December: Craft ideas for 2-year-olds!

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.

Children eagerly awaiting Christmas.

To make them even more excited, we’ve gathered ideas for Christmas crafts you’ll want to make in December with 2-year-olds.

From Santa Claus and reindeer to Christmas trees and wreaths, there are plenty of wonderful craft ideas that make the most of children’s free expression.

Be sure to use these as inspiration and try making them together!

Because the children’s creations are treated as “artworks,” the term used in the main text is “制作 (seisaku).”

[December] Craft ideas for 2-year-olds! (21–30)

Skeleton flower

Display them by the window when they’re finished! Here are some ideas for skeleton flowers.

It’s the season when warm sunlight streams in through the windows.

How about decorating the windowsill with your children’s creations? You’ll need: a backing sheet, colored cellophane or transparent origami paper, flower-shaped cut construction paper, round stickers, glue, scissors, crayons, and clear tape.

Let the kids freely stick on the cut pieces of colored cellophane or transparent origami paper! The colored shadows they cast will surely delight them.

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Stylish Christmas tree

Here’s a stylish Christmas tree idea that lets you enjoy an art-like finish.

Why not make a festive item that also works as a wall decoration? Prepare origami paper in lots of colors and patterns, then cut it into long, thin strips.

The length doesn’t have to be fixed, so it’s fun to let kids tear the paper themselves.

Glue the strips onto a tree base made from construction paper, then add a star and a trunk.

Finally, use a cotton swab dipped in white paint to stamp on “snow,” and your Christmas tree is complete.

This origami idea also supports early learning by encouraging free hand movement and fine motor skills.

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[December] Craft ideas for 2-year-olds! (31–40)

Wreath made with crumpled tissue paper

Here’s a Christmas wreath themed on the Adventkranz, where you light one candle each week starting from the Sunday four weeks before Christmas.

First, glue crumpled tissue paper onto a paper plate with the center cut out.

Rolling the paper is a fun task for kids, too.

Next, decorate with handmade pom-poms, and finish by attaching an illustration of a candle in the middle.

The finished craft looks super cute when displayed in a room, hallway, or entrance—and it really builds excitement for Christmas!

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A torn-paper collage wreath and an origami Santa

Torn-and-paste crafts are one of the techniques that even two-year-olds can enjoy.

This time, let’s make a Christmas wreath that’s perfect for two-year-olds.

For preparation, lightly sketch a wreath shape on white construction paper.

Have the children freely tear origami paper and glue the pieces on, using the wreath outline as a guide.

It’s also nice to prepare patterned origami to make a lively wreath.

Finally, glue a ribbon on the wreath and add a Santa made from origami to finish.

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Fluffy Santa Ornament

Let us introduce a Santa ornament with an adorably fluffy look! Once you’ve prepared some 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’re about to make—it makes it easier to understand.

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

The placement brings out each child’s individuality, so you’ll end up with lots of cute Santas, each with a different expression.

They’re also great for decorating the tree.

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Socks with a pudding cup stamp

Turn store-bought pudding cups into adorable stamps! Use them as tools for your craft.

First, prepare boot shapes out of construction paper.

If you have several colors, the children can choose their favorites.

Next, use the rims of empty pudding cups or lactic-acid drink containers to stamp patterns onto the paper.

Let the children stamp as much as they like until they’re satisfied.

Once the paint dries, write each child’s name on a mini snowman made from construction paper and stick it onto the boot.

You’ll end up with creations that showcase each child’s individuality through their stamping.

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Christmas tree made with newspaper stamping

You might feel that making a Christmas tree as a craft is a bit complicated.

But by using newspaper stamps, even 0- and 1-year-olds can create wonderful trees.

First, crumple up some newspaper, apply green or light green paint, and stamp it onto construction paper.

Make the stamps a size that’s easy for children to hold.

Once the paint dries, the teacher cuts it into a tree shape.

Then have the children stick on ornaments you prepared from construction paper.

It will become a tree that reflects the children’s own free expression.

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