10 Easy Holiday Crafts for Kids to Spark Creativity

Key Takeaways

• Holiday crafts for kids build fine motor skills, focus, and creative confidence while making festive memories.
• Most projects use household supplies like paper plates, glue, and craft sticks, so you can start without a shopping trip.
• Choose a project that matches your child’s age, and give younger kids safety scissors and washable, nontoxic glue and paint.
• Adults should handle hot glue, baking, and sharp tools, and supervise small parts for children under three.
• Simple holiday crafts take 20 to 40 minutes, which makes them perfect for a cosy afternoon or a classroom party.

The holidays are a wonderful time to slow down, gather around the table, and make something together. Crafting gives children a chance to express their ideas, practice patience, and create keepsakes they can proudly display or gift. You do not need fancy supplies or artistic skills to get started. This list of the best holiday crafts for kids includes ten easy projects that use everyday materials and welcome all ages, from curious preschoolers to confident older kids.

Fun Holiday Crafts for Kids to Try

Ready to fill your home with handmade cheer? These holiday craft ideas for kids are quick to set up, simple to follow, and fun to personalise, so pick a few favourites and enjoy the process as much as the result.

1. Paper Plate Wreath

Source: Pinterest

What You Will Need

• One sturdy paper plate
• Green paint or green tissue paper squares
• Red pom poms or red buttons
• Child safe scissors
• Washable glue
• A length of red or gold ribbon

Instructions

• Cut out the centre of the paper plate to make a ring, with an adult starting the cut for younger children.
• Paint the ring green, or glue tissue paper squares all over it for a textured, leafy look.
• Let it dry completely before adding any decorations.
• Glue red pom poms on the wreath to look like berries, spacing them out evenly.
• Tie a ribbon bow at the bottom and add a loop of string at the top for hanging.

2. Handprint Reindeer

Source: Pinterest

What You Will Need

• Washable brown paint
• White paper or cardstock
• Googly eyes
• One red pom pom
• Black marker
• Glue
• Damp paper towels for quick cleanup

Instructions

• Paint your child’s palm and fingers brown using a soft brush, which tickles and keeps little ones giggling.
• Press the hand onto the paper with the fingers pointing outward to form antlers, while the thumb and palm form the face.
• Wipe hands clean right away and let the print dry.
• Glue on googly eyes and the red pom pom nose.
• Add small details with a black marker and write the year underneath as a keepsake you can look back on.

3. Salt Dough Ornaments

Source: Pinterest

What You Will Need

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1/2 cup warm water
• Cookie cutters in holiday shapes
• A straw for making holes
• Acrylic paint and brushes
• Ribbon or twine

Instructions

• Mix flour, salt, and water in a bowl until a smooth dough forms, adding a little flour if it feels sticky.
• Roll the dough to about a quarter inch thick and cut out shapes with cookie cutters.
• Poke a hole near the top of each shape with a straw so you can hang it later.
• Have an adult bake at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for two to three hours, until hard.
• Once cool, paint the ornaments, let them dry, and thread ribbon through the holes.

4. Paper Snowflakes

Source: Pinterest

What You Will Need

• White printer paper
• Child safe scissors
• String or clear tape
• Optional glitter glue for extra sparkle

Instructions

• Cut the paper into a square, which is easy to do by folding one corner over to the opposite edge.
• Fold the square in half, then in half again, then fold it into a triangle.
• Snip small shapes along the folded edges, such as triangles, curves, and notches.
• Unfold the paper carefully to reveal your one of a kind snowflake.
• Tape the snowflakes to a window or hang them with string to create a winter wonderland.

5. Pom Pom Snowman

Source: Pinterest

What You Will Need

• Three white pom poms in different sizes
• Blue or black construction paper
• Orange felt or paper for the nose
• Black marker
• Glue
• Scrap fabric or yarn for a scarf

Instructions

• Glue the three pom poms in a stack on the paper, with the largest at the bottom and the smallest on top.
• Draw eyes, a mouth, and buttons with the marker.
• Cut a tiny carrot nose from orange felt and glue it on.
• Tie yarn or a fabric strip around the neck for a cosy scarf.
• Add a paper hat and draw a snowy scene with falling snowflakes around your snowman.

6. Popsicle Stick Christmas Tree

Source: Pinterest

What You Will Need

• Seven craft sticks
• Green paint
• Glue
• Sequins, beads, or small stickers
• A yellow paper star

Instructions

• Paint all the craft sticks green and let them dry.
• Glue five sticks side by side, then glue one stick across the top and one across the bottom to hold them together.
• Trim or arrange the sticks in a triangle shape if you want a more tree like look.
• Decorate with sequins, beads, or stickers as ornaments, pressing each one down firmly.
• Glue the paper star on top and add a string loop for hanging.

7. Paper Plate Santa

Source: Pinterest

What You Will Need

• One paper plate
• Red construction paper
• Cotton balls
• Googly eyes
• Pink or peach paint
• Glue

Instructions

• Paint the back of the plate pink or peach and let it dry.
• Cut a red triangle from construction paper for the hat and glue it to the top of the plate.
• Stick a cotton ball on the tip of the hat.
• Glue cotton balls along the bottom half of the plate for a fluffy beard, pulling them apart for extra volume.
• Add googly eyes and a pink pom pom nose to bring Santa to life.

8. Paper Chain Garland

Source: Pinterest

What You Will Need

• Coloured construction paper
• Child safe scissors
• Glue stick or tape
• A ruler

Instructions

• Cut the paper into strips about one inch wide and eight inches long, using a ruler as a guide.
• Make a loop with the first strip and glue the ends together.
• Slide the next strip through the first loop and glue it closed.
• Keep linking strips in a red and green pattern until your garland is the length you want.
• Hang it across a mantel, doorway, or tree.

9. Pinecone Ornaments

Source: Pinterest

What You Will Need

• Small pinecones, cleaned and dried
• White paint or glue mixed with glitter
• Paintbrushes
• String
• Small pom poms or beads

Instructions

• Brush white paint on the tips of the pinecone scales to look like fresh snow.
• Sprinkle glitter on the wet paint if you like some sparkle.
• Let the pinecone dry fully, which may take about an hour.
• Glue a small pom pom or bead on top.
• Tie a string around the top to hang it on the tree.

10. Homemade Holiday Cards

Source: Pinterest

What You Will Need

• Folded cardstock
• Washable ink pads or paint
• Cut potatoes or sponges in simple shapes
• Markers
• Stickers

Instructions

• Fold the cardstock in half to make a card.
• Dip a potato or sponge shape into paint or ink, dabbing off any extra.
• Stamp patterns on the front, like trees, stars, or snowflakes.
• Let the design dry, then add details with markers and stickers.
• Write a warm message inside and give the card to a friend, grandparent, or neighbour.

FAQs

1. What age is best for DIY holiday crafts for kids?

Most children can join in from about age two with adult help. Toddlers enjoy painting, stamping, and gluing, while kids over five can cut, fold, and follow multiple steps on their own. Choose the project and the amount of help based on your child’s skills rather than a strict age.

2. How do I keep holiday crafting safe for young children?

Use nontoxic, washable supplies and child safe scissors. Keep small items like beads, buttons, and pom poms away from children under three, and handle hot glue and oven steps yourself. Always stay nearby, cover the table, and wash hands once the project is done.

3. What if my child gets frustrated or the craft does not look perfect?

Remind them that handmade projects are meant to be unique. Praise their effort, offer help with tricky steps, and let them make their own choices, because imperfect crafts often become the most treasured keepsakes. If they lose interest, take a break and come back to it later.

4. How long do simple holiday crafts usually take?

Most take 20 to 40 minutes, plus drying time. Projects with paint or salt dough may need several hours to dry or bake, so plan ahead. Starting a day early lets you finish decorating when everything is ready, so your child can enjoy the final touches without waiting around.

5. Can I make these crafts for a classroom or party?

Yes. Prepare materials in advance, pick projects with few steps like paper snowflakes or paper chains, and set up stations so each child has what they need. Having extra supplies on hand and a few adult helpers keeps the activity calm and fun, and sending the finished crafts home gives every child something to be proud of.

Holiday crafting turns ordinary supplies into joyful memories your family can enjoy year after year. These ten projects show that the best holiday crafts for kids do not need to be complicated or expensive. Each one encourages creativity, patience, and pride in making something by hand, while giving families a reason to sit together and talk. Choose a craft that fits your child’s age and interests, play some festive music, and let the fun begin. Your little ones will love hanging their creations around the house and sharing them with the grandparents, friends, and neighbours they care about most.

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