DIY Kids' Homemade Ornaments: Step-by-Step Guide

Looking for a fun and creative way to spend quality time with your kids while also decorating your home for the holidays? Why not try making homemade ornaments together? Not only is this a wonderful bonding activity, but it also allows your children to express their creativity and learn new skills. Plus, your home will be filled with unique, personalized decorations that you'll cherish for years to come. Let's dive into some simple, kid-friendly DIY ornament ideas that are sure to bring joy to your family.

Before we begin, it's essential to gather some basic supplies. You'll need construction paper, scissors, glue, paint, paintbrushes, pipe cleaners, pompoms, googly eyes, beads, and any other craft materials you'd like to incorporate. Safety is paramount when crafting with kids, so ensure you have adult supervision for tasks that involve scissors or hot glue.

Paper Plate Ornaments

Paper plates are an excellent canvas for creating various ornament designs. They're easy to work with, and you can find them in different sizes to suit your project.

For a simple and classic look, have your kids paint the paper plates in their favorite colors. Once dry, they can add embellishments like pompoms, sequins, or stickers to create unique patterns. Punch a hole at the top of each plate, thread some ribbon or string through it, and tie a loop for hanging.

Paper Plate Snowmen

Transform paper plates into adorable snowmen by cutting out circles for the body and head, then gluing them together. Use construction paper or paint to add details like eyes, nose, and buttons. Top off your snowman with a carrot nose and a scarf made from a strip of fabric or construction paper.

To make it even more festive, have your kids paint the snowmen's bodies with different shades of blue and purple to resemble a winter night sky. Add tiny stars and a crescent moon to create a magical scene.

Paper Plate Suncatchers

Create beautiful suncatchers by cutting out shapes from the paper plates, then decorating them with tissue paper, cellophane, or contact paper. Have your kids arrange their chosen materials on the plate, then secure them with glue or Mod Podge. Once dry, hang the suncatchers in a window to catch the light and cast colorful patterns on the walls.

For an extra challenge, try making stained glass-style suncatchers by layering different colored tissue paper and securing it with contact paper. Cut out shapes or patterns, then hang your masterpieces in a window to admire the kaleidoscope of colors.

Popsicle Stick Ornaments

Popsicle sticks are another versatile crafting material that's perfect for making ornaments. They're easy to paint, decorate, and glue together, making them ideal for young children.

One of the simplest popsicle stick ornament ideas is to have your kids paint them in various colors, then glue them together in the shape of a star, tree, or heart. Add embellishments like pompoms, sequins, or glitter to make them even more festive.

Popsicle Stick Gingerbread Houses

Create edible-looking gingerbread houses using popsicle sticks and construction paper. Have your kids paint the sticks brown to resemble gingerbread, then glue them together to form the walls and roof of their houses. Use small candies or pompoms for decorations, and add a touch of "icing" with white paint or glue.

For a more realistic touch, have your kids draw or print out small pictures of gingerbread men, candy canes, and other holiday-themed items to place on their houses. You can also use small pieces of candy or chocolate to create a truly delicious-looking display.

Popsicle Stick Puppets

Transform popsicle sticks into festive puppets by decorating them with construction paper, paint, or markers. Have your kids create characters like Santa Claus, Rudolph, or even their favorite cartoon characters. Once the puppets are dry, they can put on a puppet show for the family, retelling classic holiday stories or creating their own imaginative tales.

To make the puppets even more interactive, have your kids create accessories like hats, scarves, or wings using construction paper or felt. These can be attached with glue or safety pins, allowing the puppets to change outfits for different performances.

Pipe Cleaner Ornaments

Pipe cleaners are a fun and flexible crafting material that's perfect for creating three-dimensional ornaments. They're easy to bend and twist, making them ideal for young children to work with.

One of the simplest pipe cleaner ornament ideas is to have your kids create shapes like stars, hearts, or trees by bending the pipe cleaners and twisting them together. Add embellishments like beads, pompoms, or small charms to make them even more festive.

Pipe Cleaner Angels

Create adorable angels using pipe cleaners, pompoms, and other craft materials. Have your kids shape the pipe cleaners into wings, then attach them to a pompom body. Add a small piece of ribbon or string for hanging, and decorate the angel with markers, glitter, or small beads.

For a more interactive angel, have your kids create a mobile by attaching several angels to a coat hanger or embroidery hoop. Add small weights to the bottom of the mobile to help it spin, and hang it in a window or doorway to catch the light.

Pipe Cleaner Reindeer

Transform pipe cleaners into cute reindeer by bending them into the shape of antlers, then attaching them to a pompom body. Add googly eyes, a red pompom nose, and a small piece of ribbon or string for hanging. To make the reindeer even more festive, have your kids paint the antlers with gold or silver paint, then add tiny bells or jingle beads to the ends.

For a fun family activity, have your kids create a pipe cleaner reindeer parade by making several reindeer in different sizes and colors. Line them up on a mantel or shelf, or hang them from the ceiling to create a magical reindeer flyover scene.

Creating homemade ornaments with your kids is a wonderful way to spend quality time together while also decorating your home for the holidays. These simple and engaging craft ideas are sure to bring joy to your family and create lasting memories. So grab your craft supplies and get started on your DIY ornament adventure today! Who knows, you might even start a new family tradition that you'll cherish for years to come. Happy crafting!"