15 Easy Holiday Craft Ideas for Toddlers 2025 - Using Simple Household Materials

The holiday season is a perfect time to slow down and get creative with your toddler, and simple crafts make it easy to add festive fun to your days. These activities use everyday materials, support fine-motor development, and tap into the sensory experiences toddlers love—soft textures, bright colors, and sparkly “snow.” From gingerbread houses to winter sensory bins, each craft is designed to be low-prep for adults and engaging for little ones. With clear steps and helpful reference links, you can enjoy meaningful, cozy moments all season long.

1. Paper Plate Snowflakes

Paper plate snowflakes are an easy, low-prep winter craft that lets toddlers explore colors, textures, and patterns while creating something festive. Start by giving your toddler a plain paper plate and offering a variety of decorating options like markers, stickers, glitter glue, or cotton balls. They can freely scribble or glue items onto the plate, and adults can optionally cut slits around the rim beforehand to mimic the shape of a real snowflake. This activity supports fine-motor development and sensory exploration, making it perfect for short craft sessions or classroom rotations. For parents who want additional examples or design ideas, The Best Ideas for Kids has simple snowflake crafts suited for toddlers: https://www.thebestideasforkids.com.
Materials needed: Paper plates, markers, glitter glue, stickers, cotton balls, glue, (optional) adult scissors.

2. Cotton Ball Snowman

This cozy winter craft lets toddlers build their own snowman without ever stepping outside, making it a great indoor activity for cold days. Start by drawing three snowman circles on a sheet of construction paper to give little ones a visual guide. Add glue inside the circles and encourage toddlers to press cotton balls in place to create a soft, fluffy snowman shape. Then invite them to personalize their snowman with googly eyes, buttons, a simple carrot-nose cutout, and hand-drawn details. You can also turn it into a storytelling moment by asking them to name their snowman or imagine what winter adventure they might go on. For more examples and variations, Little Bins for Little Hands has helpful snowman craft ideas: https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com.
Materials needed: Cotton balls, construction paper, glue, googly eyes, buttons or stickers, markers, orange paper for a nose.

3. Gingerbread Houses (Toddler-Friendly Version)

Gingerbread houses are a holiday classic, and using graham crackers makes them far easier for toddlers to assemble and decorate. Begin by preparing a simple base on a paper plate so little ones have a stable surface to work on, or pre-assemble the house structure with frosting to avoid any collapsing frustration. Offer small bowls of candy, sprinkles, cereal, or pretzels so toddlers can focus on decorating their house however they like. This version keeps the activity hands-on and joyful without expecting precision, while printable templates can help guide toddlers who like visual cues for windows, roofs, and doors. For inspiration and easy step-by-step toddler variations, Pre-K Pages has great gingerbread activity ideas: https://bestgingerbreadhouses.com/
Materials needed: Graham crackers, frosting or icing, paper plates, small candies, sprinkles, pretzels or cereal, optional gingerbread house templates.

4. Winter Sensory Bin

A winter sensory bin gives toddlers a hands-on way to explore textures, colors, and imaginative play during the colder months. Start by filling a shallow bin with soft, snowy materials like cotton balls or torn tissue paper to set a wintry stage. Add scoops, measuring cups, toy animals, or even blue pom-poms to encourage scooping, pouring, and pretend play. You can tailor the bin to your toddler’s interests—penguins, arctic animals, snow trucks, or sparkly “ice” gems all work beautifully. Sensory bins help build fine-motor coordination, sensory processing skills, and independent play routines. For additional ideas and themed variations, Hands On As We Grow offers great sensory bin inspiration: https://handsonaswegrow.com.
Materials needed: Cotton balls or tissue paper, plastic bin, scoops, cups, winter figurines, pom-poms, optional sparkly gems.

5. Pom-Pom Ornament Shakers

Pom-pom ornament shakers are a festive, no-mess craft that toddlers can complete almost entirely on their own. The transparency of the ornament allows them to see color combinations come together as they drop in pom-poms or beads, making it a great activity for color sorting and fine-motor practice. Start by providing a tray of colorful pom-poms and letting toddlers choose which ones to place into the ornament. They can fill it completely or mix in bells or sequins for a fun auditory and visual effect. Once sealed, these ornaments are durable, toddler-proof, and ready to hang on the tree or give as gifts. For simple ornament ideas and toddler-safe tips, you can reference The Best Ideas for Kids: https://www.thebestideasforkids.com.
Materials needed: Clear plastic fillable ornaments, colorful pom-poms, optional bells, sequins, or beads.

6. Reindeer Footprint Art

Reindeer footprint art is an adorable keepsake craft that captures a moment in your toddler’s growth while letting them participate in a simple painting activity. Start by brushing washable brown paint onto the bottom of your toddler’s foot and pressing it gently onto paper to create the main reindeer shape. Once it dries, they can add eyes, antlers, and a nose using markers, stickers, or finger painting. Parents often love turning these prints into holiday cards or framed décor because they showcase both creativity and a sweet memory. You can also make it an annual tradition and compare footprints year by year as a holiday growth chart. For more footprint craft ideas, Mommy Made Boutique shares several toddler-friendly keepsakes: https://mommymadeboutique.com/blogs/diy-crafts.
Materials needed: Washable brown paint, construction paper, glue, googly eyes or markers, red pom-pom or sticker for the nose.

7. Snowy Pinecone Painting

Snowy pinecone painting is a naturally inspired craft that lets toddlers explore outdoor textures alongside creative winter decorating. Begin by collecting pinecones during a walk or purchasing craft-ready ones from a store. Toddlers can use small brushes or cotton swabs to dab white paint onto the tips, creating a snow-kissed effect that feels magical and hands-on. You can add eco-glitter or small sequins to give the pinecones a sparkly, frosty look. Once dry, these painted pinecones can be used as décor, added to sensory bins, or hung as ornaments with a ribbon. For additional pinecone craft ideas, Fireflies and Mud Pies offers great nature-based projects: https://www.firefliesandmudpies.com.
Materials needed: Pinecones, white paint, paintbrushes or cotton swabs, optional eco-glitter, sequins, or ribbon.

8. Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough ornaments are a classic holiday craft that toddlers can help make from start to finish, giving them a sense of ownership over the process. Begin by mixing the dough and letting your toddler knead it, which is not only fun but also fantastic for strengthening hand muscles. Roll the dough out and give them simple cookie cutters to press out shapes like stars, trees, and snowflakes. After baking and cooling, toddlers can paint their ornaments with washable paints and add glitter or stickers for extra flair. These ornaments become sentimental keepsakes and also make lovely handmade gifts for family members. For a simple recipe and step-by-step guide, The Imagination Tree offers a trusted salt dough tutorial: https://theimaginationtree.com.
Materials needed: Flour, salt, water, cookie cutters, baking sheet, paint, glitter or stickers.

9. Holiday Sticker Collage

A holiday sticker collage is an easy, low-mess craft that’s perfect for short attention spans or independent play. Provide your toddler with a sheet of construction paper and an assortment of holiday-themed stickers—snowflakes, reindeer, ornaments, trees, and stars work well. Toddlers naturally love peeling and sticking, which helps strengthen fine-motor skills while giving them creative freedom. You can encourage storytelling by asking them what is happening in their picture or who the characters are. This craft also travels well and can be used during car rides or family gatherings for quiet entertainment. For sticker craft inspiration, Busy Toddler shares simple toddler activities that use stickers effectively: https://busytoddler.com.
Materials needed: Construction paper, holiday stickers, crayons or markers.

10. Painted Candy Cane Sticks

Painted candy cane sticks are a simple holiday craft that transforms jumbo craft sticks into festive decorations toddlers can proudly display. Start by showing them how to alternate red and white stripes, or let them create their own colorful version of a candy cane. Once painted, the sticks dry quickly and can be used as ornaments, bookmarks, or gift tags. This craft teaches toddlers about patterns, sequencing, and color recognition in a playful way. You can also add a ribbon loop at the top to make them ready for hanging. For variations and paint-based toddler crafts, Fun Learning for Kids has great ideas: https://funlearningforkids.com.
Materials needed: Jumbo craft sticks, red and white paint, paintbrushes, optional ribbon.

11. Winter Window Clings

Winter window clings let toddlers create bright, cheerful artwork that can be displayed without making a mess on walls or furniture. Show them how to paint designs—snowflakes, mittens, trees, or abstract winter colors—onto plastic sheet protectors or clear acetate. Once the paint dries, carefully peel the designs off and press them onto a window where they’ll cling naturally. Toddlers love seeing their artwork displayed at their height, and these clings can be moved around as often as they like. It's a creative sensory craft that also helps with hand-eye coordination and color mixing. For guidance on toddler-safe window cling art, Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds has a helpful tutorial: https://teaching2and3yearolds.com.
Materials needed: Washable paint, paintbrushes, clear plastic sheets or acetate, paper towels or mats.

12. Snow Globe Jars

Snow globe jars are a magical toddler craft that create instant winter wonder with just a few simple materials. Start by helping your toddler choose a small plastic figurine—animals, trees, or favorite characters all work well—and glue it securely to the inside of a jar lid. Once the glue dries, fill the jar with water and add glitter or sequins to create the swirling “snow” effect. Toddlers love shaking their snow globe and watching everything float and sparkle, making this a great sensory and visual activity. Just be sure to tightly seal the lid with glue or tape so little hands can play safely without spills. For inspiration and step-by-step visuals, Little Bins for Little Hands has a helpful guide: https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com.
Materials needed: Plastic jar with lid, small figurine, waterproof glue, water, glitter or sequins, optional tape to seal.

13. Mittens Matching Craft

This simple matching craft helps toddlers practice visual recognition, color sorting, and early problem-solving skills in a festive winter theme. Start by cutting out several mitten shapes from colorful construction paper—patterns or solid colors both work great. Toddlers can decorate the mittens first with crayons, stickers, or glitter, then you can mix them up and encourage your child to find and match each pair. For extra fun, you can punch a small hole at the bottom of each mitten and let toddlers lace yarn between matched pairs to “connect” them like real winter gloves. This activity works beautifully at home or as a quiet classroom center. For more matching and mitten-themed toddler activities, No Time for Flash Cards has great ideas: https://www.notimeforflashcards.com.
Materials needed: Construction paper, scissors, crayons or markers, stickers, yarn (optional), hole punch (optional).

14. Holiday Playdough Tray

A holiday-themed playdough tray gives toddlers a creative, sensory-rich activity with endless open-ended play possibilities. Start by offering red, white, or peppermint-scented playdough, and place holiday-themed items in small bowls around the tray—cookie cutters, beads, buttons, pine sprigs, or small ornaments work well. Toddlers can squish, roll, shape, and decorate the dough, strengthening hand muscles while exploring holiday textures and scents. This setup encourages imaginative storytelling too—toddlers may create pretend cookies, ornaments, snow scenes, or little characters. You can refresh the tray over time with new items to keep the activity fun and engaging through the season. For inspo, The Best Ideas for Kids offers wonderful playdough recipes and tray setups: https://www.thebestideasforkids.com.
Materials needed: Playdough (store-bought or homemade), cookie cutters, beads or buttons, small ornaments, pine sprigs, tray or shallow bin.

15. Paper Towel Roll Reindeer

Paper towel roll reindeer are an adorable and eco-friendly way to reuse household items during the holidays. Start by cutting a paper towel roll into two or three smaller sections so each piece becomes its own reindeer body. Toddlers can paint the rolls brown, then add googly eyes, a red pom-pom nose, and cut-out antlers to bring their reindeer to life. Once dry, these mini reindeer can stand on their own, become ornaments, or be used in imaginative play scenes like a toddler-made version of Santa’s sleigh. The simplicity of this craft makes it perfect for younger kids while still offering lots of room for creativity. For variations and cute cardboard tube holiday crafts, The Resourceful Mama has fantastic tutorials: https://theresourcefulmama.com.
Materials needed: Paper towel rolls, brown paint, googly eyes, red pom-poms, glue, scissors (adult use), brown paper for antlers.

Holiday crafts don’t need to be elaborate to feel magical—toddlers love the simple joy of creating something with their own hands. These easy projects offer a chance to connect, explore new textures, and make memories during a busy season. Whether you're hanging homemade ornaments or painting pinecones, each activity adds a touch of creativity to winter days. Enjoy repeating favorites, swapping in new materials, and watching your toddler’s skills grow throughout the season.