Easy Holiday Crafts for Kids: 10 Fun DIY Ideas

Last updated November 6, 2026

Easy holiday crafts for kids include paper snowflakes, salt dough ornaments, pinecone bird feeders and handprint cards. Most use simple supplies like paper, glue and paint. Choose crafts that match your child’s age, and set up a washable work area first.

Holiday crafts keep kids busy on cold days and school breaks. They also make sweet gifts for family and friends.

Always supervise young children with scissors, glue guns and small parts.

Key Takeaways

• Pick crafts that match your child’s age and skills.
• Cover your table with paper or an old cloth.
• Use washable paint and glue for easy cleanup.
• Homemade crafts make great gifts.
• Adults should handle hot glue and sharp tools.

On This Page

• Supplies to Keep on Hand
• 10 Easy Holiday Crafts for Kids
• Best Crafts by Age
• Tips for Mess-Free Crafting
• Turn Crafts Into Gifts
• Why Crafting Is Good for Kids
• Set Up a Craft Station
• Crafts by Skill Level
• Safety Tips for Holiday Crafts
• Low-Cost and Recycled Craft Supplies
• How to Make Salt Dough Ornaments Last
• Crafts That Help Others
• Display and Store Kids’ Crafts
• How Long Should a Craft Session Last?

Supplies to Keep on Hand

Stock up on construction paper, safety scissors and glue sticks. Add washable paint, markers and cotton balls.

Look for the Approved Product (AP) seal from the Art and Creative Materials Institute on kids’ art supplies.

Save cardboard tubes, egg cartons and pinecones. They are free and great for crafts.

10 Easy Holiday Crafts for Kids

Check craft kits and toys against the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall list.

1. Paper Snowflakes

Fold paper into a triangle and cut small shapes. Unfold to reveal a unique snowflake.

2. Salt Dough Ornaments

Mix flour, salt and water into a dough. Cut shapes, bake until dry, then paint.

3. Pinecone Bird Feeders

Spread nut-free seed butter on a pinecone and roll it in birdseed. Hang it outside.

4. Handprint Cards

Paint your child’s hand and press it onto folded paper. Turn the print into a tree or reindeer.

5. Paper Chain Countdown

Cut paper strips and loop them into a chain. Remove one link each day until the holiday.

6. Cardboard Tube Reindeer

Paint a tube brown and add paper antlers, eyes and a red nose.

7. Cotton Ball Snowman

Glue cotton balls onto blue paper to build a fluffy snowman.

8. Popsicle Stick Stars

Glue five sticks into a star shape. Decorate with paint and glitter glue.

9. Beaded Candy Canes

Thread red and white beads onto a pipe cleaner. Bend the top into a hook.

10. Decorated Gift Bags

Let kids decorate plain paper bags with stamps and stickers.

Best Crafts by Age

Use this calculator to plan how much salt dough to make.

• Construction paper
• Safety scissors
• Washable glue and paint
• Cotton balls and pipe cleaners
• Cardboard tubes
• Old shirt as a smock

Tips for Mess-Free Crafting

Cover the table with newspaper or a plastic cloth. Dress kids in old shirts as smocks.

Wash hands after crafting, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises.

Put small amounts of paint on paper plates. Keep wet wipes nearby for quick cleanups.

Turn Crafts Into Gifts

Ornaments and cards make lovely gifts for grandparents and teachers. Add the child’s name and the year on the back.

Wrap finished crafts in tissue paper or the decorated gift bags. Kids feel proud to give something they made.

Why Crafting Is Good for Kids

Holiday crafts are more than a fun way to pass the time. They help kids grow in many small ways.

Cutting, gluing and threading beads build fine motor skills. Following steps teaches patience and focus.

Kids also feel proud when they make something with their own hands. Giving a homemade gift teaches the joy of sharing.

Set Up a Craft Station

A dedicated space keeps crafts organized and calm. It also makes cleanup much faster.

• Cover the table with an old tablecloth or kraft paper.
• Put supplies in small bins or muffin tins.
• Give each child a paper plate as a workspace.
• Keep wet wipes and paper towels nearby.
• Set up a drying spot for painted projects.

An old oversized T-shirt makes a great smock. It protects clothes from paint and glue.

Crafts by Skill Level

Match each craft to your child’s skills. A craft that is too hard can lead to frustration.

Let kids work at their own pace. The process matters more than a perfect result.

Safety Tips for Holiday Crafts

Crafting is safe and fun with a few simple rules.

• Keep small beads and buttons away from children under 3.
• Use child-safe scissors with rounded tips.
• Choose washable, non-toxic paints and markers.
• Let adults handle hot glue guns and ovens.
• Store craft supplies out of reach of toddlers.

Supervise young children at all times during crafts. Small parts can be a choking hazard.

Low-Cost and Recycled Craft Supplies

You do not need to buy fancy supplies. Many great crafts start with things you would throw away.

• Cardboard tubes from paper towels
• Egg cartons for ornaments and trays
• Old holiday cards for gift tags
• Glass jars for snow globes
• Scrap fabric and yarn for wreaths
• Bottle caps for magnets

Save these items in a box during the fall. You will have plenty when crafting season arrives.

How to Make Salt Dough Ornaments Last

Salt dough ornaments can become family keepsakes. A few steps help them last for years.

Bake them low and slow until they are fully dry. Thick pieces need extra time.

Let them cool completely before painting. Seal them with a clear, kid-safe varnish to keep out moisture.

Write the child’s name and the year on the back. Each one becomes a treasured memory.

Remind kids not to eat salt dough. It contains a lot of salt and can make pets sick too.

Crafts That Help Others

Holiday crafts can also spread kindness. Kids love making something for someone else.

• Make cards for residents at a local senior home.
• Decorate placemats for a community meal.
• Create bird feeders for the backyard.
• Draw thank-you notes for mail carriers and teachers.

Call ahead before you deliver crafts to a care home. Ask about any rules they have.

Display and Store Kids’ Crafts

Kids feel proud when their art goes on display. Set aside a special spot.

String a line of twine across a wall. Clip artwork with mini clothespins.

Take a photo of each project before you store it. A digital album saves space and keeps the memories.

Wrap delicate ornaments in tissue paper. Store them with your regular holiday decorations.

How Long Should a Craft Session Last?

Young children have short attention spans. Keep sessions short and sweet.

Toddlers often enjoy about 10 to 15 minutes of crafting. Older kids may happily craft for an hour or more.

Break bigger projects into steps across a few days. Paint one day, then decorate the next.

Stop while kids are still having fun. They will look forward to the next craft time.

Craft Mistakes to Avoid With Kids

A few simple mistakes can make craft time stressful. Plan ahead to avoid them.

• Choosing crafts that are too hard for your child’s age
• Setting up without covering the table
• Using hot glue guns with young kids
• Expecting the craft to look perfect

Pick crafts that match your child’s skills. Let them lead and enjoy the process.

Make Crafting a Holiday Tradition

Holiday crafts can become a favorite family tradition. Kids often remember these moments for years.

Choose one special craft to make every year, such as a handprint ornament. Write the year on the back.

Over time, you will build a collection that shows how your kids have grown. It becomes a treasured keepsake.

Clean Up Together

Make cleanup part of the activity. Kids learn responsibility when they help put supplies away.

Test Yourself

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest holiday craft for toddlers?

Cotton ball snowmen and handprint cards are simple and fun.

How do I make salt dough?

Mix 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt and about three-quarters of a cup of water.

How can I keep crafting less messy?

Cover surfaces, use washable supplies and keep wipes nearby.

Are pinecone feeders safe?

Use nut-free seed butter if anyone has a nut allergy.

What crafts are safe for toddlers?

Sticker art, cotton ball snowmen and handprint cards work well with close supervision.

How do I keep salt dough ornaments from cracking?

Bake them slowly at low heat until fully dry. Seal them with clear varnish.

What supplies do I need for holiday crafts?

Paper, glue, child-safe scissors, washable paint and recycled items like tubes and jars.

Can older kids do holiday crafts too?

Yes. Try beaded ornaments, paper snowflakes and handmade gifts.

Wrapping Up

Pick two crafts and set up a craft station this weekend. Your kids will make memories and gifts at the same time.

Keep the fun going with our family holiday games. Try another hands-on project with our guide to build a gingerbread house.

Editor’s Note

This guide is accurate as of November 6, 2026. Always supervise children during crafts.

Spot an error in this article? Please contact us at support@digieh.com or read our Corrections Policy.

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