Christmas time brings back the magic of our childhood. We remember the sparkle of lights and the scent of pine. Making 15 DIY Christmas ornaments with kids is special. It brightens our homes and creates lasting memories.
Do you recall making your first Christmas ornament? Maybe it was a shiny star or a paper snowflake. Seeing our crafts on the tree, beside those of our friends, was heartwarming. Now, it’s our turn to share this joy with our children. We can help them create, adding magic to the season.
Crafting with kids is more than just fun; it brings us closer. See their excitement as they fold, cut, and decorate. Watch their faces light up when they hang their ornaments. Each one captures a piece of our holiday spirit, year after year.
Ready to start crafting? We have over 15 unique, easy ideas for everyone. These projects are perfect for parents, grandparents, and guardians alike. You’ll find crafts suited for any skill level and age.
The journey matters more than the end result. It’s about laughter, learning, and love. Let’s make this Christmas memorable through creativity and connection.
Let’s dive into a range of materials and ornaments for all ages. Gather your scissors, glue, and glitter. Together, we’ll make Christmas treasures to hold dear forever. Happy crafting!
– Quinn Parker
Introduction to DIY Christmas Ornaments
Hi there! 🎄 This holiday season, let’s dive into the joy of crafting. We’ll sprinkle some magic and add a dash of creativity. Making DIY Christmas ornaments brings families together. It adds fun and learning. Whether creating snowflakes or colorful chains, these activities create smiles and memories!
Benefits of Crafting with Kids
Crafting is more than fun for kids. It helps with fine motor skills and boosts creativity. Kids will feel proud seeing their ideas take shape. They learn patience, how to solve problems, and teamwork. Plus, it’s a great way to bond during the festive season.
Materials You Might Need
Ready to start crafting? You’ll need various materials, some may be in your cupboard. Here’s a list:
- Acrylic craft paint
- Paint brushes
- Plain ornaments (clear or colored)
- Glitter or fake snow
- Egg carton for drying
- Clear acrylic gloss spray
- Glue
- Scissors
- Decorative accessories
Always check that materials are safe for kids. Be careful with a hot oven and supervise kids closely!
| Items Needed | Details |
|---|---|
| Acrylic Craft Paint | Available in various colors, for vibrant decorations. |
| Paint Brushes | For detail work and broad strokes. |
| Ornaments | The canvas for creativity, clear or colored. |
| Glitter or Fake Snow | Adds festive sparkle. |
| Egg Carton | Great for drying ornaments. |
| Clear Acrylic Gloss Spray | Gives a shiny finish. |
With these items, you’re ready for crafting fun. You’ll make keepsakes and beautiful memories. Happy crafting! 🌟
Simple Paper Ornaments
Making easy Christmas crafts is a great way to have fun with your kids during the holidays. Paper ornaments are a good place to start for young crafters. They are cheap and fun to make. You can also make them match your holiday decorations.
Snowflake Cutouts
Snowflake cutouts are a fun craft for kids. You just need paper, scissors, and imagination. First, fold a piece of paper into a small triangle. Then let kids cut the edges to make a snowflake. Unfold it to see a unique snowflake.
This craft helps kids be creative and practice cutting. The finished snowflakes can decorate windows or your tree. They look amazing.
Colorful Paper Chains
Crafting paper chains is another fun project. You need strips of colored paper and some glue or tape. To make a chain, loop each strip into a circle and connect them. This is good for learning patterns and being creative.
Kids enjoy seeing their paper chains get longer. It’s a simple way to brighten up holiday decor.
For more easy Christmas craft ideas, check out this article. It has a full list of activities for kids that make the holidays special.
Snowflake cutouts and paper chains are great crafts for kids. They are fun to make together and create lasting holiday decorations. These simple projects fill the season with creativity and joy. They show that the best holiday memories often come from the simplest activities.
Nature-Inspired Ornaments
Let’s explore the beautiful world of nature crafts! These crafts are perfect for kids and help make holiday decor. They turn outdoor finds into treasured Christmas ornaments.
Pine Cone Decorations
Gathering pine cones can be a fun family activity. Decorating them adds joy to your holiday decor. Paint them bright, add glitter, or hang them with twine for a rustic vibe.
Dried Orange Slice Ornaments
Drying orange slices makes them sweet and fragrant. Dry them until golden. Use them to make aromatic ornaments. Combine with cinnamon or bay leaves for extra scent.
Leaf Prints on Ornaments
Using leaves in crafting captures nature’s beauty. Paint fresh leaves on ornaments or press them into dough. This activity is hands-on and sensory-rich for kids.
It results in unique and beautiful holiday decor.
Here’s what you’ll need for these crafts:
| Materials | Examples |
|---|---|
| Natural Items | Sticks, Pine Cones, Oranges, Fresh Leaves |
| Craft Supplies | Paint, Glitter, Twine, Glue |
Creative Upcycled Ornaments
Creating upcycled ornaments adds holiday cheer and supports sustainability. With creativity and dedication, turn everyday items into lovely decorations. We’ll explore two projects: Bottle Cap Snowmen and Tin Can Stars.
Bottle Cap Snowmen
Making Bottle Cap Snowmen is a fun DIY Christmas craft. You just need old bottle caps, paint, and some felt. It’s easy to start!
- Paint bottle caps white to make the snowman’s body.
- After drying, add eyes, a carrot nose, and a mouth with felt.
- Glue the caps in a line to form the snowman.
- Finish with a fabric scarf and a small felt hat.
This craft shows how upcycled ornaments can repurpose materials. It’s a fun activity for everyone.
Tin Can Stars
Turn tin cans into lovely stars for your Christmas tree. It’s a creative eco-friendly craft.
- Cut star shapes from clean tin cans with metal snips.
- Smooth any sharp edges for safety.
- Decorate the stars with paint or glitter.
- Drill a hole on top and tie twine for hanging.
Using upcycled ornaments cuts down on waste. It also makes beautiful memories and traditions.
| Ornament | Materials | Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Bottle Cap Snowmen | Bottle caps, paint, felt, fabric |
|
| Tin Can Stars | Tin cans, metal snips, paint, glitter, twine |
|
Fun with Fabric Ornaments
Exploring fabric crafts brings joy and festive vibes. It’s perfect for DIY sewing with kids. These activities spark creativity and result in lovely holiday decorations. Let’s explore fun projects for family crafting times.
Sock Snowmen
Making snowmen from old socks is both fun and green. You need some simple supplies:
- Old socks
- Rice or cotton for filling
- Buttons
- String or ribbon
- Glue
First, stuff a sock with rice or cotton. Then, use string to make the snowman’s body and head. Decorate with buttons for eyes and a tiny nose. Add scarves or hats from fabric scraps. It’s a great way for kids to learn about fabric arts.
Felt Christmas Trees
Making felt Christmas trees is great for sewing skills. You will need:
- Felt sheets
- Sequins
- Stickers
- Glitter
- Glue
- Scissors
Cut tree shapes from the felt. Kids can then decorate them with sequins, stickers, and glitter. This boosts fine motor skills and brightens holiday decor. Felt trees add color and texture to your space. Kids will be proud to display their creations!
Festive Edible Ornaments
Adding edible decorations to your festive decor is fun. It mixes snack and craft time, perfect for Christmas baking with kids. Dive into two edible ornament ideas that bring joy to your holidays and create memories!
Popcorn Garlands
Crafting popcorn garlands is fun and simple. They look cute and are easy to make. You need fresh popcorn, a needle, and thread. Thread the popcorn to create a whimsical garland. It looks great around your tree or mantel.
- Pop a batch of popcorn, but keep it low on butter or salt.
- Thread a needle with strong thread or fishing line.
- Gently push the needle through the popcorn, sliding it down the thread.
- Keep going until it’s as long as you want, then tie knots at both ends.
Popcorn garlands are a festive and tasty decoration. They are fun to eat while decorating!
Gingerbread Cookie Ornaments
Gingerbread cookie ornaments are great for decorations. They fill your home with a warm smell. Kids love helping bake and decorate them. Use your favorite gingerbread recipe and festive-shaped cutters.
Decorating cookies is the best part. Use icing, candies, and sprinkles to make your gingerbread stand out. Remember to make a hole before baking for hanging.
- Make your gingerbread dough and roll to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut out shapes with cookie cutters.
- Before baking, make a hole at the top of each cookie.
- Bake as your recipe says and cool them down.
- Decorate and thread a ribbon through the hole to hang.
These gingerbread cookie ornaments look charming and taste great. They are perfect for holiday decorations.
Painted Ornaments for Personal Touch
Adding a personal touch to Christmas decorations is magical. Our section on painted ornaments will inspire you and your kids! Personalizing your tree with these ornaments makes it special. Plus, they become keepsakes for years.
Handprint Ornaments
Creating handprint ornaments is a memorable Christmas project. Simply paint your child’s hand with acrylic paint. Then press it onto an ornament. It’s perfect for young kids. It’s a fun way to make a personalized keepsake. And anyone can do it without needing art skills. 🌟
DIY Glass Ornament Painting
For a more advanced craft, try painting DIY glass ornaments. It’s great for inspiring creativity in older children. With special glass paints, you can make beautiful ornaments.
The results look stunning after drying for 8 hours. Try using different colors and ribbons for hanging. These crafts are easy to clean up and let you fully express your creativity. Make one ornament or a set, the possibilities are endless.
Holiday-themed Beaded Ornaments
Beaded crafts add a special touch to your holiday décor. They include beaded candy canes and star-shaped ornaments. These DIY projects are fun and boost kids’ creativity and motor skills.
Beaded Candy Canes
Making beaded candy canes is simple. You need colorful beads and pipe cleaners. Just put the beads on the pipe cleaner, making sure the ends are bent to keep them in place. You can choose a red and white pattern or mix up the colors. This craft helps your child learn patterns and focus. It also makes your home more festive.
Star-Shaped Beaded Ornaments
Star-shaped ornaments add beauty to your tree. You use 24-gauge wire and beads for them. Cut the wire into pieces and add beads to make stars. These stars can all look the same or be different.
This guide offers a good tutorial for these ornaments. It gives tips and ideas to make your Christmas crafts great!
Seasonal Touches with Photography
Adding photos to your holiday decorations makes everything more special. It celebrates special moments. And, it creates custom ornaments with deep, personal meaning. Let’s see how photo frame ornaments and family portrait baubles can make your festive decor unique.
Photo Frame Ornaments
Photo frame ornaments let you showcase beloved memories on your Christmas tree. They can be easily made to reflect the holiday spirit. You will need: foam board, Elmer’s Glue, Mod Podge, a paintbrush, glitter, an EXACTO knife, a ruler, scissors, photos, ribbon, and scrapbook paper.
First, cut the foam board into 3” squares. Paint them in holiday colors like barn red or forest green. Apply a layer of glue or Mod Podge, then add glitter for sparkle. Once it’s dry, cut a section for your family photos. These ornaments are beautiful keepsakes that bring back happy memories.
Family Portrait Baubles
Making family portrait baubles is fun. You’ll need clear baubles, photos, ribbon, scrapbook paper, and optionally, headpins. Just roll the photo, insert it into the bauble, and it will unfurl inside.
You can also put glitter, ribbon, or charms in the bauble for extra flair. This craft adds a personal touch to the holidays. It highlights family importance. Plus, these custom ornaments are cheaper than store-bought ones. They also add charm and character to your tree.
| Materials Needed | Uses | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Foam Board | Create Frames | $1-$3 |
| Elmer’s Glue/Mod Podge | Adhesive for Glitter | $1-$4 |
| Clear Ornaments | Fill with Photos | $1-$5 |
| Extra-fine/Microbead Glitter | Add Sparkle | $1-$3 |
| Edited/Printed Photos | Personalize Ornaments | Varies |
| Ribbons/Scrapbook Paper | Decoration | $1-$2 |
Tips for Enjoying Craft Time with Kids
Working on DIY projects with kids can be lots of fun, particularly with Christmas ornaments. Here are some DIY planning tips to make your crafting time enjoyable and smooth.
Setting Up a Crafting Space
It’s important to have a special area for crafting. Pick a spot that’s easy to clean and reachable for kids. Before you begin, gather all you need like cotton balls, paper plates, and green paint. Being ready stops interruptions and keeps things moving well.
Also, an organized space lets kids focus better. They won’t be distracted by messes.
Involving Kids in Planning
Letting kids help plan is a great tip. Let them pick colors, designs, and materials. This gives them a sense of control and makes things more fun. They might choose to make felt Christmas trees or cute handprint ornaments. Their role in choosing makes them more excited to craft.
Remember to think about safety and offer help. Pick tasks that are right for their age. For example, with DIY Christmas ornaments from salt dough, older kids can paint while younger ones help mix the dough. Planning carefully makes crafting safe and fun for all.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
What an incredible journey we’ve had making DIY Christmas ornaments with your kids! We’ve looked at 15 unique ideas. Each one added a special touch to your holiday decor.
From pine cone decorations to tin can stars, we’ve found lots of family fun. Now, let’s celebrate your holiday creations. 🎄
Celebrating Your Holiday Creations
After crafting, display your ornaments proudly. They can decorate your Christmas tree or your home. Each one shows your creativity and family time.
Imagine your kids’ joy seeing their work around the house! Take your time to admire them. Maybe share them with friends and family. Your crafts can brighten more homes this season! 🏡
Encouragement to Keep Crafting
A holiday project is just a start. Keep your kids crafting with more projects. Every craft session boosts creativity, skills, and memories.
From salt dough ornaments to fabric ball ones, the possibilities are endless. Keep giving them new ideas. This will help them grow to love DIY. 🌟
Thank you for being part of this crafting journey. May your home glow with your handmade decorations. Enjoy the creative family time. Happy crafting! ✨
