24 Fun DIY Christmas Tree Ornaments to Make with Your Kids

These DIY Christmas tree ornaments to make with your kids may not look like store-bought decorations, but they can become treasured memories—and they’re easy enough for the whole family to enjoy. Let’s dive into these Christmas ornaments and have some fun!

1. Paper Snowflake Stars

Materials:

• White copy paper or tissue paper
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Silver or gold glitter
• String or ribbon for hanging
• Pencil

Instructions:

1. Fold paper in half, then fold in half again to create quarters
2. Cut small shapes along folded edges (triangles, circles, diamonds)
3. Carefully unfold to reveal your snowflake pattern
4. Apply a little glue and add glitter
5. Let dry completely before adding hanging string

These paper Christmas ornaments are the perfect activity for that last-minute fix you have to keep little hands busy. They catch the tree lights beautifully and cost practically nothing to make. Explore a guide to 12 beautiful paper snowflake ideas.

2. Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments

Materials:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 1 cup water
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutters or knife
• Paint and brushes
• Ribbon for hanging
• Clear sealant spray

Instructions:

1. Mix flour, salt, and water to create dough
2. Roll out dough to ¼ inch
3. Press child’s handprint into dough or use cookie cutters
4. Use a straw to make a hole for hanging
5. Bake at 200°F for 2-3 hours until hard
6. Let cool, then paint and decorate
7. Seal with clear spray when dry

There’s something about seeing those tiny handprints on your tree that just hits different. Start this tradition early – you’ll thank me later. Explore more ideas for salt dough DIY Christmas ornaments here.

3. Pinecone Snow Owls

Materials:

• Large pinecones
• White paint
• Cotton balls
• Orange felt
• Black beads or buttons
• Hot glue gun (adults only)
• Twine for hanging

Instructions:

1. Paint pinecone tips white to look like snow
2. Let dry completely
3. Glue cotton balls to create owl face
4. Cut small triangles from orange felt for beaks
5. Glue on black beads for eyes and orange felt for beak
6. Attach twine for hanging

These are a few of my favorite DIY Christmas tree ornaments because they bring a little bit of nature indoors. Also, gathering pinecones forces you to send the kids outdoors for some fresh air prior to starting the crafting frenzy.

4. Cinnamon Stick Stars

Materials:

• Cinnamon sticks (5 per ornament)
• Hot glue gun
• Twine or ribbon
• Small bells (optional)
• Essential oil for extra scent
  

Instructions:

1. Arrange cinnamon sticks in star pattern
2. Hot glue intersections carefully (adult job!)
3. Wrap twine around each intersection for extra security
4. Add a hanging loop
5. Attach small bell in center if desired
6. Add drop of cinnamon essential oil for extra fragrance

Not only do these DIY Christmas tree ornaments look rustic and beautiful, but they make your whole tree smell like a bakery. It’s like aromatherapy and decorating rolled into one genius package.

5. Button Snowmen

Materials:

• White buttons (3 different sizes per snowman)
• Black seed beads
• Orange embroidery thread
• Clear fishing line
• Small fabric scraps for scarves
• Craft glue

Instructions:

1. Thread fishing line through largest button for body
2. Add medium button for middle, small for head
3. Glue on seed beads for eyes and buttons
4. Embroider tiny orange carrot nose
5. Tie small fabric strip around neck as scarf
6. Create hanging loop with fishing line

These tiny tree decorations are proof that the smallest details can bring the biggest smiles. My kids love making up personalities for each button snowman – apparently, we have a whole soap opera happening on our Christmas tree.

6. Paper Plate Angels

Materials:

• White paper plates
• Gold or silver spray paint
• Doilies
• Cotton balls
• Markers or crayons
• Glue stick
• Ribbon
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Cut paper plate in half
2. Form cone shape and glue edges together
3. Spray paint gold or silver (outdoors!)
4. Glue doily on for wings
5. Draw face on cotton ball and glue to top
6. Add ribbon halo and hanging loop

I love these paper Christmas ornaments because even my most perfectionist tendencies can’t mess them up. Each angel has its own character, and honestly, the wonky ones are my favorites.

7. Felt Gingerbread People

Materials:

• Brown felt
• Gingerbread man cookie cutter
• White embroidery thread
• Colorful buttons
• Fabric scissors
• Needle
• Ribbon for hanging

Instructions:

1. Trace cookie cutter on felt and cut out two pieces
2. Stitch pieces together with blanket stitch, leaving small opening
3. Stuff lightly with cotton batting
4. Finish stitching closed
5. Sew on buttons for decoration
6. Add ribbon loop for hanging

These DIY Christmas tree ornaments are practically indestructible, which is perfect when you have kids who like to “help” decorate by yanking ornaments off branches. They’re also great for little ones who might put things in their mouths.

8. Mason Jar Lid Snow Globes

Materials:

• Mason jar lids
• Small figurines or trees
• Clear glue or epoxy
• Glycerin
• Glitter
• Distilled water
• Ribbon for decoration

Instructions:

1. Glue figurine to inside of lid
2. Let dry completely (24 hours)
3. Fill jar with distilled water and drop of glycerin
4. Add glitter
5. Screw on lid tightly
6. Decorate rim with ribbon

Okay, I’ll admit it – I made these “for the kids” but spent way too much time shaking them myself. There’s something mesmerizing about watching the glitter swirl around. These Christmas tree ornaments are pure magic.

9. Popsicle Stick Reindeer

Materials:

• Popsicle sticks
• Brown paint
• Small googly eyes
• Red pom-poms
• Brown pipe cleaners
• Hot glue gun
• Twine for hanging

Instructions:

1. Paint popsicle sticks brown and let dry
2. Glue three sticks together
3. Add googly eyes and red pom-pom nose
4. Cut pipe cleaners and glue on as antlers
5. Attach hanging loop

These are some of the most popular DIY Christmas tree ornaments in our house. The kids love the googly eyes – apparently, everything is funnier when it has googly eyes. Can’t argue with that logic. Check out 15 of the easiest reindeer craft ideas for more inspiration.

10. Coffee Filter Snowflakes

Materials:

• Round coffee filters (finally, a use for those beyond making terrible coffee)
• Scissors
• Food coloring or watercolors
• Water
• Dropper or small brush
• String or ribbon
• Hole punch

Instructions:

1. Fold coffee filter in half, then in half again
2. Fold once more to create a narrow triangle
3. Cut various shapes along the edges, avoiding cutting through the point
4. Unfold carefully to reveal your snowflake
5. Using dropper, add small amounts of colored water to different sections
6. Let colors bleed and blend naturally (this is where kids go absolutely wild with excitement)
7. Allow to dry completely (about 30 minutes, perfect for a snack break)
8. Punch hole and add hanging string

These paper Christmas ornaments are absolutely gorgeous when they catch the light, and the tie-dye effect makes each one completely unique. Plus, you probably already have coffee filters at home – win!

11. Walnut Shell Mice

Materials:

• Walnut shell halves
• Gray felt
• Pink felt
• Black seed beads
• Thin cord for tails
• Cotton balls
• Craft glue
• Ribbon for hanging

Instructions:

1. Clean walnut shell halves thoroughly
2. Cut mouse ears from gray felt
3. Glue ears inside shell opening
4. Add seed bead eyes and pink felt nose
5. Glue in small amount of cotton for body
6. Attach cord tail
7. Add hanging ribbon

I know what you’re thinking – mice at Christmas? But trust me, these little guys are absolutely adorable and become instant conversation starters. The kids love hiding them among the tree branches.

12. Yarn Ball Ornaments

Materials:

• Yarn in Christmas colors
• Styrofoam balls
• Craft pins
• Ribbon for hanging
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Tie yarn end to craft pin and insert into ball
2. Wrap yarn around ball in various directions
3. Keep wrapping until ball is completely covered
4. Secure end with another pin
5. Add ribbon loop for hanging

These DIY Christmas tree ornaments are perfect for using up leftover yarn, and kids love the repetitive motion of wrapping. Put on a Christmas movie and let them go to town – it’s surprisingly meditative.

13. Orange Slice Ornaments

Materials:

• Fresh oranges
• Sharp knife (adult use only)
• Dehydrator or low oven
• Whole cloves
• Cinnamon sticks
• Twine
• Clear sealant spray

Instructions:

1. Slice oranges into ¼ inch rounds
2. Remove seeds
3. Dehydrate at 135°F for 6-12 hours or bake at 200°F for 2-3 hours
4. Insert cloves around edges
5. Tie with twine and add cinnamon stick
6. Spray with sealant to preserve

These natural tree decorations smell absolutely incredible and bring such a warm, cozy feeling to your Christmas tree. Fair warning: your house will smell like Christmas threw up – in the best possible way.

14. Beaded Candy Canes

Materials:

• Red and white beads
• Pipe cleaners
• Wire cutters
• Ribbon for hanging

Instructions:

1. Curl top end into hook
2. Cut pipe cleaner to desired length
3. String alternating red and white beads
4. Leave small section at each end unbeaded
5. Bend into candy cane shape
6. Add ribbon hanging loop

These homemade Christmas ornaments are great for fine motor skills, and kids love the immediacy of seeing the design take form.

15. Paper Chain Christmas Trees

Materials:

• Green construction paper in various shades
• Scissors
• Stapler or glue
• Star stickers or cutouts
• Ribbon for hanging

Instructions:

1. Cut paper into strips of varying lengths
2. Form chains with shortest at top, longest at bottom
3. Staple or glue into chain links
4. Arrange in tree shape with chains as layers
5. Add star to top
6. Attach hanging ribbon

These paper Christmas ornaments are perfect for little hands that are still developing cutting skills. The imperfect chains just add to their handmade charm, and kids feel so accomplished when they finish.

16. Bottle Cap Wreaths

Materials:

• Bottle caps (12-15 per wreath)
• Green spray paint
• Hot glue gun
• Small red beads or buttons
• Ribbon for bow and hanging

Instructions:

1. Clean bottle caps thoroughly
2. Spray paint green and let dry
3. Arrange in circle and hot glue together
4. Glue red beads on as berries
5. Add small ribbon bow
6. Attach hanging loop

This is one of my favorite DIY Christmas ornament ideas because it’s essentially recycling with style. Kids love the treasure hunt aspect of finding enough bottle caps, and you’ll feel good about repurposing materials.

17. Egg Carton Flowers

Materials:

• Cardboard egg cartons
• Scissors
• Paint in Christmas colors
• Paintbrushes
• Glitter
• Pipe cleaners
• Hot glue gun
• Ribbon for hanging

Instructions:

1. Cut individual cups from egg carton
2. Trim edges to create petal shapes
3. Paint in desired colors
4. Add glitter while paint is wet
5. Poke pipe cleaner through bottom for stem
6. Curl pipe cleaner into hanging loop

These tree decorations prove that beautiful things can come from the most unexpected materials. My kids were amazed that something we usually throw away could become so pretty. Explore more egg carton Christmas crafts here.

18. Fabric Scrap Stars

Materials:

• Fabric scraps in Christmas colors
• Cardboard
• Star template
• Fabric scissors
• Mod Podge
• Foam brush
• Ribbon for hanging
• Glitter (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cut star shapes from cardboard using template
2. Cut fabric pieces slightly larger than stars
3. Apply Mod Podge to cardboard
4. Press fabric onto cardboard, smoothing wrinkles
5. Trim excess fabric
6. Add glitter if desired
7. Attach ribbon hanging loop

Perfect for re-using fabric pieces that have been left over from previous projects, these homemade Christmas ornaments can easily match your home’s colors. And they are so gentle that in case one falls on someone’s head while decorating, no one gets hurt.

19. Paper Cup Christmas Trees

Materials:

• Green paper cups
• Scissors
• Yellow construction paper
• Glue stick
• Hole punch
• Ribbon or yarn for hanging
• Stickers for decoration

Instructions:

1. Cut spiral from rim to bottom of cup
2. Glue yellow paper star to bottom of cup
3. Punch hole near rim
4. Thread ribbon through for hanging
5. Decorate with stickers as ornaments

These paper Christmas ornaments are so simple that even toddlers can help with the decorating part. The 3D effect is really lovely when they’re hanging on the tree.

20. Puzzle Piece Wreaths

Materials:

• Old puzzle pieces (about 20 per wreath)
• Green spray paint
• Hot glue gun
• Small red bow
• Ribbon for hanging

Instructions:

1. Spray paint puzzle pieces green
2. Let dry completely
3. Arrange pieces in circle, overlapping slightly
4. Hot glue pieces together
5. Add small red bow at bottom
6. Attach hanging ribbon

This is such a clever way to repurpose puzzles with missing pieces! These Christmas tree ornaments DIY projects turn something destined for the trash into treasured decorations.

21. Aluminum Foil Stars

Materials:

• Heavy-duty aluminum foil
• Star cookie cutters or templates
• Dull pencil or embossing tool
• Ribbon for hanging
• Hole punch

Instructions:

1. Cut foil larger than star template
2. Place template on foil and trace with dull pencil
3. Create decorative patterns by pressing with pencil
4. Cut out star shape
5. Punch hole for hanging
6. Thread ribbon through

These tree decorations catch the light beautifully and cost almost nothing to make. Kids love the embossing part – it’s like magic watching the patterns appear.

22. Cupcake Liner Christmas Trees

Materials:

• Green cupcake liners in various sizes
• Wooden skewers or toothpicks
• Yellow construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Ribbon for hanging

Instructions:

1. Cut yellow paper stars
2. Thread cupcake liners onto skewer, largest at bottom
3. Scrunch each liner to create tree layers
4. Glue star to top
5. Trim skewer if needed
6. Add ribbon hanging loop

These DIY Christmas ornaments are incredibly quick to make, which is perfect when you realize at 8 PM that your kid needs to bring ornaments to school tomorrow. Not that this has ever happened to me… multiple times.

23. Felt and Button Christmas Trees

Materials:

• Green felt triangles
• Colorful buttons
• Embroidery thread
• Needle
• Brown felt rectangles for trunks
• Ribbon for hanging
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Cut triangle tree shapes and rectangle trunks from felt
2. Sew tree to trunk
3. Sew buttons onto tree as decorations
4. Add running stitch around edges if desired
5. Attach ribbon loop for hanging

These DIY Christmas ornaments are perfect for kids learning to sew. The felt is soft, and if they get pinched by the needle, it’s just a tiny nip (though always best to supervise!).

24. Tissue Paper Flower Wreath

Materials:

• Green tissue paper
• Red tissue paper
• Cardboard ring
• Stapler
• Scissors
• Glue

Instructions:

1. Tissue paper cut into squares (about 4×4 inches)
2. Layer 3-4 squares and staple in the center
3. Gently separate and fluff tissue layers to create flowers
4. Make 12-15 green flowers and 4-5 red flowers
5. Glue flowers around cardboard ring base

Last but not least, these tissue paper Christmas ornaments are perfect for classroom parties or large groups. They’re simple enough for any age and always turn out beautifully festive.

The Real Magic of DIY Christmas Ornaments

These simple Christmas ornament projects are not just about decorating – they’re about creating traditions, making memories, and giving our kids something that money can’t buy: the pleasure of producing something beautiful with their own two hands.

Your tree doesn’t have to be perfect, but it will be fabulously yours. And is that not the very essence of Christmas?

If you’re looking for more festive inspiration, check out these other homemade Christmas ornaments, and DIY Christmas wreaths.

Don’t stop here—explore even more kid-friendly Christmas craft ideas, 15 holiday projects to make together, popsicle stick Christmas crafts, clay DIY Christmas ornaments, and salt dough Christmas ornaments-a craft for all the family. Your kids may also love these 10 Christmas cards to make together, and this collection of fun Grinch crafts they’ll love.