FAMILY FRIENDLY FESTIVE CRAFTS -EASY CHRISTMAS MAKES FOR KIDS

The festive season is the perfect time to get creative together. Simple Christmas crafts can bring the magic of the holidays into your home without the need for expensive materials or complicated steps. With just paper, cardboard and a few recycled bits and pieces, you can create fun decorations that children of all ages will enjoy.

Here are some easy, budget friendly festive makes to try this December.

Paper Snowflakes

A classic craft that never loses its charm.
All you need is white paper, scissors and a little imagination. Fold your paper into a square, then into smaller triangles, and snip out shapes along the edges. Unfold to reveal your snowflake design and hang them around the house for instant winter sparkle.

Tip
Use coloured paper or add a touch of glitter glue to make each snowflake unique.

Cardboard Tube Reindeer

Turn empty toilet roll tubes into adorable reindeer friends.
Paint the tube brown, draw on eyes and a smile, glue on a red nose and cut out simple card shapes for antlers. Children love creating their own little herd and you can perch them on shelves or use them as table decorations.

Recycled win
This is the perfect way to reuse cardboard that would normally be thrown away.

Festive Paper Chains

A wonderfully nostalgic craft and ideal for younger children.
Cut strips of coloured paper, glue or tape the ends to make loops and link them together to create a long, colourful chain. Hang your paper chain around the living room for cosy festive vibes.

Try this
Use old magazines, last year’s wrapping paper or scrap card for an even more eco friendly version.

Salt Dough Decorations

A brilliant sensory activity and a keepsake craft in one.
Mix one cup of flour with half a cup of salt and half a cup of warm water until it forms a dough. Roll it out, cut shapes with cookie cutters and use a straw to make a small hole for hanging. Bake at a low heat until hard, then paint and decorate.

Craft for Ages Eight Plus: DIY Cardboard Gingerbread House

Older children often like a project they can really get stuck into. A cardboard gingerbread house is the perfect festive build.

You will need:
Cardboard from old boxes, scissors, glue, paints or colouring pens.

Create simple panels for the walls and roof, then glue them together to form your house. Once dry, decorate the outside with painted icing swirls, candy shapes and snowy rooftops. It looks fantastic on a windowsill and is a great alternative to a real gingerbread build.

Bonus idea
Add battery tea lights inside for a warm, cosy glow.

Crafting together is a wonderful way to slow down, spend time as a family and enjoy the magic of the season. Whether your child loves cutting, sticking, shaping or painting, these simple festive activities are easy to set up and full of Christmas cheer.