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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) If you’re anything like me, once December rolls in, you want to do all the magical Christmas crafts with your kids—but real life says otherwise. Between homeschooling, holiday plans, endless laundry, and trying to keep the house somewhat under control, the last thing I need is a craft that leaves glitter in my hair until March.
That’s exactly why I put together this list of 40 easy Christmas crafts for kids that require minimal supplies and minimal mess. These are simple, quick, and actually doable—no fancy materials, no complicated steps, and no hour-long clean-up sessions.
Whether you're a homeschool mom, a busy working mom, or somewhere in between, these kid-friendly Christmas crafts are perfect for keeping little hands busy and creating meaningful memories… without the overwhelm.
Let’s make Christmas magical and manageable this year.
❄️ Why Minimal-Mess Crafts Are a Lifesaver During the Holidays
I’ve learned something over the years: kids don’t need complicated activities to have a good time.
They just need:
✔ Something they can make
✔ A tiny bit of structure
✔ A moment of connection
That’s it.
But as moms, we often feel pressure to make everything “Pinterest perfect.”
These low-prep crafts remove all that pressure and focus on what matters—creativity and joy.
And the best part?
Most of these crafts use things you already have at home: paper, markers, cotton balls, toilet paper rolls, crayons, tape, and maybe a couple of pipe cleaners.
Holiday magic doesn’t need to be expensive or messy.
🎄 40 Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids (Minimal Mess + Minimal Supplies)
Here are the crafts—sorted into categories so you can find exactly what you need.
Crafts Using Just Paper
1. Paper Strip Christmas Trees
Cut strips of green paper and let kids glue them in a tree shape. Add a star on top. Very simple, very cute.
2. Fold-and-Cut Snowflakes
A timeless classic! Use coffee filters or printer paper. Kids love opening them to reveal surprise designs.
3. Paper Chain Countdown
Each link is a day until Christmas. Tear one link off daily—no markers or glue needed if you tape them.
4. Paper Plate Angels
Fold a paper plate into wings and use crayons to decorate a little angel.
5. Drawing Mini Nativity Scene
Have kids draw the nativity on a single sheet—Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, animals. Easy art, no mess.
6. Paper Gingerbread Men
Cut gingerbread shapes from brown paper bags. Kids decorate with crayons or markers.
7. Tear Art Christmas Wreaths
Kids tear green paper into little pieces and glue to a circle template—great fine motor practice.
8. Simple Santa Hats
Cut triangles from red paper and glue cotton balls to the bottom edge and tip.
Crafts Using Recyclables You Already Have
9. Toilet Paper Roll Reindeer
Add googly eyes if you have them, or draw your own. Pipe cleaner antlers optional.
10. Bottle Cap Ornaments
Kids paint or draw inside the caps. Add ribbon. Cute for gifts!
11. Egg Carton Bells
Cut a cup, color it, add a little string. Instant jingle bell craft.
12. Cardboard Christmas Trees
Cut cardboard into triangles and let kids decorate with markers or stickers.
13. Jar Lid Christmas Frames
Put a child’s drawing inside a jar lid and hang as an ornament.
14. Paper Roll Snowmen
Wrap the roll with white paper, draw a face, and add a scarf using leftover ribbon.
15. Magazine Collage Ornaments
Cut colorful bits from old magazines. Glue onto a circle template for pretty ornaments.
Crafts Using Cotton Balls or Tissue Paper
16. Cotton Ball Santa Beard
Draw Santa’s face and let kids fill in the beard with cotton balls—simple sensory fun.
17. Puffy Snowmen
Glue cotton balls onto paper to make a snowman’s body. Add arms and buttons with markers.
18. Tissue Paper Stained Glass Trees
Cut small tissue squares and glue to a triangle outline on a window. Beautiful when the sun shines through.
19. Snowy Window Scenes
Kids use cotton balls to dot snow onto paper “windows.” Mess-free pretend snow.
20. Cotton Ball Polar Bear
Cut a polar bear shape and add cotton fluff. The result is adorable.
Crafts Using Basic Coloring Supplies
21. Christmas Bookmark Coloring
Draw simple bookmark templates. Kids color and cut. Great stocking stuffers.
22. Dot Marker Christmas Lights
Kids dot different colors to make a glowing Christmas light strand.
23. Roll-a-Christmas Drawing Game
Roll a dice to see what feature to draw next. You can print a sheet or make your own.
24. Christmas Tree Doodles
Have kids fill different tree outlines with patterns—zig zags, dots, stripes.
25. “Design an Ornament” Coloring Page
Give them a blank ornament outline and let creativity take over.
Crafts Using Glue + Simple Embellishments
26. Button Christmas Trees
Glue old buttons on a triangle shape. Looks surprisingly charming.
27. Scrap Ribbon Ornaments
Glue leftover ribbons on a rectangle to form a “tree.” A great way to use scraps.
28. Tissue Paper Ornament Balls
Kids scrunch tissues into tiny balls and fill an ornament template.
29. Simple Nature Craft Wreaths
Glue leaves or small twigs onto a circle. Natural, rustic, and calming.
30. Yarn-Wrapped Stars
Cut cardboard stars and wrap with yarn. Very soothing for kids.
Crafts Inspired by Winter
31. Mittens on a String
Cut mitten shapes from colored paper and attach to a ribbon. Instant winter garland.
32. Snowy Forest Silhouette
Kids draw tall triangle trees and dot snow around them with a cotton swab.
33. Paper Polar Bear Mask
Cut a basic mask shape and let kids color it white with a cute nose.
34. Icicle Art
Cut strips of white or light blue paper and glue in “icicle” shapes. Add glitter if you’re brave.
35. Winter Sky Chalk Art
Use blue and black chalk on dark paper to make a winter night sky.
Crafts That Make Great Gifts
36. Handmade Gift Tags
Kids decorate small cardstock rectangles. Punch a hole and add string.
37. Painted Rock Nativity Scene
Let kids draw simple figures on smooth rocks. Very cute gift for grandparents.
38. Cinnamon Stick Tree Ornament
Glue scraps of green paper to a cinnamon stick. Smells amazing!
39. Mini Keepsake Handprint Tree
Trace your child’s hand on green paper. Simple and meaningful.
40. Family Photo Ornament Frame
Kids decorate a cardboard frame. Add a photo from the year for instant nostalgia.
The Real Gift: Stress-Free Holiday Creativity
Crafts like these aren’t just about keeping kids busy (although that’s a wonderful side benefit).
They’re about:
✨ Building connection
✨ Encouraging creativity
✨ Making memories without the pressure
✨ Creating a peaceful holiday rhythm
And because these crafts require so little prep and so few supplies, you can actually enjoy them instead of feeling overwhelmed by the mess.
If your kids are anything like mine, they won’t remember the crafts that took 45 minutes of prep.
They remember the ones where we laughed, talked, and created side-by-side.
Christmas doesn’t have to be complicated.
Sometimes the simplest crafts create the warmest memories.
Tips to Make Christmas Craft Time Even Easier
Here are a few things that have helped me over the years:
1. Keep a Small Craft Basket Handy
Put markers, scissors, paper scraps, cotton balls, glue sticks, tape, and crayons in one place. Grab-and-go is key.
2. Choose One Craft per Day (or Week)
Kids don’t need 7 crafts to feel magical. They need predictability and connection.
3. Embrace “Good Enough”
Lopsided snowmen?
Asymmetrical trees?
No problem.
Handmade is supposed to look handmade.
4. Let Kids Lead
These ideas are simply starting points. If they change the colors, shapes, or idea entirely—that’s creativity working.
5. Display Their Work Proudly
Clothespin garlands, fridge gallery, or a little “Christmas Art Corner.”
Kids light up seeing their creations showcased.
🎄 Want More Christmas Activities?
If you love low-prep, stress-free printables and kids’ activities, don’t miss the rest of my Christmas posts and resources. I share:
✨ Homeschool ideas
✨ Holiday activities
✨ Low-mess crafts
✨ Simple learning fun for busy moms
You deserve a holiday season that feels joyful—not chaotic.
Your support helps me keep creating helpful content for your home and homeschool.
💬 Leave a Comment
I’d love to hear from you!
Which Christmas craft are you excited to try first?
Or do you have a favorite simple craft your kids love?
Share it below—I read every comment!
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Thank you for reading my blog! Stay tuned for more tips, resources, and printable materials to help make your homeschooling experience enjoyable and effective. Check out my store for a variety of educational products and printables to assist you on your homeschooling journey.
Nancy at Cleverly Kindred ❤️
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