The most wonderful time of the year is approaching, and what better way to celebrate than by creating special DIY Christmas crafts with your little ones? Crafting with babies and toddlers can be a magical experience that results in beautiful keepsakes and cherished memories. To make the festive season even more stress-free, we've gathered a collection of baby and toddler DIY Christmas crafts that you can prepare in advance. With these delightful projects and a little preparation, you can enjoy quality time with your little elves and create festive decorations and gifts to treasure.
Image credit: Jodetopia
Craft 1: Handprint Reindeer Picture
Materials Needed:
- Paper
- Brown and red acrylic paint
- Googly eyes
- Red pom-pom for the nose
- Frame for hanging
- Glue
- Paintbrush
Instructions:
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Pre-paint the wooden or plastic ornaments brown. You can do this in advance and let them dry.
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When you're ready to craft with your little one, help them dip their hand in brown paint and make a handprint on the ornament. This will be the reindeer's face.
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Once the handprint is dry, add googly eyes and a red pom-pom for the nose using glue.
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Tie a ribbon through the hole for hanging.
Craft 2: Salt Dough Ornaments
Materials Needed:
- Salt dough (made in advance)
- Cookie cutters (Christmas shapes)
- Acrylic paint
- Ribbon or twine for hanging
- Baking tray and grease-proof paper
Instructions:
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Prepare salt dough in advance using a simple recipe of salt, flour, and water. Roll it out and use Christmas-themed cookie cutters to create shapes. Don't forget to poke a hole through the top (for hanging).
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Bake the salt dough ornaments in advance according to the recipe instructions. Let them cool and harden.
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When you're ready to decorate, provide your little one with acrylic paints and let them go wild with their creativity.
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Once the paint has dried, attach ribbon or twine for hanging.
Craft 3: Felt Christmas Tree with Ornaments
Materials Needed:
- Green felt for the tree
- Assorted coloured felt for ornaments (pom poms, buttons optional)
- Scissors
- Glue
- Velcro dots (optional)
Instructions:
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In advance, cut out a Christmas tree shape from the green felt. If you'd like to make it interactive, attach Velcro dots to the tree.
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Cut out various ornament shapes from the coloured felt. You can prepare these in advance as well.
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When it's time to craft, let your toddler decorate the felt tree with the felt ornaments, buttons or pom poms by sticking them on. This craft is not only fun but also helps develop fine motor skills.
Image Credit: Made by me parties
Craft 4: Personalised Christmas Stockings
Materials Needed:
- Plain stockings
- Fabric paint or markers
- Stencils (optional)
- Fabric glue
- Assorted decorations like sequins, buttons, and ribbon
Instructions:
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Pre-purchase plain stockings or make them in advance if you're into sewing.
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Let your baby or toddler personalise their stocking with fabric paint or markers. Stencils can be used to create shapes and letters.
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Once the paint is dry, decorate the stockings with fabric glue and various decorations like sequins, buttons, and ribbon. Allow the glue to dry.
These adorable DIY Christmas crafts are not only enjoyable for your little ones but also make for wonderful festive decorations and keepsakes. By preparing the materials in advance, you'll be able to focus on the fun and creativity during craft time without the hassle of last-minute preparations. Get ready for a festive and memorable holiday season with your family!
