Introduction to Kid-Friendly Christmas Tree Decorating
Decorating the Christmas tree is one of those magical holiday moments that brings the whole family together. I still remember the excitement I felt as a child when my parents would bring out those dusty boxes of ornaments from the attic. There’s something special about transforming a simple evergreen into a sparkling centerpiece of holiday cheer—especially when little hands help create the magic.
In my years of creating holiday memories with my own children, I’ve discovered that involving kids in Christmas tree decorating isn’t just fun—it’s an opportunity to build traditions that will last a lifetime. Sure, the ornaments might end up clustered at the bottom of the tree (where little arms can reach), and yes, you might find yourself secretly rearranging things after bedtime (I’ve been caught red-handed more than once!), but the joy on their faces makes it all worthwhile.
Let’s explore 15 kid-friendly decorating ideas that will make your Christmas tree both beautiful and meaningful this holiday season.
1. DIY Ornament Crafts
Nothing makes a tree more special than decorations made with love by little hands. DIY ornaments create both a fun activity and lasting keepsakes you’ll treasure for years to come.
Last year, my 5-year-old and I made salt dough ornaments, and I learned the hard way that food coloring can stain countertops! Despite the mess, those imperfect handprints and wonky shapes are now our most treasured decorations.
- Salt dough ornaments – Mix 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, and 1 cup water. Roll out, cut shapes, poke a hole for hanging, and bake at 250°F for 2-3 hours.
- Popsicle stick crafts – Create stars, snowflakes, or frames with glue and paint.
- Paper plate angels – Cut and fold paper plates, add yarn for hair and fabric scraps for clothing.
- Painted pinecones – Collect pinecones, paint the tips with white or colorful paint, and add glitter while wet.
Pro Tip: Set up a “creation station” with all supplies before starting. Cover your work surface with newspaper or a plastic tablecloth for easy cleanup.
2. Edible Decorations
Combining crafting and snacking? It’s a win-win! Edible decorations bring a charming, old-fashioned feel to your Christmas tree while engaging kids in the kitchen.
I once made the rookie mistake of stringing popcorn with my 3-year-old. Let’s just say more popcorn ended up in tummies than on the string! Now we wait until they’re a bit older for the fiddly projects.
- Popcorn and cranberry garlands – Thread popcorn and cranberries onto fishing line or sturdy thread.
- Cinnamon applesauce ornaments – Mix 1 cup applesauce with 1 cup cinnamon, roll out, cut shapes, and dry.
- Candy canes – Classic and colorful, these can be hung directly on branches.
- Gingerbread cookies – Bake with holes for ribbon before decorating.
- Dried orange slices – Slice oranges thinly, bake at 200°F for 2-3 hours, and tie with ribbon.
Pro Tip: If you have pets or very young children, hang edible decorations on higher branches to avoid temptation!
3. Nature-Inspired Decorations
Nature provides some of the most beautiful and budget-friendly decorations. Taking a nature walk to collect materials is half the fun!
One December afternoon, my kids and I went foraging for pinecones in the park. We got so carried away that we ended up with three grocery bags full—way more than our tree could handle! The extras made great gifts for neighbors.
- Pinecones – Collect, clean, and add glitter, paint, or leave natural.
- Acorns – Glue tops back on if separated, add string, and paint if desired.
- Dried flowers – Press flowers in books, then attach to cardstock backing.
- Twigs and branches – Create stars or snowflakes by gluing small twigs together.
- Holly or evergreen sprigs – Tuck directly into the branches for added fullness.
4. Personalized Photo Ornaments
Transform your tree into a family gallery with photo ornaments that capture special moments. These become more precious with each passing year.
When my daughter was a toddler, she went through a phase of removing all the photo ornaments from the tree so she could “talk” to the faces. Now at age 8, she loves seeing her baby photos displayed each Christmas.
Creating these is simple: print small photos, cut them into circles or other shapes, and laminate them or place them in clear plastic ornaments. Add ribbon for hanging, and you’ve got instant keepsakes!
For a more rustic look, glue photos onto small wood slices and seal with Mod Podge. You can even add the year or a short message with a fine-tip marker.
Pro Tip: Create a new photo ornament each year to document your child’s growth—it’s amazing to see the changes when you hang them all together!
5. Colorful Paper Chains
Paper chains are perhaps the most accessible craft for children of all ages. They’re inexpensive, simple to make, and add a pop of color to any tree.
I remember making these in kindergarten, and now my kids carry on the tradition. Last year, we wrote something we were thankful for on each link before connecting them—a gratitude chain that wrapped our entire tree!
- Traditional chains – Cut colorful paper into strips, form loops, and secure with glue or staples.
- Countdown chains – Number each link and remove one daily until Christmas.
- Pattern chains – Create repeating color patterns for a coordinated look.
- Recycled paper chains – Use old magazines, wrapping paper, or greeting cards.
6. Glitter and Sparkle
Nothing says Christmas quite like a bit of sparkle! While glitter has earned the nickname “the herpes of craft supplies” (it never truly goes away), there are ways to contain the mess while still adding that magical shimmer.
After finding glitter in my carpet in July from the previous Christmas, I’ve learned to be strategic. Now we do glitter crafts in the garage or use glitter glue instead of loose glitter—much more manageable!
Clear plastic ornaments can be filled with glitter or coated on the inside for a mess-free sparkle. Glitter foam sheets are another great alternative that gives the sparkle without the shedding.
For a natural sparkle, spray pinecones or branches with adhesive and sprinkle with fine glitter or faux snow. Once dry, they’re relatively mess-free.
Pro Tip: Place a sheet pan under your work area when using glitter. When finished, fold the pan slightly and pour the excess glitter back into its container or directly into the trash.
7. Themed Decorations
Choosing a theme for your Christmas tree decorating gives kids a creative direction and results in a cohesive, eye-catching display.
My son went through an intense dinosaur phase, so one year we had a “Jurassic Christmas” complete with dinosaur ornaments, jungle greenery, and even a T-Rex wearing a Santa hat as our tree topper! It wasn’t traditional, but it was memorable.
- Color themes – Stick to 2-3 colors like red and gold or blue and silver.
- Character themes – Decorate with favorite cartoon or movie characters.
- Hobby themes – Showcase sports, music, animals, or other interests.
- Cultural themes – Celebrate heritage with traditional decorations from your ancestry.
- Nature themes – Focus on woodland creatures, snowflakes, or stars.
8. Recycled Materials
Teaching kids to repurpose items not only creates unique decorations but also instills environmental awareness. Plus, it’s budget-friendly!
I once challenged my family to create ornaments using only items from our recycling bin. My husband’s lightbulb snowman (complete with a tiny scarf made from an old sock) won our contest and still makes an appearance every year.
- Cardboard tube angels – Transform toilet paper rolls with paint, fabric, and paper wings.
- Bottle cap frames – Glue small photos inside painted bottle caps.
- CD snowflakes – Cut old CDs into shapes (adult supervision needed).
- Fabric scraps – Create stuffed ornaments from old clothing or linens.
- Puzzle piece wreaths – Glue puzzle pieces in a circle and paint green.
9. Interactive Ornaments
Why should decorations just sit there looking pretty? Interactive ornaments engage children throughout the holiday season and make the tree a focal point for play and discovery.
My daughter’s favorite is our collection of tiny books—actual miniature storybooks that hang on the tree. She’ll carefully remove one, read it, and return it to a different branch. It’s become her quiet morning ritual during December.
Consider ornaments that move, like spinning tops or swinging pendulums. Small musical instruments like bells or tiny drums invite gentle interaction. Ornaments with hidden compartments can hold tiny treasures or notes.
For older kids, create a scavenger hunt with clues hidden inside specially marked ornaments. Change the clues throughout the season to keep the excitement going.
10. Light Up the Tree
Lighting transforms your tree from pretty to magical. While adults should handle the actual lighting process, kids can help plan the color scheme and pattern.
I learned the hard way about checking lights before decorating when we once finished our entire tree only to plug in a completely dead light strand. Now we always test first!
LED lights are safer around children as they remain cool to the touch. Consider color-changing lights for added excitement or app-controlled options that let kids program light shows from a safe distance.
For a unique twist, use battery-operated fairy lights inside clear ornaments or mason jars hung on the tree for a glowing effect.
11. Handmade Tree Toppers
The tree topper is the crowning glory of your Christmas creation. Making it together adds special meaning to this important decoration.
When my kids couldn’t agree on a tree topper (star vs. angel), we compromised by creating a “star angel” that combined elements of both. It was a bit odd-
