Festive crafts ideas for you and the kids

With the darker nights upon us, it's the perfect time of the year to stay cosy inside and let imaginations run wild by turning old junk into crafty creations. Why not get started with these fun festive craft ideas? And if your a teacher looking for craft ideas for the classroom you've come to the right place as we have nine DIY crafty Christmas ideas perfect for 4-6 year olds with some help and guidance from a grown-up.

There's something very special about making your own Christmas tree decoration. Each one can be personalised using favourite colours, patterns and materials. This one is great for all craft levels, so the whole family can in.

Top Tip: If you don't have safety scissor for your child to use, cut up a selection of material before you start. Try to not give your child too many instructions or directions when doing arts and crafts together. Let it be more about the experience than the finished product, and let their imaginations run wild! 

If you’re lucky this winter, you may catch a glimpse of some roaming reindeer, but if you don't, it's easy to make your own. Collect a bunch of corks and create enough reindeer to guide Santa's sleigh using this quick tutorial.

Top Tip: Start collecting corks now so you will have enough to make plenty of reindeer.  

Santa has so much to do at Christmas but sometimes he gets stuck in the chimney! Check out how to make your own Silly Santa in the video below. 

Top Tip: Why not try using cardboard you have in the recycling e.g. cereal boxes and kitchen rolls to make these crafts - one of the best ways to reuse and recycle items.

If you managed to get out for family walks in the park over the autumn period, you might have found some pine cones along the way. But if not, grab your coats and make it a fun family activity by searching for some interesting objects for you can use in your crafty creations. Check out how to use pine cones creatively below. 

Top Tip: Find out how to clean pine cones here.

Dreaming of a white Christmas? Well the snow is not always guaranteed so why not bring the snow inside this year and make your very own snowflake decorations. You could even paint the twigs white to create a real winter wonderland scene at home.

Top Tip: When you're done creating your art celebrate by dancing to the stick song!

Do you like taking family photos? How about displaying them for everyone to see? There's not always enough photo frames to share all your brilliant snaps over the festive period, so why not create your own? Follow the tutorial below to create a reindeer photo frame you will be proud to show all the family. 

Top Tip: A lovely framed photo makes a great Christmas present. 

Garlands can dress up any room and are great all year round. It's a fun crafty activity that is also a good way to use any old clothes or cloths you might have lying around. Follow the instructions in our video below to get started on your Christmas garland.

Top Tip: Garlands can make brilliant decorations for Halloween, Christmas or any other festive period!

We all love playing games with family, but how about making your own tic tac toe board game? You can decorate the counters to bring the festive cheer when you are playing. Following the tutorial below to have a go yourself.

 Top Tip: If you don't have enough corks you can use other items instead, bottle tops, yogurt pots or kitchen roll tubes.

There's always left over scraps of paper when wrapping presents, so why not keep them aside and create winter style paper chains with the whole family.

Top tip: You could save wrapping paper from opened presents after Christmas, and keep it for the following year, making it a family craft tradition to look forward to each year!

You can find lots of Christmas activities to do with the kids, whether it’s dancing along to the best Children's Christmas songs, or keeping your little ones entertained with fun Christmas games and quizzes whilst you do some present wrapping.

Find more Christmas activities and craft ideas to do with kids and Christmas decorations and ornament ideas to make with kids.

Read about the benefits of art and craft for children.