“It's way too expensive and silly, but it makes everybody happy.”
Putting up the Christmas tree is one of the greatest (and most popular) holiday traditions.
But adding to your Christmas ornament collection — especially DIY Christmas ornaments made by tiny hands — can help turn a simple tradition into a full-blown arts and crafts activity for the entire family.
It not only gives your tree a fresh update, but it’ll give you new keepsakes (and memories) to gush over as your kids grow older.
READ MORE: What is a Christmas advent calendar — and how to make your own this holiday season
So, get out those popsicle sticks, make yourself some salt dough and grab your favorite arts and crafts supplies because these homemade Christmas ornaments are perfect for any tree this holiday season.
And they’re easy enough for kids of all ages to make!
Melted crayon ornaments
If you’ve got a few broken crayons lying around (and let’s be honest — every parent does), this project turns them into something magical.
Simply sprinkle colorful crayon shavings into a clear ornament, then warm it up with a hair dryer and watch the colors swirl like a mini holiday rainbow.
Kids love choosing their own color combos, and every ornament comes out looking totally one-of-a-kind — just like the little artist who made it.
Grinch ornaments
For a craft that’s equal parts festive and mischievous, try turning a plain clear ornament into everyone’s favorite holiday grump.
Just pour in some bright green paint and swirl it around until the whole ornament is Grinch-level green.
Once it’s dry, you can either draw on that iconic face yourself or press on a Grinch temporary tattoo for an easy (and impressively accurate) finish.
Popsicle stick house ornament
This sweet little craft turns a handful of popsicle sticks into a cozy “home” for your favorite holiday photo.
Kids can paint their mini house any color they like, then decorate it with glitter, stickers or tiny pom-poms before adding a picture in the center — making it extra special for parents and grandparents alike.
It’s an adorable way to show off your child’s smiling face, and it doubles as the perfect Baby’s First Christmas ornament.
Melted pony beads ornaments
If your craft drawer is overflowing with pony beads, this project is the perfect way to put them to festive use.
Let your kids arrange a single layer of beads inside their favorite Christmas cookie cutter — stars, trees, gingerbread men, you name it — then let the oven work its magic.
After a few minutes, the beads melt into a glossy, stained-glass–style ornament that looks like it came straight from a holiday market. Once cooled, drill a small hole for the hanger and it’s ready for the tree.
Salt dough handprint ornaments
Nothing captures a moment in time quite like a tiny handprint — and salt dough ornaments make it wonderfully easy.
Start by mixing 1 cup of flour, ½ cup of salt and ½ cup of warm water until a dough forms. Roll it out to your desired size, then gently press your child’s hand into the dough to create a perfect little imprint.
Use a knife to trim the edges, poke a hole for hanging and bake until firm. Once cooled, let your kids paint and decorate their handprint however they like.
Salt dough picture frame ornament
Turn a batch of simple salt dough into the cutest little photo frame for your tree.
Using the same recipe — 1 cup flour, ½ cup salt, ½ cup warm water — roll out the dough and cut out your desired shape with a cookie cutter. Then remove a small circle or oval from the center to create the frame.
After baking and cooling, kids can paint and decorate their masterpiece however they’d like.
Slip a photo of your child behind the cutout (gingerbread shapes are adorable — just replace the cookie’s face with your kid’s), and you’ve got a personalized ornament destined to become a yearly favorite.
Yarn wreath ornament
This cozy little yarn wreath is as simple as it is charming.
Start by cutting a donut-shaped circle from cardboard, then wrap green yarn around it until every bit of cardboard is tucked away. Kids love watching it transform from plain to plush with just a few loops.
Once it’s covered, add beads, tiny bows or any festive decorations you have on hand — and if you want to make it extra special, place a small photo in the center for a sweet peek-through moment.
Santa baby ornament
This adorable craft turns your little one into the star of Santa’s workshop.
Paint three popsicle sticks red and glue them into a triangle — the base for a tiny Santa suit. Add small cotton balls along the bottom to create a fluffy beard, then top it off with one big cotton ball for the hat.
Finish by placing a photo of your child right in the center so it looks like they’re the jolly guy himself.
Snowman handprint ornament
This snowy keepsake turns tiny hands into a whole family of snowmen.
Start by filling a clear ornament with a bit of fake snow for a frosty backdrop. Then coat your child’s hand in white paint and gently press it onto the ornament — each fingerprint becomes the base of a snowman.
Once it’s dry, bring those frosty friends to life with painted scarves, hats and tiny carrot noses.
Tree stick ornaments
These tiny tree ornaments are as fun to make as they are to decorate.
Paint three popsicle sticks in your favorite holiday shade — classic green, bright red or even glittery gold — then glue them into a simple triangle shape.
Let your kids wrap yarn, mini garland or tiny ornaments around the edges to give their “tree” some personality. Add a photo of your child in the center and top it with a little star for the finishing touch.
Snow globe ornament
This charming DIY turns a simple paper cutout into a mini winter wonderland.
Start by cutting a snow globe shape from construction paper and writing your child’s name across the base. Then, have your kiddo draw a cozy winter scene inside the globe.
Sprinkle fake snow and a touch of glitter on top for that perfect swirling snow effect. Finish by gluing a clear plastic half-sphere over the design to seal in all the magic.
Pringles lid ornament
This clever upcycled craft turns a simple Pringles lid into the sweetest candy-cane photo frame.
Paint a popsicle stick with red and white stripes, then set it aside while you coat the inside of the lid with glue and a generous sprinkle of glitter.
Add your child’s photo in the center so it sparkles like a holiday treat, then attach the lid to the striped stick. Finish it off with a little bow to make it look like a candy-cane lollipop.
Reindeer handprint ornament
This adorable Rudolph craft is a timeless favorite — and such a sweet way to capture your child’s growing hands.
Paint your little one’s hand brown and press it onto brown construction paper, then cut out the handprint once it’s dry. Add googly eyes and a bright red nose to transform those tiny fingers into Rudolph’s antlers.
For durability, laminate the finished reindeer before hanging it on the tree.
Colored foil ornament
This shiny, stained-glass–style ornament is surprisingly simple and so much fun for little artists.
Start by cutting a piece of cardboard into whatever festive shape you like — a tree, a classic round ornament, or star. Wrap string randomly around the cutout to create raised lines and geometric shapes.
Then cover the whole thing in aluminum foil, pressing gently so the string’s pattern shows through. Hand your kids a set of markers to color in each section, and watch the foil transform into a jewel-toned design.
Q-tip snowflake ornament
This breezy little craft brings a snowy day right indoors.
Start by cutting a simple circle from blue construction paper, then glue a fluffy cotton ball in the center — it becomes the heart of your snowflake.
Cut Q-tips into different lengths and arrange them around the center to form a snowflake. Once glued down, you’re left with a sweet, wintry ornament that looks like it fluttered straight from the sky.
Santa hat ornament
This tiny Santa hat is irresistibly cute — and a great way to reuse an empty toilet paper roll.
Cut the roll into small rings, then wrap each one in red yarn, tucking the ends in so it looks neat and snug. Stuff the center with cotton balls to form the top of Santa’s hat, then use white yarn for the fluffy beard.
The result is a soft, jolly ornament that looks straight out of the North Pole.
Peek-a-boo present ornament
@littleschoolofsmiths ✨Peekaboo Presents! ✨ So fun to send to family in the mail or turn into ornaments for your Christmas tree! All you need is construction paper, scissors, a ruler, and glue! HOW TO: • Cut squares from construction paper, I did 3x3 inches. • Cut strips of paper & glue on for the ribbon. Cut two triangles and a circle to make the bow on top. • Glue another square to the back on THREE sides only (leave the top open.) • A little less than 1 inch from the top, cut all the way across to create the “lid” of the present. • Take a picture of your children with their arms up & print it out. ✨From your phone: Hold your finger down on the child in your picture, it will cut them out, select copy. Open Instagram and go to create a story. Pull up any picture, click the 3 dots in the top right corner, select draw, select the color white, then hold down anywhere on the screen to turn the entire slide white. Tap the center of the screen and select paste. Resize however big you want your picture cut out, select the 3 dots in the top right corner and “save.” Then print from your camera roll on your phone. • Cut your child’s picture out and glue their hands to the lid of the present. • Stick the bottom of their body inside the present. • Optional: laminate to make it sturdy, but laminate the 2 pieces separately. • Punch a hole and add string if making an ornament. These turned out so cute and my kids had a great time making them! We made some to hang on our tree and will make more to gift to Grandparents ♥️ . . . . . #christmascrafts #christmascraftsforkids #craftsforkids #kidscraftstagram #christmaspresents #christmas #homemadegifts #christmasschool #homemadeornaments #kidsornaments ♬ original sound - Little School of Smiths
Cut two construction-paper squares (about 3x3 inches) and decorate the front with ribbon strips and a paper bow. Glue the second square to the back on three sides only, leaving the top open.
About an inch from the top, cut straight across to create the “lid.”
Take a photo of your child with their arms up, cut them out and glue their hands to the lid so it looks like they’re popping out of the present. Tuck the rest of their photo inside the pocket.
Laminate if you want extra durability, punch a hole, add string and hang!
Popsicle stick snowflake ornament
These frosty popsicle-stick snowflakes are as easy as they are eye-catching.
Paint a few sticks blue, then glue them together in a simple snowflake pattern. Once dry, let your kids decorate with white paint, tiny cotton balls, glitter or whatever snowy touches they like.
Each one turns out beautifully unique — just like real snowflakes — and they add the perfect winter sparkle to your tree.
DIY Christmas ornaments can also be gifted to friends and family
One of the best parts about making handmade Christmas ornaments is that they’re not just decorations — they also make meaningful, heartfelt gifts.
Whether you’re surprising grandparents with a photo ornament, sending a handmade keepsake to a friend or using it as a gift for teachers, these crafts are the kind of presents people treasure for years.
They’re personal, affordable and filled with the kind of charm you simply can’t buy in a store.
Plus, kids love knowing their DIY Christmas ornaments are being gifted and displayed in someone else’s home — it gives them a sense of pride that’s just as sweet as the craft itself.
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Whether you hang them on your tree or wrap them up and share the holiday magic, these DIY ornaments are a wonderful reminder that the best gifts are the ones made with love (and maybe a little glitter).
