[For Toddlers] A Big Roundup of Craft Ideas to Enjoy at Christmas

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

Speaking of December, Christmas—the holiday children look forward to every year—finally arrives.

Getting presents is exciting, of course, but the sparkling trees and lights, and the reindeer and Santa Claus that create a thrilling atmosphere are also part of the fun.

So this time, we’ve gathered plenty of craft ideas for preschoolers that make the most of those festive motifs.

If your Christmas craft ideas are starting to feel stale, or you’re looking for something new, please use these as inspiration.

Because the things children make are regarded as works of art, we use the term “制作 (seisaku),” meaning “production/creation,” in the text.

[For Toddlers] A Big Collection of Craft Ideas to Enjoy at Christmas (71–80)

Christmas tree and gloves

Combining a Christmas tree with red stockings is a creative idea that boosts the festive mood.

Why not try various ways to express both the tree and the stockings? For example, for the tree, you could thread yarn, stamp with toilet paper rolls, or use a toothbrush to brush on textures that look like wood.

For the stockings, try threading yarn or coloring bubble wrap for a pop-style finish.

You can even make red stockings with origami.

By changing the techniques for the tree and the stockings, you can create a piece where the combinations are fun.

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Fluffy Santa Ornament

Let me introduce a Santa ornament with an adorably fluffy look! Once you’ve prepared the wrapping bags, have the children fill them with tissue paper and cotton.

Show them a drawing of Santa or a finished sample, and explain which part they’ll be making next—it makes it easier to understand.

Next, stick on the pom-pom nose and the eye and mouth stickers.

The placement will reflect each child’s personality, so you’ll end up with Santas of many different characters.

They’re also great for decorating the tree.

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Christmas bells with Santa and reindeer

How about making handmade Christmas bells that are perfect for a Christmas party performance? It would be lovely to enjoy a little concert with bells you make together with the kids! Paste Santa’s face and hat pieces onto a half-circle of construction paper.

Next, roll the paper into a cone and secure it with tape.

Finally, thread a pipe cleaner with a bell through the bottom of the cone, bring it out through the top, and make a loop to finish! By changing the colors and parts, you can also create reindeer or tree designs.

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Tree with stencil and cotton-swab stamps

Let me introduce a fun tree ornament you make by stamping! First, cut out a tree shape from construction paper.

Next, attach a sponge to a plastic bottle cap to make a dauber.

Dip the dauber in paint and have the children stamp it onto the paper.

The color intensity changes depending on how hard they press, which makes it interesting.

It’s also fun to combine colors—for example, using green and light green creates a beautiful gradient.

Once the paint dries, have them glue round pieces of origami paper wherever they like.

And that’s it—an ornament that lets kids use their hands a lot is complete!

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Decalcomania gloves

Gloves made using the decalcomania technique have a warm feel, so I recommend them.

First, enjoy doing decalcomania together with the children.

Drop little dabs of paint on one side of a sheet of construction paper that has been creased down the middle.

If you add plenty, it will turn out nicely.

Next, fold the paper in half and press firmly with your fist.

If children with weak strength are doing this, the teacher should assist them.

After opening the paper and letting it dry, fold it back in half and cut it into the shape of a glove.

Attach cotton to the wrist area and stick it onto a backing sheet, and it’s done!

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Ornaments made from plastic cup lids

Why not use plastic cup lids to make Christmas ornaments? Enjoy crafting dreamy ornaments with kids using everyday materials! First, make snowflakes from quarter-sized origami paper and stick them on the back of the plastic cup lid.

Next, cut transparent origami paper into circles and attach those to the back as well.

Finally, decorate the edge with your favorite roll stickers and add a ribbon to finish! Children who can use scissors might enjoy trying their hand at making the snowflakes.

Since the materials have a translucent look, we recommend displaying the ornaments where the light shines on them.

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Snow globe made from a plastic bottle

For Christmas crafts, we recommend a snow globe made with a plastic bottle.

The key point is that you can make it using familiar materials like plastic bottles and paper cups! To make it, simply place your materials inside the bottle, fill it with water right up to the brim, screw on the cap, and set it on a paper cup base.

You can also decorate by drawing on the paper cup or adding stickers! As for the materials to seal inside the bottle, items from the 100-yen shop work great, and you can also punch holes in white paper to represent snow—also good.

By turning the bottle upside down, you can enjoy the movement, which kids will love.

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