Easy Christmas Crafts for Toddlers and Kids: 8 No-Mess Ideas

Toddlers love helping get ready for Christmas, but most crafts are too fiddly or messy.

These ideas use paper, crayons and a little help from a grown-up, and most can be done at the kitchen table in 20 minutes or less. Pick one or two, put on some music, and let the kids lead the coloring.

Want something to print right now? Our Christmas coloring pages are free, with pages for toddlers and large print pages for the grown-ups coloring alongside them.

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Color-and-Build 3D Paper Ornaments

Kids color the ornament pieces, a grown-up cuts them out, and the two halves slot together into a 3D ornament. Loop a piece of ribbon or yarn through the top and it is ready to hang on the tree.

It is a good first craft because the coloring is the child's job and the building is quick. Two or three ornaments make a nice afternoon.

Color-Your-Own Christmas Cards

Kids color a card for grandparents, teachers or friends, and grown-ups help write the names inside. A card made by a small hand is the one that ends up on the fridge.

Print on cardstock if you can, so the card stands up on its own.

A Letter from Santa to Color and Keep

A personalized letter from Santa, delivered by Birdie, comes with a name ornament to color. Read the letter together, then let your child color the ornament and hang it up. Read more in A Letter from Santa, Delivered by Birdie.

Mailed letters: order by December 12 for Christmas delivery in the US.

Paper Chain Countdown to Christmas

Cut strips of colored paper, loop each strip through the last one and glue or tape the ends. Make one link for each day until Christmas. Any paper works: construction paper, wrapping scraps or pages from an old coloring book.

Hang the chain somewhere low. Each night your child removes one link and the chain gets a little shorter. Little ones can choose the colors while a grown-up cuts the strips and fastens the ends.

Fold-and-Cut Paper Snowflakes

Fold a square of paper in half, then in half again. A grown-up cuts small shapes along the folded edges, then unfolds the paper to reveal the snowflake.

Little ones can draw where to cut with a crayon while a grown-up does the cutting. Plain printer paper is easier to cut than cardstock. Tape the finished snowflakes to a window.

Decorate a Plain Gift Bag or Wrapping Paper

Let kids color or stamp plain brown paper or paper bags for family gifts. Crayons, washable markers and a few simple shapes are enough. Stars, trees and scribbles all look good on kraft paper.

A sheet of plain paper taped around a small box works just as well as a bag. Tie the gift with a bit of ribbon and a handmade wrap becomes part of the present.

Christmas Coloring Pages for Quiet Time

Bold and easy pages are perfect for winding down on busy December days. Thick lines and big open spaces make them simple for small hands to finish. Print a page or two whenever the afternoon needs a calm moment.

Want everything in one download? Our biggest bundle is Birdie's North Pole Collection.

Make Your Own Ornament from a Coloring Page

Color a free page, glue it to cardboard or cardstock, and trim around the edge. A grown-up punches a hole at the top, then your child threads a ribbon through it. Every ornament will look a little different, and that is the charm.

Start with our free Birdie Christmas Tree coloring page, no signup needed.

Get the free Birdie Christmas Tree page

What You'll Need

• Crayons or washable markers
• Plain printer paper and cardstock
• Child-safe scissors (grown-ups do the detailed cutting)
• Glue stick
• Ribbon or yarn
• Hole punch

Our crayon, marker and cardstock picks:

Tips for Crafting with Toddlers

• Keep sessions short. Ten to twenty minutes is plenty, and you can finish another day.
• Cover the table. A paper or plastic cover makes cleanup quick.
• Put out only a few colors at a time. Fewer choices keep the table calm.
• Let grown-ups handle scissors and small parts. Children can color, tear paper and decide where things go.
• Display the finished crafts proudly. Hang them on the fridge, a window or the tree.

Craft time does not need a perfect result. A scribbled ornament on the tree is the one everyone remembers. For more ideas, see our Christmas Eve box ideas for kids and our toddler coloring guide.

Birdie's Christmas Coloring Books

Our Birdie's Cozy Cottage books are drawn with thick outlines and big open spaces for ages 2 and up. Each one is a cozy way to keep little hands busy through December.

Planning the whole month rather than one afternoon? Our Christmas countdown activities for kids turns the same pages, ornaments and cards into a page-a-day plan from December 1 to 24.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Christmas crafts are easy for toddlers?

Coloring paper ornaments, decorating a gift bag, making a paper chain and coloring a card are all simple. They use paper and crayons, and a grown-up handles the cutting. Always supervise young children.

How do you make paper ornaments with kids?

Have your child color the printed pieces, then a grown-up cuts them out and slots the two halves together. Add a loop of ribbon or yarn to hang the ornament on the tree.

What supplies do toddlers need for Christmas crafts?

Crayons or washable markers, paper, cardstock, a glue stick, ribbon and child-safe scissors are enough. Choose supplies labeled non-toxic and age-appropriate. Grown-ups should handle scissors and small parts.

Can I print Christmas coloring pages at home?

Yes. Our printable packs are instant downloads, so you can print pages on plain paper or cardstock at home. Start with our free Birdie Christmas Tree page, then choose a pack if you want more.

When should I order a mailed letter from Santa?

Order by December 12 for Christmas delivery in the US. Ordering earlier leaves extra time for mail, and a personalized letter is a lovely surprise to find in the mailbox.

As an Amazon Associate, Blumonic Publishing earns from qualifying purchases.