40 Easy and Fun Christmas Crafts for Toddlers
It’s the holiday season and that means it’s time for Christmas crafting. Christmas crafts for toddlers are a great way to teach fine motor skills, following directions, and they are a lot of fun. They also teach patience, but that’s more of a lesson for the parents!
These 40 Christmas crafts for toddlers (primarily 2-3 year olds, but there are also fun ideas for older kids too!) are straightforward and simple but allow your two and three-year-olds the opportunity to be creative and get a little messy. Most of these craft projects use basic supplies you probably have on hand so they are perfect for preschool classrooms, homeschool groups or a bit of weekend fun on a cold winter day.
We have a list of some of the best ideas for making holiday decorations, Christmas tree ornaments, and of course great gifts that your little kids will have so much fun creating!
Plan to make extras because these toddler Christmas crafts are perfect for gifting to the whole family – aunts and uncles, cousins, and especially grandparents. Don’t forget to make some DIY gifts for the teachers too! Everyone is going to love these 40 Christmas crafts for toddlers.
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Tips For Making Christmas Crafts with Toddlers
Crafting with toddlers is a lot of fun and can be very rewarding for both the child and the caregiver. Here are a few tips to help make the experience tons of fun for everyone.
- Plan Ahead – Decide in advance which craft you will complete and make sure you have all the supplies on hand.
- Do The Prep Work – Depending on your child’s age and abilities you may need to do some prep work in advance. Precut and pre-measure supplies. When possible, have a finished example on hand so your child understands what he is making.
- Be Prepared for Messes – Even “clean” crafts can get messy when toddlers are involved. Work in an area that’s going to be easy to clean, cover tables with plastic or newspaper and have plenty of baby wipes and paper towels nearby for wiping messy little hands.
- Don’t Be a Perfectionist – Part of the appeal of toddler crafts is that they look like they were made by a toddler. Let your child experiment with the materials and don’t fret if the finished product is nothing like you expected.
- Be Proud – Your child is going to be very proud of their work and you should be too! Be ready to display their handmade ornaments front and center on the Christmas tree.
Supplies for Fun Christmas Crafts
You don’t even need a tutorial to make some really basic Christmas decorations or handmade Christmas cards for family members. The important thing when crafting with toddlers is to keep your project pretty simple so they don’t get overwhelmed or frustrated. It’s also a good idea to use supplies that are going to be easily handled by little fingers (because you know they want to do it all themselves!)
Each of the beautiful Christmas crafts below has its own list of supplies, but here are a few that you may have on hand:
- construction paper, colored cardstock paper, or scrapbook paper
- tissue paper (dig through your spare holiday wrapping supplies!)
- popsicle sticks / craft sticks
- paper plates
- cookie cutter (for gingerbread ornaments or to use as a stencil)
- toilet paper rolls
- glitter glue (way easier than working with actual glitter!!)
- googly eyes
- mini pom poms
- hot glue gun (for adults to use only, of course!)
Gather up your little bins of craft supplies and get ready to make the best Christmas crafts you’ve ever seen. You may even want to pull in some natural elements like pine cones – because “free” craft supplies are the best ones, am I right?
Don’t forget to turn on a little Christmas music so you can sing along while you craft!
Christmas Crafts for Toddlers
Candy Cane Crafts
Threading buttons onto wire is a great fine-motor activity for toddlers. Turn a learning activity into a fun craft and make a cute button candy cane ornament made with Christmas-colored buttons and floral wire.
This fine motor Christmas craft is fun for young children to make and fun to eat. Hang the Fruit Loop candy canes outside for a special treat for the birds.
Check out this easy tutorial on how to make Candy Cane Ice Skate Ornaments, an easy kids Christmas craft!
Salt Dough Ornaments
Take your playdough game to a whole new level. Cinnamon salt dough ornaments are such a fun and easy way to get into the Christmas spirit!
This easy homemade salt dough recipe smells like Christmas with the addition of a little peppermint extract!
The best way to keep toddlers happy indoors is with fun Christmas activities like this one! 2 ingredient Snow Dough is perfect for Christmas-themed toddler sensory play.
Crafts with Paper Plates
Christmas Wreath Craft for Preschoolers {with free printable ornaments}
Paper plate crafts are super simple but such a great activity for little kids. Get in the holiday spirit with this paper plate Christmas wreath with printable ornaments.
Another easy craft for kids of all ages - These stained glass wreaths are a simple and fun craft that young kids can make and are perfect for the winter season.
Don't want craft ideas that make a big mess? Skip the painting and make this paper plate Santa craft with the kids this Christmas!
Use this Countdown to Christmas Snowman Paper plate craft to countdown till Dec 25th!
Handprint Crafts
Make specialized custom cards and gift tags for Christmas gifts with your child's handprint. Grandparents will love this handprint craft.
Reindeer crafts just might be my favorite. If you don't want to mess with paint, try this paper handprint ornament. So sweet!
Toddlers and preschoolers will LOVE this handprint Christmas tree craft during these cold days stuck inside.
This one-of-a-kind handprint card will make your kids giggle with delight. Such a fun way to document their little faces and hands at this time of year!
Christmas Ornaments
Explore science and nature with this fun ice ornament craft. Ice ornaments are great ideas for decorating your trees in the yard!
Crayola Model Magic is amazing. Aside from just wanting to squish it endlessly, it’s a modeling compound that is soft and squishy, doesn’t stick to your hands yet sticks very well to itself. Your little crafter can make these mini Christmas trees to give as gifts or to hang on your own Christmas tree.
Learn how to make these homemade ornaments for Christmas – using things you already have on hand! A simple Christmas craft that's easy, inexpensive, and fantastic fun.
Making your own decorations will help you and your child get into the Christmas spirit and teach them valuable skills. Plus these angel Christmas ornaments are easy to make.
This print and decorate jingle bell ornament is so easy to make and makes for a great Christmas
tree ornament!
Gingerbread House Crafts
Create a life-sized gingerbread cutout of your child. Use crayons, markers and craft supplies to let them go wild decorating their gingerbread men.
This edible, no-bake gingerbread house is perfect for letting a little builder show their creativity.
These gingerbread house ornaments are super cute and fun to make as a Christmas decoration.
These simple gingerbread houses are made with graham crackers and holiday candy.
Pinecone Crafts
This messy pinecone craft is not for the faint of heart but the kids will surely love it.
How to Create a Winter Bird Tree | How To Make Birdseed Ornaments and Pinecones
Make pinecone feeders that look beautiful and are perfect for the birds.
These pinecone owls are perfect for Christmas but can easily be displayed all through the winter season.
More Easy Christmas Crafts
It's easy to make this simple craft with popsicles sticks, pipe cleaners and glue.
This easy and fun kid-friendly pipe cleaner Christmas trees craft is perfect for making with toddlers this holiday season.
Toddlers will enjoy making this adorable Santa craft with empty toilet paper tubes and a few basic craft supplies.
Kids love the Elf on the Shelf and now they can create their very own elf family portrait.
Decorating the tree is a special time. Now toddlers can decorate their own tree to their hearts content.
Help your child practice her fine motor skills with this fun Santa cotton ball craft.
We hope you and your little one have lots of fun with these preschool Christmas crafts! What better way to pass the time on a cold day than with some easy projects, right? Enjoy your time creating together, and we wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
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MEET THE AUTHOR
Amanda
As a mom of 4 kids (and the oldest of 4 kids herself), Amanda has over 30 years of parenting experience. A former special education teacher, Amanda has a Master’s degree in Special Education and a second M. Ed. in Educational Leadership.
When she’s not working, Amanda enjoys DIY projects, exercising, photography, and long walks through Target.
You can find Amanda on all social media at @parentingnestblog and @amandaseghetti
