DIY Kids Ornament Ideas

Looking for creative ways to engage your little ones while also sprucing up their space? DIY ornament ideas for kids are the perfect solution! Not only do they allow your children to express their artistic flair, but they also help foster a sense of accomplishment and pride. Plus, their unique creations will add a personal touch to your home's holiday decor. Let's dive into some fun and easy ornament ideas that your kids will love making.

Before we get started, remember that safety is paramount when crafting with kids. Always choose age-appropriate materials and supervise young children during the crafting process. Now, let's explore some fantastic ornament ideas that are sure to inspire your little ones!

Natural and Recycled Materials

Using natural and recycled materials is an eco-friendly way to create beautiful ornaments. It also provides an opportunity to teach your kids about the importance of sustainability and reducing waste.

One popular idea is to create pinecone ornaments. Simply gather pinecones from your backyard or a local park, and let your kids paint them with non-toxic acrylic paint. Once dry, they can add a ribbon or string for hanging. Another option is to make recycled paper ornaments by tearing old newspapers or magazines into strips, rolling them into tight coils, and gluing them together to form shapes like stars, balls, or hearts.

Popsicle Stick Ornaments

Popsicle sticks are a versatile crafting material that can be used to create a variety of ornaments. One simple idea is to glue several sticks together in the shape of a star or a heart, then paint or decorate them as desired. Your kids can also create more complex designs, such as houses, trees, or animals, by gluing the sticks together in different arrangements.

For a festive touch, have your kids paint their popsicle stick ornaments with holiday-themed colors or add small embellishments like pompoms, sequins, or googly eyes. Once dry, they can attach a ribbon or string for hanging on the Christmas tree.

Clay Ornaments

Air-dry clay is an excellent material for creating unique and durable ornaments. Your kids can roll out the clay and use cookie cutters to create shapes like stars, circles, or bells. They can also hand-sculpt their own designs, such as animals, flowers, or abstract shapes.

Once the ornaments have dried, your kids can paint them with acrylic paint and add any desired embellishments. To make hanging easy, they can poke a hole in the top of each ornament and insert a ribbon or string before painting. The final result will be a beautiful and personalized set of ornaments that your family can cherish for years to come.

Food-Based Ornaments

Food-based ornaments are a fun and delicious way to get your kids involved in the holiday decorating process. Plus, they make great edible gifts for teachers, neighbors, or family members. Here are a couple of ideas to try:

One popular option is to make salt dough ornaments. To create the dough, mix together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of salt, and 3/4 cup of water. Your kids can then roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to create shapes like stars, trees, or bells. Once the ornaments have dried, they can paint them with non-toxic acrylic paint and add any desired embellishments. To make hanging easy, they can poke a hole in the top of each ornament and insert a ribbon or string before painting.

Another fun idea is to create rice krispie treat ornaments. To make these, simply melt some butter in a large pot, add marshmallows, and stir until melted. Then, mix in rice krispie cereal until well coated. Your kids can press the mixture into greased cookie cutters or shape it by hand to create various designs. Once set, they can decorate their ornaments with icing, sprinkles, or other edible embellishments.

Paper Plate Ornaments

Paper plates are a versatile crafting material that can be used to create a variety of ornaments. One simple idea is to cut out the center of a paper plate to create a ring shape, then let your kids decorate it with paint, markers, or stickers. They can also cut out smaller shapes from the plate's center and decorate those separately to create a mixed-media ornament.

For a more complex design, your kids can cut out multiple shapes from a single paper plate and connect them together to form a 3D ornament. They can also add embellishments like pompoms, sequins, or ribbons to create a festive touch. Once their ornaments are complete, they can attach a ribbon or string for hanging on the Christmas tree.

Toilet Paper Roll Ornaments

Toilet paper rolls are another eco-friendly crafting material that can be used to create beautiful ornaments. One simple idea is to wrap the roll in construction paper or wrapping paper, then let your kids decorate it with paint, markers, or stickers. They can also cut out shapes from the roll to create patterns or designs.

For a more complex design, your kids can cut out multiple shapes from a single toilet paper roll and connect them together to form a 3D ornament. They can also add embellishments like pompoms, sequins, or ribbons to create a festive touch. Once their ornaments are complete, they can attach a ribbon or string for hanging on the Christmas tree.

Encourage your kids to use their imagination and have fun with these DIY ornament ideas. The most important thing is to create lasting memories together and enjoy the process of making something unique and special. Happy crafting!