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Christmas is just around the corner, and what better way to get into the festive spirit than by crafting adorable ornaments with your little ones? This year, ditch the store-bought decorations and embark on a heartwarming journey of creativity with our comprehensive guide to kid ornament crafts for Christmas. We've gathered a treasure trove of ideas, ranging from simple projects perfect for toddlers to more intricate designs that will challenge older children. Get ready to unleash your family's inner artists! Inside, you'll discover three exciting sections packed with inspiration. First, we'll explore easy kid ornament crafts for Christmas, perfect for those looking for quick, fun projects that even the youngest crafters can handle. Think simple shapes, recycled materials, and plenty of glitter! Next, prepare to be amazed by our collection of creative kid ornament crafts for Christmas – unique and festive ideas that will add a personal touch to your tree. Finally, we'll delve into the sentimental side of crafting, showing you how to make cherished keepsakes with kid ornament crafts for Christmas, creating memories that will last a lifetime. So grab your glue, glitter, and some festive cheer – let's get crafting!
Easy Kid Ornament Crafts for Christmas: Simple & Fun Projects
Paper Plate Snowflakes
Let's start with a classic! Paper plate snowflakes are super easy, even for little hands. All you need are paper plates, scissors, and maybe some glitter glue for extra sparkle. Fold the plate in half, then in half again, and then in half one more time. Cut out different shapes from the edges – triangles, circles, squiggles – whatever your little one fancies. Unfold it to reveal your unique snowflake! You can hang them with string or tape. It's a great way to recycle those paper plates too. Check out our other easy Christmas crafts for kids for more simple ideas.
Remember to supervise younger children with scissors. This project is fantastic for developing fine motor skills and creativity. Think about adding different textures – try using textured paper or even felt scraps for a more tactile experience. You could even make a whole family of snowflakes in different sizes and shapes.
Materials | Instructions |
---|---|
Paper plates | Fold plate in thirds |
Scissors | Cut shapes into folded plate |
Glitter glue (optional) | Unfold and admire! |
Salt Dough Ornaments
Salt dough ornaments are another fantastic option for easy kid ornament crafts for Christmas. They’re incredibly simple to make, and the kids can get really creative with decorating them. You just need flour, salt, and water to make the dough. Mix it all together, roll it out, and let your little ones use cookie cutters to create festive shapes like stars, trees, or snowmen. Once baked and cooled, the decorating fun begins! Use paint, glitter, sequins – the possibilities are endless! These ornaments are incredibly durable, so they’ll last for years to come, becoming treasured keepsakes. For even more ideas, check out our post on simple Christmas crafts for kids.
Remember to supervise the baking process, and let the ornaments cool completely before handling. This is a great opportunity to teach about measuring and following instructions. You can even make it a family affair, with everyone pitching in to make the dough and decorate the ornaments. The best part? They smell amazing while baking!
- Mix 1 cup flour, ½ cup salt, and ½ cup water.
- Roll out the dough and use cookie cutters.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 30 minutes.
- Let cool completely before decorating.
Creative Kid Ornament Crafts for Christmas: Unique & Festive Ideas
Beaded Snowflake Ornaments
Let's step up the creativity! Beaded snowflake ornaments are a bit more involved but offer a stunning result. You'll need beads in various colors and sizes, along with thin wire or strong thread. Kids can string the beads onto the wire, creating intricate patterns and designs. They can experiment with different bead combinations and sizes to create unique snowflakes. Remember to secure the ends of the wire well to prevent the beads from falling off. For more unique Christmas craft ideas, check out our article on unique Christmas crafts for kids.
This is a great opportunity to teach about patterns and symmetry. Encourage your kids to create symmetrical designs for their snowflakes, or let them go wild and create completely asymmetrical masterpieces. Older children could even try creating more complex snowflake designs using different beading techniques.
Material | Description |
---|---|
Various Beads | Different colors and sizes for variety. |
Wire or Thread | Strong enough to hold the beads securely. |
Scissors | For cutting the wire or thread. |
Upcycled Ornament Creations
Time to get resourceful! Upcycled ornaments are not only environmentally friendly but also a fantastic way to unleash creativity. Think about using materials you already have at home – buttons, bottle caps, fabric scraps, even old Christmas cards. Kids can glue these materials onto simple shapes cut from cardboard or foam, creating whimsical and unique ornaments. They can add glitter, paint, and other embellishments to personalize their creations. This is a wonderful opportunity to teach about repurposing and reducing waste. For some extra inspiration, check out our DIY Christmas crafts for kids page.
Let your kids' imaginations run wild! There are no rules here. Encourage them to experiment with different materials and textures to create something truly unique. This is also a great opportunity to involve the whole family, with each member contributing their own unique touch to the project. The end result will be a truly special and meaningful Christmas decoration.
- Gather upcycled materials (buttons, bottle caps, fabric scraps, etc.)
- Cut out simple shapes from cardboard or foam.
- Glue the materials onto the shapes.
- Add glitter, paint, and other embellishments.
Kid Ornament Crafts for Christmas: Making Memories with Homemade Ornaments
Personalized Photo Ornaments
Transform cherished family photos into unique and heartwarming ornaments! Simply print out your favorite holiday pictures, cut them into circles or other festive shapes, and glue them onto small wooden or foam circles. Add some glitter, ribbon, or other embellishments to personalize them. These personalized photo ornaments are a wonderful way to capture precious memories and add a personal touch to your Christmas tree. They're also fantastic gifts for grandparents or other loved ones. For more ideas on making personalized gifts, check out our page on DIY Christmas crafts for kids.
Involve the kids in choosing the photos and decorating the ornaments. This is a great opportunity to share stories and memories associated with each picture. You can even make it a yearly tradition, adding a new photo ornament to your collection each year. Consider using different sizes of photos to add visual interest. It's a truly sentimental and fun activity.
Materials | Instructions |
---|---|
Family photos | Print and cut photos into shapes |
Wooden or foam circles | Glue photos onto circles |
Glue, glitter, ribbon | Decorate and add embellishments |
Handprint or Footprint Ornaments
Capture those tiny hands and feet forever with handprint or footprint ornaments! These are incredibly simple to make and become treasured keepsakes as your children grow. Simply trace your child's hand or foot onto a piece of sturdy paper or cardstock. Cut out the shape, and decorate it with paint, glitter, markers, or other embellishments. Add a ribbon or string for hanging. These ornaments are a beautiful reminder of how small your children once were. For more ideas on Christmas crafts for younger children, check out our selection of Christmas crafts for toddlers.
These ornaments are perfect for capturing a moment in time. You can date them on the back to remember exactly when they were made. Consider using different colors and patterns each year to track your child's growth. You could also add a personal message or a special date to make them even more meaningful. It’s a simple craft with a lasting impact.
- Trace child's hand or foot onto paper or cardstock.
- Cut out the shape.
- Decorate with paint, glitter, markers, etc.
- Add a ribbon or string for hanging.
Ornaments from Nature
Embrace the beauty of nature with ornaments made from natural materials! Gather pinecones, twigs, leaves, berries (ensure they're non-toxic!), and other natural treasures during a nature walk. Kids can use these materials to create unique and rustic ornaments. They can glue the materials onto simple shapes, create miniature nature scenes, or even weave them into intricate designs. These ornaments bring the outdoors in, adding a touch of natural beauty to your Christmas tree. For more ideas using natural materials, check out our suggestions for Christmas crafts for kids at home.
This is a great opportunity to teach children about nature and environmental awareness. Encourage them to collect materials responsibly and appreciate the beauty of the natural world. You can even make it a family outing, combining a nature walk with a crafting session. The result will be beautiful and eco-friendly ornaments.