Homemade Christmas DIY Ornament for Kids

As the first snowflakes begin to twinkle in the morning light, I nestle on our living room couch, feeling the warm glow of the fireplace. My kids—Jack, almost 12, and Lucy, a spirited 9-year-old—are sketching ideas for this year’s homemade holiday ornaments. There’s something magical about this time of year, isn’t there? With the smell of cinnamon and pine filling our home, I find myself reminiscing about my childhood. I remember crafting ornaments with my siblings as we listened to carols, our laughter echoing with glee. It’s a tradition that has transformed from generations past into our cozy family ritual today. Our mission? To create unique, heartfelt decorations that reflect our family’s spirit and creativity. If you’re looking to join in this festive fun with your kids, here are some fantastic ideas that will sprinkle your holiday home with joy and charm.

Festive Nature Ornaments

One of my favorite ways to connect with the beauty of the season is through nature. Each year, we gather twigs, pinecones, and acorns during a family hike, turning them into delightful ornaments. This year, we made lovely little pinecone mice. All you need are pinecones, googly eyes, small balls of clay for noses, and some natural twine for hanging. My kids loved picking out different sizes of pinecones to create their little fellow friends.

Tip: To create an adorable mouse ornament, glue the eyes and clay nose in place. You can wrap a thin ribbon around the top for a festive touch. The possibilities are endless—think about collecting colorful leaves or dried flowers to make pressed leaf ornaments. If you’re looking for a way to incorporate sustainability into your holiday decorations, this is a fun and eco-friendly approach!

Painted Cookie Cutters

Let’s talk about something that brings back memories of baking with my mom—cookie cutters! A simple set of holiday cookie cutters can take a turn to become a beautiful ornament. My kids loved carefully painting each shape with bright colors; we opted for vibrant reds and greens, decorating them with glitter for a sparkling effect.

You can use air-dry clay or salt dough as the medium, which is easy and fun to work with. Once the dough is rolled out, the kids can press the cookie cutters to shape the ornaments. Once they dry, a light coat of paint brings them to life!

Tip: Don’t forget to punch holes at the top before they dry, allowing them to hang on your tree. Trust me, the glimmering surprises of these beautiful ornaments will flicker in the holiday lights, bringing a smile to everyone who sees them.

Family Memory Ornaments

As we gather around the table, it gets emotional when I suggest creating ornaments that hold family memories. Each year, we try to encapsulate special moments from our lives. My husband and I pull out some cherished photos, and the kids pick the ones they love the most; this year, we went with our summer camping trip photos.

With clear plastic or glass ornaments available at craft stores, we place printed photos carefully inside, along with a bit of artificial snow or glitter. Hopefully, it won’t fall out, but hey, a little mess only adds to the fun!

Tip: To make it even more personal, add handwritten notes to describe the memories captured, tucking them neatly in the ornament. Every time we hang them, it’s like unwrapping a heartfelt gift of nostalgia.

Fabric and Fiber Ornaments

Have some old fabric scraps or yarn lying around? Perfect! Bright colors and patterns can be ideal for stitching delightful ornaments that reflect your family’s personality and style. A few years ago, we made little fabric stars and hearts that danced gracefully on our tree.

The kids and I spent an afternoon sewing (not to mention the giggles and minor tangles from the threads!). We cut shapes from our fabric, stitched them together, filled them lightly with cotton, and adorned them with buttons. They were practical, fun, and zero waste—I felt like a proud mom, considering these homemade treasures.

Tip: Let your kids drive the colors and designs they want. Integrating their choices makes the final product even more special. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to improve their motor skills while having a merry time!

Upcycled Ornaments

In our quest to stay eco-friendly, we’ve embraced upcycling our everyday materials into splendid ornaments. This year, we decided to transform old Christmas cards into beautiful baubles. The children loved scissor-snipping, creating an array of shapes from the colorful cards—trees, stars, and snowmen.

Once cut, we glued them back-to-back with a bit of twine in between for a layered effect. As I watched them giggle while decorating each piece with glitter and ribbons, I felt grateful for the creativity that blossomed right before my eyes.

Tip: Collect cards from friends and family each year to craft a collection that tells your unique holiday story! It’s a joyful way to connect with loved ones while reducing waste and introducing your kids to the importance of recycling.

Special Touches for Personalization

No matter what DIY ornaments you create, adding your unique personal touches can elevate them to something truly special. Consider incorporating family heirlooms, like a beloved button or a small charm from your child’s first Christmas. Lucy has a tiny red button that her grandma gave her, and she can’t resist using it every year.

When decorating ornaments, let your kids sprinkle on glitter or use stamps with holiday motifs. Our family tradition also includes sitting together as we write our year’s blessings and putting them into ornaments. It’s a touching way to reflect on our wonderful memories and count our blessings before the holidays.

Tip: To elevate the personalization, create a small hand-lettered tag for each ornament with the date and children’s names. These little touches become treasures, not just for us but for generations to come.

Conclusion

Bringing homemade Christmas ornaments to life is a beautiful way to embrace the joy of the season while creating family traditions. Whether weaving memories from nature, fabric, or family stories, each decoration becomes a symbol of love and togetherness. So gather your supplies, invite your kids into the creative process, and enjoy the laughter, mess, and warmth that fills your home. Embrace the spirit of the season—this is where memories are made, and joy is found. Why not start your holiday crafting adventure today? You’ll be cherishing these homemade treasures for years to come. Happy crafting!

Kid-Made Christmas Ornaments: Fun and Easy DIY Holiday Crafts

As winter settles in and the enchanting aroma of cinnamon and pine fills our home, I find myself transfixed by the twinkling lights outside. The excitement about the upcoming holidays is palpable — the warmth of family traditions, the heartwarming stories from my parents about their childhood Christmases, and the laughter that erupts between my two kids, ages 8 and 12, as we embark on our festive projects. Each year, we gather around our kitchen table, clad in our comfiest holiday sweaters, ready to create magical decorations. This is not just about adorning the tree; it’s a cherished time for us to bond, showing them the joys of creativity while passing on traditions that have meant so much to me.

Let’s dive into some festive and fun crafting ideas to make your home feel extra special this holiday season. These kid-made Christmas ornaments not only add that personal touch to your decorations but also create wonderful memories you’ll treasure forever.

1. Salt Dough Ornaments: Timeless Treasures

One of the first crafts we always create as a family is salt dough ornaments. Simple and straightforward, this timeless activity has a way of bringing out everyone’s creativity. With just three ingredients – flour, salt, and water – you can create dough that’s moldable and easy for kids to shape into their favorite holiday designs.

Recipe and Tips

To make the salt dough, mix 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt, and 1 cup of water in a bowl until it forms a clay-like consistency. Knead until smooth. Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick, and let your kids use cookie cutters to create shapes like stars, Christmas trees, or gingerbread men. Don’t forget to make a small hole at the top for hanging!

Once baked at 200°F (about 1-2 hours), the possibilities are endless. Let the kids paint their creations, adding glitter, sequins, or even pressed leaves for a touch of nature! These ornaments can become cherished keepsakes, and each year as you hang them up, you’ll be reminded of the laughter shared during their creation.

2. Upcycled Ornaments: Eco-Friendly Festivity

As a family who appreciates the beauty of being sustainable, we often look for creative ways to upcycle items around the house. This holiday season, turn ordinary items into extraordinary decorations that make an eco-friendly statement.

How-To Guide

Empty toilet paper rolls, bottle caps, and fabric scraps can become delightful ornaments with just a bit of imagination. For instance, toilet paper rolls can be painted and cut into rings, which you can then glue together to form festive shapes like wreaths.

Another favorite is to create “Pinecone Friends.” Use collected pinecones as a base, attaching googly eyes, pipe cleaners, and acorns to create charming characters. We’ve had a blast giving these little creatures names and stories about their adventures.

By involving the kids in research and materials gathering locally, you instill in them an appreciation for the environment while making beautiful decorations that are meaningful and unique.

3. Photo Ornaments: Memories in the Making

One of the sweetest crafts we’ve done involves turning our cherished family photographs into ornaments. It’s a beautiful way to share fond memories with friends and family during festive gatherings.

Craft Steps

To create these ornaments, print photos of your family from past Christmases. You can choose to mount the photos on cardboard circles or cut them into fun shapes. To add flair, we like to embellish them with some glitter or ribbon around the edges.

Use a glue stick to stick the photo on a piece of cardboard and seal it with a layer of decoupage glue to give it a glossy finish. Finally, attach a string for hanging, and voila! As you adorn the tree with these little snapshots, you can’t help but smile at the memories each ornament evokes.

4. Painted Wooden Ornaments: A Splash of Color

If you’re looking for a craft that combines fun and fine motor skills, painted wooden ornaments might just be the answer. These can be found at craft stores or even online, and their versatility makes them perfect for customization.

Crafty Ideas

Let your kids unleash their artistic side: use acrylic paint, markers, or even stamp sets featuring festive designs. While painting, my children often come up with funny names for each ornament, inspired by their designs. For example, an adorable snowman might get dubbed “Chilly Charlie,” bringing even more customization to our decor.

Once painted, sprinkle a bit of glitter for that holiday sparkle and finish with a protective topcoat. The beauty of this project is that they double as gifts for relatives, making it a win-win for a beautiful holiday season.

5. Beaded Ornaments: Sparkling Creations

Beaded crafts have always been a delight in our household, bringing hours of focused activity filled with giggles and stories. Creating beaded ornaments can be both a tactile and colorful experience as your children design their creations.

Instructions and Inspiration

Provide a variety of beads in seasonal colors – think reds, greens, blues, and golds. Pipe cleaners work wonderfully as a base; simply let your child string the beads in various patterns. Twisting and bending the pipe cleaners into shapes such as candy canes, stars, or simple wreaths adds another level to this craft.

We often turn this into a lesson in colors and patterns, and it’s amazing to see the creativity and skill my kids show each year. Handing these ornaments out lets them feel proud about their handcrafted gifts — a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer.

Conclusion

So there you have it — a collection of joyous crafts to fill your home with laughter and love this holiday season. Take these ideas and let your children’s creativity shine, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Remember, the beauty of these kid-made ornaments lies not just in their charm, but in the stories they tell and the memories they evoke. As you hang these heartfelt creations, transport yourself back to the moments spent crafting together. Embrace the warmth of your home styled with festive inspiration that truly reflects your family’s story. Happy crafting!