Fun, Easy, and Festive DIY Christmas Decorations You Can Make With Kids

The holiday season is all about creating memories and one of the best ways to do that is by crafting Christmas decorations together as a family. DIY projects keep kids entertained and fills the home with meaningful, handmade décor that you’ll cherish for years. I hope these ideas bring creativity, warmth, and festive spirit to every corner of your home.

1. Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough ornaments are a timeless classic, plus they’re simple, inexpensive, and endlessly customizable.

What You Need:

• 1 cup flour

• ½ cup salt

• ½ cup warm water

• Cookie cutters

• Paint, markers, glitter, ribbon

How to Make Them:

1. Mix flour, salt, and water into a smooth dough.

2. Roll it out and use cookie cutters to create shapes like stars, hearts, and gingerbread people.

3. Poke a hole at the top for hanging.

4. Bake at 250°F (120°C) for 2–3 hours until hardened.

5. Decorate to your heart’s content!

Kid-Friendly Tip:

Let kids press their handprint into the dough for a keepsake ornament you’ll treasure forever.

2. Pine Cone Christmas Trees

Bring a little nature indoors with these adorable pine cone trees.

Supplies:

• Pine cones

• Green paint

• Pom-poms, beads, sequins

• Glue

• Bottle caps (for tree bases)

Instructions:

Paint pine cones green, glue them into bottle caps, and decorate with mini ornaments, or if you’re brave enough, glitter.

3. Paper Strip Garland

A retro craft that’s simple, satisfying, and perfect for decorating the tree, mantle, or even kids’ bedrooms.

Materials:

• Construction paper

• Scissors

• Glue stick or tape

How to Make It:

Cut the paper into strips, form loops, and link them together into a long chain. Use traditional holiday colours like green, red, and gold; or let kids choose their own palette.

Variation:

Create a “kindness chain” where each link includes a written act of kindness your family completes during December.

4. Cinnamon Stick Stars

These rustic, sweet-smelling decorations make great ornaments and gift toppers.

You’ll Need:

• Cinnamon sticks

• Twine

• Hot glue (adult-handled)

• Ribbon

• Optional: dried orange slices or small bells

Instructions:

Glue cinnamon sticks into star or snowflake shapes, then decorate with twine or ribbon. Hang on the tree for a cozy, festive aroma.

Kid-Safe Tip:

Let kids handle the decorations and stringing while adults manage the hot glue.

5. Hand-Painted Wooden Ornaments

Ideal for slightly older kids or children who love to draw and paint.

Supplies:

• Unfinished wooden discs

• Acrylic paint or paint pens

• Twine

Steps:

Kids can paint snowmen, Santa faces, winter scenes, or abstract patterns. Add names and dates to turn it into a yearly tradition.

6. Felt Ornament Shapes

Soft, safe, and perfect for little hands, felt crafts are festive and forgiving.

Materials:

• Felt sheets

• Child-safe scissors

• Glue

• Googly eyes, buttons, sequins

• Ribbon or yarn

Cut out shapes like trees, mittens, reindeer, or stockings. Kids can glue on buttons or googly eyes for a fun, playful effect.

Super Simple Option:

Trace cookie cutters onto felt to create perfect shapes every time.

7. Mason Jar Snow Globes

A magical craft that turns everyday jars into charming winter scenes.

Supplies:

• Mason jars

• Small figurines (trees, snowmen, animals)

• Hot glue

• Fake snow or glitter

• Ribbon

Glue figurines to the jar lid, add snow or glitter to the jar, screw it shut, and shake!

8. Beaded Candy Canes

A mess-free craft ideal for younger kids learning patterns and fine motor skills.

What You Need:

• White and red pony beads

• Pipe cleaners

String beads onto pipe cleaners, alternating red and white. Bend into a candy cane shape and voila! These make perfect tree ornaments or gift add-ons.

Tips for Crafting With Kids

Set Up a Holiday Craft Station

Lay out basic materials like ribbon, glue, buttons, and paper in a single spot so kids can create any time.

Embrace the Mess

Crafting with kids can get messy and that’s part of the magic. Use kraft paper or old tablecloths to protect surfaces.

Let Creativity Lead

Pinterest-perfect isn’t the goal. The memories made in the process are what matter most.

A lot of the supplies in a DIY craft-fest can be found at the dollar store (or maybe in your own cupboards!) Sometimes the best memories have the lowest price tag.

Happy holidays!