Artisan For A Day: Seven seasonal crafts for kids

When it comes to holiday fun, nothing beats an old-school crafting session. Whether your kids are bursting with creativity or just looking for something to do on a chilly afternoon, crafting always brings a little extra sparkle to the season.

From handmade gifts to clever wrapping ideas, here are some holiday crafts that are as practical as they are playful.

Sock Snowmen

White tube socks make sweet no-sew snowmen. Fill a clean sock with rice or dry beans and tie off sections with elastic bands to form the body and head. Decorate with markers, and glue on buttons and scraps of fabric for scarves and hats. Add a few drops of essential oil to the rice and these snowmen double as seasonal air fresheners.

Pinecone Reindeer

Next time you’re out for a walk, gather a few pinecones. Add googly eyes, a red pom-pom nose, and pipe cleaners for antlers. Kids can make a whole reindeer crew to sit on the mantel or hang from the tree. Add a name tag and they become charming homemade place cards for the holiday dinner table.

Jar Candle Holders

Recycling bin full of glass jars? Great! Wash and dry them, then have kids decorate with tissue paper, Mod Podge, and a bit of ribbon. Slip in a battery operated tea light and bask in the glow of this handmade gift. This one’s not just pretty, it’s upcycling at its sparkliest.

Homemade Snow Globe

Empty jars also make lovely wintry scenes. Glue a small toy to the inside of the jar lid and let it dry. Fill the jar with water, add glitter, and a few drops of glycerin to slow the sparkle. Screw the lid on tight, give it a shake, and enjoy your whimsical snow globe!

Cinnamon Stick Star Ornaments

These crafts smell amazing and double as natural air fresheners. Glue five cinnamon sticks into a star shape. Wrap twine around the joints for support and hang with ribbon. Decorate with small buttons or dried orange slices for an old-fashioned touch.

Handprint Ornaments

Trace your child’s hand on cardboard or felt and cut out 10 to 15 handprints. Glue them in layers around a cardboard ring to form a wreath. Add red paper “berries,” a bow, or even a photo in the centre. Add the year and their name to create the cutest crafted keepsake.

DIY Wrapping Paper and Gift Bags

Store-bought wrapping paper and gift bags are definitely convenient, but if you’ve got a little extra time and creative energy, try making your own! DIY gift wrap is fun and totally one-of-a-kind.

Wrapping Paper: Spread out plain brown paper or the back side of old paper grocery bags. Use cookie cutters dipped in paint to stamp on trees, stars, or snowflakes. Optional: Add a little glitter.
Gift Bags: Take any plain paper bag and add ribbon handles, stickers, or hand-drawn snowmen. Potato stamping is another fun way to add colour and personality. Just carve a simple shape into half a potato, dip in paint, and stamp away.

Friendship Craft Night

Invite friends over for a festive “crafternoon.” Set up a table with supplies, old magazines, jars, ribbon, and fabric scraps. Provide examples for what to make or let them create whatever holiday masterpiece comes to mind! It’s social, screen-free, and everyone goes home with something handmade… and probably some glitter in their hair.