Creating ornaments with children is one of the loveliest holiday traditions. These tiny handcrafted treasures become keepsakes that families cherish for years. Whether you hang them on a Christmas tree, gift them to grandparents, or use them as festive décor, ornament crafts are easy, fun, and help kids express creativity. Before starting, it’s helpful to understand what tools you need, how to set up a child-friendly crafting area, and simple steps kids can follow.

Tools You May Need

Child-safe scissors
Paintbrushes
Hot glue gun (used by adults only)
School glue or glue sticks
Ribbon or twine
Markers or paint pens
Hole punch
Clear tape
Small cookie cutters (optional for shapes)

Materials to Gather

Cardstock or craft paper
Foam sheets
Popsicle sticks
Pipe cleaners
Felt pieces
Pom-poms and googly eyes
Clear plastic ornaments
Salt dough ingredients (flour, salt, water)
Glitter or sequins
Buttons and beads
Yarn or string
Natural materials (pinecones, twigs, leaves)

Safety Tips for Ornament Crafts

Always supervise younger kids when using scissors, hot glue, or beads.
Use non-toxic materials and washable paints.
Keep small items away from toddlers.
Cover your table with newspaper or a craft mat for easy cleanup.

How to Create Ornaments with Kids – Simple Steps

Prepare the Craft Area
Lay out materials in small bowls, set up protective mats, and keep wipes or a wet cloth nearby.
Choose a Base Shape
Circles, stars, hearts, Christmas trees, or simple geometric shapes work best for kids.
Decorate Layer by Layer
Let children paint first, let it dry, then add embellishments like glitter, pom-poms, or stickers.
Add a Hanging Loop
Punch a hole or glue a piece of ribbon onto the back of the ornament.
Let Everything Dry Fully
Leave ornaments to dry overnight to avoid smudging.
Admire and Display
Hang them on the tree, gift them, or store safely for future holidays.

10 Ornament Crafts for Kids

These kid-friendly ornaments are simple, colorful, and perfect for holiday crafting sessions at home, in classrooms, or at winter events.

1. Popsicle Stick Snowflakes

A classic craft that kids love! Have children paint popsicle sticks in bright colors—blue, white, silver, or rainbow. Glue the sticks into a snowflake shape, then sprinkle them with glitter or add sequins for sparkle. Attach a ribbon and hang the snowflakes from windows or the Christmas tree. This craft encourages creativity because every snowflake design looks different.

2. Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments

Salt dough ornaments are sentimental keepsakes that families treasure. Mix flour, salt, and water to create dough. Roll it out and help kids press their handprints into it. Use cookie cutters to form edges or punch a hole for hanging. After baking and cooling, children can paint their handprints and write their names and the year. These ornaments become precious forever memories.

3. Clear Plastic Ornament Fillers

Kids delight in filling clear plastic ball ornaments with colorful items. Provide pom-poms, glitter, sequins, shredded paper, beads, or mini foam shapes. Let children fill the ornament however they like, then close it securely and add a ribbon. This is mess-free, quick, and perfect for very young kids.

4. Felt Character Ornaments

Cut simple shapes from felt—gingerbread people, snowmen, stars, or reindeer. Kids can decorate with googly eyes, felt scraps, buttons, rhinestones, or yarn. Adults can hot-glue pieces, and kids can handle simple assembly. These ornaments turn out soft, vibrant, and adorable.

5. Pipe Cleaner Candy Canes

This super-easy ornament is great for preschoolers. Twist red and white pipe cleaners together and bend the top to form a candy cane shape. Kids can also add beads or bells. These ornaments are lightweight and look festive on trees or garlands.

6. Paper Plate Wreaths

Cut the center out of a paper plate to create a wreath base. Kids can glue tissue paper squares, pom-poms, or foam holly leaves around the ring. Add a bright ribbon bow at the bottom. This craft teaches cutting, layering, and color matching—and finished wreaths make great door or wall decorations.

7. Button Christmas Tree Ornaments

Draw or cut out a simple tree shape from cardstock. Have kids glue on various buttons—green, red, gold, and silver—to decorate the tree. Add a star at the top and attach a ribbon loop. Button ornaments are fun for older kids who enjoy arranging patterns and textures.

8. Nature-Inspired Pinecone Ornaments

On a winter walk, collect pinecones to turn into beautiful natural ornaments. Kids can paint the tips white, add glitter, or wrap the cones with tiny fairy lights. Glue a loop of twine at the top. These ornaments bring a rustic, woodland charm to your tree.

9. Yarn-Wrapped Star Ornaments

Cut a star shape from cardboard and punch a hole in the top. Let kids wrap colorful yarn tightly around the shape until it’s fully covered. This improves hand coordination and results in a soft, cozy-looking ornament. You can also add beads or sequins to the yarn for extra charm.

10. Photo Frame Ornaments

Use craft foam or stiff paper to create mini frames. Kids choose a small photograph—like a school picture or holiday snapshot—and glue it inside the frame. Decorate the outside with stickers, glitter, or sequins. These make meaningful gifts for family members and capture sweet childhood memories.

Conclusion

Ornament crafting with kids is more than a fun holiday activity—it’s a way to spend meaningful time together, spark imagination, and create keepsakes that bring joy for years to come. Whether you choose simple pipe-cleaner shapes, sentimental photo ornaments, or nature-inspired décor, each project allows children to express their creativity and feel proud of their creations. With the right tools, safe materials, and patience, anyone can build a beautiful collection of handmade ornaments that grow more special each season.

These 10 ideas offer endless opportunities for learning, bonding, and holiday cheer. Mix and match them, customize colors, or add your own twists—the magic of crafting lies in the freedom to create something uniquely yours.