20+ Christmas Crafts and Activities to Keep Your Kids Busy

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. 

 

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. 

 

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! 

holiday crafts

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! 

 

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!)

 

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. 

 

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. 

 

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! 

 

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! 

 

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! 

holiday crafts

 

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! 

holiday crafts

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!

 

13. Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments

These salt dough ornaments feature your kids’ tiny handprints and makes for a special holiday keepsake (or gift!). 

 

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. 

 

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. 

 

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. 

 

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. 

 

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! 

letter to Santa

 

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. 

holiday crafts

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! 

 

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.  

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