Make, Bake & Sew: 15 Fun & Easy Christmas Projects for Kids

Christmas is coming reeeeeeal soon and the Christmas spirit is in the air!

Well, at least it is in our house. And when I say “Christmas spirit” I mean, studying toy catalogues for ideas and excitedly writing out Christmas wish lists with dozens and dozens of ideas.

The kids are just SO EXCITED about Christmas being so near. Aside from hoping for a stack of Lego sets and a mountain of new books, there is also building excitement about buying the Christmas tree and how to decorate the house and what foods we can start making now and which ones we will be enjoying at Christmas time.

And all of this means it’s time to start digging out the colourful craft supplies and shopping for the groceries to bake delicious-looking Christmas recipes.

But Christmas can also be a stressful time, keeping up with the kids and ALL.THE.THINGS. that need to be organised.

Are YOU ready for getting creative with your kids? Or maybe not… Perhaps you’re not quite there yet and actually looking for some new inspiration. Or perhaps you don’t see yourself as creative and are actually dreading feeling obligated to “do Christmas stuff” with your kids.

Well, I can definitely help you with that right now!

This post contains loads of kid-friendly (and budget-friendly) Christmas activities to sew, bake and make this festive season, with an emphasis on less stress and more fun and happy faces. Sound good?

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you.

I am a firm believer in having fun when letting my kids explore their creative sides. But I also like to save us all stress (and occasional tears!) by keeping it as uncomplicated as possible. I do love Pinterest, but you won’t find me creating the 16-step 200-ingredient overnight cookie dough.

Simple is good. Simple is my friend. That’s why I prepared this blog post for like-minded Mamas, like you 😉.

Below you’ll find 15 easy and budget-friendly Christmas activities to sew, bake and craft with your children.

There are ideas to keep kids of all ages happy, from toddlers up to teens. Depending on the age of your children, some of these ideas will require your supervision or perhaps even your help. Others might be simple enough for your children to complete on their own.

Remember: more smiles and fun, less feeling frazzled and overwhelmed!

Make: 5 Cheap and Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids

Pretty Paper Christmas Stars

These cute stars can be made using Christmas paper or patterned cardstock, can be made as big or small as you like and used to decorate gifts, the Christmas tree, walls, windows and anything else you can think of. Visit my Christmas stars post HERE and grab the FREE printable instructions to make your own paper stars.

Easy Christmas Tree Craft for Preschoolers

Although these are actually super cute for anyone, this Christmas craft is especially suited for the littlies. The instructions are easy to follow and the finished Christmas tree simply lovely! Take a look at this fun Christmas craft from Lorena & Lennox Bilingual Beginnings HERE.

Borax Crystal Snowflakes

Not that this craft is in the “Make” section and not the “Goodies to Bake and Eat” section” Borax is not food! But it makes for fun experiments! Which is what is cool about this Christmas craft: learning AND having fun while making snowflakes! Find out how, from Lil Tigers HERE.

Simple Nature-Themed Ornaments

Follow this link and you’ll find several simple Christmas crafts to make, using things you can discover while out walking and enjoying nature. My personal favourites are the pressed flowers and the acorn decorations. You can get inspired by nature at The Barefoot Homeschooling Mom HERE.

Paint Chip Christmas Cards

I have been eyeing off this craft for a while because they’re just so gorgeous AND you can actually use them as gift cards for friends and family. They’re super easy, budget-friendly and as bright as you choose! Take a look at what I’m talking about at this cute Christmas craft by One Little Project HERE.

Bake: 4 Fun Christmas Recipes to Cook with Kids

Salted Caramel Pretzel Bark

I cannot tell you enough how amazing this tastes. It is G-O-O-D! Younger children will enjoy breaking up the pretzels and kids of all ages enjoy sprinkling ingredients in the pan. This recipe is lovely as a Christmas treat or to package as homemade gifts. Grab the recipe from Taste.com.au HERE.

A World of Cookies for Santa

This is such a unique Christmas baking idea: create a book about Christmas celebrations and typical foods in countries all around the world and include the recipes to make too! Reading, learning, baking and eating! What could be better?!? Learn more about this book at Kelly’s Classroom Online HERE.

If you’re interested in exploring more, I wrote a blog post a while back about Christmas celebrations around the world, as described by expat mothers. It’s a fun read, but sorry, no recipes included there, 😉.

Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Reindeer

These Marshmallow Reindeer are almost too cute to eat!! But the kids will definitely have fun putting them together and even more fun munching them later! To find out how your kids can make these Christmas treats too, drop by Suburban Simplicity HERE.

Cinnamon Scented Christmas Ornaments

While this recipe is for baking, the ornaments are not actually for eating. But they’re guaranteed to bring the smell of Christmas to your house when you’re done. Now who would have though you could make Christmas ornaments out of apple sauce?!? Not me, that’s for sure. Don’t believe me? Discover how at Kelly’s Online Classroom HERE.

Nervous about whether it’s worth inviting your kids into the kitchen to help you with baking? Having kids help and experiment in the kitchen has so many benefits for them. Like what? Read HERE .

Sew:  5 Easy Christmas Sewing Crafts for Kids

Easy Fabric Ornaments to Sew

These Christmas ornaments are super easy to sew, even for younger children. You can choose whether to make them using a sewing machine or simply sew them by hand. The ornaments can be hung on the Christmas tree or added to Christmas gift packaging. You can find the full instructions and free printable PDF pattern HERE.

Felt Christmas Stocking

These felt stockings are so cute and colourful. They’re perfect for small hands (and bigger hands too). The instructions show you how to hand sew the stockings and decorate them with craft glue. However, bigger kids (or grown-ups) could also sew them using a sewing machine. See how to make felt Christmas stockings at Childhood 101 HERE.

Fleece Snowballs

This craft really appealed to me as an Australian, because, well, how many snowballs can you make at Christmas in Australia?!? So, this is the chance for all kids who don’t get their own white Christmas to create their own snowballs! Get the details and pattern at Mama Smiles HERE.

Plastic Lid Christmas Tree Sewing Craft

Recycling + sewing + Christmas? Brilliant! This fun kids’ Christmas craft needs no sewing machine and looks really cute! With some help even younger kids will be able to sew this Christmas craft with the rest of the family. Take a look how at I Heart Crafty Things HERE.

Elf Hat

This blog post is called Everyone Needs an Elf Hat, and what could be more accurate at this time of year?!? These elf hats are mega easy, even for preschool kids and can be embellished with bells or anything you like. Again, no sewing machine required if you don’t want. Get the details at Sewing School HERE.

Bonus: Unmissable Christmas Books for Kids to Read

Best Christmas Books for Advent

My kids don’t need to be asked twice if they’d like to read a book! If your kids are anything like mine, then this list will keep them happy for hours. There’s something here to read for kids of all ages, but they are alllll Christmas! Get ready to read at The Blossom Tree HERE.

Just looking back through these fun Christmas craft activities for kids is making my own inner child get excited about what we’re going to make, bake and sew this year!

Whether you and your children most enjoy holding a tube of glue, a mixing spoon or a sewing needle (or all of the above!), there’s plenty of kid-friendly, DIY Christmas ideas here to choose from.

Which one will you be trying first this Christmas? 🤔