Fun and Easy Holiday Arts & Crafts to Try with Your Little Ones

The holidays are a perfect time to bond with your little ones while unleashing their creativity. Arts and crafts not only keep tiny hands busy but also help develop fine motor skills, creativity, and a sense of pride in what they create. Plus, these simple projects double as beautiful homemade decorations and keepsakes!

Here are five fun and easy holiday crafts that you and your little ones can try together this season.

1. Handprint Reindeer

Perfect for Ages: 2-5 years

What You Need:

• Brown paint (washable for little ones)
• White or colored paper
• Googly eyes (or draw eyes with markers)
• Red pom-poms (or red markers)
• Glue, paintbrushes

How to Make It:

1. Paint your child’s hand with brown paint and press it firmly onto the paper. Let it dry.
2. Glue on googly eyes and a red pom-pom for Rudolph’s nose.
3. Use markers or glitter glue to add details like snowflakes or their name.

2. DIY Paper Snowflakes

Perfect for Ages: 4+ years (requires some scissor skills)

What You Need:

• White paper (any square piece works)
• Child-safe scissors
• String or ribbon for hanging

How to Make It:

1. Fold a square piece of paper into triangles. Fold again until it’s small.
2. Let your child cut small shapes along the edges. (You can guide them if needed.)
3. Unfold the paper to reveal a beautiful snowflake.
4. Add string and hang on windows for a festive look.

3. Pinecone Ornaments

Perfect for Ages: 3-6 years

What You Need:

• Pinecones (collected outside or store-bought)
• Paint (white, red, gold, or silver)
• Glue, glitter, paintbrushes
• Ribbon or yarn

How to Make It:

1. Paint the edges of each pinecone for a “snowy” effect. Add glitter while the paint is still wet.
2. Let the paint dry. Tie a ribbon or yarn around the top for hanging.
3. Optional: Add tiny jingle bells or beads for extra decoration.

4. Holiday Playdough Shapes

Perfect for Ages: 2-5 years

What You Need:

• Playdough (store-bought or homemade)
• Rolling pins
• Holiday cookie cutters (stars, trees, gingerbread men, etc.)
• Beads, buttons, or sequins for decorating (optional)

How to Make It:

1. Roll out the playdough with a rolling pin.
2. Use holiday cookie cutters to create festive shapes.
3. Optional: Decorate the shapes with beads, buttons, or sequins.

Tip: Make homemade playdough with flour, salt, water, and food coloring for a fun twist!

5. Paper Plate Wreaths

Perfect for Ages: 3-6 years

What You Need:

• Paper plates
• Green paint or green tissue paper
• Glue, glitter, pom-poms, stickers
• Ribbon for hanging

How to Make It:

1. Cut the center out of a paper plate to create a wreath shape.
2. Let your child paint the wreath green or glue pieces of green tissue paper all over.
3. Decorate with pom-poms, glitter, or stickers.
4. Punch a hole at the top, thread a ribbon through, and hang it up!

Final Thoughts

These simple arts and crafts projects are perfect for creating joyful memories with your little ones this holiday season. Not only do they encourage creativity and fine motor skill development, but they also result in beautiful decorations and keepsakes to cherish for years.

So gather your supplies, get messy, and have fun creating!

Happy Holidays and Happy Crafting!