Children's Homemade Ornaments
Children's homemade ornaments are the ones that stay on the tree for decades — lopsided, glittery, perfect. These 7 keepsake crafts for ages 2–8 use simple materials and end with gift-ready finishing touches.
What are the easiest homemade ornaments?
Start with these four — simple enough for toddlers, charming enough for grandparents' trees.
1. Salt Dough Handprints (Ages 2–8 · Prep: 10 min · Mess: medium) What it is: the ultimate keepsake — a little hand preserved in dough. Materials: 1 cup flour, ½ cup salt, ½ cup water, ribbon, paint. Steps: 1) Mix and roll the dough. 2) Press your child's hand in. 3) Poke a hanging hole; bake low until hard (adult job). 4) Paint, date, and hang. Safety: adults handle the oven; raw dough isn't for eating (very salty).
2. Cinnamon Stick Stars (Ages 4–8 · Prep: 10 min · Mess: low) What it is: rustic stars from cinnamon sticks — they smell amazing. Materials: cinnamon sticks, glue gun (adult) or craft glue, ribbon. Steps: 1) Arrange 5 sticks into a star. 2) An adult glues joints. 3) Tie ribbon for hanging. 4) Add a dried orange slice if you like. Safety: adults handle glue guns; craft glue needs drying time — plan ahead.
3. Photo Baubles (Ages 2–8 · Prep: 10 min · Mess: low) What it is: clear baubles filled with tiny photos and tinsel. Materials: clear plastic baubles, small printed photos, tinsel, ribbon. Steps: 1) Open the bauble. 2) Curl a photo inside. 3) Add tinsel. 4) Close and hang with ribbon. Safety: plastic baubles only (no glass) with kids around; small photos, not small objects, for toddlers.
4. Popsicle Stick Sleds (Ages 4–8 · Prep: 15 min · Mess: low) What it is: miniature sleds from craft sticks — adorable on any tree. Materials: craft sticks, glue, paint, ribbon, cotton balls. Steps: 1) Glue sticks into a sled shape. 2) Paint and let dry. 3) Add cotton-ball "snow." 4) Tie ribbon for hanging. Safety: washable paint; keep small decorations from toddlers.
What ornaments make the best gifts?
These three are gift-grade — the kind grandparents display proudly.
5. Fingerprint Wreath Ornament (Ages 2–6 · Prep: 10 min · Mess: medium) What it is: a clear bauble or disc ringed with tiny fingerprint "holly." Materials: a clear disc ornament or bauble, green and red washable paint. Steps: 1) Fingerprint green leaves around the ornament. 2) Add red fingerprint berries. 3) Let dry completely. 4) Date the back. Safety: washable paint only; handle wet ornaments carefully.
6. Dried Orange Slices (Ages 6–8 · Prep: 10 min + drying · Mess: low) What it is: translucent amber slices — stunning and fragrant. Materials: oranges, an oven, ribbon, cloves (optional). Steps: 1) An adult slices oranges thinly. 2) Dry low in the oven for hours. 3) Cool completely. 4) Thread ribbon and hang. Safety: adults handle all oven work and slicing; older kids thread and hang.
7. Keepsake Memory Bauble (Ages 3–8 · Prep: 10 min · Mess: low) What it is: a bauble holding one tiny treasure from this year. Materials: a clear bauble, a small keepsake (ticket stub, shell, note). Steps: 1) Choose this year's treasure together. 2) Place it inside. 3) Add the year on ribbon. 4) Hang and tell its story. Safety: keepsakes must be larger than a toilet-paper tube for under-3s.
How do we gift homemade ornaments beautifully?
Presentation elevates everything: nestle each ornament in tissue in a small box, add a handwritten tag with the child's name and year, and include a note about the making. Grandparents consistently rank these as their favorite gifts — the data point is every family's tree. Our Christmas collection has more giftable crafts.
Frequently asked questions
What homemade ornaments are safe for toddlers?
Salt dough handprints (made by you), photo baubles (plastic), and popsicle stick sleds (decorated by them) all work — just keep small parts away and supervise. Avoid glass baubles and tiny decorations with under-3s.
How long do salt dough ornaments last?
Years — even decades — if fully dried and stored dry. Seal with varnish or Mod Podge for extra longevity. The enemy is moisture: store with silica packets in sealed boxes.
Can kids make ornaments as gifts?
Absolutely — they're ideal gifts: personal, inexpensive, and cherished. Make a batch assembly-line style, and let kids choose which grandparent gets which. The choosing is part of the gift.
When should we make Christmas ornaments?
Late November through mid-December gives drying and painting time without rushing. Salt dough needs a full bake-and-dry cycle; start those first, then do quicker crafts closer to Christmas.
How do I store homemade ornaments?
Individually wrapped in tissue, in rigid boxes, in a dry spot. Label boxes by year — future you will be grateful. Salt dough especially hates damp attics; keep them inside the house.
More holiday crafts: Christmas collection — and DIY ornaments.