13 Adorable DIY Christmas Ornaments for Kids (With a Little Help!) | Blogmas Day 4

Let’s get crafty this holiday season! 🎄 If you’re looking for fun family activities that’ll create lasting memories (and some seriously cute tree decorations), you’re in the right place. I’ve put together a list of 13 DIY Christmas ornaments for kids that are perfect for different ages and skill levels. Trust me, these are way more exciting than store-bought decorations!

In a Hurry? No Problem!

Let’s be real – parenting is a juggling act, and sometimes you don’t have hours to spend on crafts. Here are some quick alternatives for the time-crunched family:

Shortcut Options:

1. Pre-made Kits: Grab craft store ornament-making kits that are mostly assembled
2. Sticker Decorating: Buy plain ornaments and let kids go wild with holiday stickers
3. Paint Dip Method: Quickly dip plain ornaments in glitter paint
4. Washi Tape Magic: Decorate clear ornaments with festive washi tape
5. Photo Printouts: Print wallet-sized photos and slip into clear ornament baubles

Time-Saving Tips:

• Prep materials the night before
• Set up a dedicated crafting station
• Have a backup plan (like stickers!) if kids lose interest
• Keep cleaning supplies nearby
• Set a timer to keep kids focused

Pro Tip: Sometimes, a 15-minute crafting session is better than no crafting at all. Don’t stress about perfection!

📌 Related article: 40+ Magical DIY Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas to Make Your Presents Pop!

Safety First!

Before we dive in, a quick heads up: these projects are best done with adult supervision. Some involve scissors, glue, or small materials that need a grown-up’s helping hand.

DIY Christmas Ornaments for Kids

1. Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments

• Age Group: 3-8 years
• Difficulty: Easy
• Materials Needed:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 cup warm water
  • Rolling pin
  • Cookie cutter or knife
  • Ribbon or string
  • Acrylic paint (optional)

Step-by-Step:

1. Mix flour and salt in a big bowl
2. Slowly add water and knead into a smooth dough
3. Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness
4. Trace your child’s hand or use cookie cutters
5. Poke a hole at the top for hanging
6. Bake at 250°F for 2 hours
7. Once cool, let kids paint and decorate

2. Pinecone Snow Fairies

• Age Group: 5-10 years
• Difficulty: Medium
• Materials Needed:
  • Pinecones
  • White glue
  • Glitter
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Googly eyes
  • Ribbon

Step-by-Step:

1. Collect pinecones from your backyard
2. Dab white glue on pinecone tips
3. Sprinkle white or silver glitter
4. Wrap pipe cleaner around pinecone for arms
5. Glue on googly eyes
6. Attach a ribbon for hanging

📌 Related article: What to do with dried orange slices | Crafts & More

3. Popsicle Stick Snowflakes

• Age Group: 4-9 years
• Difficulty: Easy
• Materials Needed:
  • Popsicle sticks
  • White paint
  • Glue gun (adult help!)
  • Glitter
  • Ribbon

Step-by-Step:

1. Paint popsicle sticks white
2. Arrange sticks in snowflake pattern
3. Glue intersections carefully
4. Sprinkle with glitter
5. Add ribbon for hanging

4. Glittery Photo Frame Ornaments

• Age Group: 6-12 years
• Difficulty: Medium
• Materials Needed:
  • Craft sticks
  • Glue
  • Glitter
  • Small photo
  • Ribbon
  • Scissors

Step-by-Step:

1. Arrange 4 craft sticks in a square
2. Glue the corners together
3. Cover sticks with glue
4. Sprinkle with glitter
5. Attach a small family photo in the center
6. Tie a ribbon at the top for hanging

📌 Related article: Sweet & Simple: 5 Printable Candy Cane Designs for Festive Family Fun

5. Felt Woodland Creature Ornaments

• Age Group: 7-12 years
• Difficulty: Medium
• Materials Needed:
  • Colored felt
  • Scissors
  • Embroidery thread
  • Stuffing
  • Googly eyes
  • Ribbon

Step-by-Step:

1. Cut two matching animal shapes from felt
2. Sew around edges, leaving a small gap
3. Stuff with cotton/batting
4. Close the opening
5. Add cute details like eyes or ears
6. Attach a ribbon for hanging

6. Mason Jar Lid Snow Globes

• Age Group: 5-10 years
• Difficulty: Medium
• Materials Needed:
  • Mason jar lids
  • Glitter
  • Small figurines
  • Waterproof glue
  • Ribbon
  • Water
  • Glycerin (optional)

Step-by-Step:

1. Glue a small figurine to lid bottom
2. Sprinkle glitter around figurine
3. Fill with water (add a drop of glycerin)
4. Seal lid tightly
5. Attach ribbon to top
6. Shake and watch it snow!

📌 Related article: 7 Magical Sensory Christmas Activities: Engaging Your Child’s Senses This Season

7. Clay Fingerprint Ornaments

• Age Group: 3-7 years
• Difficulty: Easy
• Materials Needed:
  • Air-dry clay
  • Rolling pin
  • Cookie cutter
  • Paint
  • Ribbon
  • Toothpick

Step-by-Step:

1. Roll out clay smoothly
2. Use cookie cutter for shape
3. Press child’s fingerprint into clay
4. Create cute characters from prints
5. Poke hole for hanging
6. Let dry completely
7. Paint and decorate

8. Button Wreaths

• Age Group: 6-12 years
• Difficulty: Easy
• Materials Needed:
  • Green buttons
  • Red ribbon
  • Wire or pipe cleaner
  • Glue
  • Small bow

Step-by-Step:

1. Thread buttons onto wire
2. Bend wire into circle
3. Twist ends together
4. Add red ribbon bow
5. Create hanging loop

📌 Related article: 9 Best Advent Calendars for Kids in 2024: Toddler-Approved Fun!

9. Paper Snowflake Ornaments

• Age Group: 7-12 years
• Difficulty: Medium
• Materials Needed:
  • White paper
  • Scissors
  • Glitter
  • Spray adhesive
  • Ribbon

Step-by-Step:

1. Fold paper into triangles
2. Cut intricate patterns
3. Unfold to reveal snowflake
4. Spray with adhesive
5. Sprinkle glitter
6. Attach ribbon

10. Cinnamon Stick Stars

• Age Group: 8-12 years
• Difficulty: Medium
• Materials Needed:
  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Twine
  • Hot glue gun
  • Ribbon
  • Optional: Small bells

Step-by-Step:

1. Arrange 5 cinnamon sticks in star shape
2. Glue intersections carefully
3. Wrap twine around joints
4. Add ribbon for hanging
5. Attach tiny bell if desired

📌 Related article: 6 Adorable Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas for Kids (That Adults Will Love Too!)

11. Painted Wooden Slice Ornaments

• Age Group: 5-10 years
• Difficulty: Easy
• Materials Needed:
  • Wooden craft slices
  • Acrylic paint
  • Paintbrushes
  • Glitter
  • Ribbon

Step-by-Step:

1. Paint wooden slice background
2. Add festive designs
3. Sprinkle with glitter
4. Let dry completely
5. Attach ribbon for hanging

12. Pipe Cleaner Candy Canes

• Age Group: 3-7 years
• Difficulty: Easy
• Materials Needed:
  • Red and white pipe cleaners
  • Glitter (optional)
  • Ribbon

Step-by-Step:

1. Twist red and white pipe cleaners
2. Bend into candy cane shape
3. Optional: Add glitter
4. Create hanging loop

📌 Related article: Advent Calendar Fillers for Kids: 63+ Ideas Beyond Chocolate!

13. Recycled CD Snowman

• Age Group: 6-12 years
• Difficulty: Medium
• Materials Needed:
  • Old CD
  • White paint
  • Black marker
  • Orange felt
  • Ribbon
  • Tiny buttons

Step-by-Step:

1. Paint CD white
2. Draw snowman face
3. Cut small orange felt nose
4. Glue on buttons
5. Add ribbon for hanging

Pro Tip: Take photos of your ornament-making adventure! These handmade treasures become the most cherished decorations and memories.

Safety Reminder: Always supervise kids during crafting, especially when using scissors or glue guns.

FAQs about the DIY Christmas Ornaments for Kids

Conclusion

Creating these DIY ornaments is about so much more than just decorating a tree. It’s about spending quality time together, unleashing creativity, and making memories that’ll last way beyond the holiday season. Each little ornament tells a story – your family’s story.

Pro tip: Save these ornaments! They become incredible keepsakes that you’ll treasure for years. Imagine pulling out these handmade treasures decades from now and remembering the giggles, mess, and pure joy of making them together.

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Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for Day 5 where you’ll get fun and festive penguin coloring pages. 

Happy crafting, 

Xx Kinga 

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