Christmas ornaments for kids to make are a wonderful way to bring the family together during the holiday season. These handmade treasures become more than just decorations — they turn into memories, stories, and moments frozen in time. When children craft their own ornaments, they learn to express creativity, practice fine motor skills, and feel the joy of giving something personal to their loved ones. In this article, we’ll explore 25 fun and easy ideas for Christmas ornaments for kids to make. Each project is designed to be simple, safe, and full of charm, so parents and kids can enjoy the process together and create keepsakes that last.
Salt Dough Handprint Ornament
Salt dough is a classic crafting material that’s easy to make at home and fun for kids to use. This ornament captures the size of a child’s hand at a certain age — a real keepsake parents cherish as kids grow up.
What you’ll need:
Flour, salt, water, rolling pin, cookie cutter or circular shape, straw or skewer (for hanging hole), paint, ribbon.
How to make it:
Mix two parts flour with one part salt, then add water slowly until you get a dough that’s not sticky. Roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick. Press your child’s hand gently into the dough to make a clear impression. Use a cookie cutter or freehand cut a circle or other shape around the handprint. Make a small hole at the top for hanging. Bake the dough at low heat (around 200°F) for 2-3 hours or until fully hardened. Once cooled, paint the ornament with festive colors or leave it natural for a rustic look. Tie a ribbon through the hole and hang it on the tree.
This simple salt dough handprint ornament becomes a beautiful way to remember your child’s tiny hands year after year.
Popsicle Stick Reindeer with Googly Eyes
Simple, fun, and sure to get a smile — this popsicle stick reindeer is a great starter project for young crafters.
What you’ll need:
Popsicle sticks, brown paint, googly eyes, red pom-pom, glue, brown pipe cleaners.
How to make it:
Start by painting three popsicle sticks brown — these will form the reindeer’s face and antlers. Arrange two sticks as antlers in a ‘V’ shape and glue them to the third stick, which is the face. Once dry, glue on two googly eyes. Add a red pom-pom at the bottom center as Rudolph’s nose. Twist two brown pipe cleaners to make antler details and glue or wrap them onto the stick antlers. Let everything dry, then tie a string to hang it on the tree.
This reindeer is charming and easy to customize with your child’s choice of colors or accessories.
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Beaded Candy Cane Using Red and White Pony Beads
A colorful and hands-on project that helps kids practice patterns and fine motor skills.
What you’ll need:
Red and white pony beads, pipe cleaners, scissors.
How to make it:
Cut a pipe cleaner about 8 inches long. Have your child string the red and white beads alternately, creating the classic candy cane stripes. Leave about an inch un-beaded at one end for bending. When finished, bend the pipe cleaner into a candy cane shape. Twist the ends to secure the beads. The result is a bright, tactile ornament perfect for little hands.
Kids love making these beaded candy canes, and they add a pop of color to the tree.
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Mini Felt Christmas Tree Decorated with Sequins
Soft, colorful, and customizable — felt trees are a great way to introduce sewing or glue skills.
What you’ll need:
Green felt, scissors, needle and thread or glue, sequins, ribbon.
How to make it:
Cut two identical small Christmas tree shapes from the green felt. Let your child decorate one side with sequins by sewing them on or gluing them. Place the two felt pieces together and sew or glue around the edges, leaving the bottom open if you want to stuff it lightly for dimension. Attach a ribbon loop at the top for hanging.
This felt tree is a cozy ornament that kids can proudly show off every holiday season.
Cinnamon Stick and Ribbon Tree Ornament
This ornament brings warm scents and rustic charm to your holiday decor.
What you’ll need:
Cinnamon sticks, small ribbons, hot glue gun (parent help), twine or string.
How to make it:
Arrange three cinnamon sticks into a triangle or bundle them in a small bundle. Use hot glue or strong craft glue to fix them together. Tie a festive ribbon around the bundle, finishing with a bow. Attach twine or string for hanging.
The natural aroma of cinnamon adds to the sensory experience, making this ornament a favorite for both kids and adults.
Pom-Pom Wreath on a Cardboard Ring
Bright, fluffy, and simple, pom-poms are perfect for little hands to create a mini wreath.
What you’ll need:
Colorful pom-poms, cardboard, scissors, glue, ribbon.
How to make it:
Cut a ring from a piece of cardboard — about 3-4 inches wide. Help your child glue pom-poms all around the ring, covering the cardboard completely. Tie a ribbon at the top for hanging.
This wreath looks festive on any tree and is a colorful reminder of your child’s creativity.
Pipe Cleaner Snowflake with Glitter Beads
Delicate and sparkly, this project combines pipe cleaners and beads to make a winter classic.
What you’ll need:
White or silver pipe cleaners, small glitter beads, scissors.
How to make it:
Twist and bend pipe cleaners into a snowflake shape. String glitter beads onto the ends and middle sections. Adjust the shape to make it symmetrical. Leave a small loop for hanging.
Kids will love the chance to design their own unique snowflake pattern.
Clothespin Reindeer with Red Pom-Pom Nose
A cute take on a reindeer using simple household items.
What you’ll need:
Wooden clothespins, brown paint, red pom-poms, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, glue.
How to make it:
Paint the clothespin brown and let dry. Glue googly eyes on one end. Attach a red pom-pom for the nose at the front. Twist pipe cleaners for antlers and glue to the top.
This fun project uses everyday materials to create a memorable Christmas decoration.
Painted Pinecone Christmas Tree with Star on Top
Nature meets holiday spirit in this pinecone tree ornament.
What you’ll need:
Pinecones, green paint, small wooden or paper star, glue, ribbon.
How to make it:
Paint the pinecone green and let dry. Glue a small star on the top. Attach a ribbon loop for hanging.
This natural ornament adds texture and charm to any tree and is simple enough for young kids to help with.
Yarn-Wrapped Star Ornament Made from Cardboard
Soft and colorful, this yarn star lets kids practice wrapping and patterns.
What you’ll need:
Cardboard cut into star shape, yarn in various colors, scissors, glue, string.
How to make it:
Cut a star from cardboard. Help your child wrap yarn around the star, changing colors as desired. Secure yarn ends with glue. Add a string for hanging.
The wrapped yarn gives a cozy feeling, perfect for the holidays.
Tissue Paper and Glue Stained Glass Ornament (Using Clear Plastic Lid)
Bright and translucent, these look like tiny stained glass windows.
What you’ll need:
Clear plastic lids, colored tissue paper, white glue or glue stick, scissors, ribbon.
How to make it:
Cut tissue paper into small shapes. Apply glue to the plastic lid and stick tissue pieces onto it. Cover with another thin layer of glue to seal. Let dry and attach a ribbon loop.
These ornaments catch the light beautifully and are fun for kids to arrange colors.
Handprint Cut-Out Santa Beard Ornament (Construction Paper)
A fun way to turn your child’s handprint into Santa’s beard.
What you’ll need:
White construction paper, red paper, scissors, glue, cotton balls, ribbon.
How to make it:
Trace your child’s hand on white paper and cut it out. Cut a red paper hat shape. Glue the hat to the top of the handprint. Glue cotton balls around the edges to create a fluffy beard. Attach a ribbon for hanging.
It’s a cute, personalized Santa that kids enjoy making and displaying.
Craft Stick Snowman with Felt Scarf and Hat
Simple and classic, the snowman brings winter cheer.
What you’ll need:
Craft sticks, white paint, felt scraps, googly eyes, glue, markers, ribbon.
How to make it:
Glue three craft sticks together vertically. Paint them white. Cut felt into a scarf and hat and glue on. Add googly eyes and draw a mouth and buttons with markers. Tie a ribbon for hanging.
This snowman is a bright and cheery addition to your holiday tree.
Bottle Cap Snowman Stacked and Painted
Upcycled and playful, this snowman uses bottle caps to create dimension.
What you’ll need:
Bottle caps, white paint, glue, felt, googly eyes, markers, ribbon.
How to make it:
Paint three bottle caps white and let dry. Stack and glue them together vertically. Add googly eyes, felt hat, and draw a face with markers. Attach a ribbon for hanging.
Kids love using everyday items to make something festive and fun.
Felt Mitten Ornament Stuffed with Cotton Balls
Soft and squishy, this mitten adds texture and warmth to your tree.
What you’ll need:
Felt, scissors, cotton balls, glue, ribbon, markers.
How to make it:
Cut two identical mitten shapes from felt. Glue or sew around edges, leaving a small opening. Stuff lightly with cotton balls. Close the opening. Decorate with markers or small felt shapes. Add a hanging ribbon.
It’s a cozy keepsake that’s easy and fun for kids.
Cork Reindeer with Pipe Cleaner Antlers
A quick and cute ornament made from wine corks.
What you’ll need:
Wine corks, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, red pom-poms, glue, ribbon.
How to make it:
Glue googly eyes on a cork. Attach a red pom-pom for the nose. Twist pipe cleaners into antlers and glue them on. Add ribbon for hanging.
Simple, charming, and perfect for kids to assemble with help.
Button Wreath Glued in a Circle on Cardboard
Bright and colorful, this wreath is easy to make and cheerful to display.
What you’ll need:
Buttons, cardboard ring, glue, ribbon.
How to make it:
Cut a ring from cardboard. Help your child glue buttons all around the ring, overlapping for fullness. Tie a ribbon for hanging.
This wreath adds a splash of color and is a great way to use leftover buttons.
Glitter-Dipped Pinecone with Ribbon Hanger
Sparkly and natural, a quick way to dress up pinecones.
What you’ll need:
Pinecones, glue, glitter, ribbon.
How to make it:
Dip the tips of pinecones in glue, then into glitter. Let dry. Attach a ribbon loop.
Kids enjoy the sparkle and the tactile feel of pinecones.
Paper Plate Angel Ornament with Doily Wings
Lightweight and simple, this angel is perfect for little hands.
What you’ll need:
Paper plates, coffee filters or doilies, glue, markers, ribbon.
How to make it:
Cut a paper plate into a circle or shape the plate into the angel’s body. Use doilies or coffee filters for wings. Decorate with markers. Attach a ribbon.
This angel is a sweet and easy decoration for the tree.
Cupcake Liner Christmas Tree Ornament
Fluffy and textured, these trees look great clustered on the tree.
What you’ll need:
Green cupcake liners, glue, small beads or sequins, ribbon.
How to make it:
Flatten and layer cupcake liners, gluing them into a tree shape. Add small beads or sequins for decorations. Attach ribbon for hanging.
It’s a fun way to transform simple supplies into something festive.
Foam Ball Painted as a Snowman Head with Hat
Round and cheerful, this snowman head is easy to paint and personalize.
What you’ll need:
Foam balls, paint, felt scraps, googly eyes, glue, ribbon.
How to make it:
Paint the foam ball white and let dry. Add googly eyes, paint a mouth and nose. Glue on a felt hat. Add a ribbon loop for hanging.
Kids enjoy painting and assembling this friendly snowman.
Popsicle Stick Sleigh with Jingle Bells
Fun and festive, this sleigh adds a little music to your tree.
What you’ll need:
Popsicle sticks, glue, small jingle bells, paint, ribbon.
How to make it:
Glue popsicle sticks together to form a small sleigh shape. Paint if desired. Glue jingle bells onto the sleigh for sound. Attach ribbon for hanging.
This project combines creativity with a bit of holiday cheer.
Wood Slice Ornament Painted as a Reindeer Face
Natural and artistic, a wood slice adds rustic charm.
What you’ll need:
Wood slices, paint, brushes, ribbon.
How to make it:
Paint a reindeer face on the wood slice. Add simple details like eyes, nose, and antlers. Tie a ribbon loop for hanging.
It’s a straightforward project with a beautiful result.
Pipe Cleaner and Bead Icicle Ornament
Twinkly and lightweight, these icicles are fun to customize.
What you’ll need:
Pipe cleaners, beads, scissors, ribbon.
How to make it:
String beads onto a pipe cleaner. Twist the pipe cleaner into an icicle shape. Add a ribbon for hanging.
Kids love mixing bead colors and shapes for a sparkling effect.
Mini Felt Stocking Sewn or Glued and Decorated
Tiny and cute, these stockings are fun to personalize.
What you’ll need:
Felt pieces, scissors, glue or needle and thread, decorations, ribbon.
How to make it:
Cut two stocking shapes from felt. Sew or glue around the edges, leaving the top open. Decorate with felt shapes or markers. Add a ribbon loop.
These mini stockings can hold tiny treats or simply decorate the tree.