Making homemade Christmas ornaments is the perfect holiday kids craft! Today we are sharing our favorite ornaments kids can make that double as Christmas keepsakes that you can use over and over again on your Christmas tree. We have homemade ornaments perfect for kids of all ages.

DIY Ornament ideas For Kids
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Some of my favorite holiday decorations are ornaments kids can make. Creating art that can be hung on a Christmas tree can be a fun way to spend time together as a family during the holidays.
From filling plastic globes to painting tin foil ornaments, there are so many ornaments kids can make. Some ornaments are traditional others are works of art and everything else fits nicely in between.
We’ve included some of our favorite ideas below, and you can also check out our Homemade Ornaments video series on YouTube for even more!
Related: Elf On The Shelf Coloring Pages: Elf Size & Kid Size Too! and 115+ Of The Best Homemade Gifts from Kids

unique handmade Christmas Ornaments For Kids
1. DIY Tinfoil Ornaments

Kids will love making these ornaments with just a few supplies from your kitchen cabinet and a little acrylic paint. These homemade Christmas ornaments are so easy to make.
2. POM POM Pine Cone Ornaments

Colorful pom-poms transform a simple pinecone into a cute ornament for your tree. A dab or two of hot glue should get the pom poms to stay on the pine cones.
3. Dried Orange Slice Ornaments

Super simple and smells amazing! These dried orange slices are one of the easiest DIY ornaments. Your house will smell great this holiday season with this homemade Christmas ornament.
4. Yarn Embossed Ornaments

These yarn embossed ornaments will add lots of color to your tree. This is one of the easier DIY Christmas ornaments and great fine motor skill practice.
5. Coloring Book Christmas Dough Ornaments

Trace a coloring book page for unique ornaments created by kids! What a great way to use coloring pages and cookie cutters.
6. Spiral Ribbon Ornaments

It’s so easy to turn ribbons into beautiful ornaments. These spiraled ribbons kind of look like candy canes!
7. Glitter Toy Ornaments

Cover a small toy with glue and clear nail polish for a sparkly addition to the tree. The whole family can have a special toy ornament.
8. Seashell Ornaments

Make ornaments with seashells from your vacation. Turns out dough and seashells make cute ornaments!
9. Picasso Inspired Ornaments

Grab some play dough and let kids create a self portrait as a fun ornament. What I love about this is all family members can make one!
10. Candy Cane Ornaments

Practice pattern-making with these candy cane ornaments. This is one of the best ideas to replace all those candy canes no one ever eats.
11. Twig Tree Ornaments

Use what you find in nature to make these Montessori twig tree ornaments. I love using nature to make beautiful ornaments.
12. DIY Angel Ornaments

Make angels out of pipe cleaners and feathers. What better way to bring holiday cheer than DIY angels?

STEM DIY Ornaments for Kids
13. Icicle Ornaments

These beautiful icicle ornaments double as a science experiment. I love crafty ideas that are also a science lesson.
14. Tinkering Trees

Trees made from nuts and bolts would be such a unique ornament. This homemade Christmas ornament may look intimidating to make, but follow the step instructions and you’ll find it is super easy to make.
15. Chromatography Christmas Ornaments

Discover chromatography by creating these fun ornaments. You can put your own spin on Christmas ornaments.
16. Erupting Ornaments

Erupting ornaments are a fun science experiment. These would make a great gift to someone!
17. Sewing Card Ornaments

Practice shapes with these simple sewing card ornaments. What a fun way to practice motor skills.
18. Slime Ornaments

Make slime and add it to ornaments — is it a liquid? Is it a solid? Who knows? The fun part though, is playing with it!

Snowman DIY Ornament ideas
19. Cork Ornaments

This cute snowman ornament is made out of corks! This is a great way to reuse items while making holiday decor.
20. Snow Globe Ornaments

Make a snowman out of your child’s fingerprint and save it as an ornament! Isn’t this one of the cutest Christmas ornament ideas?
21. Snowman Ornaments

Turn old CDs into snowman faces. This is easy to make and doesn’t require a lot of skill level.
22. Popsicle Stick Snow Ornaments

Kids can decorate craft sticks to look like snowmen for this adorable ornaments. I love easy homemade Christmas ornaments.
23. Snowman Spool Ornaments

Make a snowman ornament out of thread spools. via Learning and Exploring Through Play
24. Olaf Ornaments

Fans of FROZEN will love this easy Olaf ornament from a coaster. It’s a little bit holiday decor and also useful!
25. Cute Snowman Ornaments

Use plastic lids to create cute snowman ornaments. This is one of the best homemade Christmas ornaments, because it lets you use all those mystery lids in the cabinets.
26. Recycled Can Lid Ornaments

Recycled can lids make adorable snowman ornaments! What a simple Christmas craft!
27. Washer Snowman Ornaments

Loop together washers for these snowman ornaments. It’s super easy.
28. Bottle Cap Snowman Ornaments

Use bottle caps to create these snowman ornaments. How cute!

easy christmas Ornaments You Can Bake
29. Stained-Glass Ornaments

You can eat these stained-glass ornaments straight off the tree! These salt dough ornaments are so beautiful.
30. Homemade Clay Ornaments

Homemade clay ornaments are perfect for saving handprints. These may be simple, but they are classy.
31. Cinnamon Ornaments

Cinnamon ornaments will last for years — spray with water to refresh their scent. These cinnamon ornaments will make your house smell so good.
32. No-Cook Cinnamon Ornaments

This cinnamon ornament recipe takes mere minutes to mix up, and the ornaments will make your entire home smell just like Christmas!
33. Peppermint Candy Ornaments

Melt peppermint candies inside cookie cutters. These are so pretty, but I’d probably only use them 1 year and make them again the next.
34. Pressed Flower Ornaments

Add dried flowers to baked ornaments for a natural look. You can press dried flowers, leaves, or even twigs to make a twig ornament.
35. Beaded Ornaments

Bake perler beads in cookie cutters for fun and colorful ornaments. Grab some colorful beads next time you’re at the craft store.

santa DIY christmas Ornaments For Kids
36. Chalkboard Ornaments

Count down the days until Santa visits with this cute chalkboard ornament. Chalkboard paint is a must!
37. Santa Ornament

Turn your child’s handprint into a Santa ornament. I’ve made these before, and they are absolutely darling!
38. Santa Hat Ornaments

Make Santa Hat ornaments from craft sticks and cotton balls. Craft sticks, cotton balls and some glue is all you need.
39. Wood Slice Ornaments

Decorate wood slices for cute Santa ornaments. How cute! You can get the wood slices at crafting stores.
40. Paintbrush Santa Ornament

A paintbrush can be turned into a Santa ornament with just a few supplies. This is so clever and one of my favorite easy diy ornaments.
41. Paper Star Santa Ornament

This Santa ornament is made out of a paper star. CUTE!
42. Lightbulb Santa Ornament

Make a Santa ornament from a lightbulb! What a great way to recycle old lightbulbs or you can use new, it is up to you.
43. Santa Hat Ornaments

These Santa hats just might be the easiest ornaments ever. This Santa hat doesn’t require a lot of skill to make so it is perfect for younger kids.

snow globe handmade Christmas Ornaments
44. Video: Homemade Swirled Paint Christmas Ornament
45. Glitter Ornaments

You just need three supplies to make gorgeous glitter ornaments that don’t leave a mess. All you need is glitter clear glass ornaments or clear plastic ornaments.
46. Oil-Diffusing Ornament

Make your house smell AH-MAZING with a DIY oil-diffusing ornament. You can use whatever scents you want.
47. Globe Ornaments

Fill globe ornaments with just about anything for a one-minute craft. Customize it any way you want.
48. I Spy Ornament

This “I Spy” ornament doubles as a fun way to keep kids busy during the holidays.
49. Memorabilia Ornaments

Turn your child’s baby things into a beautiful ornament you’ll cherish for years. What a sweet keepsake.
50. Thumbprint Ornaments

Paint thumbprints onto ornaments to create reindeer. I’ve made these with my little ones and they’re darling!

Character easy Christmas Ornaments
51. Olaf Ornaments

Everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf, is so cute made from pom poms. It looks silly just like Olaf.
52. Minecraft Creeper Ornaments

You won’t believe how easy these Minecraft Creeper ornaments are. These are great for any Minecraft fans.
53. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Ornaments

Make Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle ornaments from toilet paper rolls. The best part is, 2 toilet paper rolls makes all 4 turtles.
54. Sesame Street Ornaments

Little ones can fill plastic ornaments with paper to create Sesame Street characters. You can make: Elmo, Cookie Monster, Zoey, Oscar, and more!
55. Minion Ornament

Turn your child’s footprint into a minion ornament! This doubles as a sweet keepsake.
56. Frozen Ornaments

Gorgeous Frozen-inspired ornaments are really simple. You can make all your favorite characters.
57. Baymax Ornament

Make a Baymax ornament by painting a white ornament. This is so stinkin’ cute!
58. Star Wars Ornaments

Create Darth Vader and Storm Trooper ornaments from craft sticks. The force is strong with these ornaments!

Salt Dough diy Ornaments
59. Rainbow Fish Ornaments

These rainbow fish ornaments are beautiful. This makes me think of the Rainbow fish story!
60. Candy Cane Ornaments

Twist salt dough to create candy canes you can hang on the tree. We made these when I was a child…many moons ago.
61. Gingerbread Clay

Gingerbread clay is a fun twist on traditional salt dough ornaments. These also smell good!
62. Olaf Ornament

Turn a footprint into an Olaf ornament with this salt dough craft. Another keepsake!
63. Christmas Tree Ornaments

Make a Christmas Tree out of your child’s handprint in salt dough. Salt dough is so versatile.
64. Sparkly Beaded Ornaments

Sparkly beaded salt dough ornaments would be so pretty with the tree lights behind it. I love anything that sparkles.
65. Christmas Salt Dough Ornaments

Spell out season’s greetings with Christmas salt dough letters. Or spell out your family’s name.
66. Painted Salt Dough Ornaments

Toddler painted salt dough ornaments are beautiful art. Plus, it’s a fun family craft to do together.

Recycled unique handmade christmas Ornaments
67. Video: Homemade Tinfoil Christmas Ornament
68. Christmas Tree Cork Ornaments

Make a Christmas tree out of corks. What a clever way to reuse corks.
69. Penguin Ornaments

You won’t believe what these penguin ornaments are made out of! They’re adorable homemade Christmas ornaments.
70. Angel Ornaments

Use noodles to make beautiful angel ornaments. Who would have thought making angels could be so simple.
71. Wonderful DIY Beautiful Snowflake Ornaments from Plastic Bottles

Upcycle your old plastic bottles to make an eco-friendly, easy, and super cute ornament idea.
72. Christmas Tree Ornaments

When kids button ornaments on this cute Christmas tree, they’re practicing fine motor skills.
73. Holiday Card Ornaments

Turn all those holiday cards into ornaments that you’ll keep for years to come. I love this! What a great way to keep those cards that you don’t want to throw out.
74. Paper Mache Tree Ornament

Make a paper mache tree ornament from old newspaper. I love paper mache, it is so underrated.
75. Paint Dried Pasta Ornaments

Paint dried pasta for beautiful and interesting ornaments. Who knew pasta would be great for crafting?!
How to Use Ornaments
One of the best kid-made gifts is a handmade ornament. Simply add a ribbon and gift card to the Christmas ornament and give to a friend or relative. Wrapping the ornament in clear cellophane and wrapping with ribbon and a gift tag is another easy way to gift a homemade ornament.
Why do people like Christmas Ornaments?
Christmas ornaments are more than pretty holiday decorations to hang on a Christmas tree. Christmas ornaments hold memories and family traditions from year to year. That is one of the reasons why I love homemade Christmas ornaments so much because the memories held in a handmade ornament is so much more than something bought at the store. Homemade ornaments also make great gifts even for people who are hard to buy for because everyone has a little extra space on their Christmas tree for a handmade ornament made for them.
Where did the tradition of Christmas Ornaments come from?
The history of decorating a tree for Christmas started back in the early 1600s in Germany when people took fur trees inside and adorned them with paper decorations, candles and fruits. The tradition of the Christmas tree was brought to America in the 1800s. Learn more about the history of Christmas ornaments at Christmas HQ.
Homemade Christmas Ornaments FAQs
When making handmade Christmas ornaments, use a sturdy craft glue or school glue. If it would be easier to have the glue dry faster, then enlist an adult to help with a hot glue gun.
One of our favorite homemade ornaments to make start with clear ornaments. There are so many ways to fill clear plastic ornaments in a way that kids can get involved. You can also use a clear glass ball as a foundation for a paint craft inside the ornament which is easy for kids to do. One of the easiest ways to make clear fillable ornaments is to use fake snow, confetti, glitter or small Christmas trinkets inside.
If you want to create a colorful glittery inside to a clear ornament, then start with a glitter glue or glitter paint. Dilute the glitter glue or paint so that when you drip it inside the clear ornament, you can let the glittery color move around inside coating the interior of the ornament.
More Christmas Activities From Kids Activities Blog
- Christmas activity sheets
- Christmas activities for kids
- Preschool Christmas activities
- Preschool Christmas crafts
- Handprint Christmas crafts
- Construction paper Christmas crafts
- Christmas Got You Anxious? Our Stress Free Holiday Planner is FREE!
Whew! Now that list has a lot of fabulous homemade Christmas ornaments kids can make. Which ones do you plan to make first?
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