Kids and craft activities is an undeniable partnership. We think kids’ obsession with art and craft probably stems from the fact they get to make a beautiful mess all under the guise of creativity. Hands in, hands on, and handy! We know that kids of all ages just love getting crafty. Our festive gurus at The Christmas Cart have also learned that when it comes to getting a craft fix in with the kids, there is no better time to do so than during the festive season.
Christmas is the ideal opportunity to get creative with fun art and craft activities for the entire family. Craft helps to keep the kids busy (and out of your hair for a few minutes), instils a sense of ownership and responsibility for doing a task, and encourages camaraderie and teamwork. You can make Christmastime even more memorable for your kids by combining precious family time with fun Christmas craft for kids, age appropriate.
Following are a few of our most favoured Christmas craft ideas and activities for kids.
16 Top Christmas Craft Ideas for Kids of Every Age
The first step of our Christmas craft ideas for kids is to base your Christmas craft ideas on kids ages to ensure the craft options you decide on are not too boring or too difficult to master, capitalising on the time and effort put in.
For our Christmas craft ideas for kids of all ages, we have broken them into the following age groups:
- Toddler and pre-school: for ages approximately 1 to 4 years
- Middle childhood: for ages approximately 5 to 8 years
- Pre-teens: for ages approximately 9 to 12 years
- Teens: for ages 13 years and above
Christmas Craft Ideas for Kids – Toddler & Pre-School Age
Some of the Christmas craft for kids in this age group involve plenty of fun with painting and gluing, which we know kids this age love to get busy with. Here are a few ideas.
#1 Popsicle Stick Christmas Tree Ornaments
Get the kids to help with saving up all their popsicle sticks over summer, and then get busy painting and transforming them into some cute little Christmas tree ornaments. Have some Christmas craft supplies at the ready then you can make up a batch of these Christmas craft for kids aged in this group very easily, as kids never really say no to painting and gluing!
Image source: One Little Project, The Christmas Cart
#2 Hand Painted Christmas Cards and Gift Tags
This is a Christmas craft idea definitely age-appropriate and super fun for the littles – make your own Christmas cards and Christmas gift tags! From putting paint on their fingers, paint on their hands, and even paint on their feet, the kids will love getting crafty with a grown-up helper to knock this over in no time at all.
Image source: Pinterest, The Christmas Cart
#3 Create Your Own Christmas Poster
For another fun painting idea, get the kids to paint their own Christmas posters to display as part of your Christmas décor. Using a simple paper plate, you can make some lovely Christmas patterns and designs, just like some you see below. The kids will love seeing their Christmas craft proudly hung on the wall.
For some extra festive cheer hanging throughout your home, print our FREE downloads and get your little ones to help you frame them.
Image source: Crafts by Amanda, The Christmas Cart
Christmas Craft Ideas for Kids – Middle Childhood Age
For the Christmas craft for kids in this age group, we amped up the painting and gluing skills a little and added plenty of fun with glitter and glue too.
#1 Craft Christmas Baubles
We know that kids love displaying their crafty Christmas masterpieces, and what better place than on the Christmas tree – the very home to the marvellous Christmas bauble. Let the kids go wild filling and decorating some craft Christmas baubles with whatever they please.
You can dip them in glue then sprinkle glitter all over for a shimmery showpiece. Pour a small amount of paint inside and let the colours marble around for a festively fun look. Fill them with some sand and shells for a beach-inspired Christmas theme. Top them up them with pom poms, or any imaginative decoration your children desire for a fun Christmas craft bauble. Or place a small ornament on imitation snow for a delicate finish. The choices are aplenty! We have included some more fun ideas below.
Image source: Good Housekeeping, The Christmas Cart
#2 Pinecone Christmas Tree Ornaments
There really is not much effort to this Christmas craft for kids aged in this group. However, you can make it even easier by using some pre-painted and pre-glittered pinecones, like those in our gorgeous Pinecones and Acorns range online.
Just add a cork at the bottom and some cute stars for your ornamental tree topper, and they are ready to display amongst your other Christmas ornaments throughout the house.
Image source: The Whoot, The Christmas Cart
#3 Mason Jar Candle Holders
The kids can create their very own Christmas candles by upcycling some old mason jars. Layer the bottom with some sand, pebbles, or coarse cooking salt for a lovely finish.
#4 Make Your Own Christmas House
For a fun, simple and impactful Christmas craft idea for kids at middle-childhood age, look no further than our wooden birdhouse craft kit. Help the kids create a little house for Santa and his friends to display as a table centrepiece or side table display.
Christmas Craft Ideas for Kids – Pre-Teens Age
The Christmas craft activities for kids in this age group include some simple skills with fabric and more creativity with basic craft supplies, such as pipe cleaners and popsicle sticks.
#1 Popsicle Stick Christmas Ornaments
We have taken the concept of popsicle stick Christmas ornaments to a new level with this Christmas craft activity for kids. And it couldn’t be easier to piece together with a few basic craft supplies including some paint, glue, pipe cleaner, buttons, twine and of course, some popsicle sticks. Top it off with a family photo to display proudly on the Christmas tree.
You can view the tutorial for the car popsicle stick ornament here.
#2 Baking Soda Keepsake Handprint or Clay Footprint Bowl
Little hands and feet don’t stay little forever and we love these gorgeous keepsake ideas, which also make great Christmas gift ideas for family members. See how to treasure the memories of your littlest family members with this baking soda clay handprints tutorial.
#3 DIY Christmas Chair Back Covers
What a cute way to bring extra Christmas festivity to the dining room – make your own Christmas chair back covers! These Christmas craft ideas for kids at pre-teen age help to get them hands-on with some simple sewing skills.
See here for the full tutorial for Christmas chair back covers.
Christmas Craft Ideas for Kids – Teenage
With art and craft skills well-developed by this age, we thought these Christmas craft activities for teenagers will top them up with some fun, festive creativity.
#1 Family Christmas Photos
To embrace the spirit of Christmas with the whole family, get the teens to help create a Christmas poster or mural to display at home. You can use a pre-made template or design, or put your computer skills to good use by designing your own. Upload your own poster and get it printed at your local photo printing centre or through convenient online photo centres.
Image source: The Wall Sticker Company, Kmart,
Furthermore, this is a wonderful Christmas craft idea that can be given as a Christmas gift. Create a collage by placing previous Santa photos or any photos from past Christmases in a frame. Or display a string of the best family photos on a bunting. Then wrap and give to your desired recipient (proud grandparents especially favour these gifts).
#2 Wine Glass Christmas Candleholders
Upcycle some wine glasses into a Christmas table masterpiece. We love this Christmas candle holder craft idea for kids as it can be tailored to suit any theme as well. See a simple tutorial for the wine glass candle holder here.
Christmas Craft Ideas for Kids of Any Age!
The above Christmas craft ideas were tailored for individual age groups, but we have plenty of Christmas craft ideas for kids of any age too. Here are a few ideas that can be done by any age or skill level.
- Create your own Christmas wreath – for some ideas, see our wonderful range of DIY wreaths
- DIY Christmas baubles – although we mentioned these earlier, this is a great Christmas craft idea for kids of any age!
- Create your own Christmas floral centrepiece – get Mum and Dad’s help or muster up your own masterpiece using some gorgeous Christmas florals, sprays, picks, and our special florist bowl
- Upcycle a basket – attach tassels, pom poms, or any Christmas tree decorations on the side, and fill with baubles or turn into a festive masterpiece.
- Make your own Christmas top – grab some fabric paint, beads and other fabric embellishments and let the kids go wild with their creations
Christmas is time for fun with family and plenty of art and craft activities. How do you plan to get your craft fix in this festive season?
The Christmas Cart has everything covered for your Christmas craft activities. Visit our craft supplies range and be sure to take a look at our Christmas craft articles for more inspiration and Christmas craft activities for kids of all ages.