21 Easy Homemade Ornament Ideas for Kids
21 Easy Homemade Ornament Ideas for Kids
The holiday season is a magical time, and what better way to celebrate than by creating your very own homemade ornaments? Easy homemade ornament ideas for kids are the perfect way to get young ones involved in holiday crafts while fostering creativity and family bonding.
These ornaments are fun to make, and they’ll add a personal touch to your tree. In this article, we will explore 21 different craft ideas that are simple, fun, and perfect for kids of all ages.
1. Salt Dough Ornaments
Salt dough ornaments are an excellent introduction to crafting for kids. Made from basic kitchen ingredients like flour, salt, and water, salt dough is easy to work with and can be shaped into any design. From simple circles to festive shapes like stars, trees, or gingerbread men, these ornaments can be painted and decorated with glitter or buttons for a festive touch.
Materials:
- Flour, salt, and water
- Rolling pin and cookie cutters
- Paint and brushes
- Ribbon for hanging
2. Popsicle Stick Snowflakes
Popsicle stick snowflakes are a classic DIY ornament idea that kids will love. Simply glue popsicle sticks together in a snowflake shape and let the little ones decorate with glitter, sequins, or beads. This craft is not only easy but also versatile; kids can make a variety of snowflakes in different sizes and styles.
Materials:
- Popsicle sticks
- Glue
- Glitter, sequins, or beads
- Ribbon for hanging
3. Paper Plate Ornaments
Paper plate ornaments are an excellent choice for younger children due to their simplicity. Kids can paint or color the paper plate, cut out sections to create a frame, or even add embellishments like cotton balls or pom-poms to create a winter scene. You can make a fun activity out of having them decorate the plates in their favorite holiday colors.
Materials:
- Paper plates
- Markers, paint, or crayons
- Pom-poms or cotton balls
- Scissors and glue
4. Beaded Snowflakes
Beaded snowflakes are a beautiful and easy ornament project for kids who are old enough to handle small beads. Using wire or pipe cleaners as the base, children can string beads in different colors to create a sparkly, holiday-themed snowflake. These are great for developing fine motor skills while making something that looks wonderful on the tree.
Materials:
- Pipe cleaners or wire
- Beads
- Scissors
5. Cinnamon Stick Ornaments
Cinnamon stick ornaments not only look charming but also smell wonderful. Kids can glue together several cinnamon sticks to form a star or tree shape and decorate them with ribbons, beads, or dried fruit. This craft is perfect for sensory play and a great way to make your home smell festive.
Materials:
- Cinnamon sticks
- Glue or hot glue gun
- Ribbons, beads, or dried fruit slices
6. Felt Christmas Tree Ornaments
Making felt Christmas tree ornaments is a great way for kids to practice their cutting and sewing skills (if they are old enough to handle a needle and thread). The felt can be cut into simple shapes like stars, trees, or stockings. Kids can then decorate these shapes with buttons, sequins, or beads to make unique ornaments.
Materials:
- Felt fabric
- Scissors
- Needle and thread (optional)
- Buttons, sequins, or fabric glue
7. Clay Handprint Ornaments
A clay handprint ornament is a special keepsake for both kids and parents. By pressing their hands into clay, kids can create a lasting memory that can be hung on the tree year after year. These ornaments are great for capturing the size of little hands and making something truly unique.
Materials:
- Air-dry clay
- Rolling pin
- Paint (optional)
- Ribbon for hanging
8. Pinecone Ornaments
Pinecone ornaments are a great way to bring a natural element into your holiday decorations. Kids can pick up pinecones from outside and decorate them with glitter, paint, or small beads. These ornaments are also a fantastic way to incorporate nature into your craft projects.
Materials:
- Pinecones
- Glitter, paint, or glue
- Ribbons or string for hanging
9. Recycled Bottle Cap Ornaments
Transform recycled bottle caps into creative ornaments that kids can customize. By gluing them onto a piece of cardboard or wood, children can paint or decorate each cap to create a unique and environmentally friendly decoration. These ornaments are a great way to teach kids about recycling while creating something special.
Materials:
- Bottle caps
- Paint or markers
- Cardboard or wooden base
- Glue
10. Cookie Cutter Ornaments
Cookie cutter ornaments are a fun and easy craft that involves using your favorite holiday-themed cookie cutters to shape dough into festive shapes. Whether you use salt dough or clay, kids will love rolling out the dough and pressing the cutters to create shapes that can be painted or decorated afterward.
Materials:
- Cookie cutters
- Dough (salt dough or clay)
- Rolling pin
- Paint and brushes
11. Paper Straw Ornaments
Paper straw ornaments are trendy and eco-friendly. Simply cut colorful paper straws into pieces and glue them together to form shapes like stars, wreaths, or trees. Kids can get creative by using different patterns and colors to make their ornaments stand out.
Materials:
- Paper straws
- Glue
- Scissors
12. Felt Reindeer Ornaments
Felt reindeer ornaments are adorable and fun to make. Kids can cut out reindeer shapes from brown felt, add googly eyes, and then glue on a red pom-pom for Rudolph’s nose. This easy project is perfect for younger kids and can be customized with different felt colors and accessories.
Materials:
- Brown felt
- Googly eyes
- Red pom-poms
- Glue and scissors
13. Wooden Spoon Ornaments
Transform wooden spoons into festive ornaments. Kids can paint the spoons to resemble Santa, reindeer, or snowmen. By attaching yarn or fabric for hats and scarves, these spoon ornaments are sure to become holiday favorites.
Materials:
- Wooden spoons
- Paint
- Fabric or yarn
- Glue
14. Button Tree Ornaments
A button tree ornament is a fun and colorful project for kids to express their creativity. Using a wooden base or a simple piece of cardboard, kids can glue buttons in the shape of a Christmas tree or wreath. The buttons come in all shapes and sizes, making each ornament unique.
Materials:
- Buttons in various sizes and colors
- Cardboard or wooden base
- Glue
15. Snowman Sock Ornaments
Snowman sock ornaments are an adorable craft that uses inexpensive materials. Fill an old sock with rice or cotton to create the snowman’s body, then tie off the sock and add buttons, fabric for a scarf, and a small hat. This simple and cute ornament is perfect for kids who want to create their own snowman.
Materials:
- White sock
- Rice or cotton
- Fabric for scarf and hat
- Buttons
16. Paper Cup Ornaments
Paper cup ornaments are a fun and easy craft for younger kids. Take a paper cup and decorate it with markers, stickers, or paint. The cup can then be inverted to form a bell shape, and a ribbon can be added to hang it on the tree. This is a great project for kids to develop their decorating skills.
Materials:
- Paper cups
- Paint, stickers, or markers
- Ribbon for hanging
17. Felt Stocking Ornaments
Felt stocking ornaments are an easy, classic ornament idea for kids. Cut out stocking shapes from felt and then have kids decorate them with sequins, beads, or even tiny buttons. They can personalize each stocking with their name or a special holiday message.
Materials:
- Red and green felt
- Sequins, buttons, or beads
- Glue
18. Wooden Bead Ornaments
Wooden bead ornaments are simple to make and can be customized in endless ways. String wooden beads onto a piece of string to create a pattern or a simple garland that can be hung on the tree. Kids can use different colors to match their holiday decor or create their own unique designs.
Materials:
- Wooden beads
- String or wire
- Scissors
19. Paper Towel Roll Angels
Paper towel roll angels are an easy and cost-effective craft idea. By cutting a paper towel roll into smaller sections, kids can create angel shapes, paint them, and then attach paper wings. These homemade angels will add a heavenly touch to any tree.
Materials:
- Paper towel rolls
- Paint
- Paper for wings
- Glue
20. Yarn Wrapped Ornaments
Yarn-wrapped ornaments are a great way for kids to experiment with textures. Simply wrap yarn around a ball, star, or any other shape. Once wrapped, they can add decorations like glitter, buttons, or pom-poms to complete their design.
Materials:
- Yarn
- Shape to wrap (ball, star, etc.)
- Glitter or buttons
21. Tissue Paper Stained Glass Ornaments
Tissue paper stained glass ornaments are colorful and creative. Cut out a basic shape, such as a star or heart, and glue colorful tissue paper inside the shape. Once complete, you’ll have a translucent, stained-glass effect that looks beautiful when hung on the tree.
Materials:
- Tissue paper
- Clear contact paper or acetate
- Scissors and glue
Tips for Successful Ornament Making
While these 21 easy homemade ornament ideas for kids are fun and simple, there are a few key tips to ensure success:
- Supervise younger kids with glue guns and scissors to ensure safety.
- Let kids personalize their ornaments by adding their names, dates, or favorite colors.
- Always let the ornaments dry completely before handling or hanging them on the tree.
- Consider turning some ornaments into gifts for teachers, family, or friends as a special handmade gesture.
These homemade ornaments are not only a great way to celebrate the holiday season but also a fun way to create lasting memories with your children. Happy crafting!
