9 Easy Christmas Craft Ideas for Toddlers | Fun Holiday Activities

Creating Christmas crafts with toddlers is one of my favorite holiday activities. It’s messy, fun, and full of joy. These simple and safe crafts are designed to keep little hands busy while developing fine motor skills and sparking creativity. 

From paper ornaments to Santa hats, every project below includes a short description, a list of materials, and a clear, step-by-step guide to make crafting fun and easy for you and your toddler.

Table of Contents

• 1. Handprint Christmas Tree Craft for Toddlers
• 2. DIY Paper Plate Santa Craft
• 3. Christmas Ornament Craft for Toddlers
• 4. Reindeer Handprint Craft
• 5. Snowman Cotton Ball Craft
• 6. Christmas Card Craft for Toddlers
• 7. Paper Tube Reindeer Craft
• 8. Christmas Tree Collage Craft
• 9. Jingle Bell Shaker Craft
• Final Thoughts

1. Handprint Christmas Tree Craft for Toddlers

This adorable handprint Christmas tree captures your toddler’s little hands as a keepsake while letting them decorate their own tree. It’s a festive, personal way to create art that you can treasure year after year.

This craft is great for sensory development and helps toddlers practice hand tracing and coordination while engaging in color recognition.

What You’ll Need:

• Green construction paper
• Red or white cardstock
• Brown paper (for the trunk)
• Yellow paper (for the star)
• Child-safe scissors
• Glue stick
• Stickers, pom-poms, or sequins

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Trace your toddler’s hand on green construction paper five or six times.
• Cut out all the handprints.
• Glue them together on red cardstock in a pyramid shape to form the tree.
• Cut and glue a brown rectangle at the bottom for the trunk.
• Decorate the tree with stickers, sequins, or pom-poms.
• Cut out a yellow star and glue it on top.
• Add a snowy border using cotton balls if you’d like.

2. DIY Paper Plate Santa Craft

Toddlers love Santa, and this craft helps bring the jolly old man to life using everyday materials. It’s easy, creative, and gives little ones a chance to play with textures like cotton and paper.

This project strengthens tactile exploration and fine motor control as toddlers glue, layer, and assemble Santa’s fluffy beard and bright hat.

What You’ll Need:

• White paper plate
• Red and pink construction paper
• Cotton balls or white tissue paper
• Googly eyes
• Red pom-pom
• Glue stick
• Child-safe scissors
• Crayons or paint

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Paint or color the center of the plate pink for Santa’s face.
• Glue cotton balls or white tissue around the lower half for his beard.
• Cut a triangle from red paper for Santa’s hat and glue it at the top.
• Add a cotton ball or pom-pom at the tip of the hat.
• Glue on googly eyes and a red pom-pom nose.
• Let your toddler draw Santa’s smile with a crayon.
• Display the finished Santa on a wall or door.

3. Christmas Ornament Craft for Toddlers

Making ornaments together is a wonderful way to include toddlers in decorating the Christmas tree. Each ornament becomes a special keepsake that adds a personal touch to your holiday decor.

This activity helps toddlers learn about shapes and patterns while boosting creativity and independence as they design their own ornaments.

What You’ll Need:

• Cardstock or foam sheets
• Crayons, markers, or child-safe paint
• Stickers, sequins, or glitter glue
• Hole punch
• Yarn or ribbon
• Glue stick

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Cut ornament shapes like circles, stars, or hearts from cardstock.
• Let your toddler decorate with crayons or markers.
• Add stickers or glitter glue for sparkle.
• Punch a hole at the top of each ornament.
• Thread a ribbon through and tie a knot for hanging.
• Allow them to dry completely before hanging on the tree.
• Admire your toddler’s handmade decorations!

4. Reindeer Handprint Craft

This fun reindeer craft turns your toddler’s hands and feet into a festive Rudolph. It’s great for imaginative play and makes a heartwarming display piece.

This craft encourages sensory play and coordination as toddlers trace and assemble different body parts of their reindeer.

What You’ll Need:

• Brown and light brown construction paper
• Red pom-pom
• Googly eyes
• Glue stick
• Child-safe scissors
• Markers

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Trace your toddler’s hands on brown paper (these will be antlers).
• Trace one foot on light brown paper (this will be the reindeer’s face).
• Cut out all the shapes carefully.
• Glue the handprints to the top of the footprint for antlers.
• Add googly eyes and a red pom-pom nose.
• Draw a big smile with markers.
• Optionally, let your child decorate the background with stars or snowflakes.

5. Snowman Cotton Ball Craft

This snowy craft lets toddlers explore textures and learn about shapes while building their own snowman indoors. It’s a soft, simple activity that’s perfect for a cozy winter afternoon.

This activity promotes sensory play and teaches toddlers about circular shapes and color contrast through a hands-on snowy theme.

What You’ll Need:

• Blue construction paper
• Cotton balls
• Colored paper scraps (for hat, scarf, and buttons)
• Googly eyes
• Glue stick
• Orange marker or paper triangle

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Draw three circles stacked on top of each other on blue paper.
• Help your toddler glue cotton balls inside each circle.
• Add a hat, scarf, and buttons using colored paper scraps.
• Glue on googly eyes and an orange paper nose.
• Draw a smile and some snowflakes around the snowman.
• Let it dry and hang it on the wall or fridge.

6. Christmas Card Craft for Toddlers

There’s nothing sweeter than a homemade Christmas card from a toddler. This easy project lets them create heartfelt gifts for family and friends.

This craft boosts creativity, communication, and emotional expression as toddlers personalize cards for loved ones.

What You’ll Need:

• Cardstock or thick paper
• Crayons, markers, or paint
• Stickers or stamps
• Ribbon or glitter (optional)
• Glue stick
• Small photo (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Fold a piece of cardstock in half to create a card.
• Draw a Christmas shape (tree, stocking, or snowflake) on the front.
• Let your toddler decorate with crayons, stickers, or paint.
• Inside, glue a small photo or write a short note together.
• Add ribbon or glitter accents if desired.
• Allow the card to dry before gifting it.
• Perfect for grandparents or teachers!

7. Paper Tube Reindeer Craft

Turn a simple toilet paper roll into an adorable reindeer friend. This recycled craft is fun, eco-friendly, and perfect for storytelling or pretend play.

This project promotes creativity, recycling awareness, and hand-eye coordination as toddlers decorate their reindeer tubes.

What You’ll Need:

• Toilet paper roll
• Brown paint or marker
• Red pom-pom
• Googly eyes
• Brown construction paper (for antlers)
• Ribbon or yarn (for scarf)
• Glue stick

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Paint the paper roll brown and let it dry.
• Glue on googly eyes and a red pom-pom nose.
• Cut antlers from brown paper and glue them inside the tube’s top edge.
• Tie a ribbon or yarn scarf around the tube.
• Add extra details like a smile or bells.
• Line up multiple reindeer for Santa’s sleigh team.

8. Christmas Tree Collage Craft

This Christmas tree collage lets toddlers experiment with textures and colors. It’s a fantastic sensory activity that doubles as cheerful holiday decor.

This craft strengthens creative decision-making and improves sensory development through colorful, tactile materials.

What You’ll Need:

• Green construction paper
• White cardstock (background)
• Glue stick
• Tissue paper, felt scraps, sequins, or pom-poms
• Glitter glue or foil stars
• Child-safe scissors

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Cut a Christmas tree shape from green paper.
• Glue the tree onto white cardstock.
• Provide your toddler with craft materials to decorate.
• Help them glue felt, pom-poms, and sequins onto the tree.
• Add glitter glue or foil stars for extra shine.
• Let it dry completely before displaying.
• A perfect sensory and visual craft for little ones.

9. Jingle Bell Shaker Craft

This jingle bell shaker is a fun craft that turns into a musical toy! It’s great for movement, rhythm, and festive playtime.

This activity helps toddlers explore sound, rhythm, and sensory play while encouraging creativity and movement.

What You’ll Need:

• Small plastic bottle or container
• Jingle bells, dried rice, or beads
• Strong tape or hot glue (for adults)
• Stickers, paint, or colorful tape
• Ribbon (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Fill a small plastic bottle halfway with bells or beads.
• Secure the lid tightly using glue or tape (adults should do this part).
• Let your toddler decorate the outside with stickers or paint.
• Tie a ribbon around the top for decoration.
• Once dry, shake it to make music!
• Make several with different fillings for varied sounds.
• Great for holiday songs and dance time.

Final Thoughts

Crafting with toddlers at Christmas is about more than making decorations—it’s about creating memories. These easy, creative Christmas crafts keep little hands busy, teach patience, and nurture imagination. Remember to embrace the mess, laugh through the glitter spills, and enjoy every joyful moment. The best Christmas crafts are made with love and a sprinkle of sparkle!