Is anyone else wondering how they’re going to keep their kids occupied during sick days this winter (our home has been plagued by constant illness this school year) or when school is out for winter break at the end of the month? By the time the holidays arrive, I think we can all agree moms deserve get a winter break too.
Unfortunately, momming doesn’t come with breaks. You can, however, give your little ones a few materials and some instructions and set them loose into the Christmas crafting world to buy yourself a few minutes. That’s what I’ll be doing (or at least trying to do), anyway.
Read on for more than 20 Christmas crafts that will keep your kids busy this holiday season.
1. Waterless Snow Globes
A relatively mess-free craft, these waterless snow globes are both fun to create as an activity and a pretty piece of holiday decor you can enjoy for years to come.
Source: Crafts By Amanda
2. Paper Plate Snowman Christmas Countdown
It’s not too late to start counting down to Santa’s visit on December 25 with this cute (and simple!) paper plate craft to help littles get ready for the excitement of Christmas day.
Source: Gluesticks Blog
3. DIY Wrapping Paper
Save yourself a trip to the store to buy more wrapping paper by creating DIY wrapping paper with your family. Simply grab some paint and a roll of brown paper and let your inner artists out!
Source: ArtBar Blog
4. Holiday Button Wreath
Another simple activity that can be turned into holiday decor, this festive wreath is crafted using red ribbon and a variety of green buttons in different sizes. You can do this on a piece of paper, cardboard, or a canvas!
Source: Gluesticks Blog
5. Grinch Slime
Kids looove slime, and creating your own at home is sure to be a super fun DIY activity. Put The Grinch on TV for some inspo and make this bright green slime featuring cute red heart confetti. (Need help getting slime out of clothes? Click here for our hack!)
Source: Crafts By Amanda
6. Paper Weaving Christmas Tree Card
An easy craft that can be done at home with items you probably already own, have your kiddos create these holiday cards and attach them to gifts for friends and family this season.
Source: Easy Peasy and Fun
7. Salt Dough Ornaments
Salt dough ornaments are relatively easy to make at home and can make great gifts for teachers or grandparents this time of year. Simply use cookie cutters and pretty ribbon (plus bells if you have them!) to create these special crafts.
Source: The Best Ideas for Kids
8. Kinetic Snow
If your littles love kinetic sand, create a batch of kinetic snow instead this winter. You’ll need sand, cornstarch, dish soap, and water—that’s it!
Source: A Little Pinch of Perfect
9. Reindeer Slime
Another fun slime recipe, this one makes an adorable gift after it’s put into a small mason jar and decorated to look like a reindeer!
Source: The Best Ideas for Kids
10. The Everymom’s Printable Holiday Coloring Pages
There’s no craft simpler than coloring pages, and this free set includes six festive holiday scenes: a Christmas tree, a smiling Santa, a reindeer, a menorah, a snowman, and wrapped gifts!
11. Felt Christmas Tree & Gifts
Have your littles create and decorate their very own felt Christmas tree with this craft that’s both a fun activity and a piece of holiday decor—win-win!
Source: Midget Momma
12. Christmas Word Search
This free printable Christmas word search is a great activity for older kids. They can scan the page for holiday-themed words including “candy cane,” “cards,” “stocking,” and more!
Source: Happiness Is Homemade
13. Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments
These salt dough ornaments feature your kids’ tiny handprints and makes for a special holiday keepsake (or gift!).
Source: The Best Ideas for Kids
14. Paper Plate Santa
Help your little ones create Santa out of a paper plate, construction paper, paint, and lots of cotton balls with this cute and easy-to-make craft.
Source: Crafts By Amanda
15. Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Print out this free scavenger hunt and take it with you to family activities throughout the season as you view holiday lights, visit Santa, bake Christmas cookies, and more.
Source: The Suburban Mom
16. Popsicle Stick Santa
Another fun Santa craft, this one uses popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, paint, and cotton balls to create jolly old St. Nick.
Source: The Resourceful Mama
17. Paper Accordion Christmas Trees
Download and print the free template linked within this craft to help your kiddos create and decorate stand-up Christmas trees using folded paper.
Source: A Little Pinch of Perfect
18. The Everymom’s Printable Letter to Santa
Have your kids written a letter to Santa with their Christmas wishlist yet? There’s still time if not, and it couldn’t be easier with our free, printable Santa letter template!
19. Cardboard Christmas Trees
Let your child’s creativity shine with this activity that uses cardboard (a perfect use of Amazon delivery boxes!), string, paint, and other craft accessories to create a one-of-a-kind Christmas tree.
Source: ArtBar Blog
20. Santa’s Magic Milk Experiment
This STEM activity creates “magic” science reactions by combining whole milk with dish soap—trust us, your kids will be enthralled by this!
Source: Little Bins for Little Hands
21. Fine Motor Skills DIY Christmas Tree
This DIY tree activity from Valerie @outsidethetoybox uses two things you likely already have on hand: a box and food pouch caps.
