The best Christmas Ornaments for Preschoolers to make!
Christmas is pretty exciting when you have little ones. My first kiddo is finally old enough to have a better understanding of what the holiday is all about, meaning he knows it is not all about the presents, although it’s DEFINITELY an integral part of the holiday (in his opinion). This year I want to start some fun family Christmas Traditions, like finding simple Christmas ornaments to make with a toddler.
It’s crucial for us to show our kids that this holiday is so much more. Christmas is not about the gifts, but the act of giving. It’s about spending time with loved ones and being kind to one another. Ultimately, it’s about the birth of Jesus and the hope He brings. I can hope that these are attributes that we emulate year-round, but Christmas is a great time to check ourselves and regroup these behaviors.
Because I am looking forward to celebrating a more meaningful holiday this year, I have begun collecting ideas for different DIY Christmas ornaments to make with toddlers. I think Christmas ornaments are great because not only will your little one have a LOT of fun making them, but they can remain a meaningful keepsake that you use every single year.
I rounded up the best DIY Christmas ornaments I could find, and I hope they can help you have a more purposeful holiday season this year with your kiddos.
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Related: Christmas Stocking Tradition Ideas
Related: How to have a stress free Christmas WITH KIDS
Related: The Ultimate list of Toddler Activities
Easy Christmas Ornaments to Make With Toddlers
Jingle Bell Wreath Ornament
I love the simplicity and prettiness of these jingle bell wreath ornaments. Although the stringing of the bells is meant for older toddlers, you can make this activity enjoyable for your younger toddler by using this as an opportunity to work on patterns and counting. Not to mention shaking bells is always going to be a lot of fun!
Pipe-cleaner Christmas Tree Ornaments
This pipe cleaner Christmas tree ornament is probably one of my favorite DIY Christmas ornaments to make with toddlers. Your little one will have a lot of fun stringing the beads on the Christmas tree, and you could definitely add more beads if you wanted (which I am sure your toddler WILL want to).
Beaded Candy Cane Ornament
Playing with beads is really great for practicing your child’s fine motor skills. These beaded candy cane ornaments provide your toddler with an excellent opportunity for polishing those skills while creating something that can look professionally made, even if it was a toddler who created it.
Santa Handprint Ornaments
Talk with your toddler about the origins of Santa when you make this cute Santa handprint ornament. This is definitely a keepsake DIY Christmas ornament to make with preschoolers – those little hands get big so fast!! You’ll treasure this one for YEARS!
Paper Chains
Don’t overlook simple paper chains as a fun DIY Christmas ornament for a toddler or preschooler to make – kids LOVE these things. They won’t be something you hang onto from year to year, but they are a really fun way to spend some time with your baby! I just get pre-cut ones like this, so I don’t need to mess with cutting and gluing and all that jazz.
(Plus, the pre-cut paper chains are THE BEST to have around if you have big family Christmas parties – keeps the little ones entertained for a while with NO extra “craft supplies” or mess. LOL.)
Paint Swirl Ornament
What I love about this ornament is how it looks like it came out of a Christmas store. This little paint swirl ornament will be a lot of fun for your toddler to “swirl” around, and I think we all have that family member who appreciates keepsakes but prefers to display classy stuff in their home. This definitely fits the bill!
Toddler Keepsake Ornament
Your toddler will love being able to pick out their own little trinkets for this keepsake ornament. Consider putting small figurines in the ornament and donating them to your local shelter the night before Christmas.
Salt Dough Fingerprint Christmas Tree Ornament
This salt dough fingerprint Christmas tree craft is definitely something you will want to help your toddler with, but the result will be a keepsake ornament you can keep forever. This blogger also has a SUPER easy recipe for salt dough.
Pasta Reindeer Christmas Ornament
This reindeer Christmas ornament is SUPER cute and you can probably make it with material that you have lying around the house. Consider allowing your toddler to get creative with painting the reindeer. Maybe they want a purple reindeer–that’s totally okay!
Popsicle Stick Snowflake Ornaments
This DIY Christmas ornament for toddlers is more about the process than the result. I love art projects like this popsicle stick snowflake ornament because they allow your toddler to use their imagination while creating it.
Easy Rag Wreath Christmas Ornament
Although your toddler will not be developmentally ready to tie their shoes until they are around five or six, many three year olds can master a simple knot with practice! This easy rag wreath Christmas ornament will be a lot of fun and an excellent opportunity to practice those motor skills!
Toddler Glitter Ornaments
These glitter ornaments are really easy to make, and I have yet to meet a toddler who doesn’t enjoy glitter! Remember to be careful with the glitter since it WILL get EVERYWHERE!
Santa Star Cookies
Edible ornaments–yay! These Santa star cookies are SUPER adorable, and if you can avoid eating them all you will produce a lovely DIY Christmas ornament to make with your toddler. Consider trying different shapes and letting your child make it their own with different frosting and other decorating materials. Don’t forget to remind your toddler that these are not really for eating once they are up on your tree.
Related: 25 Fun Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers
Related: How We Cured the “Terrible Twos” in One Day
On this list–what was your favorite DIY Christmas ornament to make with toddlers?