Christmas Crafts for Kids

Christmas Paper Lanterns

You will need:

-A brown paper bag
-Red and green construction paper
-glue stick
-scissors
-wave shaped stencil
-hole puncher
-string

Cut the paper bag into 4 equal sized rectangles. 

Then use the stencil to trace 2 swirl lines on the green construction paper.  Trace the lines about 1 inch apart from each other. 

Cut the green paper along the traced lines, and put a layer of glue onto 1 side of it.  Use the red paper to bond 2 sides of the brown bag together. 

Now, do the same thing for the other side of the lantern.  Once all 4 sides are connected, use the stencil to make Christmas cut outs with the red construction paper, and glue them around the lantern. 

Punch a hole onto 2 sides of the lantern, and run the string through the holes. 

Tie the ends of the string together.

Candy Cane Picture Frames

You will need:

-2 candy canes, unopened
-glue stick
-white construction paper
-a picture of someone

Apply some glue to one side of both of the candy canes. 

Place the 2 candy canes on the white construction paper so that they touch each other at both ends. 

They should form the figure of a heart. 

Cut the paper along the edges of the candy canes. 

In the center, glue a picture of someone to the white paper. 

If you want to hang your frames as ornaments, just punch a hole in the paper directly under the candy canes, and run a string through it, tied at the ends.

Beaded Napkin Rings

You will need:

-red and green beads
-string long enough to go around the ring

Use a variety of red and green plastic beads, and string them in whatever pattern you wish. 

Tie the string together with a secure knot, and make sure the knot face down, so that it cannot be seen on the top of the ring.

Christmas Stocking Advent Calendar

You will need:

-mini Christmas stockings or baby socks
-ribbon or thick string
-numbered stickers
-clothes pins

Simply pin 25 stockings along the length of the string, trying to separate them evenly.  

Number each stocking in order. 

Hang the stockings along a mantel or on the wall. 

Kids can use this craft to count down to Christmas day.

Button Snowmen

Image courtesy of Scrappin' With DeeDee

You will need:

-buttons in 3 different sizes
-small pieces of ribbon
-lollipop sticks
-glue stick

Lay the lollipop sticks on a flat surface. 

Take the smallest buttons and glue them to the top of the stick. 

Then glue the second largest button directly under the first one, and then glue the largest button on the bottom. 

Use the pieces of ribbon wrap around the stick in between the first and second buttons, to form a scarf.

Christmas Candy Sticks

You will need:

-Large pretzel sticks
-milk chocolate chips
-red and green sprinkles

Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave save container. 

Dip about 3/4 of the pretzel sticks in the chocolate, then coat the chocolate with sprinkles. 

You can also use chocolate candies, marshmallows, cookie crumbs, and crushed peppermint candies.

Decorate Gingerbread People

Use a gingerbread cookie kit to make gingerbread men. 

Use white icing, gumdrops, sprinkles, and whatever else you can think of to decorate the cookies.