19 Classroom Christmas Crafts Kids Will Love

Classroom Christmas crafts keep young hands busy and build simple skills. Most use paper, glue, and recycled bits from the supply closet. They work for a whole class or small groups. These nineteen classroom Christmas crafts suit a range of ages and skill levels. Prep the materials first so each child can start right away.

In this post: 19 ideas

Paper strip tree
Paper plate reindeer
Craft stick snowflake
Paper chain wreath
Tissue paper stained glass tree
Cupcake liner angel
Cardboard tube carolers
Salt dough star ornament
Handprint tree mural
Paper bag gingerbread house
Accordion paper elf
Woven paper stocking
Coffee filter snowflakes
Yarn wrapped cardboard tree
Egg carton bells
Cotton ball snow globe card
Paper cone Santa
Recycled carton winter village
Button tree collage

1. Paper strip tree

Classroom Christmas crafts, paper strip tree

Glue paper strips in rows that get shorter toward the top. The strips form a layered tree.

Add a star and a trunk. Let children pick two green shades. Cutting strips builds scissor skills.

2. Paper plate reindeer

Fold a paper plate in half and add antlers, eyes, and a red nose. Brown paint covers the plate.

Handprints make good antlers. Keep the glue simple. This suits younger classes.

3. Craft stick snowflake

Glue craft sticks into a six-arm snowflake. Add glitter glue or beads.

Let each one dry flat. Paint them white or blue. Hang them in the window.

4. Paper chain wreath

Loop red and green paper into a chain and bend it into a ring. Staple the ends.

Add a paper bow at the base. These classroom Christmas crafts build counting and patterns. Hang them on the door.

5. Tissue paper stained glass tree

Stick torn tissue paper onto a tree cut from clear contact paper. Press out the air bubbles.

Tape it to a window for light. Mix green shades. Keep the edges sealed.

6. Cupcake liner angel

Fold a cupcake liner into a skirt and add a bead head and paper wings. A pipe cleaner halo tops it.

White and gold read best. Keep the glue light. This one goes together fast.

7. Cardboard tube carolers

Wrap a cardboard tube in paper and add a face and a songbook. Draw open mouths singing.

Make a little group. Reuse paper towel tubes. Paint the coats in bright colors.

8. Salt dough star ornament

Roll salt dough, cut stars, and poke a hole for string. Bake them hard.

Paint and seal each one. These classroom Christmas crafts become take-home gifts. Add each child name on the back.

9. Handprint tree mural

Stamp green handprints into a large tree shape on butcher paper. Each child adds one print.

Add paper ornaments on top. Hang it in the hall. This works as one shared class piece.

10. Paper bag gingerbread house

Stuff a paper bag, fold the top into a roof, and decorate with paper candy. Draw on a door and windows.

Keep the glue spots small. Line them up for a village. Brown bags suit the look.

11. Accordion paper elf

Fold paper arms and legs accordion style and add a body and face. The folds make them bounce.

Use red and green paper. Keep the folds even. Hang them along a string.

12. Woven paper stocking

Cut slots in a folded stocking and weave paper strips through. Glue the ends down.

Mix two colors for a check. These classroom Christmas crafts build weaving skills. Add a paper loop to hang it.

13. Coffee filter snowflakes

Fold and cut coffee filters into snowflakes. Open them gently.

Spray a little color if you like. Press them flat in a book. Tape them to the window.

14. Yarn wrapped cardboard tree

Wrap green yarn around a cardboard tree shape. Tuck the end under the wraps.

Add bead ornaments. Keep the wraps snug. This builds fine motor skills.

15. Egg carton bells

Cut egg carton cups into bells and paint them gold. Add a bead clapper and a string.

Let the paint dry fully. Hang two or three together. Reuse cartons from the kitchen.

16. Cotton ball snow globe card

Glue cotton balls into a snowy scene inside a drawn globe on a card. Add a paper tree or house.

Fold the card to send home. These cards double as greetings. Keep the cotton layer thin.

17. Paper cone Santa

Roll paper into a cone and add a face, hat, and beard. Cotton makes a soft trim.

Stand it on a desk. Keep the cone seam glued. Red and white read clear.

18. Recycled carton winter village

Cover small cartons in paper and add roofs and windows. Group them into a village.

Add cotton snow around the base. Paint simple doors. This reuses milk cartons well.

19. Button tree collage

Glue buttons onto a paper tree as ornaments. Sort them by color first.

Add a paper star and trunk. These classroom Christmas crafts build sorting skills. Keep the buttons spaced evenly.

Running classroom Christmas crafts smoothly

Set up classroom Christmas crafts in stations so small groups rotate through. Pre-cut tricky shapes for younger children. Keep wipes and a drying rack close for busy sessions.

For more kid-friendly makes, see our Christmas collage ideas and Christmas doodle ideas. Working with dough? This salt dough guide helps, and our DIY Christmas ornament ideas suit older students.