How to Make Simple Christmas Ornaments With a Child

Children of all ages like to participate in holiday preparations whether that is mixing the pumpkin pie or cookie batter, decorating baked goods, adding marshmallows to salads and jello, or making Christmas ornaments and decorations.
Here is a Christmas craft that children of any age can participate in from years old on up.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Non-toxic, washable, child safe paints in large bottles
• Glitter
• Clear round plastic ornaments (or other shapes if they are available)
• Plastic sheeting, an old plastic tablecloth, or old newspapers
• Play clothes for children to wear or smocks
• Paper towels or a wet rag for cleaning little hands and faces
• Enough egg cartons to hold the ornaments
• one or two small funnels

1. Take children with you when items for the ornaments are being purchased if possible. Involving children, especially younger children, gives them a sense of importance.

2. 
    

   Purchase clear round plastic, or other clear plastic ornaments. You can usually find clear round plastic ornaments in two or three sizes at discount stores or craft stores where seasonal items are located.

3. 
    

   Select larger bottles of non-toxic child safe paints Christmas colors like green, silver, gold, and red. Some stores carry paint in bottles with tips for easy pouring. Younger children may insist on other colors, and you may choose to purchase those as well.

4. 
    

   Select tubes of glitter which also comes in a variety of colors and the glitter pieces also comes in different sizes. You may want to stick with purchasing the smaller and finer glitter pieces.

5. 
    

   Prepare the table or other surface for making the ornaments. Place old newspapers, a piece of plastic sheeting, or a plastic table cloth over the table top.

6. Sit the clear ornaments, bottles of paint, the empty egg cartons, the tubes of glitter, and paper towels or a damp rag out on the work surface, leaving plenty of room for children to work.

7. 
    

   Have children put on a smock, play clothes, or a large over sized shirt purchased from a second hand store. You can find shirts, smocks, and other items at good will or other stores.

8. Make an ornament alone first, having children watch you so they will know what to do. Remove the top of the ornament and using the funnel pour glitter in the ornament (optional) Add one or more paint color, filling about a quarter of the ornament before replacing the ornament top.

9. Shake the ornament or tip it back and forth until the inside of the ornament is completely coated. Place the completed ornament in the egg carton

10. Afterwards you can let children begin making ornaments. Closely supervise children that are between the ages of 3 - 6 as their motor skills are not fully developed and you may need to hold the funnel in place for them.

11. 
     

    When each ornament is completed, place it in the egg carton until you are ready to decorate your tree, fireplace, porch, or patio. Make sure and applaud the children on their unique handiwork as their is nothing more rewarding than seeing a glow of pride on a child's face.

12. 
     

    Have children wash their fingers or hands and face with the paper towels or wet rag. Replace the lids onto the bottles of paint and glitter. Have children help with clean up no matter what their age.

13. 
     

    After putting the supplies away in a locked cabinet or other area well out of the reach of children, have children roll up the plastic table cloth, newspapers, or plastic sheeting and dispose of them. You may have to assist younger children.

14. Let children know that you appreciated their help with clean up as that made your job easier. Clean up is part of learning responsibility.

Tips & Warnings

• By helping younger children or watching older children make their ornament, having the help with clean up, and lauding their accomplishment this is a holiday craft that also allows for positive parenting.
• Lauding a child's unique ornament and letting them know that helping with clean up made you work easier, is good for building a child's self esteem and for teaching responsibility.
• Children can also fill ornaments with uncooked rice tinted with food coloring, small colored beads, and other items, as well.
• Make sure paints are non toxic, washable, and safe for children to use.
• After any art and craft project make sure the remaining items are put in a locked cabinet or well out of children's reach.

[ronvid]

on 12/13/2009 Very nice Christmas article.

[rakhib]

on 12/9/2009 gr8 post.5* and a recc

[langleycornwell]

on 11/25/2009 Great craft ideas. We made toy soldiers out of clothespins when we were little and I still remember the joy.

[Smireles]

on 11/16/2009 Great suggestions for working on Christmas crafts with the kids. Great organization and safety tips. Good job! 5* rec

[MargaritaBobita]

on 11/14/2009 This article should be used by all childcare professionals - very good tips on how to safely make holiday crafts with kids. Thanks for posting.