Get out the glue and glitter! There’s an endless array of crafty ideas that are perfect for holiday decorations. These ornaments and baubles also make sweet little handmade gifts, especially for teachers, grandparents, and classmates. Even better, involving kids in these craft projects can help refine their motor skills.
Fillable Ornaments
Fillable, or globe-style ornaments, offer dozens of possibilities for customized holiday décor. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes and are super easy to customize. You can fill them with glitter, paint, pom pons, tinsel, tiny toys, and just about anything else that will fit inside. Write sweet messages on pretty paper or put photos or hand-drawn pictures inside for an even more personalized touch. You can even create your own boxed set around a theme. Here’s a lengthy list of filler ideas from Refunk My Junk.
Crafty Ornaments
From popsicle sticks and glitter to pinecones and twigs, you can make fabulous ornaments from just about any craft supply you happen to have on hand. Old-fashioned clothespins can become Santa or his reindeer. Transform scrap fabric into clever little wreaths with the help of a pipe cleaner. Stack buttons to make little Christmas trees, or string wood beads on a wire and then bend it into a star shape. Pinterest has a seemingly unlimited array of ideas for crafty ornaments suitable for any age and ability level.
Dough Ornaments
There are several ways to create dough or clay ornaments and décor that are just begging for a tiny handprint, footprint, or even paw print. The easiest method is to shape and mold air-dry clay and, for an optional splash of color, paint it when it’s dry. If you’re feeling extra crafty, whip up a batch of salt dough or the sweet-smelling classic cinnamon (non-edible) dough. Bonus: any of these methods can also be used to make hanging plaques or package tie-ons.
Check out some of these easy clay and dough projects:
- Winter Snow Globe: This is a fun project using Crayola® Model Magic to create a miniature winter scene inside a plastic cup. Students will discuss winter weather and changes they see in nature during different seasons.
- DAS Clay Snowman Ornaments: These cute clay snowman ornaments are super-easy to create!
- Santa Handprint Ornament: These clay ornaments will look great on either the wall or a Christmas tree!
Snow Globes
Empty glass jars, like baby food jars or Mason jars, hold the potential to become tiny wintry wonderlands. Little pompom snowmen, tiny plastic animals, or dollhouse accessories are just a few of the possible occupants. Set up your scene, glue it on the base, and give it plenty of time to dry. In most cases, the base will be the lid of your jar turned upside-down, but you can also cut a cardboard circle that’s slightly larger in circumference than the mouth of your jar. Add some snow with Styrofoam balls, snow glitter, snowflake sequins, or commercial “instant snow.” Screw the lid on or glue the base (if you used cardboard) to the jar, shake it up, and enjoy your miniature blizzard.
Check out more great ideas on our Holidays For the Classroom Pinterest board!
