I wrote this post last year at this time, and it is one of my very favourite crafts for Christmas time, so I thought I would share it again! Hope you don’t mind—and hope even more that it is helpful!
Before we get into it, you’ll also want to grab this FREE Christmas Countdown Calendar & Activity Pack! The calendar has one simple holiday-themed learning activity to enjoy with your little one each day leading up to Christmas—and the activity pages are perfect to pull out a Christmas get-together or during quiet time! Get yours right here:
This craft is dedicated to anyone who decided to craft with multiple young children—the bravest among the brave. Here is a simple paper plate Christmas craft for kids that will allow you to maintain your sanity—I promise!
When I taught Kindergarten, I would do this craft with all of my students at the same time. And at home, I did it with a preschooler and baby without even breaking a sweat. Best of all, this cute paper plate Christmas craft for kids can be adjusted so you can use whatever you have on hand—and you can add in tons of learning too!
I find sometimes it is the simplest of simple activities that are the best. For adults and wee ones! Sammy took to this craft like a magnet—and has so far made ten paper plate Christmas ornaments (our tree looks splendid!). It reminds me of how he took to our Halloween ghosts… and these ghosts, too.
For this paper plate Christmas craft for kids, you will need:
- paper plates (or cardboard cut in circles)
- pipe cleaners (for hanging on the tree)
- anything to decorate with (paint, markers, crayons, stickers, scraps of paper or fabric with glue, anything!)
The process is fun and creative for kids—they simply decorate the paper plate! Depending on what you would like to get from the craft, you could introduce patterns, different textures, or techniques for painting, letters, or numbers.
I gave Sammy some paint and a Q-tip for painting. I like him using a Q-tip because it really helps with his fine motor skills and pencil grip. It also prevents a lot of mess because the Q-tip only holds a little paint!
For Benjamin, who just turned one, we practiced using stickers and stuck them onto the paper plate. Ben loves being a part of crafts! I also gave him some crayons to practice making marks on the Christmas ornament. He is still about 90% eating the crayons, so it didn’t last too long! Then I got out some apple sauce, and he did some finger painting (and tasting) using a Q-tip, just like Sammy.
When the paper plate Christmas ornaments were dry, I poked two holes in the top, and Sammy and I threaded pipe cleaners through so they could hang on our Christmas tree.
This paper plate Christmas craft for kids is great for all ages. Older kids can add details or make complex pictures or patterns, and younger kids can decorate any way they choose. A perfect open-ended Christmas activity!
Thank you so much for reading, my friend!
xo
Sarah
love a simple craft! The kids do too!