This post compiles Christmas arts and crafts for toddlers and preschoolers that you can do at home with minimal supplies!
I’m one of those people that gets excited for the Christmas season before we’re even done stuffing our faces with turkey. Not quite a Christmas-decorations-before-Thanksgiving type of gal, but I am certainly ready once the dishes have been put away.
*Cue Mariah Carey*
Now that I am a mom, I look forward to Christmas with my kids even more. From listening to my favorite holiday tunes and making cookies, to putting up decorations and doing arts and crafts projects that I used to do as a kid… I love it!
Growing up, my aunt used to have an annual get together at her house where all the cousins would go over for a curated Christmas arts and crafts day, and our craft of the year depended on our general age range. We would make Christmas tree ornaments, cookies, gingerbread houses, Christmas decorations and more. It was always one of my favorite times of year, and I SO look forward to doing the same with my own kids and niece.
That’s why I am excited to share some of my favorite Christmas arts and crafts for toddlers in this round up!
Other helpful toddler posts:
– Best Indoor Toddler Activities for Fun at Home
Why Arts and Crafts?
Engaging in arts and crafts activities with toddlers during the Christmas season can be an incredibly enjoyable and fulfilling experience for both children and parents. The holiday season provides the perfect opportunity to explore creativity, enhance fine motor skills, and, most importantly, create precious memories together.
Here are some reasons I love Christmas art and crafts for toddlers:
1. Fostering Creativity: Arts and crafts activities are a great way for toddlers to explore their imagination freely. Whether it’s making Christmas cards, homemade ornaments, a reindeer hat, or crafting paper snowflakes, toddlers can let their creativity run wild. Providing them with various art supplies like colorful papers, markers, glue, and glitter can inspire their creativity and help them express themselves.
2. Developing Fine Motor Skills: Engaging in arts and crafts activities involves the use of small muscles in the fingers and hands, helping toddlers develop their fine motor skills. From tearing paper to holding a paintbrush, these activities improve hand-eye coordination and dexterity, essential skills for their overall development.
3. Learning Through Play: Christmas crafts are an excellent opportunity for toddlers to learn about colors, shapes, and textures in a playful manner – with a little holiday spirit on the side! They can sort different colored beads, feel the textures of various craft materials, and identify shapes while cutting or drawing. These activities stimulate their senses and enhance their cognitive abilities. This is especially so if they can do them along side older kids.
4. Boosting Confidence and Building Lasting Memories: Like most projects, holiday crafts give little kids a sense of accomplishment and pride in their creations. Praising their efforts and displaying their finished artworks can boost their confidence and self-esteem, encouraging them to explore and learn more. Seeing my toddler’s face light up with excitement when she completes a craft project is unparalleled. These shared experiences create lasting memories for both parents and children. Every Christmas, when the handmade ornaments are hung on the tree or the crafted stockings are displayed, the family can reminisce about the fun times spent together during the holiday season.
5. Spreading the Christmas Spirit: Engaging in Christmas-themed arts and crafts activities helps toddlers understand the joy and generosity associated with the holiday season. They can create personalized gifts for family and friends, like cards, handprint crafts, and homemade Christmas ornaments, and hand them out to their grandparents, aunts, and uncles. This teachers the value of giving and sharing with others.
However, incorporating arts and crafts into the Christmas activities with toddlers is not just about creating decorations; it’s about nurturing their creativity, enhancing their skills, and building cherished moments that will be remembered for years to come.
So, gather the art supplies, put on some festive music, and let the creative holiday fun begin!
Common Supplies for Holiday Crafts
You will need some basic craft supplies for some of the below projects. These include:
- googly eyes
- popsicle sticks
- construction paper
- glue stick
- pom poms
- hot glue gun
- pine cones
- markers or crayons
- pipe cleaners
- glitter
- paper plates
- bubble wrap
- tissue paper
- cotton ball(s)
- cookie cutters
- candy canes
Christmas Arts and Crafts for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Handmade Christmas decorations, greetings, and gifts are a great way to celebrate the holiday season and give your friends and family something special. Your toddler or preschooler will love being able to say, “Thanks, I made it!”
Whether you are looking to keep your kids busy after daycare, or you’re cooped up inside and need more ideas for indoor activities for toddlers… this post will get you in the Christmas spirit!
Here are some easy Christmas crafts that you can do at home:
ORNAMENTS
Homemade ornaments are one of the best ideas for easy Christmas crafts, requiring minimal supplies and time, but guaranteeing lots of smiles and memories. I used to love unwrapping the ornaments I made as a kid!
DIY Candy Cane Christmas Ornaments
This fun activity is great for working on your toddler or young preschooler’s fine motor skills while creating something sweet for the Christmas tree!
Source: My Crafty Mama
Cinnamon Stick Ribbon Tree Ornament
This ornament idea is a fun craft for young children working on coordination and their motor skills. Not only is this project festive but it may be nostalgic for some parents!
Source: Sustain My Craft Habit
Popsicle Stick Christmas Ornaments
Grab some dollar supplies and put aside just 30 minutes of your time, and these craft stick ornaments will be a hit with your littles! Popsicle stick Christmas trees are always a hit!
Source: The Soccer Mom Blog
Pipe Cleaner Wreath Ornament
Pipe cleaners, beads, and pom poms… what more do you need? Not much for this sweet pipe cleaner wreath ornament!
Source: My Crafty Mama
Cinnamon Ornaments
This 2-ingredient cinnamon ornament project would make a great holiday gifts from your little ones to their aunts, uncles, and grandparents!
Source: Strength and Sunshine
Handprint Santa Salt Dough Ornament
Salt dough ornaments are very popular and very simple. This is the perfect Christmas craft for those that want something that feels a little more personal.
Source: Easy Peasy and Fun
Handprint Salt Dough – Snow Flake Theme
Alternatively, use this salt dough craft to make snow flake themed ornaments!
Source: The Best Ideas for Kids
DECORATIONS
Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Tree
Upcycle your finished toilet paper rolls with this super sweet and simple Christmas tree project!
Source: My Crafty Mama
Cookie Sheet Christmas Craft
This project is a fun way to utilize a cookie sheet that has seen better days. And, it’s unique and unexpected!
Source: Sustain My Craft Habit
Cardboard Christmas Tree Pasta Craft
Upcycle your cardboard boxes and dye some pasta for this super cute and affordable holiday project!
Source: Mimosas and Motherhood
Paper Plate Santa
A super cute (and fun!) way to use up some cotton balls while working on fine motor skills. This Santa craft is great for at home or at school.
Source: My Crafty Mama
Popsicle Stick Snowman
A really simply project that is designed to be easy to paint after it is assembled!
Source: Unique Gifter
3D Christmas Tree
Using a Christmas tree printable, your kids can create a 3D craft that stands up on its own!
Source: Raise Curious Kids
Paper Plate Christmas Wreath
The great thing about this easy craft activity is that you can decorate your wreath with self adhesive craft items and skip the glue altogether! This is often easier than dealing with glue if your toddler is on the younger side.
Source: Finding Myself Young
CARDS
Paint Chip Christmas Tree Card
If you have a surplus of paint samples, you may be able to make some unique Christmas tree cards for your holiday greetings!
Source: Busy Blooming Joy
DIY ACTIVITIES & GAMES
Christmas Scented Play Dough
Who doesn’t love some play dough fun? Add in some holiday flavor (or scents), and you’ve got yourself a fun and festive activity for your kiddies!
Source: In The Kids Kitchen
Water Bottle Bowling
Upcycle plastic water bottles with this fun Christmas bowling activity! Not only will your kids enjoy creating them, but they will love playing with them, too!
Source: Sustain My Craft Habit
MISCELLANEOUS FUN
Reindeer Puppet
Source: Crafts by Amanda
Reindeer Paper Plate Purse
Source: Red Ted Art
DIY Advent Calendar for Kids
Does your family enjoy using advent calendars each holiday season? Consider having your toddler or preschooler create their own to make your countdown to Christmas even more special!
Source: Unique Gifter
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