Christmas Tree Popsicle Stick Ornament: a fun Christmas Craft for kids

popsicle sticks organized and decorated to look like a christmas tree

The Christmas season is the perfect time to slow down, get creative, and make something special with your kids or students. Crafts like this Christmas Tree Popsicle Stick Ornament capture the spirit of the holidays—simple, colorful, and full of joy. Whether you’re a mom planning an afternoon of family fun, a homeschool parent building hands-on lessons into your holiday curriculum, or a teacher setting up December craft centers, this project is easy to prepare and absolutely charming once finished.

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popsicle sticks organized and decorated to look like a christmas tree

This ornament is perfect for little hands, requiring only basic materials and minimal cleanup. Children can take pride in creating something they’ll see hanging on the tree all season long—or even for years to come. The project also connects beautifully with holiday story time, encouraging creativity and fine motor skill development while celebrating the magic of Christmas.

Books to Pair with this christmas tree popsicle stick ornament

popsicle sticks organized and decorated to look like a christmas tree

If you want to add a literacy component, pair the craft with a beloved holiday read-aloud. Books like Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry, The Christmas Tree Who Loved Trains by Annie Silvestro, or The Littlest Christmas Tree by R.A. Herman are all wonderful choices. Each story explores themes of kindness, sharing, and finding joy in simple things—the same ideas that make crafting together so meaningful.

After reading, take a moment to talk about Christmas trees. Ask your children or students what they notice about the trees in the story. How do people decorate them? Why do they think we put stars or lights on top? This simple conversation helps children connect what they read to the craft they’re about to make.

Now it’s time to create your own tree!

How to make the christmas tree popsicle stick ornament

red and green pain, a paintbrush, popsicle sticks, yellow construction paper, and green yarn

Step 1: Gather Materials
You’ll need five popsicle sticks, green and red paint, a small paintbrush, yarn, scissors, yellow construction paper, and glue. If you’d like to add some sparkle, you can also use sequins, beads, buttons, pom-poms, or even glitter glue. The great thing about this project is its flexibility—kids can make each tree as unique as they are.

popsicle sticks cut to look like a christmas tree

Step 2: Cut the Popsicle Sticks
Cut the popsicle sticks into lengths that will form a tree shape. You’ll need one long piece for the base, two or three shorter pieces to stack upward like branches, and one full popsicle stick for the tree trunk. Adults can help with this step if younger children are involved. The varying lengths help the ornament look like a layered Christmas tree.

popsicle sticks painted green and red and white

Step 3: Paint the Popsicle Sticks
Next, paint two or three of the popsicle sticks green and one red for a fun, festive accent. Use a small paintbrush to cover each stick completely, then set them aside to dry. You can also paint the tree trunk brown if you like. For a classroom setting, consider prepping the sticks in advance to save time and minimize paint mess.

popsicle sticks organized and decorated to look like a christmas tree

Step 4: Assemble the Tree
Once the paint is dry, it’s time to build your Christmas tree. Lay out the sticks in a triangle shape, with the longest at the bottom and the shortest at the top. Glue them in place, leaving a bit of space between each row for that layered branch look. Then attach the trunk behind the bottom stick to give your tree a sturdy base. Let the glue dry completely before moving on.

popsicle sticks organized and decorated to look like a christmas tree

Step 5: Add the Star
Cut a small star out of yellow or gold construction paper and glue it to the very top of your tree. You can also use a foam star sticker, a sequin, or a glittery paper star if you want extra sparkle. The star is often seen as the finishing touch—it symbolizes hope and light, making this step a great moment to talk with kids about the meaning of Christmas traditions.

popsicle sticks organized and decorated to look like a christmas tree

Step 6: Attach the Yarn Hanger
Cut a piece of green or red yarn and tie the ends together to make a loop. Glue or tape the loop to the back of your ornament so it can hang easily. Once it’s dry, your handmade Christmas Tree Ornament is ready to be displayed!

Step 7: Add Decorations (Optional)
If you want to take this project up a notch, add small details to your tree. You can glue on colorful sequins as ornaments, draw lights with markers, or wrap thin yarn or twine around the tree to look like garland. Older kids especially enjoy this creative step—each tree turns out completely different!

Why parents and teachers love this christmas craft

popsicle sticks organized and decorated to look like a christmas tree

This Christmas Tree Popsicle Stick Ornament isn’t just a craft—it’s a learning experience in disguise. Children practice cutting, painting, gluing, sequencing, and creative thinking all while making something festive. It’s a wonderful way to strengthen fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, especially for preschool and early elementary ages.

Homeschool parents can easily connect this activity to science and social studies lessons. Talk about evergreen trees and why they stay green all year long. Explore where Christmas trees originally came from and how people around the world celebrate with their own unique decorations. This helps children see the craft as part of a larger tradition that connects families and cultures across the globe.

popsicle sticks organized and decorated to look like a christmas tree

For teachers, this project fits beautifully into December art centers or classroom holiday parties. It’s simple to prepare, easy to adapt for any age, and creates minimal mess. Pre-cutting the sticks or pre-painting them ahead of time can make setup even smoother for large groups. Once finished, students can write their names and the year on the back before hanging them up as part of a class display titled “O Christmas Tree!” or “Our Holiday Forest.”

For moms and caregivers, this ornament is a great way to spend a cozy winter afternoon together. Put on some Christmas music, sip hot cocoa, and let the creativity flow. Each ornament becomes a memory—something your child can proudly hang on the tree year after year. Don’t forget to write their name and the year on the back for a personal touch.

Extend the activity for more learning

popsicle sticks organized and decorated to look like a christmas tree

If you want to extend the craft into a writing activity, invite children to write about their trees. Prompts like “If my Christmas tree could talk, it would say…” or “The best part about decorating my tree is…” encourage imagination and language development. These little stories can be displayed alongside their ornaments or added to a holiday journal.

You can also use this project to encourage kindness and gratitude. Before hanging their ornaments, ask children to write one kind thing they plan to do for someone this season on the back of their tree. Display them together as a “Kindness Forest” or “Giving Tree” wall—each tree representing a small act of holiday cheer.

If you’re crafting with a group of children, a few quick tips can help things run smoothly. Lay down newspaper or butcher paper before painting, and use small paper plates or trays for paint portions. For younger kids, try washable paint or even coloring the sticks with markers or crayons instead of using brushes. Glue dots or tacky glue are also great alternatives to liquid glue for quick drying.

An easy christmas keepsake

popsicle sticks organized and decorated to look like a christmas tree

The Christmas Tree Popsicle Stick Ornament is a timeless craft that brings creativity, storytelling, and togetherness to the holiday season. It’s simple enough for little ones yet flexible enough to inspire big ideas. Whether you hang them on your Christmas tree, display them in a classroom, or give them as heartfelt handmade gifts, each tree becomes a keepsake—a reminder of laughter, love, and the joy of creating together.

This project doesn’t just make something pretty—it creates memories that sparkle every December.

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