The holiday season is the perfect time to get creative and make lasting memories with your kids. DIY Christmas decorations are not only a fun way to spend time together but also help you personalize your home with unique, handmade touches. Here are some of the best DIY Christmas decorations you can create with your kids, from ornaments to festive garlands.

 

1. Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough ornaments are a classic Christmas craft that’s easy and fun for kids of all ages. You can create adorable tree ornaments in any shape you like, from Christmas trees to stars and candy canes.

 

Materials

- 1 cup of flour

- 1 cup of salt

- 1/2 cup of water

- Cookie cutters

- Paint and glitter for decorating

- String or ribbon

 

Instructions:

1. Mix the flour, salt, and water to form a dough.

2. Roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to create holiday shapes.

3. Poke a small hole at the top of each ornament for stringing.

4. Bake the ornaments at 250°F for 2-3 hours or until hard.

5. Once cool, let your kids paint and decorate them with glitter.

6. Thread a ribbon through the hole to hang them on the tree.

 

2. Paper Snowflakes

Making paper snowflakes is a simple yet beautiful way to bring winter indoors. It’s a great craft for developing fine motor skills and unleashing creativity.

 

Materials:

- White paper or colored paper

- Scissors

- String or tape (for hanging)

 

Instructions:

1. Fold a square piece of paper in half diagonally, then fold it in half again to form a smaller triangle.

2. Fold the triangle into thirds, and then trim the ends so it’s even.

3. Have your child cut small shapes and patterns along the folded edges.

4. Unfold the paper to reveal a unique snowflake!

5. Hang the snowflakes with string or tape them to windows for a wintery touch.

 

 3. Pine Cone Christmas Trees

Turn simple pine cones into mini Christmas trees with some paint, glitter, and craft supplies. This fun craft brings a touch of nature into your holiday decor.

 

Materials:

- Pine cones (gathered from outside or bought at a craft store)

- Green acrylic paint

- Small pom-poms, beads, or sequins

- Glue

- Star stickers or small star cutouts for the tree topper

 

Instructions

1. Paint the pine cones green and let them dry completely.

2. Use glue to attach small pom-poms, beads, or sequins as "ornaments."

3. Top each pine cone tree with a small star sticker or cutout.

4. Display your mini Christmas trees on a shelf or mantle.

 

4. Popsicle Stick Snowmen

Popsicle stick crafts are easy for little hands and make for charming Christmas decorations. These snowmen can be turned into ornaments or used to decorate gifts.

 

Materials

- Popsicle sticks

- White paint

- Black and orange markers or paint

- Mini scarves or pieces of felt

- Glue

- String (optional for hanging)

 

Instructions

1. Paint the popsicle sticks white and let them dry.

2. Draw a snowman’s face on one end using black and orange markers for the eyes, mouth, and nose.

3. Wrap a mini scarf or piece of felt around the "neck."

4. Glue a piece of string to the back if you want to hang the snowman on your tree.

5. Handprint Wreath

Create a festive wreath using nothing more than your kids’ handprints. This craft is personal, easy to make, and doubles as a keepsake.

 

Materials

- Green construction paper

- Red bow or ribbon

- Scissors

- Glue

- Cardboard (for the base of the wreath)

 

Instructions

1. Trace your child’s hand on green construction paper multiple times and cut out the handprints.

2. Cut out a circular base from cardboard to form the wreath shape.

3. Glue the paper handprints around the circle, layering them to create the wreath effect.

4. Decorate with a red bow at the bottom.

5. Hang the wreath on a door or window for a personal holiday touch.

 

6. Felt Christmas Tree Garland

Kids love working with felt because it’s soft, colorful, and easy to cut. A felt Christmas tree garland adds a festive flair to your home and is a fun project to make together.

 

Materials

- Green felt sheets

- Colored felt for ornaments

- Scissors

- Glue or fabric glue

- String or yarn

 

Instructions

1. Cut small Christmas tree shapes from green felt.

2. Cut tiny circles and shapes from other felt colors to act as ornaments.

3. Glue the "ornaments" onto each tree.

4. Attach the felt trees to a string or yarn to create a garland.

5. Hang the garland along a mantle or wall.

 

7. Christmas Light Suncatchers

Suncatchers made out of tissue paper create beautiful stained glass effects when hung in a window. These Christmas light suncatchers are easy to make and look magical when the sunlight shines through.

 

Materials

- Black construction paper

- Colored tissue paper

- Glue stick

- Scissors

- Tape or string (for hanging)

 

Instructions

1. Cut Christmas light bulb shapes from black construction paper. Cut out the inside, leaving an outline.

2. Glue pieces of colorful tissue paper to the back of the bulb outline to fill in the space.

3. Trim any excess tissue paper.

4. Tape or string the lights together and hang them in a sunny window for a vibrant display.

 

8. Pinecone Reindeer Ornaments

Turn pinecones into cute reindeer ornaments with just a few craft supplies! This is a delightful project that kids can personalize and hang on the tree.

 

Materials

- Small pinecones

- Googly eyes

- Red pom-poms (for the nose)

- Brown pipe cleaners (for the antlers)

- Glue

- String or ribbon (for hanging)

 

Instructions

1. Glue googly eyes onto the front of the pinecone.

2. Add a red pom-pom for Rudolph’s nose.

3. Twist pipe cleaners into antlers and glue them to the top of the pinecone.

4. Attach a piece of string or ribbon to hang your reindeer on the tree.

 

 9. Candy Cane Bead Ornaments

Candy cane ornaments made with beads are simple enough for young kids to create and look wonderful on the Christmas tree.

 

Materials

- Red and white beads

- Pipe cleaners

 

Instructions

1. Bend a pipe cleaner into a candy cane shape.

2. Let your child string red and white beads onto the pipe cleaner in an alternating pattern.

3. Once finished, twist the ends to secure the beads in place.

4. Hang the candy cane on the Christmas tree.

 

10. Paper Plate Santa Faces

This cute and easy craft uses a paper plate as the base to create Santa's jolly face. Your kids will love adding cotton balls for Santa’s beard!

 

Materials

- Paper plates

- Red construction paper

- Cotton balls

- Glue

- Markers or crayons

Instructions

1. Draw or paint Santa’s face on the paper plate.

2. Cut a triangle out of red construction paper for Santa’s hat and glue it to the top of the plate.

3. Glue cotton balls around the edge of the hat and along the bottom of the plate to create Santa’s beard.

4. Let your kids get creative with the details, adding rosy cheeks or sparkly decorations.

 

These DIY Christmas decorations will not only add festive charm to your home but also create cherished memories with your kids. Enjoy the creative process and celebrate the season by crafting these fun projects together!