Christmas crafting with children

Four festive crafts to get your little explorer into the Christmas spirit

Finally, it’s here: the magical Christmas season! Is your little explorer already looking forward to decorating the Christmas tree, unwrapping gifts, and singing Christmas carols together? Year after year, the Advent season captivates young and old alike—and you probably agree, right? To make the wait for Christmas as enjoyable as possible for your toddler, you’ll find plenty of inspiration for festive crafting fun in this article.

Crafting window decorations for Christmas

If your little explorer really gets into crafting, they’ll be proud of the result afterward. That’s why we’re big fans of craft ideas your child can also admire long after creative time is over. Window decorations for Christmas therefore have two big advantages: they bring joy while crafting and spread lots of Christmas cheer throughout your home.

For making the Christmas tree and star crafts, you need:

  • An old cardboard box, for example your LILLYDOO monthly box

  • A pen and a pair of scissors (or a piercing needle)

  • Watercolor paint and a brush

  • A sheet of paper for painting

  • Yarn for hanging

  • Possibly a glue stick

Here's how:

  1. Draw the outline of the desired motif —for example, a star or a Christmas tree— twice onto the cardboard box.

  2. Cut out the templates. In one template, cut a slit at the top; in the other, cut a slit at the bottom. Cut each slit to the middle so you can assemble the two parts later . This creates a great 3D effect!

  3. Now it’s time for watercolors or any other colors you like to create your individual Christmas motifs. For example, you can decorate the Christmas tree with colorful dots to suggest ornaments.

  4. Insert the two templates into each other and glue them in place if necessary.

  5. Now poke a hole in the tip of your Christmas motif and thread yarn through it .

  6. Hang up the window decorations, and you can yourself enjoy them every day !



Crafting with toilet paper rolls for Christmas

Our next craft idea shows just how easily your child can create true Christmas masterpieces from the simplest materials. Christmas trees made from empty kitchen or toilet paper rolls are not only quick to make, but also a sustainable craft idea . That makes them perfect for quick crafting fun.

For the Christmas trees, you need:

  • Empty kitchen or toilet paper rolls—it’s best to start collecting them now ;)

  • A pen and a pair of scissors

  • Watercolor paint and a brush or colored pencils

  • Optional: glitter and a glue stick or foam rubber in a star shape

Here's how:

  1. First, press the toilet paper rolls flat .

  2. Then draw the outline of a Christmas tree onto the roll.

  3. Cut out the Christmas trees and then open the roll back up.

  4. Decorate the Christmas tree in rich green tones or add snow-covered branches with white pens. Let your creativity run wild!

  5. As a highlight, you can still add the Christmas trees with . Glitter or colorful foam rubber decorate. And your is already sustainable upcycling idea Ready for Christmas!

Making lanterns for Christmas

A classic Christmas craft project, perfect for the cold season and for rainy days : tea light holders that create a cozy, warm atmosphere. The best part: they keep your little explorer busy for a while, are lots of fun, and are also beautiful to look at . Since no scissors or sharp objects are needed for this craft idea, you can confidently let your child craft independently and encourage independence .

For the Christmas lanterns you need:

  • A glass container, for example an old jam jar

  • Transparent paper in many bright colors

  • Craft glue or paste and a brush

  • (Electric) tealights

  • Optional decorative elements, such as fir greenery and ribbon

Here's how:

  1. Tear the transparent paper into pieces .

  2. Brush the glass with craft glue or wallpaper paste. It’s best to apply the glue only to a small area at a time and work your way forward slowly.

  3. Place the colorful transparent paper pieces on the glass . Cover the entire glass this way. The individual pieces of paper can overlap as you like.

  4. Let your artwork dry thoroughly . Optionally, you can also decorate the glass with a ribbon, a cord, or Christmas decorative elements.

  5. Place an (electric) tealight in the glass so you can admire the colorful display. If you use a real tealight, make sure you never leave your child unattended , and always remember to blow out the candle when you leave the room.



Reindeer made from egg cartons

Sustainable craft ideas don’t always have to involve toilet paper rolls, because an empty egg carton can be repurposed for crafting . How about cute reindeer for this year’s Christmas season? This upcycling idea really makes an impression and is quick to make. While your little explorer will need your help with this craft, it also promotes concentration and motor skills . So grab the craft scissors and get started!

For the reindeer, you need:

  • An empty egg carton

  • A pair of scissors

  • Black, brown, and red cardboard

  • Colored pencils or felt-tip pens, as well as watercolor paint

  • Optional for decoration: googly eyes and a glue stick

Here's how:

  1. Cut up the egg carton with scissors first so you can continue working with the individual compartments.

  2. Now grab the watercolor paint and paint the compartments in a brown shade .

  3. Draw the outline of antlers, ears, and a nose on the cardboard . The antlers should be black or brown, the ears brown, and the nose red. Cut out the pieces.

  4. Once the watercolor has dried, use scissors to make slots in the egg carton . Insert the antlers and ears into these slots.

  5. Paint a cute face on the reindeer and stick on the red nose . Your Christmas reindeer are ready!



We hope our craft ideas keep your creativity flowing throughout the Christmas season. And if you do run out of ideas, take a look around your home with fresh eyes and see which seemingly disposable items might still be perfect for crafting fun. You can find sustainable crafting inspiration in almost every corner of your home. We wish you and your family a wonderful Advent season and a Christmas celebration just the way you like it!

Preguntas frecuentes

What can you craft for Christmas?

Crafting for Christmas is a tradition. There are no limits to creativity. How about, for example, Christmas window decorations made from cardboard stars and Christmas trees or lanterns? You can also make great Christmas decorations from toilet paper rolls, such as Christmas trees.

What can you make from toilet paper rolls for Christmas?

Kitchen or toilet paper rolls are great for crafting because they are made of simple cardboard that can be painted freely. A great craft idea for Christmas is Christmas trees made from toilet paper rolls: for this, cut out the outline of a Christmas tree into the cardboard tube and then paint it with watercolors or colored pencils.

Why is crafting important for children?

Crafting with children at Christmas and in winter is not only lots of fun. It also promotes the creativity and motor skills of your little explorer. Additionally, your child's concentration skills are enhanced and improved through regular craft sessions.