 Christmas tree crafts for kids here.
15. Snow Globe Drawing
Materials
- Blue paper
- White crayon
- Glitter glue
- Stickers for crafts
Instructions
- Draw a round snow globe.
- Add snow with the crayon.
- Decorate inside with glitter and stickers.
This imaginative Christmas crafts for kids project encourages creativity and storytelling.
16. Santa Spoon Puppet
Materials
- Wooden spoon
- Red paint
- White paint
- Pink paint
- Black marker
- Cotton balls
- Red felt sheets or paper (for hat)
- Small red pom-pom (for nose)
- Glue
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Paint spoon handle red for Santa’s body; paint bowl pink for face. Let dry.
- Glue cotton balls around face for beard and along handle for trim.
- Cut a red felt/paper triangle hat, add cotton ball at tip, and glue on top.
- Draw eyes and mouth with marker.
- Draw eyebrows and moustache with with paint.
- Glue red pom-pom for nose.
17. Paper Plate Reindeer Face
Materials
- Brown paper plates
- Googly eyes
- Red pom-pom
- Brown construction paper
- Glue sticks
- Black marker
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Use brown paper plate as the reindeer’s face
- Cut antler shapes from brown construction paper
- Glue antlers to the top back of the plate
- Attach googly eyes in the center area
- Glue red pom-pom below eyes for nose
- Draw a smiling mouth with black marker
- Add any additional facial features
18. Sock Snowman
Materials
- White sock
- Rice
- Rubber bands
- Craft buttons
- Fabric scraps
Instructions
- Fill sock with rice and tie sections for body and head.
- Add buttons, scarf, and face.
- Display on a shelf.
Adorable and tactile — among the coziest Christmas crafts ideas for kids this season.
19. Santa Painted Rock
Materials:
- Smooth flat rocks
- Red acrylic paint
- White acrylic paint
- Black acrylic paint
- Peach or light pink acrylic paint
- Small paintbrushes
- Clear sealing spray
Instructions:
- Clean and dry the rock.
- Paint the top section red for Santa’s hat, adding a flat white band.
- Paint the lower section peach or light pink for Santa’s face.
- Add two black-dot eyes, bushy white eyebrows, and a small red oval nose.
- Paint a wide white beard across the bottom half of the rock.
- Finish with a simple black smile inside the beard.
- Let dry completely, then spray with clear sealer for protection.
Explore more painted rock Christmas crafts for kids anyone can do here.
20. Elf Hat Headbands
Materials
- Green or red construction paper (two sheets per headband)
- Scissors
- Stapler or glue
- Jingle bells (1–3 per headband)
- String or ribbon (about 6 inches)
- Tape
- White pom-poms or cotton balls (optional)
- Measuring tape
Instructions
- Cut a 2–3 inch strip of paper long enough to fit around your child’s head.
- Cut a large 8–10 inch triangle for the elf hat.
- Thread jingle bells onto a ribbon or string and tie securely.
- Glue or tape the bell string to the hat’s tip.
- Attach the triangle to the front center of the headband strip.
- Add pom-poms or cotton balls along the base for trim.
- Fit the headband around your child’s head and secure the ends.
These Christmas crafts for kids add a slight touch of magic to every moment. No matter if it’s school projects or family crafting time at home, every single idea provides a success that is creative, fun, and full of Christmas spirit.
Don’t miss our Preschool Christmas Gifts for Parents post for more handmade holiday inspiration!
Check out our winter crafts for kids to keep the creativity going all season long!
