Santa Popsicle Stick Craft: Easy Christmas Ornament Craft for Kids
Crafting handmade ornaments is one of the best ways to get kids involved in holiday activities. A Santa Popsicle Stick Craft combines simple supplies with hands-on creativity to make an ornament that can be hung on the Christmas tree, given as a handmade gift, or used as holiday decor. With a popsicle stick base, paper templates for Santa’s hat and star, and yarn details, this Christmas ornament craft is designed for children to enjoy while developing fine motor skills.
Whether made in the classroom, at home, or during a holiday party, this craft provides a fun way to celebrate the season while creating something that lasts for years. Below is a detailed guide with materials, step-by-step instructions, and creative tips for making a Santa Popsicle Stick Ornament.
Santa Popsicle Stick Ornament Materials
To get started, gather the following supplies:
- Popsicle sticks
- Red and green yarn
- Construction paper
- Pom pom ball
- Googly eyes
- Scissors
- Glue
- Printable Santa hat and star template
- Cotton balls
These materials are inexpensive and easy to find at most craft stores. The use of popsicle sticks provides a sturdy base for the Santa craft for kids, while the paper template ensures consistent shapes for the hat and star.
How to Make a Santa Popsicle Stick Craft
Step 1: Create the Popsicle Stick Base
Take three popsicle sticks and arrange them into a triangle shape. Secure the ends with glue. This triangle will serve as the frame for Santa’s face and decorations.
Step 2: Add the Paper Backing
Cut a triangle from white construction paper that matches the size of the popsicle stick frame. Glue it to the back of the frame. This step creates a surface for assembling the facial features and decorations.
Step 3: Prepare the Templates
Using the provided Santa hat and star template, trace the shapes onto construction paper. Cut them out carefully, then glue them together. Attach the completed hat and star to the top of the popsicle stick triangle.
Step 4: Assemble Santa’s Face
Glue on the googly eyes as well as the pom pom ball to form Santa’s nose. This simple step gives the handmade Santa ornament a playful personality.
Step 5: Add Cotton Details
Pull apart cotton balls and attach them to the edge of the hat, the tip of the hat, and along the bottom popsicle stick to mimic Santa’s beard and hat trim.
Step 6: Add the Yarn Hanger
Cut strips of red and green yarn. Twist or braid them together, then glue the yarn to the back of the triangle as a hanger. This step allows the craft to be hung on the Christmas tree or wall.
Encourage children to experiment with different yarn patterns or even add beads to the hanger for extra color.
Santa Popsicle Stick Craft in the Classroom
This Santa craft for kids is ideal for preschool and elementary classrooms. Teachers can prepare the templates in advance so students can focus on assembly.
Creating ornaments together can also help with:
- Strengthening scissor skills
- Practicing following instructions
- Building patience during drying time
- Encouraging creativity through decoration choices
The finished handmade Santa ornament can be displayed in the classroom or taken home as a handmade keepsake.
Christmas Ornament Craft at Home
Families often look for holiday crafts that double as decorations. The Santa popsicle stick ornament is a perfect weekend activity for children of all ages. Older kids can complete the steps independently, while younger children may need assistance with cutting and gluing.
This Christmas craft for kids is also a wonderful tradition to repeat year after year. By adding the child’s name and date on the back of the ornament, families can create a collection of handmade ornaments that mark each holiday season.
Creative Variations for the Popsicle Stick Christmas Craft
While the instructions above provide a classic design, there are many ways to customize the craft:
- Glitter Accents: Add glitter to the star or hat for extra sparkle.
- Different Yarn Styles: Use chunky yarn, metallic thread, or ribbon instead of red and green yarn.
- Personalized Hats: Decorate the hat with stickers, sequins, or small gems.
- Photo Ornament: Attach a small photo of the child in the center of the triangle to make it a keepsake.
- Different Paper Colors: Try patterned scrapbook paper for the hat or background to make each ornament unique.
These variations allow children to express their creativity while sticking to the same basic craft structure.
Why Choose a Santa Popsicle Stick Craft?
This Christmas craft for kids stands out because it is:
- Affordable: Popsicle stick Christmas crafts are inexpensive and most supplies may already be available at home.
- Simple: Instructions are straightforward, making it manageable for young children.
- Customizable: Children can personalize their ornaments with colors, textures, and accessories.
- Keepsake-Quality: The ornament can be saved and displayed year after year.
Unlike store-bought decorations, handmade ornaments add a personal touch to holiday celebrations and can become treasured memories.
Tips for Success
- Allow paint and glue to dry fully before moving to the next step.
- Pre-cut templates for younger children to simplify the process.
- Use stronger craft glue or a hot glue gun (with adult supervision) for long-lasting ornaments.
- Store ornaments carefully after the holiday season to ensure they can be used again.
Santa Popsicle Stick Craft
Making a Santa popsicle stick ornament is a chance for kids to explore creativity, strengthen fine motor skills, and make something they can proudly display. Whether created at home, in school, or during a holiday gathering, this Christmas ornament craft provides joy and a lasting decoration that can be cherished for years.
Gather up the popsicle sticks, yarn, and paper templates, and enjoy building this simple but memorable Christmas craft for kids.
get your free santa ornament template below
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