The Christmas season is one of great anticipation for young children. While babies and toddlers don’t understand the meaning of Christmas or what traditions take place, young children usually can’t wait for Christmas morning.
Many parents also want to preserve the sweet memories of their children at this age with keepsake crafts, and Christmastime is the perfect opportunity to make special gifts and trinkets.
Unlike a baby or toddler who passively participates in crafting, young children are usually enthusiastic crafters who love to show their point of view with their art. Holiday crafts are also a great way to encourage fine motor skills.
How to Craft Safely with Young Children
Although young children are gaining dexterity every day, they are still unskilled crafters. Parents should always be fully present when their children are crafting. Here are a few safety tips for crafting with young children:
If possible, use crafting supplies that are meant for children, like washable markers or paint, kid-friendly scissors, nontoxic glue, etc.
Have your child wear a painting smock or old clothes to avoid damaging good clothing.
Never leave your child alone while they are crafting! Although your child may be responsible with crafting supplies, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Many cognizant children might taste craft supplies, cut too closely to their fingers, or rub craft supplies in their eyes on accident. Being fully present with your child not only keeps them safe but creates lasting memories.
Handprint Christmas Napkins and Towels
A precious and functional way to preserve your child’s handprint is by making Christmas-themed napkins and towels. Glued to My Crafts has lots of fun and unique ideas so you can give these as gifts to grandparents–but be sure to keep some for yourself!
Salt Dough Ornaments
Salt dough ornaments are a classic way to preserve your child’s handprint and artistic abilities. The Best Ideas for Kids has an excellent guide on making this easy dough and how to make Christmas-themed characters, like Santa, elves, and reindeer from your child’s handprint.
You can use the same recipe to make other ornament shapes. Use cookie cutters to make stars, Christmas trees, stockings, and other fun shapes that your children can paint and decorate however they choose.
Fingerprint Christmas Plate
Far from just hanging an ornament on a tree, a cute keepsake plate is an excellent way to share and display your child’s handprint, fingerprint, or footprint every year.
There are dozens of fun designs on the internet, so you and your child should pick what you like best. This fingerprint design is simple but sweet, and allows you to include multiple children’s fingerprints, if necessary. You can follow the directions found at Non-Toy Gifts.
Reindeer Thumbprint Ornaments
These easy keepsake items can be made from old ornaments that live at the bottom of your Christmas box. Simply use brown paint for your child’s thumbprint and a fine-tipped paintbrush or marker to add reindeer details, and you’ve got a keepsake ornament that will bring joy every holiday season. You can follow the directions at Amy Latta Creations.
Craft Stick Christmas Tree Photo Ornaments
These cute Christmas tree ornaments couldn’t be simpler, but they make darling keepsake gifts. Let your child paint craft sticks green and decorate them with glitter glue, small gems, or other craft supplies. Glue three of them together to make a triangle. Then cut out a favorite photo of your child (class pictures are another great way to make a keepsake gift!) and glue to the inside of the triangle. Glue a ribbon for hanging on the tree and you’ve got a simple but sweet keepsake ornament! You can find more details at Hello, Wonderful.
No matter which craft you choose to do this holiday season, you’ll never regret making them! We hope you enjoy the memories you make while doing these crafts.
