Christmas is coming along with Santa. Discover here a collection of Santa Claus crafts that are easy for kids to make. These not only spark creativity while keeping them busy, but also promote concentration and fine motor skills. Follow these easy instructions and let them enjoy the process of becoming Santa creators, whether at home or in the classroom.
1. Paper Plate Santa Face
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
These classic Santa Claus crafts never get old because they´re practically foolproof – even if your little one goes a bit wild with the glue, Santa still looks jolly. Plus, you’ll have enough cotton balls left over for a dozen more projects. Check out more easy paper plate Christmas crafts for kids.
2. Santa Face Popsicle Stick
Materials:
- Popsicle sticks
- Peach or pink paint
- Red marker or paint
- Cotton balls
- Black marker
- Red pom-pom
- Glue
Instructions:
- Paint the bottom two-thirds of the popsicle stick in peach or pink for the face
- Color the top third red for Santa’s hat
- Glue cotton balls along the hat line and at the tip
- Draw two small dots for eyes with black marker
- Add the red pom-pom for the nose
- Draw a small smile below the nose
Santa faces are always a hit with little ones. These easy popsicle stick Christmas crafts never fail to bring out giggles, especially when kids make their own unique version of jolly old St. Nick.
3. Santa Hat Cone Treats
Materials:
- Red construction paper
- White pom-poms
- Stapler
- Small treats (candies, nuts, or toys)
- White paper
- Glue
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Cut construction paper into quarter circles
- Roll each quarter circle into a cone shape
- Staple the seam to secure
- Cut a strip of white paper and glue around the bottom edge
- Fill cone with treats
- Glue a white pom-pom to the tip
- Tie with ribbon if desired
Here, treat cones could work well in a classroom party atmosphere or for unexpected visits. Just don’t make them days in advance, or you may mysteriously find your supplies getting shorter.
4. Salt Dough Santa Ornaments
Materials:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup water
- Red paint
- Pink paint
- White paint
- Black paint
- Yellow paint
- Small paintbrushes
- Ribbon
- Glue
Instructions:
- Mix flour, salt, and water to form dough
- Shape dough into small rounded Santa figures with pointed hats.
- Place on a baking sheet and bake at 200°F for 2–3 hours until fully hardened.
- Let cool completely.
- Paint the suit red, face pink, beard and trim white, and add a black belt with a yellow buckle.
- Glue a small white circle on the hat tip for a pom-pom.
- Attach a ribbon loop to the top with glue for hanging.
DIY salt dough Christmas ornaments are fun for everyone—kids and the whole family alike!
5. Santa Sock Puppet
Materials:
- White crew sock
- Red felt
- Pink felt
- Cotton balls
- Googly eyes
- Red pom-pom
- Fabric glue
- Scissors
- Black marker
Instructions:
- Put sock on hand to determine face placement
- Glue googly eyes near the toe area
- Glue red pom-pom below eyes for nose
- Cut small pink circle for mouth and glue on
- Glue cotton balls around the heel area for beard
- Cut triangle from red felt for hat
- Glue hat to top of sock
- Add cotton ball to tip of hat
Sock puppets have this amazing ability to bring out the performer in every kid. Don’t be surprised if you end up with an impromptu Christmas show featuring Santa and all his reindeer friends.
6. Toilet Paper Roll Santa
Materials:
- Toilet paper rolls
- Red paint
- Pink paint
- White paint
- Black paint
- Cotton balls
- Small paintbrushes
- Black marker
- Red pom-pom
Instructions:
- Paint toilet paper roll red for Santa’s body
- Let dry completely
- Paint top portion pink for face
- Add white belt around middle
- Paint small black rectangle for buckle
- Draw eyes and mouth with black marker
- Glue cotton balls for beard
- Glue red pom-pom for nose
There’s something oddly gratifying about making holiday magic out of something destined for the recycling bin. Gift these little Santas to neighboring kids, or use them as festive decorations.
Explore more Christmas-themed toilet paper roll crafts here. After the holidays, your children can keep learning about recycling while having fun with more toilet paper roll crafts.
7. Santa Milk Jug Luminary
Materials:
- Empty milk jug
- Red glitter fabric or paper (for hat)
- Red permanent marker
- Black permanent marker
- Pink permanent marker
- Cotton balls or fluffy trim
- Battery-operated tea lights
- Scissors
- Glue
Instructions:
- Clean milk jug thoroughly and remove labels
- Draw Santa’s face on one side with markers
- Glue cotton or fluffy trim under the face to form Santa’s beard. Add eyebrows if desired.
- Place or glue the glittery red Santa hat on top of the jug
- Put a battery-operated tea light inside
- Turn on for magical glow
These Santa Claus crafts create the most beautiful soft glow in dark winter evenings. Just remember to use battery-operated lights – safety first, magic second.
8. Santa Beard Craft Mask
Materials:
- Paper plate
- Cotton balls
- Red construction paper
- White construction paper
- Elastic string
- Hole punch
- Scissors
- Glue
- Black marker
Instructions:
- Cut eye holes in paper plate
- Cut triangle from red paper for nose
- Glue nose in center below eye
- Cut moustache from white paper
- Cover bottom half of plate with cotton balls for beard
- Cut small red triangle for hat
- Glue hat above eye holes
- Punch holes on sides for elastic
- Thread elastic through holes and tie
Kids absolutely love wearing their creations, and this beard mask will definitely make its way into the dress-up box for year-round play. Just be prepared for some seriously adorable photo opportunities.
9. Santa Thumbprint Gift Tags
Materials:
- Cardstock or heavy paper
- Red ink pad
- Black fine-tip marker
- Red marker
- White gel pen
- Scissors
- Hole punch
- Ribbon
Instructions:
- Cut cardstock into small rectangles
- Press thumb onto red ink pad
- Make thumbprint on each tag
- Let ink dry completely
- Use black marker to add eyes, nose, mouth, stick arms and legs
- Draw the hat
- Add white gel pen dots for snow
- Write “From Santa” below thumbprint
- Punch hole and add ribbon
These tiny gift tags add such a personal touch to presents, and they’re quick enough to make a whole batch in one sitting. Plus, kids get a kick out of seeing their thumbprints transformed into jolly old St. Nick.
10. Santa Claus Bookmark
Materials:
- Red construction paper (or cardstock)
- White construction paper
- Pink construction paper (or light pink marker/crayon)
- Black marker
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Cotton balls (optional, for beard or hat trim)
Instructions:
- Cut a red rectangle for the bookmark base.Cut a red triangle hat and glue it on top.
- Add white paper trim and a circle pom-pom.
- Cut or color a pink oval face, glue under the hat.
- Draw eyes, nose, and smile with marker.
- Cut moustache from white construction paper
- Glue cotton under the face for a beard (optional).
- Let dry and use your Santa Claus Bookmark
These Santa Claus crafts are not only fun to make but also practical—kids will love using their handmade bookmarks during holiday story time.
11. Santa Claus Ornament
Materials:
- Red felt (for hat and body)
- White felt (for beard, mustache, hat trim, and pom-pom)
- Beige or light pink felt (for face)
- Small black beads or embroidery thread (for eyes)
- Small red pom-poms (for nose)
- Small buttons (for Santa’s coat)
- Needle and red thread (for blanket stitch)
- Ribbon loop (for hanging)
- Fabric glue or hot glue gun
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Cut red felt for the body and hat, white felt for beard, mustache, trim, and pom-pom, and beige felt for the face.
- Glue or stitch the face onto the body.
- Add eyes (beads or stitches) and a red pom-pom nose.
- Attach beard, mustache, hat, trim, and pom-pom.
- Sew or glue small buttons down the front.
- Stitch around edges with red thread (optional).
- Add a ribbon loop at the top for hanging.
If you love making your own ornaments, check out these 24 fun Christmas ornaments to make with your kids and 12 beautiful snowflake ideas.
12. Santa Spoon Puppet
Materials:
- Wooden spoon
- Red paint
- White paint
- Pink paint
- Black marker
- Cotton balls
- Red felt 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.
13. Santa Claus 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.
Keep the fun going after the holidays—kids can turn plain stones into cute farm animals or pet rocks
Looking for more Christmas inspo? Check out these 25 easy Christmas tree crafts for kids, 15 reindeer crafts, 10 easy Christmas cards to make together. Explore also these budget-friendly paper bag crafts, pipe cleaner crafts, egg carton crafts, and a collection of fun Grinch crafts they’ll love.
When the holiday fun is over, keep little hands busy with these cozy winter crafts for kids that are just as magical!
