The holiday season is a wonderful time for creativity, bonding, and screen-free fun. With children at home for winter break, arts and crafts can be a fantastic way to keep them engaged while nurturing their imagination and fine motor skills. Whether your goal is to fill the house with handmade decorations or simply offer relaxing activities during the festive period, crafting at home is a great solution.
Must-Have Craft Supplies for Creative Kids
A well-stocked art box empowers children to be creative any time — without needing constant supervision or direction. Consider keeping these basics on hand:
- Construction paper and cardstock
- Glue sticks, liquid glue, and tape
- Markers, crayons, colored pencils
- Scissors (child-safe)
- Paint (poster, watercolor), brushes, and palettes
- Pipe cleaners, googly eyes, pom-poms, and glitter
- Recycled materials: cardboard, foil, bottle caps, string
- Modeling clay or air-dry clay
3 Fun and Easy Christmas Crafts for Children
1. Sparkly Icicle Decorations
These shimmering decorations look fantastic hanging from a tree or across windows. To make them:
- Cut triangle-shaped pieces from aluminum foil
- Crumple them into 3D icicle shapes
- Apply drops of glue, then sprinkle glitter (over a tray or paper to catch excess)
- Attach a loop of string to hang
2. Snowy Winter Artwork
Children love creating snow-themed art — and these are perfect for homemade holiday cards or festive wall décor.
- Use watered-down white paint to create snowman shapes on dark paper
- Blow through a straw to spread paint for a melting effect
- Once dry, glue on pom-poms, googly eyes, and paper accessories
- Use crayons or markers to create a wintery background
Be sure to have them sign and date their masterpiece!
3. Pinch Pot Clay Monsters
A great project for older children — and perfect for rainy winter afternoons. These fun creatures blend sculpture with imagination:
- Use air-dry or modeling clay to form a small ball
- Press your thumb in the center to form a pinch pot
- Create a tongue, eyes, and pointy teeth from more clay
- Shape the mouth and squeeze the sides for a head-like appearance
- Once dry, decorate with poster paint or markers
These quirky monsters may not be very festive, but they’re a hit with kids — and make great conversation starters!
Need More Ideas?
The internet is full of amazing inspiration. Simply search terms like “winter holiday children’s arts and crafts” to find step-by-step guides, video tutorials, and printable templates for even more holiday fun.
Final Thoughts
Crafting is more than a pastime — it’s a way for children to express themselves, develop patience, and build confidence. Whether it’s a snowflake made of straws or a carefully painted holiday ornament, the joy is in the making. Encourage your children to explore, experiment, and most of all — have fun this holiday season.