Easy Christmas Ornaments Kids Can Make

During the holidays, it can get very busy. One of my favorite traditions is making Christmas ornaments. We have done homemade Christmas ornaments since toddler age. Yes, toddlers are very good at helping and making their own ornaments for the tree or hanging around the house. This allows them to take part in the preparation and celebration of the holidays. Plus, kids get to have lots of fun making decorations. Later, they get to show them off and talk to others about the decorations they created on their own.

Paper Ornaments

Paper ornaments can be created by kids normally over four years old. Cut the paper and then fold it several times. Younger children should use child safety scissors. Cutting the folded paper makes a design. Kids can rip the paper or use child safety scissors to add in more detail before unfolding the paper.

One type of paper ornament is the famous snowflake which I think almost every child has created at some point. The great thing is that no two snowflakes will be alike. It is not really possible even if they try. This can lead to a general conversation about how each person is unique and has his or her own strengths and talents.

The other two common paper ornaments are the Christmas tree and the gingerbread man. Instead of separate ornaments, it normally forms a type of garland. However, cutting it to make into several ornaments is fine.

Other paper ornaments can be made to resemble something or someone. An example above shows people. Cut pieces out of paper and let the kids glue them on where they prefer each to be on the ornament. They can make it as simple or as elaborate as they desire.

Kids can make a basic ornament of a circle similar to a bobble and decorate it. This becomes a flat version of the sphere decorations. Kids can put anything they want on them. They can use white for the under-color and then draw something on top or glue another color on top to make a scene or object on the circle.

Santa Hats

This is also the category where kids can make Santa hats. These can either be for decoration or if made as a cone can go on a young child’s head like birthday hats. On the bottom of the hats, they glue on the cotton balls to show the fuzzy part of the Santa hat.

Felt Ornaments

Many ornaments can be done using felt material Above shows a basic felt ornament of Christmas trees. The contrast of the colors makes them stand out. Kids can also do presents, candy canes, gingerbread men, and many other items out of felt. For younger children, you can cut out the basic element and let them add the extras. Older kids can do the project by themselves. Use glue to put different colors of felt on top of one another or to add glitter to make the ornaments sparkle.

Paper Garland

Paper Garland is one of the easiest decorations to do and even some of the youngest children can help make the garland. Who needs to buy garland when kids can make their own? This is much more fun anyway.

Instructions

Cut out strips of construction paper going the long way. Make sure to have the kids use one as a template so they are all the same width. Kids then take a strip and make it into a ring, gluing the ends together. The next strip loops into the first one and the ends are glued together. Keep doing the same process until the garland is as long as the kids prefer.

Then they can wrap it around the tree starting at the top and wrapping around until the bottom. If it is not long enough either make some more chain and then attach it to the previous one or call it good.

Pinecone Decorating

Pinecone decorating is very easy for kids to do, even toddlers can do it. All you need are some pinecones, glue, and something to put on the pinecones such as glitter or sand. Brush some glue on the insides of the pinecone. Then sprinkle glitter or sand, whichever the kids prefer onto the pinecone. This is what makes the pinecone stand out. Then use the pinecones however the kids wish to decorate the house.

Pinecones and Cinnamon Sticks

A simple tree without many decorations can easily be one with just pinecones and cinnamon sticks. This is a very basic decoration of a Christmas tree. The only major objects are the pinecones and the cinnamon sticks. This is very clean and simple. Some families prefer this over the fully decorated Christmas tree. Kids can tie the objects to the branches to hold them in place.

Popsicle Stick Ornaments

Popsicle sticks can be used to make a variety of ornaments. The two most common are a basic sleigh or they are used as a border picture frame. Another decoration that is easy to do with popsicle sticks is to form a star shape and then let the little ones attack it with all their markers or glue and glitter. Whatever makes them happy, let them go for it.

For these ornament activities, the following materials will be needed. Most of the materials you can get at a local dollar store and that will make getting lots of supplies easy on the budget.

Supplies Needed

• Construction Paper (Multiple Colors)
• Popsicle Sticks
• Cotton Balls
• Felt (Multiple Colors)
• Glitter in Various Colors
• Glue
• Markers
• Paint/ Watercolor Brushes
• Paints if Desired
• Scissors (Child Safety Scissors for Young Children)
• Colored Sand if Desired
• Yarn, Thin Ribbon or Twine

To read more about activities to do over the holidays, read my post Fun Homeschooling During the Holidays.