The holiday season is a magical time of year, filled with festive cheer and the opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones. At The Kids Point, we believe there’s no better way to celebrate than by involving kids in creating their own holiday decorations. DIY holiday crafts not only add a personal touch to your home decor but also offer a fun and educational experience for children. Here are some creative and easy craft ideas that will keep kids engaged and excited about the holidays.
Festive Paper Snowflakes
Materials Needed:
- White paper
- Scissors
- Glitter (optional)
- Glue
Instructions:
- Cut the Paper: Start with a square piece of paper. Fold it in half diagonally to form a triangle, and then fold it again into a smaller triangle. For more intricate designs, you can fold the triangle into thirds.
- Create the Design: Use scissors to cut out small shapes from the folded edges. The more detailed the cuts, the more intricate the snowflake will be. Remember to keep the design symmetrical.
- Unfold and Decorate: Gently unfold the paper to reveal the snowflake. If desired, add a touch of glitter or glue on additional decorations to make it sparkle.
Tip: For a less messy alternative, you can use silver or white glitter pens to decorate the snowflakes instead of loose glitter.
Handprint Ornaments
Materials Needed:
- Air-dry clay or salt dough
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters (optional)
- Paints
- Paintbrush
- Ribbon
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough: Roll out the clay or dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, or simply cut into circles with a glass.
- Add Handprints: Press your child’s hand gently into the center of the shape to make a handprint impression.
- Dry and Decorate: Allow the ornaments to dry completely. Once dry, paint the handprint and add any additional designs or names.
- Add a Ribbon: Use a small hole punch to create a hole at the top of the ornament. Thread a ribbon through the hole for hanging.
Tip: You can also use these handprints as keepsakes by adding the year and your child’s name.
Pom-Pom Christmas Trees
Materials Needed:
- Green yarn
- Cardboard
- Scissors
- Glue
- Decorations (buttons, beads, glitter)
Instructions:
- Create the Tree Base: Cut out a Christmas tree shape from the cardboard. This will be the base for your pom-poms.
- Make Pom-Poms: Wrap green yarn around a fork or a pom-pom maker. Tie it off in the center and cut the loops to create a fluffy pom-pom.
- Attach Pom-Poms: Glue the pom-poms onto the cardboard tree base, layering them to create a full, festive look.
- Decorate: Add small buttons, beads, or glitter to the pom-poms for extra decoration.
Tip: Pom-pom trees can also be turned into ornaments or gifts by adding a loop of ribbon to the top.
Salt Dough Ornaments
Materials Needed:
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup water
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
- Paints and brushes
- Ribbon
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough: Mix the salt and flour in a bowl. Gradually add water until the mixture forms a dough. Knead the dough for a few minutes until smooth.
- Shape and Cut: Roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to create holiday shapes. Use a straw to make a hole at the top of each ornament for hanging.
- Bake or Dry: Place the ornaments on a baking sheet and bake at 200°F (93°C) for about 1-2 hours, or let them air-dry for 24-48 hours.
- Paint and Decorate: Once completely dry, paint the ornaments and add any additional decorations. Thread a ribbon through the hole for hanging.
Tip: These ornaments make great gifts for family and friends, especially if personalized with names or dates.
Candy Cane Reindeer
Materials Needed:
- Candy canes
- Brown pipe cleaners
- Red pom-poms
- Googly eyes
- Hot glue gun (with adult supervision)
Instructions:
- Shape the Antlers: Twist two pipe cleaners around the top of the candy cane to create antlers.
- Add the Face: Glue googly eyes and a red pom-pom for the nose to the curved part of the candy cane.
- Finish the Reindeer: Adjust the antlers and allow the glue to dry.
Tip: These cute reindeer make fun holiday treats or can be used as gift toppers.
Holiday Scented Sachets
Materials Needed:
- Fabric squares
- Holiday-themed stamps or stencils
- Fabric markers or paint
- Rice or dried lavender
- Ribbon
Instructions:
- Prepare the Fabric: Cut the fabric into small squares. Use stamps or stencils to decorate the fabric with holiday designs.
- Assemble the Sachets: Place a small amount of rice or dried lavender in the center of the fabric square. Fold the fabric over and sew or glue the edges together, leaving a small opening.
- Add a Ribbon: Tie a ribbon around the sachet to keep it closed and add a decorative touch.
Tip: These sachets can be used to scent drawers or closets, or they can be given as thoughtful gifts.
Christmas Card Garland
Materials Needed:
- Old Christmas cards
- Scissors
- String or ribbon
- Tape or glue
Instructions:
- Cut Out Shapes: Cut out interesting designs or shapes from old Christmas cards.
- Attach to String: Tape or glue the cut-out shapes onto a length of string or ribbon, spacing them evenly.
- Hang the Garland: Drape the garland across a mantel, wall, or window.
Tip: This is a great way to recycle old cards and create a festive display.
Beaded Snowman Ornaments
Materials Needed:
- White beads (various sizes)
- Pipe cleaners
- Orange and black beads (for the nose and eyes)
- Ribbon
Instructions:
- Create the Body: Thread white beads onto a pipe cleaner to form the snowman’s body. Twist the pipe cleaner to secure the beads.
- Add Facial Features: Attach orange beads for the nose and black beads for the eyes and buttons.
- Add a Hat: Use additional beads or fabric scraps to create a small hat for the snowman.
- Add a Ribbon: Thread a ribbon through the top of the snowman for hanging.
Tip: These ornaments can also be made with different colors and shapes to create unique snowmen.
Holiday Bingo Cards
Materials Needed:
- Printable bingo cards
- Markers or stickers
- Holiday-themed treats or small prizes
Instructions:
- Print Bingo Cards: Find or create holiday-themed bingo cards online. Print out enough copies for everyone.
- Prepare Markers: Use stickers or markers to cover the squares on the bingo cards as the caller announces the items.
- Play and Win: Offer small prizes or treats for winners.
Tip: This is a fun activity for holiday parties or family gatherings.
DIY Advent Calendar
Materials Needed:
- Small boxes or envelopes
- Decorative paper
- Glue or tape
- Holiday treats or small toys
Instructions:
- Prepare the Calendar: Decorate the boxes or envelopes with holiday paper. Number each one from 1 to 24.
- Fill with Surprises: Place a small treat or toy in each box or envelope.
- Assemble: Arrange the boxes or envelopes in a festive display, such as on a board or hung on a string.
Tip: This can be a fun countdown to Christmas and a great way to involve kids in holiday preparations.
At The Kids Point, we believe that DIY holiday decorations are a wonderful way to bring creativity and joy into the holiday season. By involving kids in crafting, you not only create beautiful decorations but also make lasting memories together. From paper snowflakes to handprint ornaments, these projects are simple, fun, and perfect for kids of all ages. So gather your materials, let the creativity flow, and enjoy a festive and personalized holiday season with your loved ones.