Five Fun Christmas Craft Ideas for the Early Years
The twinkling lights, the seasonal sandwiches, and the joyous Christmas music on the radio - it's that magical time of the year again! If you're a teacher or a parent of little ones, why not infuse the holiday spirit into your early years classroom or home with these five fun Christmas craft ideas?
From simple and mess-free to hands-on and festive, these crafts are sure to spark the creativity and excitement of the youngest learners.
1. Cotton Wool Father Christmas: Gather some cotton wool, red card, and googly eyes to create adorable Cotton Wool Father Christmas’. Little ones can glue cotton wool onto the paper to form his beard and hat, and then add eyes for a cute finishing touch. This craft not only enhances fine motor skills but also introduces young children to the joy of creating their own festive characters.
2. Snowman Handprint Ornaments: Capture the essence of winter with Snowman Handprint Ornaments. Assist children in dipping their hands in white paint and creating handprints on ornaments or paper. Once dry, add features like eyes, a carrot nose, and a smile using colouring pens. Finish by tying a ribbon for hanging. This craft is a sweet keepsake that parents will treasure for years to come.
3. Reindeer Headbands: Get into the holiday spirit with Reindeer Headbands. Cut out brown card antlers and glue them onto a simple band that fits around a child's head. Let the children decorate their headbands with googly eyes, red pom-pom noses, and jingle bells. It's a fun and festive way to encourage imaginative play while celebrating Rudolph and friends.
4. Paper Plate Wreaths: Transform ordinary paper plates into festive Paper Plate Wreaths. Provide green paint, stickers, and holiday-themed embellishments. Children can paint their plates green and then decorate them with colourful ornaments or stickers. Add a ribbon for hanging, and voilà—a beautiful and mess-free Christmas wreath that proudly showcases each child's unique creativity.
5. Father Christmas' Workshop Playdough Station: Set up Father Christmas’ Workshop Playdough Station for little hands to mold and create. Provide red and white playdough, along with small holiday-themed cookie cutters and festive add-ins like mini jingle bells. Let the children explore their creativity by making Christmas related items such as Father Christmas himself, presents, or Christmas trees. It's a sensory-rich activity that promotes fine motor skills and imaginative play.
Bring the magic of Christmas to life in the early years classroom or home with these delightful and age-appropriate craft ideas. From cotton wool Father Christmas’ to reindeer headbands, these activities are designed to engage and inspire the youngest learners, fostering a love for creativity and the joy of the holiday season. So empty the craft drawer and get creating!