December Holiday Art Projects

December art projects can be completed together as a family activity.

December is a month filled with holidays and celebrations. The mainstream holidays in December are Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, occasions that families with pre-adolescent kids celebrate with art projects. Once completed, the projects can be displayed in the home as decorations. Children can learn about the significance of holidays other than the ones they celebrate.

Wrapping Paper Wreaths

Leftover wrapping paper can be recycled with this craft.

This craft requires paper plates (the thinner the better), scissors, glue, a hole punch, yarn, and an assortment of leftover wrapping paper appropriate for the season. Fold the paper plate in half and cut out the center of the plate, creating a base for your wreath. Punch a hole in the top of the wreath and thread with yarn. Tie off the yarn in order to hang the wreath when the project is complete. Cut the wrapping paper into circles of various sizes. Glue the circles onto the base. More skilled crafters can cut their wrapping paper pieces into other shapes and make more detailed patterns.

Star of David Sparklers

Star of David

Star of David sparklers are made with six wooden craft sticks, star stickers, white glue, roll-on glitter, a paint brush, kids washable paint, and ribbon. Cover the work area with newspaper. Paint one side of each craft stick and let dry. Paint the opposite side of the craft sticks and let dry. Place a drop of glue on each end of three painted sticks and glue them together to make a triangle. Repeat this with the other three sticks. Turn the triangles so that one is pointing up and one is pointing down. Glue one triangle on top of the other to form a Star of David. Roll on glitter and add star stickers to complete the craft. Hang the Star of David sparklers with ribbon.

Kwanzaa Candles

Kwanzaa candles double as treats for children.

Kwanzaa candles can be used as a table decoration and given to children as an after-dinner treat. You need construction paper (red, black and green), orange tissue paper, the inner cardboard from a toilet paper roll, a twist tie or string, scissors, glue or tape, and small treats to put inside the candles.

Cover the inner cardboard toilet paper roll with any color of construction paper. Secure the paper with glue or tape. Cut two 12 x 12 squares of tissue paper. Place the squares together and put your finger in the middle. Using your finger, gently push the tissue paper down inside the tube, with the rest of the paper covering your hand. Place the treats inside the tissue paper and tie off with string or a twist tie near the base of the tube. Fluff up the excess tissue paper to look like a flame.