Christmas Tree Popsicle Stick Ornament: A Festive DIY for Kids

a popsicle stick christmas ornament decorated to look like a tree

Christmas ornaments are one of those holiday traditions that families cherish year after year. There’s something special about pulling out a box of decorations and finding the handmade treasures that children created in years past. The Christmas Tree Popsicle Stick Ornament is the kind of craft that instantly becomes part of those traditions. It’s simple enough for young children to make, yet it turns out festive and polished enough to hang proudly on the tree. With just a few popsicle sticks, paint, pom poms, and yarn, kids can create their very own Christmas tree ornament to enjoy this season and in many seasons to come.

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a popsicle stick christmas ornament decorated to look like a tree

What makes this craft so perfect is how approachable it is. The steps are clear and easy, and the materials are inexpensive and readily available. Most classrooms and homes already have popsicle sticks, paint, and glue. Pom poms and yarn add a colorful finishing touch, but even those are affordable and easy to find. For teachers, this is a low-prep holiday project that keeps students engaged while giving them something meaningful to take home. For families, it’s a cozy afternoon activity that ends with a handmade keepsake for the tree.

What You’ll Need To Make This Christmas ornament

supplies to make the christmas tree popsicle stick ornament : green and white paint, popsicle sticks, red pom poms, yellow construction paper, and scissors

To make a Christmas Tree Popsicle Stick Ornament, you’ll need three popsicle sticks, pom pom balls, white and green paint, scissors, a paintbrush, glue, yarn in red and green, and yellow construction paper for the star. These simple supplies turn into something magical with just a little time and creativity.

How To Make the Christmas Tree Craft

painting a popsicle stick green

Begin by painting two popsicle sticks white. Once the paint is dry, add green paint in alternating stripes to give them a candy cane look. Paint the third popsicle stick solid green, and once it’s dry, trim the ends with scissors to make it slightly shorter. When you assemble the sticks into a triangle, this shorter piece will serve as the base of the tree.

popsicle sticks painted with green stripes, glued together to form a triangle

After the paint is fully dry, glue the three popsicle sticks together to form a triangle shape. This triangle becomes the frame of the Christmas tree. Next, cut a star from yellow construction paper (or use a star-shaped sticker if you have one on hand) and glue it to the very top of the triangle. This detail makes the ornament instantly recognizable as a Christmas tree.

a christmas tree made out of decorated popsicle sticks with a star on top and red pom poms

Now comes the fun part: decorating. Glue small red pom poms onto the green popsicle sticks as ornaments. Children can place them in neat rows or scatter them randomly—either way, the effect is colorful and festive. If you have extra supplies, you can also add sequins, glitter, or stickers for even more sparkle.

a popsicle stick christmas ornament decorated to look like a tree

Finally, cut a strip of red and green yarn, tie the ends together, and glue or tape it to the top of the ornament to serve as a hanger. Once it’s dry, your ornament is ready to hang on the Christmas tree.

Why Parents and Teachers Love This Christmas tree popsicle stick Ornament Craft

What’s wonderful about this craft is that no two ornaments ever look the same. Some children may keep theirs simple with just a few pom poms, while others will load their trees with as many decorations as possible. Each ornament reflects the child’s personality and creativity, which makes them even more meaningful as keepsakes. Parents love pulling these ornaments out year after year, remembering the age and stage when each one was made.

This craft also supports important developmental skills. Painting and gluing help strengthen fine motor control. Cutting out the star and trimming the popsicle stick base builds hand-eye coordination. Following the step-by-step instructions supports sequencing and focus, while choosing colors and arranging decorations encourages creativity and self-expression. For younger children, it’s an opportunity to practice color recognition and simple patterns. For older students, it’s a chance to take creative ownership and add personal touches.

a popsicle stick christmas ornament decorated to look like a tree

In the classroom, this ornament project works beautifully during the weeks leading up to winter break. Teachers can prepare materials ahead of time by pre-cutting stars and organizing pom poms into bowls. Students can then work at their own pace to paint, glue, and decorate. Once finished, the ornaments can be displayed on a classroom Christmas tree or bulletin board before being sent home as a gift for families. Parents love receiving handmade ornaments, and children feel proud to contribute something special to their family’s holiday traditions.

At home, this craft makes a wonderful family activity. Kids can create their ornaments while listening to Christmas music or watching a holiday movie. Once finished, the ornaments can be hung on the family tree or even given as gifts to grandparents, neighbors, or friends. Handmade ornaments like this one make thoughtful, inexpensive presents that carry sentimental value far beyond anything store-bought.

From a practical standpoint, this craft is budget-friendly and easy to set up. Popsicle sticks and pom poms are inexpensive and often come in bulk, making them ideal for classroom use. The templates for the star can be reused year after year, and yarn scraps can be repurposed into hangers. Clean-up is minimal—just a little paint and glue—and the project can be completed in one sitting, which makes it manageable during the busy holiday season.

Pair it with a Christmas Book

a popsicle stick christmas ornament decorated to look like a tree

Pairing this activity with a Christmas read-aloud makes the experience even more memorable. Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry is a classic story that celebrates the joy of Christmas trees in many forms. Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Eric Litwin adds a playful twist with a familiar character children love. For something more traditional, The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore is always a cozy choice. Reading one of these stories before or after crafting helps set the holiday mood and gives kids ideas for how to decorate their own trees.

Extend the Learning

a popsicle stick christmas ornament decorated to look like a tree

There are also plenty of ways to extend this craft into other learning areas. For writing, children can create a short story about their tree ornament—perhaps imagining that it’s a magical tree that comes to life at night. For math, they can count how many pom poms they used, compare the lengths of the popsicle sticks, or create patterns with their decorations. For art, they can experiment with different color schemes, such as using blue and silver instead of red and green. These small extensions turn a simple ornament into a learning-rich experience.

A fun, holiday craft that you’ll cherish for years to come

a popsicle stick christmas ornament decorated to look like a tree

The Christmas Tree Popsicle Stick Ornament is more than just a holiday craft. It’s a chance for children to create something meaningful, practice important skills, and contribute to family or classroom traditions. The finished ornaments are charming on their own, but the real magic comes from the memories made while creating them. Parents, teachers, and children alike will treasure both the process and the product.

Christmas is a season filled with joy, tradition, and creativity, and this craft captures all three. It’s simple enough for preschoolers, engaging enough for older children, and festive enough to become a beloved part of your holiday celebrations. Whether hung on a Christmas tree, displayed on a wall, or gifted to loved ones, these ornaments bring warmth and cheer to the season.

If you’re looking for a holiday activity that’s inexpensive, easy to prepare, and full of seasonal spirit, the Christmas Tree Popsicle Stick Ornament is a perfect choice. It’s the kind of project children remember long after the holiday is over, not just because of the ornament itself, but because of the time and joy that went into making it.

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