Holiday Craft Ideas for Little Ones: Sparking Joy and Creativity

by Nicole Beasley December 2, 2023

The holiday season is the perfect time to gather the family and engage in festive activities that bring joy and create lasting memories. Crafting with little ones not only enhances their creativity but also provides an opportunity for quality bonding time. In this blog post, we'll explore a variety of holiday craft ideas tailored for young children, ensuring smiles, laughter, and a dash of holiday magic. (We are sensitive to cultural and diversified beliefs around holiday celebrations. Please include any of these activities with these sensitivities in mind.)

Santa's Workshop: DIY Ornaments Transform your home into Santa's Workshop by crafting personalized ornaments. Use salt dough or clay to shape festive figures like snowmen, reindeer, and, of course, jolly old St. Nick. Let your little ones paint and decorate these ornaments with glitter, sequins, and markers. These creations will not only adorn your tree but also become cherished keepsakes.
Gingerbread House Extravaganza: Edible Art Create a mini gingerbread village with your little ones. You can use pre-made gingerbread house kits or make your own using graham crackers. Provide an array of candies, frosting, and edible decorations to let their imaginations run wild. The best part? They get to nibble on their sweet creations throughout the holiday season.
Handprint Reindeer Cards: Personalized Greetings Turn your child's handprints into adorable reindeer-themed holiday cards. Paint their palms brown and press them onto cardstock, then add eyes, a red nose, and antlers. These handmade cards make for heartwarming gifts for grandparents, teachers, and friends.
Snowman Sock Puppets: Wintertime Playmates Repurpose old socks into charming snowman puppets. Let your little ones choose the socks and then assist them in stuffing and decorating their new puppet friends. Use buttons for eyes, a small carrot for the nose, and fabric scraps for scarves. Once complete, these snowman puppets can star in their very own winter puppet show.
Pinecone Owls: Nature-inspired Decor Take a nature walk with your little ones to collect pinecones, then transform them into cute owls. Paint the pinecones in various colors, add googly eyes, and attach felt wings. These charming pinecone owls can be displayed as festive decor or hung on the tree.
Holiday Story Stones: Imaginative Storytelling Encourage creativity and storytelling by creating holiday-themed story stones. Collect smooth stones and paint them with images of holiday symbols like a Christmas tree, snowflake, or present. Toss the stones into a basket and take turns creating a unique holiday story by drawing one stone at a time.

This holiday season, embrace the joy of crafting with your little ones. These simple and delightful holiday craft ideas are sure to spark creativity, laughter, and the warm spirit of the season. So, gather your supplies, put on some festive tunes, and let the holiday crafting begin!