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The short answer: the best Christmas crafts for a classroom use cheap supplies (paper, paper plates, craft sticks, glue sticks), can be finished in one lesson, and end with something children are proud to take home. Paper plate wreaths, handprint reindeer and keepsake ornaments are the classics for a reason.
I work in an elementary classroom, and these are the Christmas crafts that actually run well with 25 children and one adult in the busy weeks before winter break. Each one has a short supply list, and most work from kindergarten to fifth grade with small changes.
Stock up on these five and you can run almost every craft below (we earn a small commission if you buy, at no cost to you):
- Crayola construction paper bulk pack: reds, greens, browns and white cover nearly everything here.
- Elmer’s disappearing purple glue sticks: goes on purple so children can see where they glued, dries clear.
- white paper plates: the base for wreaths, Santas, snowmen and angels.
- colored craft sticks: snowflakes, sleds, frames and trees.
- craft pom poms: instant ornaments, noses and snowballs.
SaveFree printable
Free Dear Santa and Dear Winter Letters
Letter pages at two levels (K to 1 and 2 to 5), fold-up envelopes and a 2 minute calm moment to start. A cozy December writing lesson.
Free download. You will also get a couple of follow-up emails with classroom ideas. Unsubscribe anytime.
Before you start: a 2 minute setup tip
Pre-cut the tricky shapes (circles, trunks, antlers) during a quiet moment, and put each table’s supplies in one tray. Write names on the back of every craft before glue goes anywhere. December crafts go from chaos to calm when nobody is waiting for the scissors or hunting for their work.
Wreaths and trees
1. Paper plate wreath
SaveCut out the middle of a paper plate and let children glue on torn green paper, then add a red bow and a few pom pom berries. It is the easiest whole class Christmas craft there is.
You need: paper plates, green and red construction paper, red pom poms, glue sticks.
2. Handprint wreath
SaveChildren trace and cut out six to eight green handprints and glue them in a ring. Add a bow and the year, and families keep it for years.
You need: green construction paper, a paper plate ring as a base, a red bow.
3. Craft stick Christmas tree
SaveGlue green craft sticks in a triangle stack and decorate with pom poms and a yellow paper star. Glue a magnet on the back and it goes straight on the fridge.
You need: colored craft sticks, pom poms, a paper star, glue.
4. Paper strip tree
SaveStrips of green paper in different lengths, glued shortest at the top, make a tidy 3D tree. Great for practicing measuring with older grades.
You need: green paper strips, a brown trunk, a sheet of card.
5. Torn paper mosaic tree
SaveChildren tear green paper into small pieces and fill in a tree outline. It is calm, quiet and good for fine motor skills.
You need: a tree outline, green and colored scraps, glue sticks.
Reindeer, Santa and friends
6. Handprint reindeer
SaveBrown paper handprints become antlers on a paper bag or paper plate reindeer face. A red pom pom nose finishes it off.
You need: brown construction paper, googly eyes, a red pom pom.
7. Clothespin reindeer
SaveTwo clothespins glued back to back make antlers, a third makes the face. Add eyes and a nose and they clip onto anything.
You need: mini wooden clothespins, googly eyes, mini red pom poms.
8. Paper plate Santa
SaveCotton balls or torn white paper make the beard, red paper makes the hat. Simple, cheerful and a favorite with kindergarten.
You need: paper plates, red paper, cotton balls or white paper scraps.
9. Snowman from paper plates
SaveTwo or three paper plates stacked and stapled make a big snowman. Add a felt scarf and paper buttons.
You need: paper plates, felt sheets for the scarf, black paper.
10. Penguin from a paper cup
SavePaint a paper cup black, add a white tummy, eyes and a felt hat. Perfect for a winter animals unit too.
You need: paper cups, washable paint, white paper, felt.
Ornaments to take home
11. Keepsake wood slice ornament
SaveChildren paint or draw on a wood slice and add the year on the back. Families treasure these, and they are fine for little hands.
You need: wood slice ornaments, paint pens or markers, ribbon.
12. Fillable clear ornament
SaveChildren fill a clear ornament with paper confetti, tiny pom poms or a rolled up note. Quick, cheap and very pretty on a tree.
You need: clear fillable ornaments, pom poms, shredded paper.
13. Salt dough star
SaveMake the dough in class, cut stars, bake at home or in the staff room, then paint next lesson.
You need: flour, salt, water, a star cutter, paint.
From the Shinku shop
A Christmas party that stays calm
The Calm Christmas Party Pack has picture bingo with 30 different cards, would you rather cards, 40 gift tags and a simple 60 minute plan, so the party stays fun without tipping into chaos.
14. Pipe cleaner candy canes
SaveTwist red and white pipe cleaners together and bend into a hook. Great for counting and pattern work with younger grades.
You need: red and white pipe cleaners.
15. Beaded snowflake
SaveThread beads onto pipe cleaner crosses to make sparkly snowflakes. They look great hanging in the classroom window.
You need: pipe cleaners and pony beads.
Paper crafts with no mess
16. Paper chain countdown
SaveEach child makes a paper chain and tears off one link a day until winter break. Write a kind job on every link.
You need: red and green paper strips, glue sticks or a stapler.
17. Folded paper star
SaveTwo strips of paper woven and folded make a 3D star. Best for third grade and up.
You need: paper strips in gold, white and red.
18. Paper snowflakes
SaveThe classic. Show a few folding styles and let children cut their own. Hang them on string across the room.
You need: thin white paper and safety scissors.
19. Christmas card with a pop-up tree
SaveA simple folded tab makes a tree pop up inside a card. Children write a message to their family.
You need: card stock, green paper, glue sticks.
20. Foam sticker gingerbread
SaveBrown paper gingerbread shapes decorated with foam stickers. No glue, no mess, perfect for the last day before break.
You need: brown paper and Christmas foam stickers.
Bigger projects for older grades
21. Yarn wrapped tree
SaveWrap green yarn around a cardboard triangle and add button or pom pom ornaments. Calming, and good for fine motor skills.
You need: cardboard triangles and green yarn.
22. Felt mitten garland
SaveChildren cut two felt mittens and decorate one with a pattern. Peg them all on a line for a class garland.
You need: felt sheets, mini clothespins, string.
23. Craft stick sled
SaveGlue craft sticks into a little sled shape and add a ribbon. They make lovely tree ornaments.
You need: craft sticks, ribbon, glue.
24. Paper lantern
SaveFold and cut paper into a lantern, then hang them across the classroom. Older children can make a full chain.
You need: colored paper, scissors, a stapler.
25. Recycled jar snow globe
SaveGlue a small paper or clay figure inside a jar lid and fill with water and glitter. Do the filling yourself and glue the lid shut.
You need: small jars, glitter, waterproof glue.
26. Class Christmas quilt
SaveEvery child decorates one paper square, and you join them into one big class quilt for the door or wall.
You need: paper squares, markers, tape.
How to run Christmas crafts with a whole class
Pick one craft per lesson, show a finished example first, and have every table follow the same steps together. Use glue sticks rather than liquid glue for the youngest children, keep glitter to one table, and have a “finished early” job ready, like coloring a card for the class tree. Ten minutes of cleanup time at the end saves your evening, and a box for each child’s work stops crafts getting lost before winter break.
Christmas crafts for every grade
Kindergarten and first grade do best with tearing, gluing and stickers: paper plate wreaths, handprint reindeer and foam sticker gingerbread. Second and third grade can manage cutting and simple folding, so try paper strip trees and pipe cleaner snowflakes. Fourth and fifth grade love a challenge, so give them folded paper stars, paper lanterns and yarn wrapped trees.
Classroom craft supplies on Amazon
Christmas craft kits on Amazon
Keep reading
- 20 DIY classroom Christmas decorations made from paper
- 24 Christmas classroom party ideas that aren’t total chaos
- 25 Christmas classroom treats and party crafts, all nut free
- Teacher Christmas gifts
Frequently asked questions
Paper plate wreaths, handprint reindeer, foam sticker gingerbread and torn paper trees work well because they use simple shapes, glue sticks and stickers and can be finished in one sitting.
Choose crafts with one shared supply list and simple steps, such as paper plate wreaths, craft stick trees or paper chain countdowns. Prep the tricky cutting ahead of time and put supplies in a tray on each table.
Aim for 30 to 45 minutes including cleanup. Anything longer is best split across two lessons, with painting or drying in between.
Paper plates, construction paper, craft sticks, cotton balls and pipe cleaners cover most crafts on this list for very little money per child.
Handprint wreaths, wood slice ornaments and salt dough stars are the ones families keep. Write the child’s name and the year on the back.
About the author: Shinku Studio is written by someone who works in an elementary classroom every day. These are crafts that run well with real classes, with the supply lists kept as short as possible.