21 Low-Mess Kids Crafts for Christmas

A whole mess of kids home from school for a couple weeks and a house in desperate need of a deep clean before company comes over: This is the scene at my house every December. Without fail, I’ll clean up an area while my kid simultaneously wreck another.

Rather than putting A Charlie Brown Christmas on repeat for a full two weeks, I’m enlisting my kids to do something productive this year. Nothing gets kids in the holiday spirit better than a good holiday craft. They teach the satisfaction of making things by hand, and build memories that will last a lifetime. Even better? Crafts that don’t leave paint splatters on the floor or a mess of impossible-to-vacuum up glitter stuck in the crevasses of your couch. I’ve rounded up a lot of my favorite kids crafts for Christmas that keep my happily entertained when they’re stuck inside.

More Christmas Entertaining Ideas:

Low-Mess Kids Crafts for Christmas

Button Christmas Tree Ornaments

Dig through your button stash and see what you come up with. This is an easy project for little hands, these ornaments are made from buttons and glue.

Get the tutorial at Beneath The Rowan Tree
Felted Christmas Mice

Felting is all the rage right now. Teach your children how to make these felted needle Christmas mice and they will have a skill that will last a lifetime. These make a great stocking stuffers or a sweet addition to the tree.

Get the tutorial at Curly BIrds
Emoji Ornaments

Your kids will be ROTFL all afternoon getting crafty with these easy-to-make Emoji ornaments.

Get the tutorial at Momtastic
Paper Christmas Trees

These paper Christmas trees are easy to make and deliver big results. They make a perfect tree for the kids' room, or you can even incorporate them into your dining table's centerpiece.

Get the tutorial at She Chive
Holiday Crayons

Here's an easy holiday craft even really young kids can join in on. Everybody loves a good homemade crayon! They're perfect for coloring Christmas cards for the grandparents,

Get the tutorial at Sew Totally Smitten
Toothpick Stars

This just may be the coolest toothpick craft yet! The neon tape really sets things off, and it makes for unique holiday gift-giving. Your kids can make a whole mess of these in one afternoon.

Get the tutorial at Cecilieslykke
Christmas Glitter Play Dough

With just a few easy-to-find ingredients, you can make a whole batch of homemade play dough with your kids. Add a jar to all your kids' stockings, or give them out as favors at your kids' next party.

Get the tutorial at Momtastic
Mint Green Flapper Trees

Here's another great Christmas tree for the kids room or dining table. All you need is a paper mache cone and some streamers.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built
Yarn Ball Ornament

Homemade ornaments are an absolute must for our Christmas tree. We try to make a few new ones every year. These DIY ornaments not only deliver in that department but look great as well.

Get the tutorial at Sew Wrong
Snowmen Cake Pops

Got a holiday party coming up? These little frosted snowmen are just as fun to make with your kids as they are delicious to eat. The perfect combo!

Get the tutorial at 52 Kitchen Adventures
Bouquet Wrappers

Nothing's better than enlisting your kids to create something beautiful and meaningful. Rather than panic to find a hostess gift the next time you head to a party, have your kids paint bouquet wrappers, then gift flowers wrapped in them every time you head to a holiday fete.

Get the tutorial at Momtastic
Paper Chain Christmas Tree

The is the perfect paper craft for Christmas, and chances are your kids already learned how to make paper chains in school. Instead of making the typical garland, teach your kids how to turn them into different festive shapes, like this Christmas tree.

Get the tutorial at Hilary Is Happy
Button Bobby Pins

Have your kids make the perfect accessory for Christmas morning pictures. Use buttons in a variety of Christmas colors for an extra festive touch.

Get the tutorial at Morning Creativity
Yarn Wreath Ornaments

Here's another great homemade Christmas tree ornament for the kids to make. These inexpensive yarn whreaths are sure to stand out among all of the store bought ornaments on your tree.

Get the tutorial at Christopher and Tia
Holiday Gold Stars

Make a tradition of having your kids make the tree topper every year. This gold star is a great start, and every time they look at the tree they'll be proud that they contributed.

Get the tutorial at Strawberry Chic
Blown Bubbles Wrapping Paper

Mix up some bubbles with food coloring and have your kids go to town on plain white paper. You'll have gorgeous, personalized wrapping paper in no time.

Get the tutorial at Momtastic
Melting Snowmen Christmas Cookies

If you're looking for something to make on Christmas morning with the kids, this is the perfect recipe, and their imperfections are what make them adorable.

Get the tutorial at Kraft Recipes
Pom Pom Yarn Snowmen

Kids love pom pom crafts – they're super easy and deliver results that are totally fun. Have them whip up an army of pom pom snowmen, perfect for adding festive touches all over the house.

Get the tutorial at Carolyns Homework
Mickey Mouse Garland

Gifting a Disney trip to your kids this year? Drop a subtle hint by adding a Mickey Mouse garland to your tree.

Get the tutorial at Inspired by Dis
Cream Cheese Penguins

Build your own miniature army of marching penguins for Christmas. My kids love stuffing the olives with cream cheese when we make these.

Get the tutorial at Our Big Earth
Reindeer Wrapping Paper

Enlist the kids to whip up creative gift packaging for under the tree. This reindeer wrapping paper is an easy start, and they can get creative with materials, too.

Get the tutorial at Momtastic