10 Crafty Ways to Celebrate the Season
Hot glue, ribbons, paint, and fairy lights speak to me of warmth, laughter, frustration, and glorious if slightly askew crafty treasures made with individuals I enjoy spending time with. I’ve spent many hours as a Sunday School teacher, 4H leader, and mom guiding kids through the making of ornaments and decor for Christmas. Some successful and some not so much.
I’ve split this list into projects I’ve successfully guided kids through and ones I’d really like to try. If you try some of the projects on this list would you let us know how they turned out? You can post them on our Awesome Kidmin Community Facebook page. Maybe we’ll even give out a prize at our upcoming conference for participation!! (I’ll have to throw that by the powers that be!)
Christmas Crafts that are sure to be a hit:
Photo: Make Life Lovely
Sock Snowman - using tube socks, rice, some rubberbands or string and a few bits and bobs, these little guys are easy and fun to make! Here is a link to just one of the MANY videos on how to make these little guys. Tutorial
Photo: @JonniArt2
2. Toilet Roll Stars - doesn’t everyone have a box of toilet rolls stashed in a cupboard? If not, they’re pretty easy to come by! Lol, these take a little more supervision and precision than the snowman, but the result is beautiful and you’d never know its humble origin! Tutorial
Photo: Create with Claudia
3. Mini Christmas Bell - this craft is great for all ages! You can use recycled K-cups, mini plastic shot glasses, and those tiny red solo cups are perfect if you don’t want to paint. Add a few embellishments and some glue and you’ve got a really cute little ornament! Instructions
Photo: The Decorative Den
4. Bead Ornaments - collect pipe cleaners, ribbon, wire, jute or string, and some beads, and this craft is done. The age range of the kids you’re crafting with should determine the size and flexibility of your materials. Pipe cleaners and large hole beads work for little ones, finer materials can be used for those with increased dexterity. Here’s one video that will take you through making a few different shapes. Tutorial
Photo: First Day of Home
5. Salt Dough Ornaments - these are a little more involved and take some time to complete, but they are fun to do. Here’s a video with salt dough that has only 3 ingredients. Tutorial | Instructions
I can go down the rabbit hole of crafting videos quite easily, especially at Christmas time, the following items are crafts that I’d really like to try myself or with the kids in my ministry. I had full intentions of having a crafty day with my Maker Club kids but a nasty virus got hold of me before I could do it, let me know if you try any of these!
Photo: The Chaos and the Clutter
6. Plastic cup ‘shrinky dinks’ - videos for making these are all over the internet with varying degrees of success. Basically, you color a clear plastic cup with a permanent marker and bake it very briefly. Apparently, the secret is to use cups with a #6 recycling rating. I think the kids would have a blast with these. I loved the original Shrinky Dinks when I was a kid! Update: I have seen these now with red cups as well, the big deal is that recycling number, it must be a 6 to work!! Instructions
Photo: Fun Family Crafts
7. Clay Pot Nativity - when I saw this picture I immediately wanted to go find some miniature clay pots - which I’m pretty sure are in my craft vault at the church! While there aren’t specific instructions for these I don’t think they’re too hard to figure out. Mini terracotta pots, large natural beads, some felt, scissors, glue, and imagination should do the trick!
Photo: Crafty Morning
8. Fingerprint Nativity - For little ones who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty I think this little nativity scene is a perfect preschool craft for Christmas. Instructions
Photo: Moda Fabrics
9. Woven Stars - this is definitely for older crafters but I think these are really lovely and I am definitely planning to try these. You may need to hit up the sewists in your world for fabric they’re willing to part with. While these take some preparation they don’t involve glue or paint! Instructions
Photo: Pretty Providence
10. Baby Food Jar crafts - I always like to use what I have on hand, and in my craft vault I have lots of baby food jars. When I googled ideas of how to use them I came across this post with so many lovely ideas, I’m not sure which I’d pick!
Grab some kids, friends, and a few supplies, and have yourself a very crafty Christmas!
Psst - post your pics!! We’d love to see what you come up with.