10 Fun and Festive Daycare Christmas Crafts

Stepping into a daycare during Christmas time is like being transported into a mini North Pole where laughter rings out, glitter is strewn everywhere, and the air smells faintly of glue and paper.

Crafts during the holiday season don’t just entertain; they create lasting memories, develop fine motor skills, and bring joy to kids and parents alike. If you’re a daycare teacher, parent, or caregiver, these easy and creative Christmas crafts will keep little hands busy and hearts happy.

1. Handprint Reindeer Cards

Materials:

• Brown construction paper
• Googly eyes
• Red pom-poms (for Rudolph’s nose)
• Glue sticks
• Scissors

How to Make Them:

1. Trace each child’s hand on the brown construction paper and cut it out.
2. Glue the hand cutout upside down so that the fingers form the antlers.
3. Add googly eyes and a red pom-pom to create the face.
4. Let the kids decorate around it with markers or stickers.

Tip: These make perfect keepsakes that parents will cherish for years.

2. Popsicle Stick Christmas Trees

Materials:

• Green popsicle sticks or paint
• Mini pom-poms
• Glitter glue
• String for hanging

Instructions:

1. Arrange and glue popsicle sticks in a triangular shape to mimic a Christmas tree.
2. Decorate the “tree” with glitter glue, mini pom-poms, or any available crafting supplies.
3. Attach a loop of string to the top for hanging.

Pro Tip: Use metallic markers for names and dates to turn these into personalized ornaments.

3. Paper Plate Santa

Materials:

• Paper plates
• Cotton balls
• Red construction paper
• Pink paint (optional)
• Googly eyes

Steps:

1. Have kids paint the center of the plate pink for Santa’s face.
2. Glue cotton balls around the edge for his fluffy beard.
3. Cut out a triangle of red construction paper and glue it at the top for Santa’s hat.
4. Finish with googly eyes and a cotton ball on the hat’s tip.

Why This Works: It’s simple and tactile, perfect for younger kids developing sensory skills.

4. Salt Dough Ornaments

What You Need:

• 1 cup of flour
• ½ cup of salt
• ½ cup of water
• Cookie cutters
• Acrylic paint and brushes

How to Create Them:

1. Mix the flour, salt, and water until it forms a dough.
2. Roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to create festive shapes.
3. Bake at 200°F (93°C) for about 2 hours or until hard.
4. Once cooled, let the kids paint their creations and add glitter.

Memory Maker: Parents will love hanging these on the tree, and they last for years if sealed with clear varnish.

5. Tissue Paper Wreaths

Supplies:

• Paper plates with the center cut out
• Green tissue paper
• Red ribbon
• Glue sticks

Method:

1. Scrunch up pieces of green tissue paper and glue them around the rim of the plate.
2. Create a bow with the red ribbon and glue it at the bottom or top.
3. Optional: Add small red circles made from construction paper to mimic holly berries.

Why Kids Love This: They get to crinkle, glue, and see their work transform into a bright wreath.

6. Jingle Bell Bracelets

What You’ll Need:

• Pipe cleaners
• Mini jingle bells

How to Make Them:

1. String jingle bells onto a pipe cleaner.
2. Twist the ends together to form a bracelet.
3. Let kids shake their bracelets for a festive sound!

Fun Factor: These bracelets can double as musical instruments, adding to holiday sing-alongs.

7. Christmas Coloring Garland

Materials:

• Pre-drawn Christmas-themed cutouts (trees, stockings, stars)
• Crayons or markers
• String
• Mini clothespins

Process:

1. Have children color the pre-drawn Christmas shapes.
2. Clip the completed pieces onto a long piece of string with mini clothespins.
3. Hang it up as a festive garland in the room.

Added Bonus: This is an easy group activity that showcases each child’s unique creativity.

Quick Tips for a Successful Craft Session:

• Prep Ahead: Pre-cut shapes and gather supplies beforehand.
• Keep It Simple: Choose age-appropriate crafts and keep instructions clear.
• Emphasize Fun Over Perfection: Remind kids and parents that these crafts are about fun and creativity, not flawlessness.
• Limit Mess: Use plastic tablecloths and aprons to minimize cleanup.

Wrapping Up

These Christmas crafts are a surefire way to create a magical atmosphere in any daycare. Whether it’s making personalized ornaments or singing while jingling homemade bracelets, these projects foster community, creativity, and the spirit of the holiday season. So, grab your scissors, glue, and holiday cheer, and get ready for some joyful crafting with your little ones!