Christmas is such a wonderful time to make fun memories with your kids. Crafts are always a huge hit, but can seem daunting to begin. Hint: DON’T try to create elaborate Pinterest finds with 5-year-olds. The key is knowing your audience and playing to their strengths. Every year I throw a little Christmas party for neighbor kids and we decorate cookies and make an easy craft. Here are my favorites that won’t drive you batty and are sure to please everyone.
5. Edible Christmas Trees!
Move over difficult gingerbread houses that won’t stand up and take an architectural and engineering degree to figure out! Make way for the ice cream cone tree! These super simple creations are so fun and so easy even my 2-year-old can get in on the fun (which for him usually means just eating the ingredients, but who’s keeping score?). Here’s all you need for this awesome decoration or snack.
- Sugar cones
- icing
- various candy decorations and sprinkles
- shredded coconut (snow)
- paper plates
Directions: Turn cone upside down and ice all over in white or green icing. Decorate with candy. Gobble down with glee. If you let it dry, it can join your Christmas village as the town tree! These are so fun and each one looks so unique and showcases your child’s individualism. We love this easy and fun project!
4. Decorating Cookies!
Slice and bake sugar cookies work great for this or you can get a little fancier and make some gingerbread cookies ahead of time. Use the ingredients from the last activity and go to town! Don’t forget to take lots of photos!
3. Chocolate Dipped Pretzels
Not only are these great fun to make, but they make excellent Christmas gifts for teachers and friends. Even the littlest ones can participate! Here are the simple ingredients:
- pretzel logs
- white chocolate fondue chips
- various decorations (sprinkles, etc.)
- wax paper
- red and green cellophane and ribbon
Directions: In a microwave-safe dish microwave the white chocolate for 30 seconds at a time and stir in between until melted. This is a great activity for your older kids while the younger ones get the decorations ready. Once melted, let each child dip half, or a little more than half, of their pretzel log into the chocolate, rolling it to cover all sides. Place onto wax paper and decorate. Allow to cool and harden, then wrap in colored cellophane and distribute to neighbors and friends!
2. Birdseed Ornaments
It’s that time of year when we give gifts to all, so why not our feathered friends? This craft is so much fun and the kids will get enjoyment during and after when they get to watch the neighborhood birds enjoying these tasty treats. See Pinterest for detailed instructions.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/2111131054079756/
1. Make Your Own Ornaments
I don’t know about your kids, but mine LOVE making their own ornaments to hang on our tree. We have made some cute ones over the years, including last year when they filled hollow, clear ornaments with sparkly fuzzy balls (which I had to remove from the toddler’s nose this year…sigh). While searching for toddler-proof ornaments this year I came up with these darling paper trees that do not contain nasal hazards. While this instructable includes using glitter, a substance I despise and avoid at all costs, there’s no reason they can’t be decorated with glitter pens or markers or other items instead of the dreaded glitter that will cling to everything until next Christmas!
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/226446687490114418/
Whatever crafts you do with your kids, make sure you do at least one! They’ll never forget the time spent and the memories made.
Merry Christmas!
Join the conversation as a VIP Member