Easy Handmade Christmas Tree Ornaments for Kids
Christmas Tree Ornament Craft
The holiday season is the perfect time for kids to get crafty and creative in making homemade Christmas decorations. We love crafting DIY ornaments with the kids – not only are they fun to make, but they also become treasured keepsakes full of memories.
Before we dive into this simple Christmas tree ornament craft that’s perfect for kids of all ages, be sure to pin this post! That way, you’ll have these step-by-step instructions handy when making these handmade ornaments with your little ones.
Making these cute and festive ornaments together is a fun family Christmas tradition. The best part is admiring them on the tree year after year and looking back fondly on the special time you spent crafting with your kids. Before jumping into the how-to, please take a moment to pin this post to your Christmas crafts board.
Why Make Homemade Christmas Ornaments?
Crafting simple Christmas tree ornaments with your kids provides so many benefits beyond just decorative holiday decor:
Develops Creativity & Motor Skills – As kids cut, paint, glue, and decorate these ornaments, they build fine motor skills. Letting their creativity loose and building the ornaments however they wish also develops creative confidence.
Quality Family Time – Crafting ornaments together provides a calming, meaningful activity to bond with kids during the often hectic holiday season. Laughing and creating together makes priceless memories.
Unique Personalized Gifts – These homemade ornaments make wonderful handmade gifts for family and friends. Ornaments with a custom touch can become treasured keepsakes and heirlooms to pass down.
Saves Money – Making DIY ornaments and other Christmas crafts saves money during an expensive time of year. And kids will still have fun being crafty with materials you likely already have at home.
The sense of pride kids will feel seeing their special ornament displayed year after year is invaluable. So grab the craft supplies and let the festive creativity begin!
Craft Supplies Needed to Make Homemade Christmas Ornaments
You most likely have all the supplies you need already in your home. If not, a quick run to your local drugstore or office supply store should easily provide everything required. However, for convenience, I’ve included affiliate links to Amazon where you can purchase all the necessary items. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:
- Paint: Acrylic craft, tempera, or even leftover wall paint works great. We used basic red and green paint for a traditional Christmas ornament.
- Popsicle Sticks: These form the triangular shape of the little tree ornament. Sturdy craft popsicle sticks are perfect for holding all the decorative layers.
- Tongue Depressors or Cardstock: Tongue depressors are similar to thicker popsicle sticks. A small piece is cut for the tree trunk. Alternatively, cardstock would also work.
- Glue: An all-purpose white glue or hot glue gun works best to attach the sticks into a triangle shape and glue on decorations.
- Yarn: A small piece of yarn, string, or ribbon gets looped through the back so the ornament can hang from the Christmas tree.
- Glitter Glue (optional): Adding sparkling glitter glue is a fun way for kids to decorate and add some pizzazz to the ornament. But it’s completely optional.
Now that you’ve gathered the supplies, you’re ready for the fun part – crafting! Let’s jump into the easy step-by-step ornament-making instructions…
How to Make the Christmas Tree Ornament: Simple Step-by-Step Craft
Follow these easy steps to make a cute Christmas tree ornament craft with kids:
- Paint Popsicle Sticks – Take three craft sticks and paint them green using acrylic or tempera paint. Allow time for the green-painted popsicle sticks to fully dry.
- Cut & Paint Ornament Base – Cut a small rectangle from a tongue depressor or thick cardstock. Paint it brown for the tree trunk and set it aside to dry.
- Glue Together Ornament Shape – Once dry, glue the three green popsicle sticks together in a triangle tree shape. Then, glue the brown trunk piece to the bottom center.
- Add Hanger Loop – Glue a small loop of yarn, string, or ribbon to the back of the ornament so it can hang on the tree.
- Decorate – Have kids decorate the triangle tree area with glitter glue, sequins, raffins, or other embellishments. Get creative!
- Optional: Add Photo – For a personal touch, you can print and glue a tiny photo in the center of the ornament to remember this year!
Christmas Tree Books to Read Alongside the Craft
Reading festive stories is another great way to spend quality time during this Christmas ornament craft. Here are some of our favorite picture books that pair nicely with the holiday creativity:
The Littlest Christmas Tree
A sweet tale about a small Christmas tree who wants a home for the holidays. After being passed over by families, two children finally give the little tree love. This book goes nicely with ornament making as you discuss what decorations to put on your own little tree!
A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree
An overgrown pine tree feels sad as another Christmas passes without him being picked to be a Christmas tree. Can his forest friends help him see that he is needed all year long?
Oh! Christmas Tree!
Oh, Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree! Santa sees all kinds of Christmas trees! Travel around the world, under the sea, and into outer space to discover trees that are whimsical and festive. This book is sure to bring Christmas cheer to storytime.
The Night Tree
On Christmas Eve, two children decorate a pine tree outdoors with apples, garlands, and more treats for the forest animals. It’s a similar concept of decorating a little tree but with an outdoor nature twist.
All of these Christmas books focus on the process of a tree getting decorated, so children will easily connect the ornament crafting process to the stories. Read one together, then start crafting for a magical family activity!
Spread Holiday Cheer with DIY Ornaments
Creating these easy homemade Christmas tree ornaments is a fun and meaningful holiday activity for parents and kids. You will end up with beautiful handmade decorations and special memories that will be treasured for years to come.
The sense of achievement kids gain from completing the ornament craft start-to-finish is a great confidence boost, too. Let them take ownership of the project with their own creative touches. Then proudly hang their homemade ornament on the tree or give it as a gift!
We hope you enjoyed following along with this simple, kid-friendly Christmas tree ornament idea.
Do you like this craft? Then, you will love our paper ornament craft.
