DIY Christmas Crafts for Kids – Simple Projects Using Supplies You Already Have

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🎄 What We’re Using This Christmas (Amazon Favorites)

Here are a few things we’re loving and actually using this Christmas season:

🎄Kids’ Christmas Activity Book (Amazon)
🎄Christmas Playdough Kit (Amazon)
🎄Christmas Book Set (Amazon)
🎄Easy Gingerbread House Kit (Amazon)
🎄Washable Christmas Stampers (Amazon)
🎄Christmas Fun Game (Amazon)
🎄Kids’ Christmas Craft Set (Amazon)

The holiday season is here, and if you’re anything like me, you’re already feeling the pressure: presents to buy, cookies to bake, decorations to hang… and don’t even get me started on keeping the kids entertained during the endless countdown to Christmas.

But here’s the truth I’ve learned after parenting a 12-year-old and a 6-year-old through countless holiday seasons: you don’t need a ton of fancy craft supplies to make meaningful, memorable Christmas crafts with your kids.

This year, I’ve embraced the simple, the easy, and the “we already have it at home” projects. These are DIY crafts that:

Keep kids entertained without screens
Use materials you already have around the house
Encourage creativity and imagination
Provide decorations or gifts that actually mean something

I’m sharing my favorite DIY Christmas crafts that my kids and I have made together — simple projects, minimal prep, and maximum holiday magic.

Why DIY Christmas Crafts Are Worth It

Before we jump into the projects, let’s talk about why DIY crafts are so valuable:

1. Kids Learn While Having Fun

Crafting isn’t just entertainment. It builds fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and creativity. Even something as simple as cutting paper or painting ornaments teaches coordination, patience, and imagination.

2. It Creates Memories

I still remember the ornaments my mom and I made when I was a kid — paper snowflakes, painted pinecones, and macaroni garlands. Those memories stick, long after the glitter has been vacuumed off the floor.

3. It Reduces Holiday Stress

The holidays can feel overwhelming. Sitting down with your kids to create something together is calming. It slows down the chaos, gives everyone a sense of accomplishment, and gives the house a cozy, handmade touch.

4. It’s Affordable

You don’t need to spend a fortune on craft kits. In fact, the best projects use things you already have: paper, glue, string, buttons, old cereal boxes, jars, and even food items like pasta or marshmallows.

Supplies You Probably Already Have

Here’s a basic “DIY Christmas craft stash” you can gather from around the house:

Construction paper / colored cardstock / old wrapping paper
Glue / glue sticks / tape
Scissors (child-safe for younger kids)
Markers, crayons, colored pencils
Paints (tempera, acrylic, or watercolor)
String, yarn, or ribbon
Pinecones, twigs, leaves
Buttons, beads, sequins, or small ornaments
Old cereal boxes, paper tubes, or egg cartons
Cotton balls / tissue paper / felt scraps

Tip: Keep this “holiday craft basket” in one spot — it makes it easier to grab at a moment’s notice.

10 Simple DIY Christmas Crafts for Kids

Here are my go-to projects that are simple, fun, and use things you already have at home.

1. Paper Snowflakes

Supplies: Paper, scissors, markers (optional)

Fold a square of paper into triangles and cut shapes along the edges.
Unfold to reveal your unique snowflake.
Decorate with markers or glitter if desired.

Why it works: It’s simple, free, and perfect for decorating windows, garlands, or even wrapping gifts.

2. Pinecone Christmas Trees

Supplies: Pinecones, paint, glitter, small beads, glue

Paint the tips of pinecones white (for snow) or green (for trees).
Add glue and sprinkle glitter for sparkle.
Top with a small bead or star sticker.

Why it works: Uses natural materials, encourages sensory play, and doubles as a small decoration or gift.

3. Salt Dough Ornaments

Supplies: 1 cup flour, ½ cup salt, ½ cup water, cookie cutters

Mix ingredients to form dough.
Roll out and cut shapes with cookie cutters.
Bake at 250°F for 2–3 hours.
Paint and decorate once cooled.

Why it works: Kids get a hands-on project and create keepsakes they can hang on the tree year after year.

4. Toilet Paper Roll Reindeer

Supplies: Toilet paper rolls, brown paint, googly eyes, red pom-poms, pipe cleaners, glue

Paint the roll brown.
Glue on eyes, pom-pom nose, and pipe cleaner antlers.

Why it works: Recycles materials, develops fine motor skills, and can be turned into a fun storytelling activity.

5. Holiday Greeting Cards

Supplies: Cardstock, markers, stamps, stickers, ribbon

Fold cardstock into a card.
Draw, stamp, or glue festive decorations.
Write personal messages inside.

Why it works: Kids feel proud sending handmade cards to relatives or neighbors, and you save money on store-bought cards.

6. Cotton Ball Snowmen

Supplies: Cotton balls, glue, paper, markers, buttons

Glue cotton balls together in a snowman shape on paper.
Add buttons, a drawn face, and a small hat made from paper.

Why it works: Minimal materials, easy for younger children, and can be a creative holiday decoration.

7. Candy Cane Reindeer Craft

Supplies: Candy canes, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, small pom-poms, glue

Bend pipe cleaners into antlers and attach to the candy cane.
Glue on eyes and a red pom-pom nose.

Why it works: Combines crafting with a sweet treat and is quick enough for impatient kids.

8. Egg Carton Ornaments

Supplies: Egg cartons, paint, glitter, string

Cut individual cups from an egg carton.
Paint them, add glitter or sequins, and attach a string to hang.

Why it works: Reuses materials you already have, encourages creativity, and kids love the “transform trash into treasure” aspect.

9. Paper Plate Santa Hats

Supplies: Paper plates, red paint, cotton balls, glue, markers

Cut plates into triangles, paint red, and add cotton balls at the tip and bottom.
Decorate with glitter, stickers, or cotton swirls.

Why it works: Easy for younger children and creates festive decor for windows or a holiday photo booth.

10. DIY Christmas Garland

Supplies: String, paper, markers, scissors, tape or glue

Cut paper into shapes (stars, trees, circles).
Decorate and attach to string.
Hang around the house or on a small tree.

Why it works: Adds a festive touch, teaches sequencing and pattern skills, and can be made collaboratively with the whole family.

Bonus Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Crafting

Set up a “Craft Station”: Use an old tray, cookie sheet, or tablecloth to contain paint, glitter, and glue messes.
Involve the kids in clean-up: It teaches responsibility and makes cleanup faster.
Mix ages: Pair your older child with a younger sibling for simple tasks — the older one can help teach, the younger one can enjoy simpler steps.
Limit supplies: Too many choices can overwhelm children. A small, curated selection encourages creativity.
Document creations: Take photos of every craft, especially if it’s ephemeral like paper snowflakes. It becomes part of your holiday memory book.

Why These Crafts Solve Real Problems

Problem: Kids are bored during the holiday chaos.
Solution: These crafts keep them entertained for hours while being productive and creative.
Problem: Holiday projects feel expensive and overwhelming.
Solution: All crafts use common household items or inexpensive materials.
Problem: Parents want meaningful activities that double as decor or gifts.
Solution: These crafts make decorations, ornaments, garlands, and greeting cards that add value to your home.
Problem: Cleanup seems impossible.
Solution: Most of these projects use small amounts of materials, washable paints, and containers to reduce mess.

My Personal Holiday Craft Story

One December evening, my 6-year-old daughter and I sat on the living room floor with construction paper, cotton balls, and glitter. Our mission? To make as many little snowmen as possible. My 12-year-old son was working on a complex egg-carton nativity scene nearby. By the end of the evening, our dining table was covered in glitter, glue, and paint — but it was magical.

We weren’t just making crafts — we were making memories. The ornaments, garlands, and decorations we created stayed on our tree for years. The laughter, the collaboration, and the pride in their creations? That stayed with us forever.

Final Thoughts

DIY Christmas crafts don’t have to be complicated or expensive. The most meaningful projects use what you already have at home and encourage kids to explore, imagine, and collaborate. Crafting with your kids gives them confidence, builds skills, and creates memories that outlast store-bought decorations.

This holiday season, don’t stress about perfection. Focus on the joy of creation, the sparkle of imagination, and the laughter around your table.

If you found this post helpful, pin it for later and share it with other parents looking for simple holiday craft ideas. You can even create a little “DIY Christmas Craft Basket” with the supplies mentioned above — it’ll save you time, money, and sanity!

💬 I want to hear from you:
What’s your family’s favorite DIY Christmas craft? Do your kids have a go-to project they love every year? Share in the comments below — I’d love to add your ideas to my holiday list!

🎁 Explore More Christmas Favorites!

👉 See all Kids’ Christmas Craft Supplies (Amazon)
👉 Browse Christmas Children’s Books (Amazon)
👉 See Christmas Learning Toys & Games (Amazon)
👉 Find Budget-Friendly Stocking Stuffers for Kids (Amazon)
👉 Top Christmas Gifts for 5–8-Year-Olds (Amazon)
👉 Best Christmas Gifts for 9-12-Year-Olds (Amazon)
👉 Christmas Family Activity Kits (Amazon)

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