looking for easy Christmas crafts for kids? This Mom’s Survival Guide features 25 low-mess, budget-friendly holiday activities to keep little hands busy!Hi there! I’m Nancy, a mom of three who knows that the holiday season is equal parts magical and chaotic. We all want those sweet memories, but let’s be honest: nobody has time for expensive decor projects or scrubbing glitter out of the rug while the turkey burns. If you are trying to keep your children entertained for 30-60 minutes so you can actually finish your holiday prep, you are in the right place.
This list is my personal “Mom’s Survival Guide.” I’ve gathered the best Christmas crafts for kids that rely on simple pantry staples and clever bulk buys. From paper plate holiday crafts to mess-free holiday activities for toddlers, these ideas prioritize high-visual payoff with minimal cleanup.
Grab a cup of coffee (or hot cocoa) and let’s get crafting! 🎄✂️
🎄 My Top 3 Favorites
If you only have time for a few, here are my absolute go-to lifesavers:
- Lowest Mess: Beaded Pipe Cleaner Candy Canes (It keeps hands busy for ages with zero cleanup).
- Most “High-End” Look: DIY Snow Globes (These make incredible keepsakes).
- Best for Little Kids: Felt Tree “Quiet Board” (The ultimate distraction tool).
25 Low-Mess Christmas Crafts categorized by ‘Pantry Staples’ and ‘Quiet Time’
1. Beaded Pipe Cleaner Candy Canes ❄️
This is a classic, virtually mess-free craft where kids thread red and white beads onto pipe cleaners. It builds fine motor skills and results in a cute ornament that looks sweet on the tree.
📝 Key Materials:
- Red and White Beads
- Pipe Cleaners
- Ribbon for hanging
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Toddlers/Preschoolers (Motor Skills), Tree Decor.
- Time: 15 mins | Mess Level: Low
- 💡 Pro-Tip: Bend the sharp ends of the pipe cleaner inward so they don’t poke little fingers or scratch the Christmas tree branches.
2. Paper Plate Santa Claus Masks ❄️
Using a paper plate base, kids glue on cotton balls for a beard and paint the hat red. It doubles as a toy they can wear for adorable holiday photos.
📝 Key Materials:
- Paper Plates
- Red Paint
- Cotton Balls
- Glue Stick & Popsicle Stick (handle)
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Dramatic Play, School Parties.
- Time: 20 mins | Mess Level: Medium (Paint/Glue)
3. “Reindeer Food” Mason Jar Gifts ❄️
A sensory mixing activity where kids combine oats and glitter in a bowl, then scoop it into jars. It’s perfect for sprinkling on the lawn on Christmas Eve to guide the sleigh!
📝 Key Materials:
- Rolled Oats (uncooked)
- Edible Glitter/Sugar
- Small Mason Jars or Ziploc bags
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Christmas Eve Traditions, Gifting to classmates.
- Time: 10 mins | Mess Level: Low
- 💡 Pro-Tip: Use edible glitter or colored sugar instead of plastic glitter so it is wildlife-safe for birds and squirrels outside.
4. Popsicle Stick Snowflake Ornaments ❄️
Kids glue craft sticks into star shapes and decorate them with buttons, gems, or paint. This is a great upcycling project that creates a rustic-chic addition to the tree.
📝 Key Materials:
- Popsicle Sticks
- White Paint
- Stick-on Gems or Buttons
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Elementary Age, Window Decor.
- Time: 20 mins | Mess Level: Medium
- 💡 Pro-Tip: Have the parent hot glue the sticks into the snowflake shape first; let the kids do the decorating with school glue to avoid burns.
5. DIY Snow Globes (Waterless Option) ❄️
Instead of water (which leaks), create a “diorama” inside a jar using cotton batting for snow and mini bottle brush trees. These are fantastic homemade Christmas gifts from kids.
📝 Key Materials:
- Clean Glass Jars (Recycled pickle jars work!)
- Cotton Batting or Fake Snow
- Mini Trees & Figurines
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Keepsakes, Mantle Decor.
- Time: 30 mins | Mess Level: Low
🎅 Quick Question!
Real tree or Artificial tree? Tell me in the comments!
6. Toilet Roll Grinch ❄️
Paint a toilet paper roll green, add a heart sticker, and draw a grumpy face. An excellent upcycling project using pantry trash to create everyone’s favorite holiday grouch.
📝 Key Materials:
- Toilet Paper Rolls
- Green Paint
- Red Heart Stickers
- Black Marker
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Movie Night Activity, Recycling.
- Time: 20 mins | Mess Level: Medium
- 💡 Pro-Tip: Pinch the top of the toilet roll inward to create “ears” or tufts of hair for the Grinch before painting.
7. Q-Tip Painted Christmas Trees ❄️
A pointillism art project where kids use Q-tips to dot “ornaments” onto a green paper tree. No brushes to clean makes this one of the best 5-minute Christmas crafts!
📝 Key Materials:
- Green Paper or Cardstock
- Q-Tips
- Acrylic Paint (various colors)
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Toddlers, Fine Motor Skills.
- Time: 15 mins | Mess Level: Low
- 💡 Pro-Tip: Bundle 3-4 Q-tips together with a rubber band to let kids stamp multiple “lights” at once.
8. Sock Snowmen (No-Sew) ❄️
Fill a white sock with rice, tie it off with rubber bands to create head/body sections, and decorate. These are heavy enough to be a doorstop and make great easy Christmas crafts for 5-year-olds.
📝 Key Materials:
- White Crew Socks
- Uncooked Rice
- Rubber Bands/Twine
- Buttons & Orange Felt
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Older Kids (7+), Gifts for Grandma.
- Time: 30 mins | Mess Level: Low (Rice spill risk)
- 💡 Pro-Tip: Use a wide-mouth funnel or a cut-off plastic bottle top to help kids pour the rice into the sock without spilling.
9. Coffee Filter Snowflakes ❄️
Fold coffee filters, snip shapes with safety scissors, and unfold. These can be spray-colored with water markers for a tie-dye effect, making for a beautiful rainy day winter craft.
📝 Key Materials:
- Coffee Filters (Basket style)
- Safety Scissors
- Washable Markers (optional)
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Window Display, Scissor Skills.
- Time: 15 mins | Mess Level: Low
10. Pinecone Mini Christmas Trees ❄️
Paint the tips of pinecones green or white and glue on mini pom-poms as ornaments. Use a wine cork as the trunk base for this nature-inspired activity.
📝 Key Materials:
- Pinecones (Foraged or Store bought)
- Green Paint
- Mini Pom Poms
- Wine Corks
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Nature Lovers, Table Centerpieces.
- Time: 25 mins | Mess Level: Medium
- 💡 Pro-Tip: Bake gathered pinecones in the oven at 200°F for 30 mins first to kill any bugs and open the scales fully.
[Image-10: A “forest” of pinecone trees on a wooden table, some with green paint, some natural.]
11. Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments ❄️
A simple dough of flour, salt, and water allows you to bake your child’s handprint to preserve their size forever. This is the ultimate DIY Christmas ornament for kids.
📝 Key Materials:
- Flour, Salt, Water
- Ribbon
- Acrylic Paint
- Sealer
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Sentimental Keepsakes, Baby’s First Christmas.
- Time: 30 mins (plus baking) | Mess Level: High
[Image-11: A painted handprint ornament hanging on a tree with “2024” written in sharpie.]
12. Paper Straw Christmas Wreaths ❄️
Cut colorful paper straws into different lengths and glue them in a sunburst pattern onto a cardboard ring. This pantry supply craft looks surprisingly retro and chic!
📝 Key Materials:
- Paper Straws
- Cardboard (Cereal box works)
- Glue
- Ribbon
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Retro Decor, Tween Crafts.
- Time: 20 mins | Mess Level: Low
- 💡 Pro-Tip: Flatten the ends of the straws slightly where you glue them so they adhere better to the cardboard base.
13. Yarn Wrapped Star Ornaments ❄️
Cut a star out of cardboard and let kids wrap it messily with yarn until the cardboard is covered. It’s a fantastic way to achieve a Scandi-Minimalist look with just scraps.
📝 Key Materials:
- Cardboard
- Thick Yarn (Red/White)
- Tape
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Fine Motor Skills, Using Scraps.
- Time: 20 mins | Mess Level: Low
- 💡 Pro-Tip: Tape the starting end of the yarn to the center of the star so it doesn’t slip while the child starts wrapping.
[Image-13: Rustic stars wrapped in chunky white and red yarn hanging from twine.]
14. Thumbprint Reindeer Cards ❄️
Use brown ink or paint to stamp thumbprints on cardstock, then add antlers and red noses. Perfect for mailing to family as handmade Christmas gifts.
📝 Key Materials:
- Cardstock (folded)
- Brown Ink Pad or Paint
- Fine Tip Markers
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Grandparent Gifts, Bulk Card Making.
- Time: 15 mins | Mess Level: Low
- 💡 Pro-Tip: Keep baby wipes on the table for immediate finger cleaning between colors to prevent “muddy” looking reindeer.
[Image-14: A handmade card featuring a “herd” of thumbprint reindeer with varying antler styles.]
15. Cupcake Liner Angels ❄️
Fold white or metallic cupcake liners into triangles to create the body and wings of an angel. Add a bead for the head for a sweet pantry supply craft.
📝 Key Materials:
- Cupcake Liners
- Wooden Beads
- Glue/String
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Gentle Play, Tree Ornaments.
- Time: 15 mins | Mess Level: Low
- 💡 Pro-Tip: Use a “foil” liner for the wings and a plain paper one for the dress to create texture and shine.
[Image-15: A hanging garland of silver and gold cupcake liner angels.]
16. Scrabble Tile Ornaments ❄️
Glue scrabble tiles together to spell “JOY,” “NOEL,” or the child’s name. Back with popsicle sticks or ribbon for a great literacy practice activity.
📝 Key Materials:
- Wood Letter Tiles
- Ribbon
- Hot Glue (Adult) or Craft Glue
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Personalized Gifts, Spelling.
- Time: 15 mins | Mess Level: Low
[Image-16: A ribbon loop holding tiles that spell “SANTA” hanging on a branch.]
17. Sticker “Resist” Art ❄️
Place star or tree stickers on a canvas, let the child paint messily over the whole thing, then peel stickers off to reveal the white shape. It guarantees a perfect outcome for toddlers.
📝 Key Materials:
- Small Canvas or Thick Paper
- Painters Tape or Stickers
- Paint
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Toddlers (Outcome is always good).
- Time: 20 mins | Mess Level: High
- 💡 Pro-Tip: Ensure the stickers are pressed down firmly on the edges so paint doesn’t seep underneath.
[Image-17: A colorful abstract painting with a crisp white Christmas tree silhouette in the center.]
18. Cardboard Tube Stamps ❄️
Bend the end of a toilet paper roll into a heart or star shape, dip in paint, and stamp onto butcher paper. This is the easiest way to make DIY wrapping paper.
📝 Key Materials:
- Toilet Rolls
- Brown Kraft Paper
- Paint
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Wrapping Paper, Large Scale Art.
- Time: 30 mins | Mess Level: Medium
- 💡 Pro-Tip: Pour paint onto a paper plate (shallow surface) to make dipping the cardboard tube easier for small hands.
[Image-18: A long roll of brown kraft paper covered in red and green stamped shapes.]
19. Clothespin Soldier Ornaments ❄️
Paint old-fashioned wooden clothespins (the non-spring kind) to look like toy soldiers or nutcrackers. This requires a steady hand, making it great for older kids.
📝 Key Materials:
- Wooden “Doll” Clothespins
- Paint (Red, Blue, Black, Gold)
- Black Marker
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Vintage Style, Detail Work.
- Time: 30 mins | Mess Level: Low
- 💡 Pro-Tip: Use a black Sharpie for the eyes and buttons instead of paint—it gives much more control for tiny details.
[Image-19: Three “Nutcracker” clothespins standing in a row with black fuzzy hats.]
20. Felt Tree “Quiet Board” ❄️
Cut a large tree shape out of green felt and tape it to the wall. Cut out felt “ornaments” that kids can rearrange endlessly. This is The Ultimate “Mom’s Survival” Tool.
📝 Key Materials:
- Large Green Felt Sheet
- Assorted Colored Felt
- Command Strips
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Independent Play (Toddlers).
- Time: 30 mins (Prep) | Mess Level: Zero
- 💡 Pro-Tip: Use Command Strips to attach the tree to the wall so it doesn’t damage paint when removed in January.
[Image-20: A toddler standing next to a wall-mounted felt tree, moving a yellow star to the top.]
21. Paper Plate Wreath with Tissue Paper ❄️
Cut the center out of a paper plate. Kids crumple small squares of green tissue paper and glue them all over the ring for excellent fine motor practice.
📝 Key Materials:
- Paper Plate
- Green Tissue Paper
- Red Pom Poms
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Texture, Fine Motor (Scrunching).
- Time: 30 mins | Mess Level: Low
- 💡 Pro-Tip: Use the eraser end of a pencil to help “punch” the scrunched tissue paper into the glue for a fluffy 3D effect.
[Image-21: A fluffy green wreath with red tissue paper “berries” attached.]
22. Cinnamon Stick Stars ❄️
Glue cinnamon sticks into a star shape. It smells amazing and looks rustic—perfect for Farmhouse Style decor.
📝 Key Materials:
- Whole Cinnamon Sticks
- Twine
- Hot Glue (Adult supervision)
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Scented Decor, Sensory.
- Time: 15 mins | Mess Level: Low
- 💡 Pro-Tip: Wrap the corners with twine not just for looks, but to help reinforce the glue bond on the uneven sticks.
23. Jingle Bell Necklaces ❄️
Thread large jingle bells onto red ribbon or yarn. Kids love the noise, and it’s an easy holiday craft for toddlers to make and wear.
📝 Key Materials:
- Large Jingle Bells
- Ribbon or Yarn
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Parties, Music Time.
- Time: 10 mins | Mess Level: Zero
- 💡 Pro-Tip: Tie a knot after each bell to keep them spaced out and prevent them from sliding into a clump at the bottom.
24. Cotton Round Snowman Cards ❄️
Glue 2-3 cotton cosmetic rounds onto colored paper to make a snowman body. Decorate with markers/stickers for a very fast craft.
📝 Key Materials:
- Cotton Rounds (Makeup remover pads)
- Construction Paper
- Markers
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Preschoolers, Fast Fun.
- Time: 10 mins | Mess Level: Low
25. Paper Strip “Bulb” Ornaments ❄️
Cut paper into strips of varying lengths. Stack and pin them at the top and bottom to bow out into a sphere shape. It’s a great lesson in geometry and Modern Decor.
📝 Key Materials:
- Scrapbook Paper
- Paper Fasteners (Brads)
- Hole Punch
✨ Why It Works:
- Best For: Geometry, Modern Decor.
- Time: 25 mins | Mess Level: Low
- 💡 Pro-Tip: Use double-sided scrapbook paper so the ornament looks colorful from the inside and outside.
Conclusion
I hope this list helps you survive the holidays with your sanity intact! Whether you are making DIY snow globes or simple pantry supply crafts, the most important thing is that the kids are happy (and occupied) while you get things done.
How do you make a simple DIY snow globe? Scroll back up to #5 for my favorite waterless method that won’t leak all over your floor!
Don’t forget to pin this post to your Christmas board so you have it ready for the next rainy winter day. Happy Crafting! 🎄❤️
