Get ready to fill your classroom with holiday cheer using fun and meaningful Christmas crafts for kids and activities that spark creativity, build skills, and make December learning magical!
Christmas Crafts for Kids
Welcome, teachers, to a fun and festive classroom season! The holidays are the perfect time to sprinkle a little extra joy, creativity, and connection into your classroom routines. Whether your students are buzzing with excitement for winter break or simply ready for some holiday cheer, these Christmas crafts for kids are the perfect way to channel that energy into meaningful learning moments.
You’ll find seven easy and engaging Christmas crafts, each one designed to blend creativity, writing, and hands-on fun for young learners.
Every project is designed with busy teachers in mind, low-prep, printable, and easy to differentiate for your class. These Christmas classroom activities are ideal for kindergarten through second grade and can be used during morning work, centers, art time, or whole-class lessons. They’re also great for bulletin board displays, classroom décor, or even take-home keepsakes that families will love.
Table of Contents
- Christmas Crafts for Kids
- When to Use Christmas Crafts and Activities
- Christmas Crafts for Kids: Step-by-Step Ideas
- Craft #1: My Elf Application Craft
- Craft #2: How to Draw an Elf Directed Drawing
- Craft #3: Christmas Hat Craft (“During Christmas I Like To…”)
- Craft #4: “If I Were Santa Claus…” Writing Topper Craft
- Craft #5: Reindeer Paper Craft
- Craft #6: 3D Gingerbread House Craft
- Craft #7: Disguise a Gingerbread Man Craft
- Classroom Resources For The Holidays
- More Holiday Ideas for the Classroom
When to Use Christmas Crafts and Activities
December in the classroom can be magical, but it can also be a little wild. That’s where Christmas crafts and activities come to the rescue! These festive projects aren’t just cute! They’re purposeful ways to keep students learning and focused when excitement levels are sky-high.
Use Christmas classroom activities during morning work, literacy or math centers, or as early finisher options to keep transitions smooth and structured. They’re perfect for themed days like “Holiday Fun Friday,” your school’s Christmas celebration, or that final week before break when routines need a little extra.
You can also incorporate these Christmas crafts for elementary students into writing lessons, art sessions, or social-emotional discussions about kindness and giving. And if you’re teaching younger learners, these Christmas activities for kindergarten make excellent hands-on opportunities to practice fine motor skills, follow directions, and express creativity.
Christmas Crafts for Kids: Step-by-Step Ideas
Each of these projects is included in the Christmas Craft Pack and designed to be simple to prep, meaningful to complete, and beautiful to display. These holiday crafts for the classroom are perfect for combining writing, art, and seasonal fun while keeping students engaged during the busy pre-holiday weeks. You can easily use them as independent centers, small-group activities, or whole-class lessons.
Craft #1: My Elf Application Craft
The Elf Application Craft is a fun and imaginative way for students to showcase their personalities and writing skills while pretending to apply for a job at the North Pole! This activity allows kids to think creatively about what makes a great helper for Santa. It’s one of those Christmas writing crafts that helps build descriptive language, sentence structure, and confidence, all while keeping the holiday spirit alive.
Materials Needed:
- Elf application printable
- Elf topper template
- Crayons, scissors, glue, markers
Steps to Create:
- Discuss what elves do at the North Pole: building toys, wrapping gifts, and spreading cheer.
- Students fill out their “Elf Application” to describe why they’d be a great helper.
- Color, cut, and glue the elf topper above the writing page.
- Display completed crafts with a “Now Hiring: Santa’s Helpers!” bulletin board.
Teaching Tip:
Pair with a read-aloud like How to Catch an Elf or Elf on the Shelf. It’s a fun way to assess writing skills disguised as holiday excitement.
When to Use:
Perfect for a literacy block, a writing center, or as a creative writing activity before winter break. It also works well for morning work or sub plans when you need a calm but engaging holiday craft for the classroom.
Craft #2: How to Draw an Elf Directed Drawing
This How to Draw an Elf Directed Drawing is a calm, confidence-building activity that teaches students to follow directions and focus on detail. Step-by-step drawings are perfect for helping young learners develop spatial awareness and visual sequencing, plus they make adorable hallway displays! Whether used for morning work or a festive art class, this is one of those Christmas crafts for elementary students that feels both creative and purposeful.
Materials Needed:
- “How to Draw an Elf” printable
- Pencil, crayons, colored pencils
- Optional: display paper or holiday background
Steps to Create:
- Model each step on the board while students follow along.
- Encourage personal touches, such as different outfits, expressions, or accessories.
- Outline with a black marker and color in the final drawing.
- Display on a bulletin board with the caption “Our Elves Are Ready for the Holidays!”
Teaching Tip:
Use as a mindfulness activity during the hectic days leading up to break. Students stay engaged as they express themselves through art.
When to Use:
Great for early finishers, morning work, or fun Friday art lessons. It also makes a great station during Christmas classroom activities week or a cozy December afternoon.
Craft #3: Christmas Hat Craft (“During Christmas I Like To…”)
This adorable Christmas Hat Craft combines art and self-expression! Kids create crown-style hats that highlight their favorite holiday traditions and activities.
It’s a fun way for kids to share about their families and experiences while also working on fine motor skills and vocabulary. These wearable Christmas activities for kids are always a classroom favorite; students love showing off their creations!
Materials Needed:
- Christmas hat printable and picture cards
- Crayons, scissors, glue, stapler, or tape
Steps to Create:
- Discuss common holiday traditions (baking cookies, decorating the tree, caroling, etc.).
- Students choose and color four favorite activities or draw their own.
- Cut and glue the images onto the band and add the “During Christmas, I Like To…” topper.
- Fit around each student’s head and staple to make a wearable holiday hat.
Teaching Tip:
This is a wonderful speaking and sharing activity. Have students present their hats to the class and practice using complete sentences.
When to Use:
Perfect for morning meetings, holiday celebration days, or a Christmas Around the World unit. You can even use it during your classroom holiday party for a creative break from traditional games.
Craft #4: “If I Were Santa Claus…” Writing Topper Craft
Get ready for giggles and creativity with the If I Were Santa Claus Writing Craft. This project invites students to imagine what they’d do if they took over Santa’s job for a day: fly by helicopter, deliver pizza instead of toys, or give every kid a puppy! It’s one of those Christmas writing crafts that inspires imagination while practicing writing structure and sequencing.
Materials Needed:
- Santa topper craft and writing paper
- Crayons, scissors, glue, pencils
Steps to Create:
- Introduce the writing prompt and brainstorm ideas together.
- Have students write 3–5 sentences describing their plan as Santa.
- Draw and decorate their sleigh, reindeer, or holiday scene.
- Attach the Santa topper and display as “If We Were Santa…”
Teaching Tip:
Integrate this craft with lessons on sequencing, persuasive writing, or creative expression. It’s a great way to see how far your students’ imaginations can go!
When to Use:
Perfect for writing centers, holiday rotations, or a creative literacy lesson before break. Display their work in a festive hallway showcase for everyone to enjoy.
Craft #5: Reindeer Paper Craft
Simple, sweet, and perfect for all ages, this Reindeer Paper Craft adds instant cheer to your décor. Kids love assembling their reindeer while practicing fine motor skills and following multi-step directions. This is one of those holiday crafts that’s easy to prep and makes a great holiday gift.
Materials Needed:
- Reindeer craft templates
- Brown, red, and white paper
- Glue stick, scissors, large googly eyes (optional), bows or pom-poms
Steps to Create:
- Print and trace reindeer parts on colored paper.
- Cut, glue, and assemble to create the reindeer’s face.
- Add accessories like bows, glitter, or a shiny red nose.
- Display on lockers or bulletin boards.
Teaching Tip:
Incorporate a quick math tie-in by having students count or measure shapes used to build their reindeer.
When to Use:
Great for an afternoon art activity, a fine-motor center, or an easy Christmas craft for kids before break when attention spans are short. Reindeer directed drawing is also fun for a holiday activity!
Craft #6: 3D Gingerbread House Craft
Take your paper crafts to the next level with this 3D Gingerbread House Craft! Students love building their own little paper houses and decorating them with zero mess. It’s the perfect blend of art and STEM, a creative way to explore structure, design, and spatial awareness while celebrating the holiday season.
Materials Needed:
- 3D gingerbread house template
- Coloring tools, glue, scissors
- Optional: stickers, sequins, cotton balls for “snow”
Steps to Create:
- Color the gingerbread house template before cutting.
- Cut along the dotted lines.
- Fold and glue the tabs to create a 3D structure.
- Decorate and display as part of a “Gingerbread Village.”
Teaching Tip:
Pair with a STEM lesson on 3D shapes or a literacy activity like The Gingerbread Man.
When to Use:
Ideal for a STEM or art center, or for decorating your classroom with a festive village display. Students love taking these home as keepsakes!
Craft #7: Disguise a Gingerbread Man Craft
The Disguise a Gingerbread Man Craft is a creative twist on a holiday favorite. Students imagine that their gingerbread character doesn’t want to be eaten, so they must design a clever disguise! This craft combines art and writing, encouraging imagination, humor, and storytelling. It’s one of the most loved Christmas crafts for elementary students because it blends fun and literacy so seamlessly.
Materials Needed:
- Gingerbread template
- Writing pages (“Don’t eat me!” and “The Gingerbread Man should disguise himself as…”)
- Crayons, scissors, glue, craft materials (yarn, paper, fabric)
Steps to Create:
- Read a gingerbread story such as The Gingerbread Man or Catch That Cookie!
- Brainstorm disguise ideas like a superhero, snowman, reindeer, or even a Christmas tree!
- Design and decorate the disguised gingerbread character.
- Write about the disguise using the provided writing pages.
Teaching Tip:
Create a “Gingerbread Gallery” wall to showcase all of your students’ clever designs and writing pieces.
When to Use:
Perfect for a December writing station, art center, or reading extension activity. Use it during a gingerbread story week or holiday literacy rotation to tie reading and art together. Pair it with other gingerbread activities for a week of fun!
These Christmas crafts for kids are more than just decorations; they’re opportunities for writing, fine-motor practice, and classroom community-building. From Christmas writing crafts to STEM-inspired activities, your students will be fully engaged as they celebrate the holiday season in meaningful ways.
Classroom Resources For The Holidays
Free Elf Drawing & Activities
Try some holiday crafts in your classroom with this FREE Christmas Elf Drawing & Activities resource!
Click the image below to grab a copy.
Christmas Craft Pack
Bring the holiday spirit to your classroom with the Christmas Craft Pack by Proud to Be Primary! This festive collection is filled with printable Christmas crafts for kids, creative writing prompts, and hands-on holiday activities that make learning merry and bright.
Keep December lessons fun, meaningful, and easy to prep with everything you need in one cheerful bundle. Grab your Christmas Craft Pack today and make this season the most magical one yet!
If you like this resource, you’ll love my Christmas Fun Pack, New Year’s Fun Pack & Valentine’s Day Fun Pack!
More Holiday Ideas for the Classroom
Valentine’s Day Classroom Activities
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