22 Crafty Holiday Ideas for the Non-Crafty Teacher

Even the Pinterest-impaired can handle these.

Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids

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.

Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids to Do in the Classroom

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.

Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids to Do in the Classroom

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.

Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids to Do in the Classroom

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.

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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!