28 DIY Ornaments For Kids 2026

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Looking for fun, easy crafts your kids will actually enjoy making? DIY ornaments are perfect for keeping little hands busy while creating decorations you can proudly hang year after year. 

From simple paper projects to colorful keepsakes, these crafts are designed to be kid-friendly, creative, and stress-free. 

In this article, I’m going to share 28 DIY ornament ideas for kids that are easy to make and full of fun.

Paper Globes

This ornament gives kids the snow globe look without glass or water. Use paper plates, drawings, cotton snow, and clear plastic sheets. 

Kids design a winter scene inside and seal it. Add string for hanging. It’s safe, mess-free, and perfect for classroom or home crafting sessions.

Dough Stars

Salt dough stars let kids enjoy a hands-on craft from start to finish. Mix flour, salt, and water, then roll and cut star shapes. 

After drying or baking, kids paint and decorate them. These ornaments feel extra special because children create both the material and the design.

Pom Reindeer

This cute ornament uses brown pom-poms for the body, googly eyes, and a red nose. Pipe cleaners work well for antlers. Kids glue everything together and add a ribbon loop. 

It’s quick, playful, and helps build fine motor skills while creating a tree-ready decoration.

Button Wreaths

Button wreaths are colorful and easy for kids to personalize. Cut a cardboard ring, then glue buttons around the circle. Mixing sizes and colors makes each piece unique. 

Finish with a ribbon bow at the top. This project encourages creativity using simple, everyday craft supplies.

Stick Angels

This ornament turns simple craft sticks into sweet angel decorations. Kids glue sticks into a cross shape, then add paper wings, yarn hair, and a drawn face. 

Paint or markers help personalize each angel. Finish with a ribbon loop for hanging. It’s a gentle, creative craft that works well for younger kids.

Felt Mittens

Felt mittens are soft, colorful, and easy for kids to assemble. Cut mitten shapes from felt and let kids decorate them with stickers, buttons, or fabric scraps. 

Glue two pieces together and add a string at the top. This ornament is great for practicing design while keeping the project simple and safe.

Cinnamon Shapes

Cinnamon ornaments combine crafting with a cozy holiday scent. Kids mix applesauce and cinnamon to form dough, then cut shapes using cookie cutters. 

Once dried, the ornaments become firm and fragrant. Add a hole for string before drying. These ornaments smell amazing and make the tree feel extra special.

Bead Canes

Bead candy canes are perfect for kids who enjoy threading activities. Use red and white beads on pipe cleaners to form candy cane shapes. 

Twist the ends to secure the beads and add a ribbon loop. This craft improves hand-eye coordination and creates a bright, classic ornament kids love showing off.

Handprint Santas

This ornament turns kids’ handprints into fun Santa designs. Paint a handprint in white and red on paper or cardboard, then add a face using markers or cotton. 

Once dry, cut it out and attach string. It becomes a keepsake parents love because it captures kids’ hands at that moment.

Yarn Balls

Yarn ball ornaments are simple and colorful. Kids wrap yarn around small cardboard circles or foam balls until fully covered. Mixing colors adds texture and personality. 

Tie off the yarn and add a hanging loop. This craft helps build patience while creating a soft, lightweight tree decoration.

Foam Cookies

Foam cookie ornaments let kids decorate without mess. Cut cookie shapes from craft foam and let kids add foam stickers, glitter glue, or markers. 

Punch a hole at the top and add string. These ornaments are durable, bright, and perfect for younger kids who love decorating freely.

Acorn Crafts

Nature-inspired acorn ornaments bring the outdoors inside. Kids can paint collected acorns, add glitter, or glue small faces on them. Attach string or ribbon for hanging. 

This craft works great after a nature walk and teaches kids to turn simple natural items into decorations.

Cleaner Trees

Pipe cleaner trees are quick and flexible for kids to shape. Wrap green pipe cleaners into cone shapes, then decorate with beads or small pom-poms. 

Twist the bottom to secure. These ornaments are lightweight, easy to hang, and perfect for kids who enjoy bending and shaping materials.

Plate Penguins

Paper plate penguins are fun and expressive. Kids paint plates black and white, then add paper eyes, beaks, and scarves. 

Cut the plate in half or keep it whole depending on size. Add a hanging string at the top. This craft is playful and great for winter-themed decorating.

Thumb Prints

Thumbprint ornaments are small, personal, and meaningful. Kids press painted thumbs onto clay or cardboard to create tiny shapes like snowmen or animals. 

Once dry, they add faces with markers. Punch a hole for string. These ornaments make lovely keepsakes for parents and grandparents.

Jingle Bugs

Jingle bug ornaments use small jingle bells as the body. Kids glue googly eyes, pipe cleaner legs, and antennae onto the bells. 

Add a string loop at the top. When hung, they jingle softly, making the tree more interactive and fun for children.

Filter Snowflakes

Coffee filter snowflakes are easy and magical for kids. Fold coffee filters and let kids cut small shapes around the edges. 

When opened, each snowflake looks different. Kids can leave them white or lightly paint them. Add string for hanging. This craft is simple, budget-friendly, and great for group activities.

Cardboard Rockets

Cardboard rocket ornaments are perfect for kids who love space themes. Cut rocket shapes from cardboard and let kids paint or color them. 

Add foil paper for shine and stickers for details. Punch a hole and attach a string. This idea adds creativity beyond holiday themes and keeps kids excited.

Sponge Orbs

Sponge-painted ornaments are fun and mess-friendly. Cut circle shapes from thick paper or cardboard. Kids dip sponges into paint and dab patterns onto the circles. 

Once dry, punch a hole and add string. This craft focuses on texture and color rather than perfect shapes.

Emoji Faces

Emoji face ornaments let kids express emotions creatively. Cut circle shapes from felt or foam and let kids design faces using markers, felt pieces, or stickers. 

Each emoji can show a different feeling. Add a hanging loop. This ornament is modern, playful, and great for self-expression.

Spoon Elves

Wooden spoon elves turn simple utensils into fun characters. Kids paint the spoon handle as clothing and draw a face on the top. 

Felt or paper hats complete the look. Add yarn hair if desired. Attach string to hang. This craft encourages imaginative play and creates ornaments full of personality.

Carton Owls

Egg carton owls are great for recycling materials. Cut individual cups from an egg carton and let kids paint them. Add paper wings, googly eyes, and small beaks. 

Once dry, attach a hanging string. These owls look cute on a tree and teach kids creative reuse.

Tassel Ornaments

Tassel ornaments are simple and colorful. Kids wrap yarn around cardboard, tie it off, and cut the loops to form a tassel. Mixing yarn colors adds variety. 

Add beads on top and a string loop. This craft is calming and helps kids practice basic wrapping skills.

Pasta Shapes

Pasta ornaments let kids explore patterns and textures. Use uncooked pasta shapes glued onto cardboard or threaded onto string. Kids can paint the pasta once dry. 

These ornaments feel unique and allow kids to experiment with shape and design using everyday kitchen items.

Cup Snowmen

Paper cup snowmen are easy and fun for kids. Turn small paper cups upside down and paint them white. Add drawn eyes, a carrot nose, and paper scarves. 

Once dry, punch a hole and attach string. These snowmen look cheerful and work well for both home and classroom crafts.

Crayon Discs

Crayon melt ornaments create colorful results kids love. Break old crayons into pieces and place them between parchment paper or inside clear molds. 

With adult help, gently melt them. Once cooled, punch a hole and add string. Each disc turns out different, making every ornament unique.

Fabric Hearts

Fabric heart ornaments use scrap fabric in a creative way. Cut heart shapes and let kids decorate them with markers, buttons, or stickers. 

Glue two pieces together and add string. These soft ornaments feel special and are great for teaching kids about reuse and creativity.

Chalk Tags

Mini chalkboard ornaments are simple and reusable. Cut small tag shapes from chalkboard paper or paint cardboard with chalk paint. 

Kids write names, drawings, or messages using chalk. Add a string loop. These ornaments can be changed every year, making them fun and interactive.