Introduction
DIY Christmas ornaments for toddlers are a simple way to turn a cold afternoon into a keepsake you will treasure for years. Toddlers love squishing dough, picking colors and sticking things together, and the results look charming on the tree. Because little hands put everything in their mouths, an adult needs to lead each project. In this guide, you’ll find seven craft ideas, from salt dough handprints and felt shapes to pressed flowers and popsicle sticks, plus safety tips for kids and pets.
DIY Gnome
Gather some wooden beads, yarn, glue, and miniature terracotta pots to make cute gnomes that can be hung from your Christmas tree branches.
Salk Shaker Ornaments
Turn your spare salt shakers into works of art with DIY ornament ideas. Simply fill in bottle brush trees in colors of your choice for a sophisticated décor for your Christmas tree.
Felt Ornaments
Did you know that you can turn those felt scraps into easy Christmas ornaments by cutting them into small shapes and stitching them together? Let your child decide on the color combination and supervise them as they string the pieces together using a soft plastic needle.
Felt shapes are gentle, colorful DIY Christmas ornaments for toddlers to design. Let your child choose the colors and arrange big pieces, while an adult does the cutting and sewing.
Salt Dough Handprint
If you are planning to make Christmas ornaments that can double up as precious memories of the time spent with your little ones, then you can try out salt dough ornaments. Simply prepare a salt dough and use your kid’s handprints to create fun shapes such as Santa Claus’s face. Finally, you can color it or ask your tiny tornadoes to showcase their creativity by coloring them. You can also use a cookie cutter to create evergreen shapes such as a Christmas tree which can serve as an evergreen Christmas décor.
Salt dough handprints are one of the most loved DIY Christmas ornaments for toddlers, because they keep a tiny hand size you can look at for years. An adult should handle the oven, because the dough is baked until dried. Let the ornaments cool and dry fully before your child paints them. Remember that salt dough is not food, so don’t let your toddler eat it.
Cinnamon stick
Searching for DIY ornament ideas that smell equally good? Try out a Cinnamon stick décor by tying small ribbons around the cinnamon stick and hanging it using a thread. You can top it off by gluing colorful buttons near the string.
Pressed Flower
Pressed flowers are beautiful DIY ornament ideas to try with your little ones. Pick up plants and flowers on your upcoming nature walk and make these ornaments using clear contact paper and recycled cardboard.
Popsicle stick
Glue together popsicle sticks of different sizes to create easy Christmas ornaments. These whimsical decorations can be completed using charming gold stars for imparting a rustic touch to your Christmas tree.
Popsicle stick stars are some of the simplest DIY Christmas ornaments for toddlers, since the sticks are large and easy to hold. An adult should do the gluing, and you can let your child decorate the finished star with paint.
Keep It Safe for Little Ones and Pets
Salt dough needs extra care. It is not food, and the ASPCA warns that the salt in salt dough can make dogs vomit and drink a lot of water, and that high sodium levels in the blood can cause seizures and, if untreated, death. It says to keep any salt dough, even ornaments that are years old, out of reach of pets, and that a pet who eats even a small amount could be in danger, so call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away. For small children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says to keep toys with small parts away from children younger than three. Treat beads and buttons the same way, use them only with an adult, and keep them away from children under three. Read more in the ASPCA’s holiday craft safety guide and the CPSC’s holiday safety page.
Conclusion
Making ornaments together turns a cold afternoon into a keepsake. Whether you choose salt dough handprints, felt shapes or popsicle stick stars, DIY Christmas ornaments for toddlers work best when an adult leads, the parts are big, and everything is kept away from pets. Pick one or two projects, take your time and enjoy the mess. For more ideas, see these Christmas tree ornament ideas.
