The Christmas tree is up, the lights are working, and now you’re staring at a box of ornaments that’s seen better days. Half are chipped, a quarter are missing hooks, and the rest are so generic they could belong to literally anyone.

Making ornaments with your kids sounds like one of those Pinterest fantasies that ends in tears and glitter everywhere.

Eventually, you’ll end up with decorations that actually mean something, memories that last, and maybe a few glitter casualties along the way.

Let’s dive into five simple, kid-friendly ornaments that are as memorable as they are mess-friendly.

1.   Felt Ornaments

Felt is a parent-friendly material: soft, durable, and easy to work with. Your kids can cut, glue, and decorate without the usual stress over broken baubles.

These ornaments are virtually indestructible, which is more than you can say for those glass baubles your toddler keeps batting off the tree.

Grab felt sheets in whatever colours tickle your fancy. Cut out shapes like stars, trees, candy canes, or abstract blobs that your five-year-old insists are a reindeer. Let them go wild with fabric glue, buttons, sequins, and tiny pompoms.

The beauty of felt ornaments is that kids can handle the whole process without you hovering nervously with a first aid kit. They can sew on embellishments if they’re ready, or simply stick everything down for a fun, hands-on experience.

Add a ribbon loop at the top, and you’ve got decorations that’ll survive multiple Christmases. Plus, they’re soft, so when they inevitably fall off the tree, nobody will sweep up shards at midnight.

2.   Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough ornaments have that warm, handmade charm that instantly says, “We made this together.” The recipe is dead simple: four cups of flour, one cup of salt, and one and a half cups of water. Mix, knead, and you’re all sorted.

Roll the dough out and hand your kids some biscuit cutters. They’ll love stamping out shapes, and you’ll love that they’re occupied for more than thirty seconds.

Bake them in the oven at around 120°C until they’re firm and dry—this takes a few hours, so don’t wait until Christmas Eve to start this project. Once they’ve cooled, the real fun begins. Kids can paint them, slather them in glitter, or write their names in wobbly letters.

These ornaments have that rustic, handcrafted vibe that makes your tree look like it belongs in a lifestyle magazine. Just make sure to seal them with a clear varnish so they don’t crumble into dust by Boxing Day.

3.   Photo Frame Ornaments

Photo frame ornaments are the perfect blend of sentimental and practical. Grab some small frames, the kind you can pick up at craft shops, and let your kids choose photos to go inside.

It could be a snap from last year’s holiday, or even the family dog decked out in reindeer antlers—anything that makes them smile works.

Kids can decorate the frames with stickers, washi tape, or hand-drawn doodles. Add a ribbon for hanging, and suddenly you’ve got a decoration that doubles as a conversation starter when the relatives come round.

These ornaments are brilliant for grandparents, too. Nothing says “we’re thinking of you” like a tiny framed photo of their grandkids covered in texta and questionable artistic choices.

The best part is that every year, when you unpack the decorations, you get a little time capsule of what your kids looked like and what mattered to them at that moment. It’s nostalgia you can hang on a tree.

4.   Pinecone Ornaments

Pinecones are free if you’re happy to fossick around outside, or inexpensive if you’d rather buy a bag and avoid the ants. Either way, they make perfect ornaments because they already look festive with almost no effort.

Hand the kids some acrylic paint and let them loose. Gold and silver give a polished touch, bright colours keep things fun, and a mix of both proudly shows who really did the decorating.

Once the paint is dry, add glitter, because why wouldn’t you? Tie a ribbon around the top, and you’ve got a decoration that looks boutique but costs next to nothing.

Pinecones also last for years, especially if you give them a quick spray of clear sealant. They won’t wilt, crack, or fall apart, unlike some of the cheap plastic bits from the shops.

If you’re moving house after Christmas and calling in tree removal or tree moving services, these handmade Christmas tree ornaments are lightweight and easy to pack. They’ll survive the chaos of relocation far better than fragile glass baubles.

5.   Paper Star Ornaments

Paper stars are one of those crafts that look way more complicated than they actually are. All you need is colourful paper, scissors, and a bit of patience.

Show your kids how to fold and cut the paper into star shapes. There are dozens of tutorials online if you need a refresher, but honestly, even a wonky star looks charming when it’s handmade.

Once you’ve got your shapes sorted, glue or tape the points together. Let the kids add glitter, paint, or metallic markers to make them sparkle. String them up with fishing line or ribbon, and suddenly your tree looks like it belongs in a Scandinavian design blog.

The beauty of paper stars is that they cost almost nothing to make, but they look intentional. Like you planned this aesthetic all along, even if you’re just winging it.

They’re also light enough that even the flimsiest branches can hold them, which is handy if your tree is looking a bit sparse this year.

Conclusion

If you’ve made it this far without being buried in glitter, you’re doing great.

Making handmade Christmas ornaments with your kids doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be fun. So grab your supplies, embrace the chaos, and get creating. Years from now, you’ll look at these wonky, glitter-covered masterpieces and remember exactly why they matter.

Now go on, make some memories, and maybe lay down a drop sheet first.