15 Ideas for a Crafty Christmas

Keep your kiddos busy as elves this holiday season with Christmas crafts that bring the cheer in big ways. Create Santa beards for funny photo opps. Make your own snowglobes using LEGO figures. There’s all kinds of fun to be had with just a few easy-to-grab materials. Merry Christmas and happy crafting!

1. Cotton Ball Santa Beard
A cotton ball Santa beard is the perfect accessory for photo opps and holiday parties. It’s also an easy thing to whip up and have on hand. Get the how-to at Say Yes.

Photo credit: Say Yes

2. Melted Crayon Reindeer
You can get some really cool and crafty effects if you’re willing to try your hand at melted crayon art–like a rack of antlers for this cute reindeer. Find out how it was made at Rockabye Butterfly.

Photo credit: Rockabye Butterfly

3. Christmas Print Trees
This is a great creative activity for the preschool set. All you need is toilet paper rolls (to make the swirly print), paint and a set of little hands. Head over to Creativity First for more info.

Photo credit: Creativity First

4. Felt Play Christmas Tree
The beauty of this craft is that it’s a fun and interactive play activity — and it will likely keep the little ones from messing with your real tree with its real ornaments. Find a space on the wall for this felt creation and let the pretend time begin. Get the how-to from Sol and Rachel Do a Blog.

Photo credit: Sol and Rachel Do a Blog

5. Fingerprint Gift Wrap
This craft is not only cute, it’s useful, too! The kids will have a blast painting their fingers and making the colorful pattern of lights. Learn more at burlap + blue.

Photo credit: burlap + blue

6. LEGO Snowglobe
There’s something genius about combining two kid-favorites like LEGOS and snowglobes. Sure, your little LEGO lover will have to sacrifice a piece or two, but everything shakes out when you’ve got the competed craft in hand. Get the how-to at minieco.co.uk.

 Photo credit: minieco.co.uk

7. Handprint Tree Skirt
It’s hard to pass up an art project involving kiddie hand prints. We like the idea for this tree skirt because it not only personalizes your Christmas tree but also can be added to each year as hands grow bigger. Head over to Life Sprinkled with Glitter for more details.

Photo credit: Life Sprinkled with Glitter 

8. Clay Snowmen
As an alternative to the outdoor cold, try whipping up your very own clay snowmen at your kitchen table. These little guys are great to play with or dot around the house for decoration. Get the instructions from Say Yes.

Photo credit: Say Yes

9. Clothespin Wreath
This craft doubles up as decoration and picture holder. (You can use the clothespins to hang your holiday photos and cards.) If you’re not too picky about the green of your wreath, let the little ones paint the pins whatever colors they desire. Get the scoop at Gwenny Penny.

Photo credit: Gwenny Penny

10. Elf Yourself
The kids will get a kick out of turning photos of themselves into pointy-hatted elves. Hang them around the house for extra smiles every time you turn a corner or do a smaller version for Christmas dinner place cards. Find out more at Art with Ms. Chiddo.

Photo credit: Art with Ms. Chiddo

11. Pop Bottle Penguins
Who knew your recyclables could be so cute? These little penguins are perfect pals to have around during the holiday season. Have the kids help paint — we’re betting they’ll love contributing to the penguin facial expressions. See more pics of this fab craft at Craftberry Bush.

Photo credit: Craftberry Bush

12. Nutcracker Mask
We’re loving the creativity of this nutcracker mask–which is good to go for Christmas playtime and beyond. It makes use of a to-go food container, paint and more. You can get all the DIY details at Llevo el Invierno. The instructions are in Spanish, but you can translate easily using the handy Google widget on the right of the page.

Photo credit: Llevo el Invierno

13. Reindeer Gloves
This craft takes finger puppets to a whole new level. It may have less kid involvement than other activities (unless your kiddos are old enough to help cut out the felt characters) but the playtime payoff is worth it. See more ultra-cute pics at Delia Creates.

Photo credit: Delia Creates

14.  Snowman Garland
Face it: This snowman garland is pretty darn cute. Get the whole gang involved in making the faces on plates so you have a range of Snowman moods. Find out more at Real Life, One Day at the Time.

Photo credit: Real Life, One Day at a Time

15. Gingerbread Man Art
This activity has all the fun of making decorating gingerbread cookies but ends up as art instead of edibles. It’s scented, too, so you can get crafty even as you infuse the house with gingerbread smells. Get the whole scoop at Fun at Home with Kids.

Photo credit: Fun at Home with Kids

Which craft do you plan to try with the kids? Share with us in the comment section below!

–Abigail Matsumoto