Crafting with Children: Christmas Decorations
Simple creative craft ideas for Advent season
Advent is the perfect time to craft together with children and create creative Christmas decorations. When it gets dark early outside and the home becomes cozier, children love to create their own little works of art. The following craft ideas are easy to implement, require little material, and fit perfectly into family life.

1. Felt Christmas stars and trees – perfect Christmas craft idea
Materials: felt, templates from paper or cardboard, glue
Here’s how:
- Cut out Christmas tree and star from paper or cardboard as templates.
- Place on the felt and cut out.
- Decorate as desired.
These stars and Christmas trees are an ideal project when children want to craft independently.
2. Pinecone reindeer – decoration with natural materials
Materials: pinecones, felt, nutshells or small wooden pieces, paper eyes, red wool
Here’s how:
- Collect pinecones.
- Glue felt, nutshells, or small wooden pieces as ears.
- Cut out and glue eyes from felt or paper.
- Glue a red wool ball as the nose.
Using natural materials, small reindeer are created that enrich any Christmas decoration.

3. Lanterns from jars – simple and beautiful
Materials: jars, tracing paper, paste
Here’s how:
- Tear pieces of paper.
- Stick onto the jar.
- Insert LED tealight.
The result: warm, colorful Advent lights.

4. Paper balls – an easy craft idea for Christmas branches
Materials: Cardstock, scissors, string
Here’s how:
- Cut out circles.
- Fold in the middle.
- Glue several circles together.
These paper balls look especially beautiful when children create several variations and hang them together.
5. Salt dough ornaments – durable crafting classics
Materials: Flour, salt, water, cookie cutters
Here’s how:
- Mix dough.
- Roll out & cut out shapes.
- Dry & paint.
Salt dough is one of the most popular projects when children want to craft for Christmas.

6. Mini Advent wreaths – crafting with branches & natural materials
Materials: Branches, wire, small decorative items
Here’s how:
- Form a small wreath.
- Secure branches.
- Attach mini balls or bows.
Ideal for crafting afternoons with parents.

7. Winter nature decorations – combining collecting & crafting
Natural materials collected on walks are perfect crafting treasures:
- Craft small winter houses from bark
- Glue branches into Christmas trees
- Paint stones as snowmen
- Decorate pinecones with white as snow
Children love to first collect and then creatively craft.

Conclusion – Crafting creates memories and Christmas warmth
Crafting together makes the Advent season unforgettable for children. The projects presented are quick to complete, encourage creativity, and bring Christmas magic into the home. Whether paper stars, pinecone animals, or salt dough – every handmade artwork makes the pre-Christmas season a bit more personal and beautiful.
