Christmas crafts with toddlers rarely turn out exactly like the inspiration photo. The tree might be purple, Santa might have three eyes, and there’s a good chance someone will paint the table.
That’s part of the fun.
The best Christmas crafts for toddlers leave plenty of room for little hands to dab, stick, scribble, and explore. A few basic supplies and a short stretch of time are enough to make something festive—even if your toddler moves on before the glue dries.
These 25 ideas include homemade ornaments, Christmas cards, simple decorations, and sweet keepsakes. Adults can handle the cutting and preparation while toddlers take charge of the decorating.
Before You Start
Set out just a few supplies at a time, cover your work surface, and use washable, age-appropriate paint and glue. Prepare any cutout shapes before inviting your toddler to join you.
Stay close throughout the activity, especially with toddlers who still put materials in their mouths. Skip loose glitter, beads, buttons, googly eyes, and other small decorations; drawn details and large paper shapes work beautifully instead.
And if your toddler only wants to paint for five minutes? Five minutes counts.
1. Paper Plate Christmas Tree
A paper plate makes an easy canvas for a wonderfully wonky Christmas tree.
What you’ll need:
- A paper plate
- Green washable paint
- Large pieces of colored paper
- A glue stick
- Yellow paper
How to make it: Cut the plate into three wedges of different sizes. Let your toddler paint them green, then help arrange and glue them into a layered tree. Add a large paper star and colorful paper ornaments.
Let the paint dry before bringing out the glue so the decorations have a better chance of sticking.
2. Fingerprint Christmas Lights
Turn little fingerprints into a colorful string of holiday lights.
What you’ll need:
- White cardstock
- Washable finger paint
- A black marker
How to make it: Draw a looping line across the cardstock. Help your toddler press painted fingertips beside the line, leaving space between each print. Once dry, draw a small connector between each fingerprint and the wire.
Fold the cardstock first if you’d like to turn this into a homemade Christmas card.
3. Torn Paper Christmas Tree
This is a lovely choice for toddlers who enjoy tearing paper as much as sticking it down.
What you’ll need:
- Green construction paper
- Cardstock
- A glue stick
- A large yellow paper star
How to make it: Draw a large triangle on the cardstock. Help your toddler tear green paper into broad pieces, then glue them inside—or around—the triangle. Finish with a star.
There’s no need to fill every gap. The torn edges give each tree its own character.
4. Handprint Reindeer Picture
A painted handprint becomes a reindeer with a few simple additions.
What you’ll need:
- Brown washable paint
- White cardstock
- A marker
- Red paint
How to make it: Help your toddler make a handprint with fingers pointing upward. Once it dries, use the palm as the reindeer’s face and the fingers as antlers. Draw eyes and add a red painted nose near the bottom of the palm.
Write your child’s name and the year underneath for a keepsake.
5. Paper Plate Christmas Wreath
Make a cheerful wreath your toddler can decorate their own way.
What you’ll need:
- A paper plate
- Green washable paint
- Large red paper circles
- A glue stick
- Red paper for a bow
How to make it: An adult cuts out the center of the plate. Your toddler paints the remaining ring green, then adds large red paper “berries” once it’s dry. Finish with a paper bow.
Display it on an interior door or cupboard where your toddler can admire their work.
6. Sponge-Painted Christmas Tree
Sponge painting is a fun alternative for toddlers who aren’t interested in a paintbrush.
What you’ll need:
- A large sponge
- Green washable paint
- Paper
- A pre-cut paper star and trunk
- A glue stick
How to make it: An adult cuts the sponge into a large triangle. Let your toddler press it into a shallow layer of paint and stamp trees onto the paper. Add a paper trunk and star after the paint dries.
Use a sponge large enough for your child to grip comfortably.
7. Contact Paper Christmas Tree
This sticky tree gives toddlers a different way to arrange colorful decorations.
What you’ll need:
- Clear contact paper
- Large colored tissue-paper pieces
- Painter’s tape
- A marker
How to make it: Draw a tree outline on the smooth side of the contact paper. Secure it to a table with the sticky side facing up and the edges taped down. Let your toddler press tissue paper inside the outline.
An adult can cover the finished picture with a second sheet of contact paper and trim the edges.
8. Paper Plate Santa Face
A big red hat and a painted beard make this Santa easy to recognize.
What you’ll need:
- A paper plate
- Red construction paper
- White washable paint
- A broad paintbrush
- Crayons
- A glue stick
How to make it: Let your toddler draw Santa’s face and paint a white beard across the lower half of the plate. Help attach a large red paper hat with a white paper brim.
A crooked hat and a scribbled smile only make him more charming.
9. Crayon-Resist Snowflakes
Watch painted winter colors reveal hidden snowflakes.
What you’ll need:
- White cardstock
- A white crayon
- Age-appropriate watercolor paint
- A large paintbrush
How to make it: Draw thick snowflakes on the cardstock with firm pressure. Let your toddler brush blue or purple watercolor over the page. The wax lines resist the paint and reveal the design.
Toddlers can add their own white-crayon scribbles before painting, too.
10. Painted Cardboard Ornaments
Use clean cardboard packaging to create sturdy homemade decorations.
What you’ll need:
- Plain cardboard
- Washable paint
- Paintbrushes
- An adult-use hole punch
- Ribbon for hanging
How to make it: An adult cuts out large stars, trees, or circles. Let your toddler paint each shape freely. Once dry, an adult can punch a hole and attach a ribbon.
Hang the finished decorations out of reach, or skip the ribbon and display them on a shelf.
11. Handprint Christmas Tree
Turn a green handprint into a tiny festive tree.
What you’ll need:
- Green washable paint
- Cardstock
- Yellow paper
- A glue stick
- Crayons
How to make it: Make a handprint with the fingers pointing down. The wrist end forms the top of the tree, while the fingers create the lower branches. Once dry, add a star above it and draw a trunk below.
Your toddler can scribble colorful ornaments across the branches.
12. Paper Christmas Stocking
A large paper stocking offers plenty of decorating space.
What you’ll need:
- Red construction paper
- White paper
- Crayons
- Large colored paper shapes
- A glue stick
How to make it: Cut out a large stocking and a white cuff. Let your toddler decorate the stocking with crayons and paper shapes, then help glue the cuff across the top.
Add their name and display it beside the family stockings.
13. Roller-Painted Wrapping Paper
Let your toddler help make the wrapping for a family gift.
What you’ll need:
- Plain kraft paper
- A large paint roller or broad brush
- Red and green washable paint
- Tape
How to make it: Tape a manageable sheet of paper to a covered table. Offer one paint color at a time and let your toddler roll, brush, or dab across the surface.
Allow it to dry completely before wrapping a small box.
14. Paper Plate Snowman
You only need one plate for this cheerful snowman face.
What you’ll need:
- A paper plate
- A large orange paper triangle
- Black and colored crayons
- A paper hat
- A glue stick
How to make it: Let your toddler draw eyes and a smile, then help attach the carrot nose and hat.
For a full snowman, glue the face above two large paper circles and let your child draw a scarf and buttons.
15. Christmas Sticker Collage
This low-preparation craft is handy when you want something quick.
What you’ll need:
- Large, age-appropriate stickers
- Cardstock
- Crayons
How to make it: Draw a simple tree, wreath, or ornament outline. Let your toddler add stickers and scribbles wherever they like.
Start peeling each sticker if your child needs help, then let them pull it free and choose its spot.
16. Fork-Painted Christmas Tree
A chunky toddler fork creates interesting branch-like marks.
What you’ll need:
- A blunt toddler fork
- Green washable paint
- Cardstock
- A paper star and trunk
- A glue stick
How to make it: Draw a large triangle on the page. Help your toddler press and drag the fork through a thin layer of paint to make green marks inside the shape. Add the trunk and star after drying.
If the fork becomes frustrating, switch to a broad brush and keep going.
17. Torn Paper Candy Cane
Make a candy cane with torn paper stripes.
What you’ll need:
- A large white paper candy cane
- Red construction paper
- A glue stick
How to make it: An adult cuts out the candy cane shape. Your toddler tears broad pieces of red paper and glues them across it.
You can demonstrate a stripe pattern, but a red-and-white collage is just as festive.
18. Paper Mitten Garland
These colorful mittens make a sweet decoration for a wall or mantel.
What you’ll need:
- Large paper mitten shapes
- Crayons or washable paint
- White paper cuffs
- A glue stick
How to make it: Let your toddler decorate several mittens, then glue a cuff onto each one. An adult can attach the finished mittens to a length of string for display.
Keep the assembled garland and its string out of your toddler’s reach.
19. Painted Christmas Bell Picture
Create a festive bell without using a real jingle bell.
What you’ll need:
- A large paper bell shape
- Yellow washable paint
- A broad brush
- Red paper
- A glue stick
How to make it: Let your toddler paint the bell yellow. Once it dries, add a large red paper bow at the top and draw a curved line near the bottom.
Glue it onto folded cardstock for an easy Christmas card.
20. Fingerprint Snowy Christmas Tree
Add a snowy finish to a simple paper tree.
What you’ll need:
- A large green paper tree
- Blue cardstock
- White washable paint
- A glue stick
How to make it: Glue the tree onto the blue background. Let your toddler add white fingerprints across the branches and around the sky.
For a child who prefers to keep their hands clean, offer a large sponge dauber instead.
21. Scrunched Paper Christmas Wreath
Scrunching paper adds texture and gives little hands something satisfying to do.
What you’ll need:
- A cardboard wreath ring
- Large sheets of green tissue paper
- Child-friendly craft glue
- A large red paper bow
How to make it: Help your toddler loosely scrunch broad pieces of tissue paper. Spread glue over sections of the ring and let them press the paper into place. Add the bow at the end.
Keep the tissue pieces large and supervise closely.
22. Footprint Christmas Tree Card
This makes a sweet keepsake for a grandparent or another special person.
What you’ll need:
- Green washable paint
- Folded cardstock
- A paper star
- Crayons
- A glue stick
How to make it: While your toddler is comfortably seated, help make one footprint on the cardstock. Position the print with the heel at the top and toes at the bottom. Once dry, add a star above the heel and a trunk beneath the toes.
If your toddler dislikes painted feet, trace their foot onto green paper instead.
23. Paper Plate Christmas Ornament
A paper plate becomes an oversized ornament your toddler can decorate freely.
What you’ll need:
- A paper plate
- Washable paint
- Large paper shapes
- A glue stick
- A gray paper rectangle
How to make it: Let your toddler paint the plate and add paper decorations once dry. Attach the gray rectangle at the top to look like an ornament cap.
Make several in different colors for a cheerful wall display.
24. Christmas Shape Collage
Combine a few big shapes into a festive picture.
What you’ll need:
- Large paper triangles, circles, squares, and stars
- A sheet of cardstock
- A glue stick
- Crayons
How to make it: Offer a small selection of shapes and let your toddler arrange them. A triangle can become a tree, a square can become a present, and circles can become ornaments.
Follow their lead. An abstract Christmas picture still belongs on the fridge.
25. Toddler Christmas Art Cards
Turn a free-painting session into a batch of one-of-a-kind cards.
What you’ll need:
- A large sheet of sturdy paper
- Washable paint
- Broad brushes or sponges
- Blank folded cards
- A glue stick
How to make it: Let your toddler paint freely. Once the artwork dries, an adult cuts it into large stars, trees, or simple rectangles. Help your child glue a painted piece onto each card.
Add a short message inside, and your Christmas cards are ready.
Make Room for the Messy Bits
You don’t need to attempt all 25 Christmas crafts for toddlers. Choose one that fits the supplies you already have and your child’s mood that day.
Prepare the fiddly parts, let your toddler make the creative decisions, and stop when they lose interest. A lopsided tree they decorated themselves can mean far more than a perfect one.
Before packing everything away, add their name and the year to a favorite piece. Those little handprints have a way of becoming the decorations you look forward to unpacking most.
