I’ve always thought Christmas time was my favorite time of the year. The music, the decorations, the cookies — it’s all magical. But let’s be honest: when it actually rolls around, the joy can get buried under chaos. Especially when you’re running a childcare program with Christmas-crazed preschoolers. Add in a few drop-in kids who are out of school on holiday break, and suddenly you’re operating at DEFCON 1 levels of crazy.
That’s why I always made sure to plan plenty of Christmas projects to keep little hands busy and my sanity intact. Not only did it keep the kids happy and occupied, but it also gave parents a fun reason to get involved.
If you’re looking for fresh ideas that don’t require a craft store raid, I’ve got you covered.
12 Simple Christmas Projects for Daycare Kids
Here are 12 simple, festive, and fun projects to bring some structured holiday cheer into your childcare program this season.
Day 1. Handprint Christmas Trees
All you need is green construction paper, paint, and tiny hands. Let the kids dip their hands in green paint and press them onto paper in a tree shape. Add red or gold fingerprints for ornaments. Parents love these keepsakes.
Day 2. Paper Plate Santa Faces
Paper plates, cotton balls, and red construction paper are the stars here. Kids can glue cotton balls for Santa’s beard and a red triangle for his hat. Don’t forget googly eyes — they make everything better.
Day 3. Popsicle Stick Reindeer
Grab those popsicle sticks you’ve been saving (or secretly eating ice cream for). Glue three into a triangle, add googly eyes, and a red pom-pom for Rudolph’s nose. These make adorable ornaments.
Day 4. DIY Christmas Wreaths
Cut the center out of paper plates to make a wreath shape. Give kids green tissue paper, pom-poms, or cut-out paper shapes to glue on. Add a red ribbon, and you’ve got instant Christmas cheer.
Day 5. Snowman Handprint Ornaments
Have the kids make handprints on plastic or glass ball ornaments using white paint. Turn each finger into a snowman by adding little hats, scarves, and faces with markers or paint. Parents will treasure these forever.
Day 6. Paper Chain Countdown
The classic paper chain is a lifesaver. Let the kids cut and glue strips of red and green paper to make a countdown chain to Christmas. They’ll love tearing one off each day.
Day 7. Pine Cone Christmas Trees
Pine cones make perfect little trees. Let kids paint them green and add tiny dots of color for ornaments. Bonus points if you have glitter on hand (just prepare for the sparkly aftermath).
Day 8. Christmas Cookie Decorating
You don’t have to bake from scratch. Grab a batch of sugar cookies from the store, some icing, and sprinkles. This project doubles as snack time. Just keep the wipes handy for icing-covered faces.
Related Reading:
- How to Create an Indoor Snowball Fight Kit Kids Will Love
- 15 Great Reindeer Games Daycare Kids Will Love To Play
Day 9. Toilet Paper Roll Snowmen
Re-use those toilet paper rolls for snowman crafts. Paint them white, add a marker face, and glue on paper scarves or buttons. It’s recycling and festive!
Day 10. Salt Dough Ornaments
Mix flour, salt, and water to make a dough that kids can shape into ornaments. Bake them in the oven, then let the kids paint their creations once cooled. These are sturdy keepsakes for years to come. CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE.
Day 11. Jingle Bell Bracelets
Thread jingle bells onto pipe cleaners or yarn for a festive bracelet. The kids will jingle all day long, which is both adorable and potentially regrettable. (You’ve been warned!)
Day 12. Christmas Story Collages
Have kids cut or tear Christmas pictures out of old magazines or print-outs. Glue them onto large paper to create a Christmas story collage. Let the kids describe their masterpiece — the stories they tell are priceless.
Tips to Get Parents Involved
Holiday time is a great opportunity to invite parents into the fun. Here are a few ways to encourage them:
- Request Craft Donations: Let parents know you need supplies like cotton balls, paper plates, or pine cones. Most people have extra craft materials lying around.
- Send Finished Crafts Home: Encourage kids to gift their crafts to their parents or family members. There’s nothing like a handmade ornament to melt a parent’s heart.
- Host a Parent Craft Day: Invite parents to join in for a fun crafting session with their child. It’s a great way to build relationships and create holiday memories.
Why Planning Holiday Projects Matters
Having 12 days of Christmas projects ready to go will not only help you manage the holiday chaos but will also make your childcare stand out. Parents will appreciate the creativity and effort, and kids will have the best time making keepsakes they can be proud of.
The holidays are busy for everyone, and sometimes it can feel overwhelming. But taking the time to plan projects can help bring a sense of calm and joy back to your childcare program. Plus, those happy kids and impressed parents can help ensure your business prospers and thrives well into the New Year.
So grab those glue sticks, clear off the craft table, and let the holiday fun begin!
How do you keep your childcare kids busy during the holidays? Share your go-to Christmas crafts in the Facebook Group!
