As the holidays draw near, I find myself reminiscing about the simple joy of crafting ornaments with loved ones. There’s a unique magic in transforming everyday materials into festive treasures. Whether it’s molding salt dough or adding a splash of paint to pinecones, each creation becomes a beloved keepsake. If you’re searching for ways to ignite creativity and bond with family, here are 18 kid-friendly ornament projects to inspire your next cozy gathering. Let’s explore them together.
Salt Dough Ornaments
When it comes to crafting memorable holiday decorations, salt dough ornaments are a fun and easy option that kids can really enjoy.
I love making these with my little ones; we mix flour, salt, and water, then shape the dough into festive figures.
Once baked, we paint and decorate them, creating lasting mementos.
Trust me, these ornaments will bring joy to your holiday season!
Paper Snowflakes
Creating paper snowflakes is a delightful way to bring the winter wonderland indoors, and I often make several with my kids each year.
We start with simple square sheets, fold them, and cut out fun shapes. It’s amazing how each snowflake turns out unique!
Once they’re done, we hang them in our windows, creating a magical festive atmosphere.
Painted Pinecones
Although gathering pinecones can be a fun outdoor adventure, painting them turns them into beautiful ornaments that capture the holiday spirit.
I love to set up a painting station with vibrant colors, letting my kids express their creativity. We add glitter for sparkle and hang them on the tree, creating a unique display.
These painted pinecones become cherished memories of our holiday traditions.
Beaded Holiday Wreaths
After enjoying the fun of painting pinecones, I love to switch gears and make beaded holiday wreaths with my kids.
We gather colorful beads, wire, and a sturdy base, letting their creativity shine. Each wreath becomes a unique masterpiece, showcasing their personalities.
It’s a delightful way to bond while creating beautiful decorations that add sparkle to our holiday festivities!
DIY Photo Ornaments
DIY photo ornaments bring a personal touch to your holiday decor, capturing cherished memories in a festive way.
I love picking favorite family photos and turning them into ornaments. Simply print the pictures, cut them to size, and attach them to a sturdy backing.
Add some ribbon, and you’ve got a unique decoration that sparks joy and tells our family story every Christmas!
Gingerbread Man Ornaments
Gingerbread man ornaments add a delightful touch to any Christmas tree, and I can’t resist making them each year.
I love involving my kids in decorating them with colorful icing and sprinkles. We use felt or cardboard for easy crafting, letting their creativity shine.
Once finished, we hang them proudly, creating sweet memories that make our holiday season even more special.
Glittered Glass Ball Ornaments
One of my favorite traditions during the holidays is making glittered glass ball ornaments.
I gather clear glass balls and let my kids choose their favorite colors of glitter. We pour the glitter inside and shake it around, creating beautiful designs.
It’s a messy but magical experience, and each ornament becomes a cherished memory hanging on our tree every year.
Felt Christmas Trees
Creating felt Christmas trees is a fun and easy craft that my kids absolutely love.
We gather colorful felt, scissors, and glue to design our unique trees. My kids cut out different shapes, adding their favorite decorations like buttons and sequins.
Once finished, we hang them on the tree, feeling proud of our creations. It’s a delightful way to bond during the holidays!
Popsicle Stick Reindeer
Making popsicle stick reindeer is a delightful holiday craft that my kids always enjoy. We gather some sticks, glue them together, and add googly eyes, a red pom-pom for a nose, and pipe cleaner antlers.
It’s amazing to see their creativity shine as they personalize each reindeer. These adorable ornaments not only brighten our tree but also create lasting memories together.
Yarn-Wrapped Ornaments
While decorating the tree, I love to incorporate yarn-wrapped ornaments because they add a cozy, handmade touch.
It’s a simple project where kids can help wrap yarn around various shapes, like balls or stars. We can use colorful yarn to match our tree’s theme.
Each ornament reflects our creativity and makes decorating a fun family activity that we cherish every year.
Cinnamon Stick Stars
Cinnamon stick stars bring a delightful aroma and charm to our holiday decor.
I love making these with my kids; it’s simple and fun! We glue cinnamon sticks together in star shapes, then decorate them with glitter or ribbons.
The best part? They smell amazing hanging on our tree.
These ornaments truly capture the spirit of Christmas while creating lasting memories together!
Clothespin Angels
After creating our fragrant cinnamon stick stars, I love to switch gears and make clothespin angels with my kids.
It’s such a simple craft! We paint the clothespins white, then add a golden pipe cleaner for the halo and some sparkly embellishments.
Each angel turns out unique, reflecting our creativity. These little ornaments add a charming touch to our Christmas tree!
Nature-Inspired Ornaments
As I venture into the great outdoors with my kids, I’m always amazed by the natural treasures we can turn into beautiful ornaments.
Pinecones, acorns, and colorful leaves make for fantastic decorations. We glue them onto cardstock, add a touch of glitter, and voilà!
Each piece tells a story of our adventures, bringing a unique touch to our holiday decor.
Toilet Paper Roll Santas
Inspired by our nature adventures, we decided to get crafty indoors with some easy-to-make Toilet Paper Roll Santas.
I gathered some empty rolls, red paint, cotton balls, and markers.
The kids loved painting the rolls and gluing on the cotton for Santa’s beard.
It was so much fun to see their creativity shine while making unique ornaments for our tree!
Button Snowmen
Three simple steps can turn ordinary buttons into adorable snowman ornaments that kids will love making.
First, gather different-sized buttons and stack them.
Next, use a glue gun to secure them together.
Finally, let your kids decorate with felt hats, scarves, or tiny eyes.
These charming snowmen not only brighten the tree but also create cherished memories with family during the holidays!
Candy Cane Reindeer
Creating Candy Cane Reindeer is a fun and easy way to bring some festive cheer to your holiday decorations.
All you need are some candy canes, googly eyes, and a red pom-pom for the nose. Just glue the eyes and nose on, then add pipe cleaner antlers.
My kids love personalizing each reindeer, making our tree uniquely delightful and full of character!
Egg Carton Bell Ornaments
Since the holiday season is all about creativity and fun, making Egg Carton Bell Ornaments is a fantastic way to involve the kids in crafting.
All you need are some egg cartons, scissors, paint, and string. Cut out the cups, decorate them with bright colors, and add a jingle bell inside.
Hang them on your tree for a cheerful, homemade touch!
Handprint Ornaments
Handprint ornaments are a delightful way to capture your child’s artistic spirit during the holiday season.
I love spreading non-toxic paint on their tiny hands and pressing them onto ceramic or air-dry clay.
Once they dry, we decorate with glitter or markers, turning each handprint into a festive design.
These ornaments make cherished keepsakes that bring back sweet memories year after year.
