11 DIY Holiday Decorations to Make With Kids This December

Get creative this holiday season with fun and easy DIY decorations that the whole family can enjoy. These simple crafts are perfect for keeping kids entertained while adding a personal touch to your holiday décor. From homemade ornaments to festive garlands, each project uses affordable materials like paper, pinecones, and felt, making it easy to craft meaningful memories without breaking the bank. Whether you’re looking to brighten up your home or make special gifts, these holiday crafts are sure to spread cheer and bring everyone together.

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Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough ornaments are a classic DIY decoration that kids can easily make with just flour, salt, and water. Once the dough is ready, kids can roll it out and use cookie cutters to shape their ornaments into festive designs like stars, reindeer, or snowflakes. This activity not only gives kids the opportunity to get creative but also lets them personalize the ornaments by pressing their fingerprints into the dough or even writing their names on them. After baking the dough, kids can paint their creations in festive colors like red, green, and gold or add glitter for a bit of sparkle.

These salt-dough ornaments make for wonderful keepsakes, as they can be saved and hung on the tree year after year. Since the dough is easy to work with, it’s a great project for younger children to get involved in. Whether you are making family keepsakes or gifting the ornaments to loved ones, they are sure to be a memorable part of the holiday season. Plus, making them together creates a fun bonding experience that families can cherish for years to come.

Paper Wreaths

Paper wreaths are a fantastic way to engage children in a simple yet creative holiday project. To start, cut a large circle from sturdy paper, such as construction paper or cardstock, and then let the kids decorate the wreath by gluing on colored paper shapes, buttons, or fabric. Children can explore different textures by adding tissue paper, sparkly ribbons, or even pieces of felt. This is an excellent way to teach kids about shapes and symmetry as they arrange their decorations around the circle, creating their own personal festive touch.

The best part about paper wreaths is that they can be customized to suit any style or holiday theme. If you’re feeling extra creative, you can also add a holiday message, like “Merry Christmas,” or attach a small photo of the family for a more personalized touch. Once the wreath is finished, it can be proudly hung on the door, wall, or even used as a centerpiece on the dining table. This simple craft is not only fun but also a great way to add a homemade touch to your holiday decor.

Popsicle Stick Christmas Trees

Popsicle sticks are an incredibly versatile material, and making Christmas trees with them is a fun way for kids to get creative during the holidays. To start, glue several popsicle sticks together in a triangular shape to form the tree’s base. Once the glue dries, children can decorate the tree with paint, glitter, small buttons, or tiny pom-poms to represent ornaments. For an extra touch, consider adding a small star or glittery paper as a tree topper. Kids can also experiment with different color schemes, such as traditional green and red or more unconventional silver and blue.

These homemade trees are perfect for adding a personal touch to holiday décor. Kids can make several smaller trees to display around the house or create one large centerpiece to place on the mantle or dining table. Not only is this a fun craft, but it also teaches children about symmetry and planning as they arrange the sticks and decorations. These trees also make great holiday gifts or keepsakes for grandparents, making the project even more special for everyone involved.

Pinecone Mini Trees

Pinecones are a fantastic natural material for making holiday decorations with kids. They can easily be turned into miniature Christmas trees by gluing small decorations like sequins, tiny ornaments, or glitter onto the cone’s surface. Kids can paint the pinecone green for a traditional tree look or use gold and silver for a more elegant, wintery design. Once the decorations are added, a small tree topper, like a star or a bead, can be glued to the top to finish off the look. This project is simple yet allows for plenty of creativity in how the pinecones are decorated.

Pinecone mini trees are an ideal way to incorporate nature into holiday crafts. They can be displayed in various places, such as on windowsills, mantels, or as part of a festive centerpiece. Plus, pinecones are easy to find and inexpensive, making this craft an affordable option for families. Whether you make just one or several, these mini trees will bring a cozy, rustic charm to your holiday décor and offer a fun way to get kids involved in crafting with natural elements.

Christmas Cookie Jar Craft

A Christmas cookie jar craft is a fun way to prepare for holiday baking while creating something festive. Kids can decorate an empty jar with ribbons, stickers, and holiday-themed paint to turn it into a holiday cookie jar. Once decorated, you can fill the jar with homemade cookies, candies, or even small handmade gifts. This craft can be a great way to present homemade treats to friends and family or to display holiday sweets at home.

This activity helps children practice their decorating skills and gives them a hands-on way to contribute to holiday gift-giving. The best part is that the jar can be reused every year, making it a lasting addition to your holiday tradition. Whether filled with cookies or treats, this jar will be a hit at any holiday celebration.

Paper Plate Santa Faces

Paper plate crafts are a favorite among young crafters, and turning them into Santa faces is a fun and easy holiday project. Begin by painting the paper plate red, then use cotton balls to create Santa’s beard and hat trim. Kids can cut out and glue on eyes, a nose, and a big smile to complete the face. Add a pom-pom at the tip of Santa’s hat, and you’ve got a cheerful, jolly decoration that’s perfect for the season. This craft is great for younger children who can practice their cutting and gluing skills.

These paper plate Santa faces can be displayed around the house to spread some holiday cheer. Not only does this project help children develop fine motor skills, but it also provides a great opportunity for them to use their imagination as they design their version of Santa. Whether used as ornaments, hung on the wall, or placed on a holiday table, these easy-to-make decorations will surely bring joy to everyone who sees them.

Pinecone Garland

Creating a pinecone garland is a wonderful way to combine natural elements with DIY creativity for the holidays. Kids can collect pinecones from outside and then paint or decorate them with glitter, sequins, or small beads. After the pinecones dry, use twine or string to thread them together, making a simple but charming garland to hang across the mantel, along the staircase, or around windows. This project lets kids explore different textures and materials while adding a rustic, wintery touch to their home décor.

The pinecone garland can be customized with various embellishments, such as mini bows, ribbons, or even small wooden ornaments. The natural pinecones bring a touch of the outdoors inside, and decorating them provides a hands-on way to engage kids in holiday preparations. This is an easy and fun way to create festive decorations that can be reused each year, making it both a creative and sustainable craft project for the whole family.

Paper Towel Roll Snowflakes

Turning old paper towel rolls into snowflakes is a simple way to recycle and create stunning holiday decorations. Start by cutting the roll into several rings and arranging them into a snowflake shape. Once you have the basic design, glue the pieces together and let kids decorate the snowflakes with glitter, paint, or beads. These snowflakes can be made in a variety of sizes and colors, making them perfect for creating a snow-filled winter scene indoors.

This craft not only repurposes materials but also provides a chance for children to experiment with symmetry and pattern. Kids will love the opportunity to decorate each snowflake in their own unique style, and the finished pieces make excellent hanging ornaments or wall decorations. It’s an easy and cost-effective way to bring a bit of winter magic into your home during the holidays.

Button Christmas Tree Art

Button Christmas tree art is a fun and easy way for kids to create festive artwork with just a few simple supplies. Using a green marker or paint, children can draw a Christmas tree on a piece of paper, and then glue colorful buttons onto the tree to act as ornaments. They can also add a star button at the top of the tree or create a tree trunk with small brown buttons. This activity is a great way for kids to work on their fine motor skills while making something beautiful and festive.

Button art also allows kids to use their creativity by experimenting with different colors and sizes of buttons to give the tree a one-of-a-kind look. Once the buttons are glued in place, the artwork can be framed and displayed or given as a gift to family members. This craft combines both creativity and fine motor development, making it a perfect project for younger children during the holiday season.

Candy Cane Reindeer

Candy cane reindeer are a sweet and fun craft project that kids will love making and giving away as gifts. To create this reindeer, simply glue two googly eyes and a red pom-pom for the nose onto a candy cane, then attach pipe cleaners to form the antlers. Kids can personalize their reindeer by adding a bow or other decorations to the candy cane’s “neck.” These reindeer are a great way to reuse candy canes from last year or create new ones for the current holiday season.

This craft is simple, fun, and an excellent way to recycle leftover holiday candy. Not only does it make a cute decoration, but it can also double as a fun gift tag or ornament. Kids will enjoy being able to make their own reindeer, and the result is a sweet and festive way to brighten up any holiday gift or tree.

Felt Gingerbread Men

Making felt gingerbread men is a great craft for younger kids who love working with fabric. Start by cutting out gingerbread man shapes from felt, and then let the kids decorate them with small buttons, fabric glue, and markers. They can make each one unique by adding buttons for eyes, ribbon for scarves, or even felt hearts or stars for added flair. These adorable little gingerbread men can be turned into ornaments, gift tags, or even a fun garland to hang around the house.

This craft gives children the chance to experiment with textures and colors while creating a holiday favorite. The felt gingerbread men are soft to the touch, making them perfect for little hands to hold and admire. Not only do they serve as great decorations, but they also make wonderful keepsakes that kids can cherish for years to come.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.