Christmas crafts have a special kind of magic: they keep kids busy, spark creativity, and instantly turn simple moments into warm family memories. If you’re looking for decorations that children can actually make — at home or in the classroom — these projects are easy, fun, and beautiful enough to display anywhere in your holiday space.
This collection gathers simple, kid-friendly Christmas crafts made from paper, cardboard tubes, egg cartons, and everyday supplies. Each project is tested, photographed, and created with real children. All of them double as actual holiday décor, not just a quick craft that gets tossed afterward. Whether you’re decorating your home, a classroom, or preparing holiday activities for kids, these projects are fun, quick, budget-friendly, and surprisingly beautiful.
Quick List: Easy Christmas Decorations Kids Can Make Today
Here’s a fast overview of all the projects you’ll find in this guide — perfect if you want to jump straight to the one you need:
- Layered standing winter scene
- Pastel snowman art
- Handprint Christmas lights
- Spiral dancing snowmen
- Glitter toilet-roll Christmas trees
- Egg-carton Santa hats
- Toilet-roll snowflake ornaments
- Paper-bag giant snowflake
- Tinsel Christmas tree with skewers
Click any idea as you scroll — each project includes simple steps, supplies, and decorating tips.
Why These Crafts Work So Well as Christmas Décor
Holiday crafts for kids usually fall into two categories: activities that are fun but feel temporary, and projects that look good enough to display.
All the projects in this article belong to the second category.
They work as real décor because they are:
• lightweight and easy to hang or stand
• instantly recognizable as Christmas shapes
• dimensional, catching the light beautifully
• customizable so each child adds a personal touch
• made from neutral materials that pair well with modern or traditional décor
These qualities make them visually appealing, practical, and ideal for real holiday decorating.
What You Need for All Projects (and Why You Probably Already Have It All at Home)
Most of the Christmas crafts in this article use simple, everyday materials — the kind you already have in kitchen drawers, recycling bins, or a basic craft box. That’s exactly why these projects work so well for busy families and teachers: you don’t need special supplies, and you don’t need to buy anything new.
Basic supplies you’ll use across the projects:
• White paper
• Colored paper or cardstock
• Toilet paper rolls
• Egg cartons
• Kraft paper bags
• Wooden skewers
• Plastic lids
• Glue stick
• School glue or hot glue
• Scissors
• Chalk pastels, paints, markers, or crayons
• Pom-poms, googly eyes, sequins
• Tinsel or garland
• String, yarn, or fishing line
Using familiar materials makes these crafts fast to set up, budget-friendly, and stress-free — whether you’re decorating at home or preparing a whole classroom for Christmas.
How to Use Kid-Made Crafts as Christmas Décor
Kid-made decorations bring warmth and personality into a space. Here are some of the most popular ways families and teachers use them:
• Display them on a string or ribbon as a Christmas craft gallery
• Hang paper snowflakes and artwork in windows or on doors
• Create a “kid-made corner” near the Christmas tree
• Build a mini forest from small handmade trees
• Use crafts as gift toppers
• Decorate classroom bulletin boards, reading corners, or hallways
These ideas help turn simple projects into meaningful, long-lasting holiday décor.
Safety Notes for Christmas Crafts with Kids
• Use child-safe scissors for younger children
• Supervise any step involving hot glue
• Pre-cut shapes for very young groups
• Avoid small decorations for children under three
• Use washable, non-toxic paints and adhesives
Before You Start: A Quick Note
These projects are meant to be flexible. You can adjust materials, scale, and colors based on your child’s age and creativity. Each step-by-step guide includes simple instructions, décor suggestions, and a template or video tutorial when available.
Easy DIY Christmas Crafts for Kids (Step-by-Step Guides)
DIY Layered Christmas Decoration: A Standing Winter Scene Kids Can Build from Cardboard
This standing winter scene is one of those projects that looks surprisingly “fancy,” yet kids can absolutely make it on their own. You paint a simple snowy background, cut a few cardboard circles, add Santa, the gifts, the gingerbread man — and suddenly the whole thing feels like a tiny Christmas world built inside your hands. The layered circles make the scene stand forward like a little stage set, which kids always find magical.
Where does this standing Christmas craft look best as holiday décor?
Because it stands on its own, this project works beautifully in real decorating. We often place it on a bookshelf, windowsill, or mantel, and in a classroom it looks perfect on the teacher’s desk or next to a Christmas book corner. The layered depth catches the light and makes it feel like a small handmade diorama — a warm, cozy accent that instantly adds holiday spirit.
What you’ll need:
paper, cardboard, paints, markers, glue, printed elements
How to make it:
- Paint a blue winter background and let it dry.
- Cut 2–3 cardboard circles of different sizes and decorate each one with Santa, gifts, candy canes, and little winter icons.
- Slide the circles into a simple cardboard stand — biggest in the back, smallest in the front — and your 3D scene is ready.
Easy Chalk-Pastel Snowman Art: Winter Wall Decoration Kids Can Make with a Simple Template
This chalk-pastel snowman is one of those projects that feels almost like magic for kids. You start with a simple printed outline, cut out the inside shape, and use it as a stencil. Then the fun begins: children brush or tap soft pastel all around the edge, smudge it with their fingers, and when you lift the stencil, a bright white snowman appears with a soft glowing halo. After that, they add a little paper hat, scarf, twig arms, a carrot nose, and googly eyes to bring him to life.
How can this snowman pastel art be used as Christmas decor?
Because it’s flat and bright, this project is perfect for walls and doors. You can frame a single snowman as winter wall art, hang a row of them as a banner, or fill a classroom bulletin board with a whole “snowman gallery.” At home, we like to clip them to a string with mini clothespins over a mantel or along a hallway — it instantly feels like a cheerful, handmade Christmas display.
What you’ll need: printed snowman template, white cardstock, soft chalk pastels, scissors, glue, colored paper for hat and scarf, googly eyes, black pen or marker.
How to make it:
- Print the snowman template, cut out the middle shape, and place the stencil on a sheet of cardstock.
- Use pastels to outline the shape, then blend with your fingers to create the glowing halo.
- Add the hat, scarf, arms, carrot nose, googly eyes, and draw the coal dots.
Ready to try it at home? Download the printable snowman template.
Handprint Christmas Lights Art: A Bright, Messy, Holiday Keepsake Kids Love Making
Handprint Christmas lights are always a hit, because kids get to dive straight into paint and leave colorful smudges that magically turn into glowing holiday bulbs. You simply print the template, paint each hand in a different color, and stamp the handprints along the string of lights. The moment the paint dries and the shapes settle, the whole page looks cheerful and full of children’s energy — a real “we did this together” memory.
How can this handprint lights art be used as Christmas décor?
This project makes some of the sweetest, most personal holiday decorations. Families often frame it, hang it on the fridge, or place it by the entryway as a warm holiday welcome. But what makes it truly special is that you can repeat the same craft every year. Each December, kids add a new set of handprints next to the ones from previous years, and over time you can literally see how those tiny hands have grown. It turns into a cheerful, personal garland that brightens the holidays and quietly tells your family’s own Christmas story. In classrooms, teachers love creating a collaborative banner — every child contributes a “bulb,” and the wall instantly feels brighter.
What you’ll need: printed Christmas-lights template, washable kids’ paint, paintbrush, paper towels, cardstock or thick paper
How to make it:
1. Print the lights template and prepare four or five paint colors.
2. Paint your child’s palm with the first color and stamp it over a bulb. Repeat with the remaining colors.
3. Let it dry and add names, dates, or a tiny holiday message if you want.
Spiral Snowmen: The Dancing Paper Decorations Kids Can Make and Hang in Minutes
Our Spiral Snowmen are hands down one of our most loved Christmas crafts — the video has already reached about three million views on Facebook. It’s the kind of project that’s simple enough for little hands, but magical enough to make adults stop and smile. Kids color the spiral, cut along the line, twist it gently, add a hat and scarf, and suddenly the snowman starts “dancing” when the air moves. It’s the kind of craft children want to make again and again.
Where do these spiral snowmen look best as holiday decor?
Because they hang and spin, these snowmen instantly brighten any space. Families love putting them near the fireplace or heater — the warm air makes them twirl like little winter acrobats. They’re also perfect for windows, door frames, classroom ceilings, or as part of a long Christmas mobile. When hung in a group, they create a festive “floating snowman parade” that feels cheerful, light, and full of movement.
What you’ll need: printed
spiral snowman template, colored pencils or markers, scissors, glue, string, optional glitter or sequins
How to make it:
1. Color the spiral and all the accessories — hat, scarf, carrot nose.
2. Cut the spiral along the outer line, plus the hat and scarf.
3. Attach the hat on top and the scarf at the neck.
4. Punch a hole at the top, add a string, and hang your snowman so he can twirl.
DIY Glitter Cardboard Trees: Easy Christmas Decorations Kids Can Make from Toilet Paper Rolls
These tiny cardboard trees are one of those projects that look festive right away, yet take only a few minutes to make. You flatten a toilet paper roll, cut a simple tree shape, add glue, sprinkle glitter — and suddenly the whole thing sparkles like a little holiday decoration. Kids love how fast this craft “turns magical.”
The finished trees stand on their own, have great dimension, and work beautifully in both home and classroom décor.
How to make it
• Flatten a toilet paper roll.
• Cut out a simple Christmas-tree shape.
• Add school glue along the edges.
• Sprinkle glitter (kids love mixing colors).
• Let it dry.
Where can you use this cardboard Christmas tree craft as holiday décor?
These small standing trees are perfect for creating cozy little holiday corners. Families and teachers often use them:
• On shelves or windowsills — as a tiny sparkling winter forest.
• In classrooms — on display tables or next to Christmas books.
• As a centerpiece — especially when you make several in different glitter colors.
• Under the big Christmas tree — as “mini trees” that create a sweet, handmade look.
• As kid-made gifts — simple, inexpensive, and very personal.
The glitter catches the light beautifully, so even one tree can brighten a whole corner.
DIY Santa Hat Ornaments: Easy Christmas Decorations Made from Egg Cartons
This is one of those “wait, this came from an egg carton?!” projects — simple, cute, and incredibly satisfying. You cut the cones out of a cardboard egg tray, paint them red (inside and out), wrap the bottom with a strip of white paper, glue on a pom-pom at the top, and add a piece of string. In just a few minutes you get tiny Santa hats that look surprisingly polished for something made from recyclables.
Kids love this craft because each hat turns out slightly different — some tall, some short, some with bright pom-poms, some with soft ones.
How to make it
Cut several individual cones out of a cardboard egg carton.
Paint the cones red, both inside and outside.
Wrap the bottom edge with a strip of white paper to create the trim.
Glue a pom-pom on the top.
Make a tiny hole and pull a string or thread through.
Hang it — that’s it.
See the full step-by-step → DIY Egg Carton Santa Hat Ornaments
Where do these egg carton Santa hats look best as Christmas décor?
These tiny hats are light, durable, and add instant charm wherever you place them. Families and teachers usually use them:
- On the Christmas tree — they hang beautifully, even on small branches.
- As mini garland pieces — string 5–10 hats together for the cutest recycled banner.
- In classroom displays — kids love seeing their own hats on the holiday wall.
- As gift toppers — tie one onto a present for a handmade touch.
- On a mini tree — like a tiny “Santa forest” that makes kids laugh.
DIY Toilet Paper Roll Snowflakes: Simple Hanging Decorations Kids Can Make
These cardboard snowflakes look delicate and “store-bought,” yet they’re made entirely from toilet paper rolls. You cut the roll into three equal strips, snip small triangular shapes along both sides to create the spiked edges, then interlock the strips into a snowflake and glue them together. A quick splash of white paint gives that frosted, just-snowed look.
Kids love this craft because each snowflake turns out slightly different — some fuller, some more pointy — just like real ones.
How to make it
• Cut a toilet paper roll into three equal rings.
• On each ring, cut tiny triangle shapes along both edges to create the “spikes.”
• Interlock the three pieces to form a snowflake shape.
• Glue where needed to secure the structure.
• Add a string for hanging.
• Flick white paint over the surface to mimic fresh snow.
You can watch a step-by-step video tutorial to see exactly how we make these delightful snowflakes.
Where do these cardboard snowflakes look best as winter décor?
These snowflakes are incredibly versatile because they’re lightweight and neutral in color. Families and teachers often use them:
• On branches in a vase — creating a simple Scandinavian-style winter arrangement.
• On the Christmas tree — as rustic, handmade ornaments.
• In classroom windows — they hang well on suction hooks and catch the light beautifully.
• As part of a winter garland — combine 6–10 snowflakes on one string.
• On gift bags — they make inexpensive but lovely embellishments.
The natural cardboard + white paint combo gives a cozy, modern, minimalist look that fits almost any holiday décor style.
DIY Paper Bag Snowflake: A Big, Beautiful Decoration You Can Make in Minutes
This paper bag snowflake looks dramatic — big, layered, geometric — yet the process is unbelievably simple. You glue nine plain paper bags into a stack, trim the sides and the top into clean angles, and then open the whole thing like a giant fan. Kids love the reveal moment: one pull, and the snowflake appears instantly.
It’s one of those crafts that feels like magic because it looks far more complicated than it is.
How to make it
• Glue nine paper bags together, stacking them evenly.
• Cut two small triangles from the sides.
• Cut a sharp angle at the top.
• Open (fan out) the stack to reveal the snowflake.
• Glue the loose ends together to secure the shape.
For a closer look at the process, don’t forget to check out the
video tutorial showcasing every detail.
Where does this paper bag snowflake look best as Christmas décor?
Because it’s large, lightweight, and neutral in color, this snowflake becomes an instant statement piece. Families and teachers often use it:
• On walls — it fills big spaces without feeling heavy.
• As a photo backdrop — perfect for classroom winter parties or holiday family photos.
• In windows — the layered structure looks beautiful against the light.
• Above the mantel — one big piece or a cluster of three creates a cozy Christmas display.
• For school hallways — dramatic and easy to hang with just a piece of tape or a pushpin.
Its scale and symmetry give that “Pinterest décor” look with almost zero effort.
DIY Tinsel Christmas Tree: A Lightweight Standing Decoration Kids Can Build
This little tinsel tree looks bright and cheerful, and kids love it because the whole structure comes together almost like building a tiny sculpture. You use a plastic lid as the base, glue wooden skewers around the edge, pull them together at the top, wrap everything with green tinsel, and finish with mini pom-poms. The result is a surprisingly sturdy standing tree that looks festive from any angle.
How to make it
• Glue wooden skewers all around the edge of a plastic lid.
• Gather the skewers at the top and secure them with a rubber band.
• Add hot glue to the skewers and wrap the entire frame with green tinsel.
• Glue small pom-poms around the tree.
• Finish with a bow on top.
Where does this tinsel Christmas tree look best as holiday décor?
Because it’s lightweight but tall, this tree works beautifully as an accent piece. Families and teachers often use it:
• On a kids’ craft table or homework desk — it adds instant holiday spirit without taking up much space.
• As a centerpiece — especially for children’s Christmas parties, where bright colors really pop.
• On mantels and shelves — its height creates nice visual balance next to books, candles, or garlands.
• In classroom displays — kids love seeing “their” tree standing tall among other handmade décor.
• Near the real Christmas tree — it creates a playful “mini forest” look.
The combination of tinsel and pom-poms gives it a joyful, kid-made style that always makes people smile.
Tips for Stress-Free Decorating with Kids
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Prep in small steps. Cut templates or shapes beforehand if you work with a group.
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Use washable materials. Pastels, glue sticks, and washable paint keep cleanup simple.
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Create a “craft tray.” Give each child a tray with everything they need to avoid chaos.
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Hang decorations together. Kids love choosing where their creations go — it builds ownership and excitement.
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Embrace the imperfections. Handmade Christmas décor is charming precisely because it’s not perfect.
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Handmade Christmas decorations don’t just fill your home with color — they fill it with memories. When kids help decorate the house, they feel included in the season, and many of these crafts become keepsakes families save year after year.
Whether you’re making these projects at home, in a classroom, or during a holiday event, each craft is an invitation to slow down, create something together, and make the holidays feel a little more magical.
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FAQ: Quick Answers About DIY Christmas Decorations with Kids
How old should kids be to try these Christmas crafts?
Most of these easy Christmas crafts for kids work well for ages 3–7 with light adult help for cutting and gluing. Older kids can handle more of the steps on their own and add extra details.
Are these Christmas decorations good for classrooms?
Yes. Many projects here are perfect as classroom Christmas crafts because they use cheap, easy-to-share materials like paper, toilet paper rolls, and egg cartons. Teachers can prep simple shapes in advance and let kids do the fun part.
What are the easiest Christmas crafts for younger kids?
Handprint Christmas lights, pastel snowman art, and glitter cardboard trees are the best starting point for preschoolers. They focus on painting, stamping, and sprinkling glitter — no tricky cutting or folding.
Do I need any special tools or supplies?
No. These DIY Christmas decorations are designed around everyday materials: paper, cardboard tubes, egg cartons, glue, paint, and a few fun extras like pom-poms and sequins. You probably already have most of it at home or in your classroom.
How long does each Christmas craft usually take?
Most projects take about 10–20 minutes, depending on the age group and how much decorating you add. The layered standing scene and the tinsel tree may take a bit longer but still fit into one lesson or family craft session.
Can we keep these decorations and reuse them next year?
Definitely. Let the crafts dry completely, then store flat pieces in a folder and 3D decorations in a shallow box. Many families love saving the kid-made Christmas decorations — especially handprint projects — and hanging them again every holiday season.
