Santa Claus Crafts for Kids That Are Easy and Fun to Make

Last updated: August 7, 2026

You want santa claus crafts for kids that come together fast without a trip to the craft store. These ideas use paper, paint, and everyday supplies you probably already have on hand.

Every project below is simple enough for little hands and festive enough to display all season long.

Paper Plate Santa Face

A paper plate makes the easiest base for a Santa face. Paint the plate white on the bottom half and red on the top for the hat, then let it dry completely before adding features.

Cotton balls stretched thin create a soft, textured beard along the bottom edge. Add googly eyes, a small pink circle for the nose, and a cotton ball pom-pom at the tip of the hat.

Tip: use a glue stick instead of liquid glue for the cotton balls, since it dries faster and holds better without soaking through the plate.

Handprint Santa Ornament

Handprint crafts turn into keepsakes parents want to save for years. Paint a child’s palm and fingers white, then press it onto red cardstock so the fingers form Santa’s beard and the palm forms his face.

Once the paint dries, add a construction paper hat, googly eyes, and a cotton ball on top. Punch a hole and thread ribbon through it so it can hang on the tree.

Tip: label the back with the child’s age and the year, turning a simple craft into a dated keepsake.

Toilet Paper Roll Santa

Empty toilet paper rolls are one of the best free craft supplies around, and they make a sturdy little Santa figure. Wrap the roll in red paper and add a black paper belt strip across the middle.

Glue on a cotton ball beard, a paper hat with a pom-pom tip, and two small dot eyes above the beard line. These stand upright on their own, so they work well as a mantel or table display.

Santa Beard Paper Plate Mask

Kids love wearing their crafts, and this Santa beard mask lets them do exactly that. Cut a paper plate into a curved beard shape, then cover it with glued-on cotton balls or shredded white tissue paper.

Attach a popsicle stick to the bottom edge so children can hold the beard up to their face like a mask. Add a red felt hat cutout to the top for the full Santa look.

Cotton Ball Santa Beard Card

For a quick project that doubles as a holiday card, draw or print a simple Santa face outline on cardstock. Kids fill in the hat with red marker or paint, then glue cotton balls along the beard outline.

This one works well for classroom parties since it requires minimal setup and cleanup. A folded card format also makes it easy to write a holiday message inside.

Clothespin Santa Ornament

Wooden clothespins make surprisingly detailed little Santas. Paint the top half of the clothespin red for the hat and leave the clip section natural or paint it a skin tone for the face.

Add a cotton ball pom-pom, small dot eyes, and a wisp of white paint or cotton for the beard. Glue a loop of string to the back so it clips right onto the tree.

Why Santa Crafts Are Worth the Mess

Santa crafts give kids a hands-on way to look forward to the holidays that does not involve a screen. The repetition of painting, gluing, and decorating also builds fine motor skills without feeling like a lesson.

These projects work equally well at home on a weekend afternoon or in a classroom setting with a group of kids. Most require only a few minutes of setup and use supplies that are already sitting in a craft drawer.

Finished crafts also make thoughtful, low-cost gifts for grandparents when displayed on the tree or propped on a shelf. Kids feel proud handing over something they made themselves, and the projects hold up well enough to be reused year after year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What supplies do I need for santa claus crafts for kids?

Most projects only need paper plates, cotton balls, red and white paint, googly eyes, and glue. A few also use clothespins or empty toilet paper rolls, both of which are easy to save ahead of time.

What age group are these crafts best for?

These crafts work well for preschool through early elementary age, roughly three to eight years old. Younger kids may need help with cutting or gluing small pieces like eyes and pom-poms.

How do I keep the cotton ball beards from falling off?

A glue stick usually holds better than liquid glue since it grips the cotton fibers without soaking through the paper. Pressing each cotton ball firmly for a few seconds before moving on also helps it set.

Can these crafts be done for a classroom party?

Yes, several of these projects are ideal for classrooms since they use inexpensive supplies and require little cleanup. The paper plate face and cotton ball card are the fastest options when time is limited.

How long do these crafts take to make?

Most take between fifteen and thirty minutes depending on drying time for paint. Handprint and clothespin ornaments dry the fastest, while fully painted paper plates need more time to set.

Can I turn these crafts into ornaments?

Many of these projects can be turned into ornaments with a simple hole punch and ribbon or a string loop glued to the back. The handprint Santa and clothespin Santa are the easiest to convert since they are already lightweight.

Bring the Holiday Spirit Home

These santa claus crafts for kids turn an ordinary afternoon into a festive one without requiring a special trip for supplies. Pick one or two to start with, then work through the rest as the holidays get closer.