Lots of us spend the weeks before winter break searching for a cute craft or two that students can make for their parents. But what to do when you lack the crafty gene or simply fall into the category of “wanna-be crafter?” (I am certainly one of these!) These easy Hanukkah and Christmas crafts for kids to the rescue! They are perfect for those of us that need a little help in the arts-and-crafts department, and they make great parent gifts too.
1. Homemade Button Ornaments
These adorable ornaments are made with just a few items you probably already have and the kids can make them with no problem at all. With little effort or real crafting skill, they can make something that can pass off as a great parent gift.
From: By Stephanie Lynn
2. Handprint Christmas Wreath
It doesn’t get much simpler than tracing and cutting, does it? This fun craft for littles and requires almost no craft experience. With just a few materials, the kids can create a personalized decoration that is hands-down one of the cutest wreaths we’ve seen.
From: My Name is Snickerdoodle
3. Pom Pom Snow Globe
For the young ones, this is an easy craft that involves a kid favorite—pom poms! They’ll love ‘making it snow’ in their little paper globes.
From: We Have Aars
4. No-Sew Sock Snowman
Have unmatched socks on hand? Who doesn’t? This is a fun and easy craft that doesn’t require sewing! With just a few supplies, the kids will enjoy making and taking these friendly snow guys home with them for the winter.
From: Easy Peasy and Fun
5. Hanukkah Greeting Cards
Homemade Hanukkah cards are a great way to send holiday cheer. These are made with magazine scraps, but students could easily recycle any scraps you have on hand.
From: Dim Sum, Bagels and Crawfish
6. Reindeer Ornament
These adorable little reindeer make a delightful keepsake—and are put together in a jiffy! The hardest part will be deciding if your reindeer will be one with a red-nose like Rudolph or a brown one like Dasher, Dancer and…well all of the other reindeer.
From: Reading Confetti
7. Snow Globe Cup Ornaments
All you need to craft these clever ornaments is a camera and a few simple supplies. They are a fun way to bring big personalities into their holiday crafts to hang on the tree.
From: Crafty Morning
8. Snowman Mason Jar Luminary
Here’s one snowman that can take the heat! He’s cute and oh-so-easy! Once you deco-podge the fake snow on the jar, the rest is just embellishments—even including a set of festive earmuffs.
From: Chica Circle
9. Jolly Java Jackets
These adorable little coffee cup sweaters will keep your hot cocoa warm and your fingers from scalding. The crazier the sock, the cooler the java jacket—perfect for a parent gift or as a gift you could give to fellow coffee-loving teachers.
From: Parents.com
10. Bottle Cap Magnets
Fill up these bottle caps with fingerprint art or festive wrapping paper and add magnets on the back. These can be made in a snap and are a fun gift idea that is sure to get refrigerator time.
From: Parents.com
11. Hanukkah Wall Hanging
If you know a basic sewing stitch, you can put this Hanukkah wall hanging together in a snap. It’s easy to make and perfect for stuffing with coins, dreidels, money and other gifts.
From: Busy in Brooklyn
12. Birdseed Ornaments
Not only will kids love making these cute ornaments, they’ll love hanging them outside and watching the birds enjoy a Christmas treat of their own. Put them outside your classroom windows for a chance to watch winter birds.
From: Birds & Blooms
13. Clothespin Snowmen
Give boring old clothespins an upgrade by changing them into these cute and crafty snowmen. Just a little paint, a nose and a scarf and they’ll be your favorite way to display notes, cards, photos or other holiday items.
From: Easy, Peasy and Fun
14. Flying Reindeer
Combine Christmas and Science with this STEM activity to get kids excited for the holidays, yet incorporate learning, too. They’ll love putting together these reindeer with recycled materials, but then the real challenge…can they make it fly?
Source: The Educator’s Spin On It
15. Pom Pom Photo Ornament
With a little cardboard and some festive pom poms, you can turn a school photo into a fun ornament that your students will be proud to display on the tree.
Source: One Little Project
16. Cheery Bubbly Lights
Bring a little STEM activity into your holiday fun with these creative bubble lights. Kids will learn about the effect of oil and alka seltzer tablets with water.
Source: Schooling A Monkey
17. Dissolving Candy Canes
Make experiments fun with this creative use of leftover candy canes. Simply use different liquids to see how fast the candy cane will dissolve. The kids will have fun hypothesizing which one will dissolve faster; and eating the extra canes as they watch.
Source: Lemon Lime Adventures
18. Gumdrop Trees
Have a little fun while building these colorful trees made out of toothpicks, bamboo skewers and yummy gumdrops.
Source: Left Brain, Craft Brain
19. Mason Jar Lid Wreaths
These cute little wreaths are put together with just a few supplies and some extra Mason jar lids. They’re pretty simple to make and look great on the Christmas tree.
Source: Sadie Seasongoods
20. Toilet Paper Trees
This one is easy and thrifty–a collection of toilet paper rolls and some paint and glitter are all you need. These look so cute in a group…kind of like a miniature Christmas tree farm.
Source: Hative
21. Christmas Slime
Kids love playing with slime, so surround their favorite activity in a holiday theme with these fun little jars.
Source: The Best Ideas for Kids
22. Crystal Snowflakes
The kids will love watching these crystal snowflakes form as they sit in your classroom this Christmas season. Just a few ingredients and this science experiment will be one to remember.
Source: Sweet and Simple Things
Do you have any favorite, easy Hanukkah or Christmas crafts for kids? Please share links in the comments!
