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Christmas Crafts That Bring Creativity and Connection Back To Your Home This Season
A Cozy Start to the Christmas Season
Every year as soon as the Christmas lights start appearing around the neighbourhood, I feel that same mix of excitement and overwhelm (mostly excitement, though!). But the to-do list in my head starts piling up—shopping, cleaning, decorating, meal planning, and of course Christmas crafts—and before I know it, the magic of the season starts to feel more like pressure.
I am trying to avoid this by intentionally living a simpler Christmas this year. That means being content with a smaller Christmas (read the blog post about that here!) and bringing the magic of a 90’s Christmas into our home (read about that one here, you’ll love it if you’re a 90’s baby!)
That’s where these toddler Christmas crafts come in. Simple, classic, and so doable even for busy moms like us. You don’t need fancy supplies or Pinterest perfection—just a few quiet afternoons, a hot coffee, and a willingness to let creativity take over (and maybe a trip or two to Dollarama).
In this post, I’m going to show you 10 of my favourite Christmas crafts to do with toddlers that are fun, affordable, and full of meaning. You’ll find:
- Inspiration from some of my favourite craft bloggers
- Supply lists (so you can shop locally or through my favourite Amazon finds)
- Tips for creating intentional moments of connection with your kids through crafting
These crafts are proof that motherhood, or Christmas, doesn’t need to be complicated to be beautiful.
Why Simple Christmas Crafts Matter
Crafting with toddlers isn’t just about glitter and glue. It’s about rhythm and the memories — slowing down, staying present, and helping our kids see that joy lives in small, everyday things, especially during the holidays.
For me, these moments have become sacred. They are why I quit the corporate world to become a stay at home mom. I put on some soft Christmas music, diffuse my holiday essential oil blend, and just be with my boys.
And, that’s what the Glow lifestyle is about—choosing peace over perfection, and being fully present in our motherhood.
10+ Toddler Christmas Crafts You’ll Love
Salt Dough Ornaments
This one is such a classic and the memories last a lifetime.
What you’ll need:
- Flour
- Salt
- Water
- Measuring cups
- Mixing bowl
- Rolling pin
- Straws
- Acrylic paint (optional)
- Mod Podge
- Ribbon or craft twine
You can check out my full recipe here!
Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Crafts
Probably the easiest and most affordable, your toddlers are bound to love this one.
What you’ll need:
- Toilet paper rolls
- Acrylic paints
- Glitter craft paper
- Assorted buttons
- Scissors
- Craft glue
- Pom poms (this multiset is adorable!)
- Googly eyes (these assorted self adhesive ones are great!)
- Pipe cleaners
- Sharpie
Find the full tutorial from The Best Ideas for Kids.
Christmas Plate Gift Craft
A sweet keepsake idea that doubles as a homemade gift for grandparents.
What you’ll need:
- Porcelain or ceramic paint
- Porcelain or ceramic paint pens
- White porcelain plates (here’s a set of 6 from Amazon)
Find the full tutorial here from Non-Toy Gifts.
Tin Can Lanterns
These lanterns are a beautiful way to upcycle and a cute way teach kids about reusing materials!
What you’ll need:
- Aluminum cans (washed and dried)
- Nail and hammer or drill and metal drill bits
- Acrylic paint (here’s a great set from Amazon)
- Masking tape
- Jewelry wire or pipe cleaners (these glittery ones from Amazon are perfect for this craft!)
- Beads (or these Christmas ones from Amazon are way too cute!)
- Flameless tea light candles
Find the full tutorial here from Kids Craft Room.
Christmas Fingerprint Frames
Simple, sentimental, and perfect for framing your favourite photos.
What you’ll need:
- Wooden craft frames (here’s a great set from Amazon)
- Acrylic paint
- Craft twine and a hot glue gun if you want to hang it on the Christmas tree!
Find the full tutorial from Fun-A-Day.
Preschool Ornament Keepsake
A simple and classic keepsake that teachers or family members will love.
What you’ll need:
- Wooden craft ornament (here is a 30 pack from Amazon). I also found these ones that are picture frames… way too cute!
- Assorted Christmas buttons (this variety pack of wooden Christmas buttons is to die for)
- Tempera paint (washable and non-toxic) — or you can try acrylic paint if your kids are older.
- Glossy mod podge
Find the full tutorial from Teaching 2 And 3 Year Olds.
Fingerprint Snowman Ornament
A timeless classic that also helps with fine motor skills!
What you’ll need:
Find the full tutorial from Fun-A-Day.
Christmas Cookie Cutter Birdseed Feeders
A perfect craft for outdoor or as an adorable ornament.
What you’ll need:
- Birdseed mix
- Gelatin
- Boiling water
- Mixing bowl and spoon
- Cookie cutters (these assorted Christmas ones are too cute)
- Ribbon
Find the full tutorial from Messy Little Monster.
Melted Bead Christmas Ornaments
Colourful and unique and the perfect Christmas tree keepsake.
What you’ll need:
- Plastic (pony) beads, colourful and/or transparent (I think these assorted Christmas ones are perfect)
- Muffin tin
- Drill
- Ribbon
Find the full tutorial from Danya Banya.
Candy Cane Felt Christmas Trees
I picked this one because we still have my husband’s from the 80’s, and its so adorable!
What you’ll need:
- Felt or craft foam
- Candy canes
- Scissors
- Craft glue
- Pom poms (this multicolour pack from Amazon is perfect!)
Find the full tutorial from One Little Project.
Cinnamon Christmas Ornaments
Another handmade classic that also smells delicious! It adds perfectly to my post about how to get your home to smell like Christmas naturally.
What you’ll need:
- Apple sauce
- Cinnamon
- Craft glue
- Small mixing bowl
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters (these assorted Christmas ones are perfect!)
- Straws
- Ribbons or craft twine
Find the full tutorial from One Little Project.
Christmas Handprint Wreath
This one has 90s written all over it and it’s just oh-so adorable!
What you’ll need:
- Pen
- Cardboard
- Cardstock or construction paper (this set of different shades of green is perfect for this craft)
- Circle punch (to punch out “berries”)
- Craft glue
- Ribbon (this thick double sided ribbon is perfect)
- Large round plate
- Bowl
Find the full tutorial from My Name is Snickerdoodle.
My Christmas Craft “Fail”
Sometimes our expectations are too high for Christmas crafts with our kids. The Pinterest pins make them look far from reality sometimes. I have had several Christmas crafting “fails”, like I described in my salt dough post here.
For my second son’s first Christmas, I wanted to make these beautiful handprint mugs (pictured top left). But my older son was only 2.5 and my younger was 3 months. Neither exactly had the fine motor or cooperation skills to make the picture perfect mugs. And, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t cry a little when I couldn’t get them to turn out. I think I managed to salvage it by tracing their hand prints on construction paper and then tracing it on the mug. The grandparents still loved them, of course!
I couldn’t find the tutorial I used, but a friend of mine shared one on her blog. Read it here on Ciara Deanne.
So if crafting usually feels chaotic, I get it. So here are a few small rhythm shifts that make it calmer:
- Prep ahead. Gather your supplies the night before, so you can start fresh with your morning coffee.
- Lower expectations. It’s about connection and keepsakes, not Pinterest perfection.
- Set the mood. Diffuse essential oils, put cookies in the oven, and put on quiet Christmas music.
- Keep it short. Toddlers thrive with small projects. One or two crafts per week is plenty.
Display their art proudly. Let them see the joy in creating by hanging their crafts around your home.
More Ways to Keep Your Glow This Christmas
If you love cozy, intentional rhythms like this, you might also enjoy:
- Simple Winter Wellness Habits for Moms (perfect to pair with your crafting days)
- How to Stay Grounded during the Holidays Christmas Home (about setting gentle rhythms and boundaries)
- Finding My Rhythm Again After the Holidays (for that slow return to normal in January)
You can also visit my shop for resources to help your home and heart stay calm this season
And if you love wellness, homemaking, and living intentionally, I’d love to have you join the Let’s Glow community. You’ll get:
- Exclusive discount codes from brands I love like Arbonne, Organika, Eco-Kind Cleaning and more
- New blog updates
- Simple wellness tips you can actually follow as a busy mom
You deserve a season that feels grounded, not rushed.
Have you tried any of these crafts? Let me know in the comments!
