What better way to keep the kids entertained over the Christmas holidays than with a bit of festive crafting? They'll go nuts for these exciting Christmas crafts for toddlers which are not only great fun, but you might even get a cute keepsake out of it! Bonus.
In this festive round-up, you'll find all sorts of crafts for little hands but they are all ideal for ages 2-3 years. Some of the crafts might require a little help from you, to get them set up then away they go. These are a great way to encourage your kid's creativity, and also help them with their motor skills.
If you're looking for more fun crafts to do with your little ones, check out our crafts for toddlers article for lots of inspiration.
Merry Christmas, and happy crafting!
26 exciting Christmas crafts for toddlers
1. Salt dough Christmas tree craft
Salt dough is easy, fun and inexpensive making it the perfect craft for little hands. All you need for the salt dough recipe is flour, salt and water (likely all items you have already).
We have a fabulous tutorial for making salt dough if you want to check it out. Once you've got the basics down, it is time to get creative!
This tutorial from Crafty Morning shows you how to make fingerprint tree ornaments, which once finished, make fabulous gifts for friends and family to hang from their trees.
Get the salt dough Christmas craft for toddlers from Crafty Morning.
2. Beads and pipe cleaner Christmas tree craft
If you're looking for a low-cost, quick craft this one is for you. This craft is good for little ones to improve dexterity and hand-eye coordination but will require assistance from an adult (we don't want anyone swallowing any beads).
All you need is some pipe cleaners and red and white beads. Then the little ones can thread the beads onto the pipe cleaner and you'll be left with a cute candy cane which can be hung on the tree.
These make great keepsakes for family members too!
Get the candy cane tutorial from Parenting Chaos.
3. Popsicle tree
This one is so easy to do! You'll need popsicle sticks, paints and decorations, plus a little glue.
Once the tree is glued together, the little ones can go wild painting their trees, plus decorating with pom-poms, glitter and anything else that makes them feel magical!
Get the popsicle tree tutorial from Happy Hooligans.
4. Jewelled popsicle stick ornament
Another fabulous idea from Happy Hooligans is to use up those popsicle sticks! Make these glamourous jewel-encrusted stars. They will reflect the light and look so pretty hanging up on the wall or door.
Get the jewelled star tutorial from Happy Hooligans.
5. Sun-catcher Christmas trees
If we're lucky enough to get some sun in December these trees will catch the light beautifully when hung against a window.
The kids will love making these as they can arrange the colourful squares to create their very own patterns and styles. Better yet they are cheap and easy to make!
Get the sun-catcher Christmas trees tutorial from Fantastic Fun and Learning.
6. 3D paper plate Christmas tree
The kids will love making these! They're simple yet have a really fun result. Very few materials are needed for this activity, paper plates, paints, glue and pom-poms.
If you don't have any pom poms to hand, the lights can be painted on, or they can add glitter or sequins with PVA glue.
Get the 3D paper plate Christmas tree tutorial by Creative Family Fun.
7. Reindeer hats (free printable template)
Oh, how adorable are these Rudolph hats? You can download a free template for the hats and build them together with your little ones. There is a handy video tutorial for you to follow.
Get the reindeer hat printable by Simple Everyday Mom.
Turn Christmas crafts for toddlers into presents
The best Christmas crafts for toddlers are the ones you can gift as presents to your loved ones.
Get your toddlers involved with decorating our DIY Christmas jars and gift them to teachers and grandparents this December.
8. Reindeer food
Of course, Rudolph and his pals will need some snacks to keep them going on Christmas Eve. This is where your little ones come in! Get them to create these imaginative reindeer food bags ready to leave out on Christmas night.
Get the reindeer food tutorial from A Mom's Impression.
9. Potato masher Christmas printing
Another simple one on our list that can easily be created with a potato masher and some brightly coloured paints!
Use the potato masher to print a bauble shape on some paper and then paint on a design using glitter. The kids will love getting messy with this one, so aprons at the ready!
Get the potato masher print tutorial from Happy Toddler PlayTime.
10. Handprint wreath
This craft is not only a fun activity to get the little ones involved in, but a special keepsake to bring out every Christmas.
Don't forget to sign the year on the back or the kids' ages on their handprints. How cute!
Get the handprint wreath tutorial from The Best Ideas for Kids.
11. Paper strips craft for toddlers
A quick and easy make with minimal tools needed! You'll have to help with cutting the strips of paper but then you can leave the little ones to it to create the adorable reindeer or the sparkling Christmas tree.
Get the paper strips tutorial from The Keep of Cheerios.
12. Cotton ball snowman cards
The cotton balls and glue are a classic combo for making snow! So use them to create this adorable snowman card to give to friends or family.
Get the snowman card tutorial from A Little Pinch of Perfect.
13. Peg snowman craft
These adorable little snowmen can be created with just some pegs and paint!
Get your little one's painting the pegs and you can help with the details. Once they're finished they could use them to hang up cards on a string.
Get the peg snowman craft from Easy Peasy and Fun.
14. Snowman paper chain
Paper chains are another classic craft to get little ones involved with. Plus they can make them however they like, let's spark that creativity. We do adore these snowman chains though, so cute!
Get the snowman paper chain tutorial from ABC's to ACTs.
Get creative with Elf on the Shelf
Make memories this December with our Elf on the Shelf ideas. Christmas crafts for toddlers are always more fun if this cheeky fella is involved.
15. Elf cardboard tubes
These adorable little pals can be made up with paint and some toilet roll tubes (what a great way to make use of those). An adult will need to help with the cutting but you can let the kids loose on the painting.
Get the elf tutorial from Arty Crafty Kids.
16. Paper plate snowman
Another fabulous use of paper plates here! Get your toddlers decorating these super cute snowman wreaths ready to hang up in your home. You can use cotton balls for the snow and buttons for the eyes.
Get the paper plate snowman tutorial from Kids Craft Room.
17. Salt dough footprint reindeer
We do love a craft which doubles up to be a cute keepsake! These salt dough reindeer are just that.
Once you've created your salt dough (which is super simple by the way) get your tots to stand in the dough to create their footprints. Then they can start to paint!
Get the Salt dough footprint reindeer tutorial from My Crafty Morning.
18. Scrunched paper tree
This one is great for touch and sound sensory play. The kids get to take the tissue paper and crunch and screw it up into balls, these can then be glued onto the Christmas tree.
The best thing about this tutorial is a free template is included, so no need to get the art skills out!
Get the scrunched paper tree tutorial from Crafts on Sea.
19. Confetti baubles preschool Christmas crafts
This craft is super simple! You'll need paper plates, a glue stick and some tissue paper confetti.
The kids will enjoy sticking the colourful dots across the plates to create a fancy bauble. Once finished grab some ribbon and you can hang them up.
Get the confetti baubles tutorial from Mum in the Mad House.
20. Reindeer popsicle stick craft
These are so cute and do make lovely decorations. You don't need a lot to make these, popsicle sticks and paint. This tutorial also includes a free template for the reindeer face and antlers.
Get the Reindeer popsicle stick tutorial from Simple Everyday Mom.
21. Handprint bauble preschool Christmas crafts
Get messy and entertain the kids with these fun handprint baubles. Better yet the ornaments turn out so cute and make great decorations, gifts, and keepsakes.
Get the handprint bauble tutorial from A Little Pinch of Perfect.
Family-friendly Christmas games!
Once you've tried all our Christmas crafts for toddlers, head over to our Christmas games round-up. There's festive games for all the family!
22. Pom pom bauble activity
This is a great activity for toddlers to improve their fine motor skills whilst feeling festive!
All you need is some plastic baubles and glittery pom poms that they can put inside.
Get the pom pom bauble tutorial from Happy Toddler Club.
23. Twig Christmas tree preschool Christmas crafts
This sweet activity is great because you can first collect twigs from your local park and then build Christmas trees together with your little one.
Find the twig Christmas tree tutorial from Momspiration.
24. Reindeer baubles craft for toddlers
Paints at the ready! These finger print baubles are great fun for toddlers and a lovely keepsake for parents. Remember to pop the year on the bottom.
Christmas craft for toddlers by Little Bit Funky.
25. Christmas sensory bin for toddlers
Toddlers love sensory toys and this Christmas rice will be perfect! All you need is rice and food colours and then some festive toys.
Get the Christmas sensory bin tutorial from Busy Toddler
26. Christmas slime preschool Christmas crafts
Slime is a great sensory activity for toddlers. It can help improve their motor skills and nurture creativity.
Get the Christmas slime recipe from The Empowered Educator
Christmas crafts for creative toddlers
Crafting and sensory play is a fantastic way to nurture your toddler's creativity. There's lots of fun activities in our round-up that are both fun for children and will make lovely keepsakes for the family.
Christmas crafts for older children
We have plenty more projects for older kids too, try the Christmas crafts for kids to keep them busy over the holidays,
