December craft ideas! A collection of childcare activities to enjoy with Christmas and winter themes
December is the perfect time to enjoy cozy, seasonally inspired crafts.
Here, we introduce wonderful ideas that nurture children’s imagination—from creations that evoke winter warmth, like oden, cream stew, and a snug duvet, to seasonal projects such as Christmas wreaths, snow globes, and snowmen.
Using familiar materials, why not enjoy winter-only crafting with children while exploring light, color, and shape? We also provide detailed explanations of key points and creative tips for each project, so please use them as a reference.
Because the items children make are treated as artworks, we use the term “制作 (seisaku)” in the text to mean “production/creation” in the artistic sense.
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December crafting ideas! A collection of childcare activities to enjoy with Christmas and winter themes (111–120)
Christmas tree
How about making a tree as we head toward Christmas? Here’s an idea: attach construction-paper branches and leaves to a paper cup.
It’s a project you can quietly focus on.
Once your Christmas tree is complete, enjoy decorating it with chenille stems (pipe cleaners) and jewelry-making parts.
You can also make the base larger—such as using a toilet paper roll—to create a bigger Christmas tree.
It could be fun for the whole class to work together to build a giant Christmas tree.
Christmas boots
For many people, the best part of Christmas is getting a present from Santa.
There’s a tradition of setting out socks or boots to receive gifts.
This piece is about making an essential Christmas item—the Christmas boot—out of construction paper.
Cut out a boot shape from construction paper and make two identical pieces.
Next, punch holes around the edge of the boot and add your design.
Finally, thread yarn through the holes to join the two pieces of paper, and the boot is complete.
You can put things inside it just like a real boot, and if you tie the yarn ends together to make a loop, you can hang it up—that’s another nice feature.
Christmas bell
If you’d like a craft that you can keep playing with after making it, why not try making a Christmas bell? Here are some fun ideas suitable for children around age 2 and up.
The base is a paper cup, but it makes a clear sound, so kids are sure to enjoy it.
You can also use the finished Christmas bell as an ornament or ring it as part of a recreational activity.
Please have an adult handle the step that requires using an awl.
Christmas wreath
When it comes to Christmas decorations, a wreath is a classic.
In fact, you can easily make your own Christmas wreath by cutting out the center of a paper plate to create a ring.
Have the children paint the paper-plate ring and attach whatever they like to it to make an original wreath.
Recommended items to stick on include small toys, stickers, and nuts or pinecones.
Christmas wreaths can be taken home and displayed, so it’s a great activity that parents and guardians can enjoy together, too.
Christmas decorations
Have you already prepared your Christmas ornaments and decorations? If not, this is a must-see! Here’s an easy Christmas craft you can make with your kids.
Cut colored construction paper into a square, fold it into quarters, and cut along a curved line to create a circle.
You can make a proper circle freehand, so give it a try.
If you sketch a spiral on the circle and cut along it, you’ll get a unique, snake-like decoration.
Kids love quirky shapes, so they’ll stay engaged.
Also, if you cut out paper that the children have colored, it becomes an ornament.
It’s a wonderful project you can make together with your kids!
