The Best Baby Holiday Crafts: Easy and Fun Ideas for Moms and Babies

Have you ever found yourself scrolling Pinterest, wishing you could create adorable holiday crafts with your baby but feeling unsure where to start?

Between the mess, the time, and wondering if your little one will even stay interested, it can feel like more work than joy.

But guess what? Crafting with your baby doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it can actually be a fun, bonding experience that adds a personal touch to your holiday celebrations.

In this post, we’ll explore simple and stress-free baby holiday crafts that are perfect for little hands and big memories. From keepsakes you’ll treasure forever to easy decorations you’ll proudly display, these crafts are designed with busy moms and wiggly babies in mind. Let’s dive in and get creative!

1. Why Baby Holiday Crafts Are Worth the Effort

Crafting with your baby might seem like a tall order, especially when you’re juggling a million things. But here’s why it’s worth it:

• Memory-Making: These moments are fleeting. Creating keepsakes like handprint ornaments lets you capture this stage of your baby’s life forever.
• Sensory Play: Babies learn through touch, and crafts provide a fun way to explore different textures and materials.
• Bonding Time: Crafting is a chance to slow down and focus on your baby, away from distractions.

Even if the end result isn’t perfect (because let’s be real, babies don’t follow instructions), the process itself is what counts.

2. Tips for Crafting with Babies

Before jumping into the crafts, here are a few quick tips to keep the experience fun and low-stress:

• Keep it Simple: Babies don’t need complicated projects. Focus on crafts that use 2-3 materials max.
• Prep Ahead: Lay out supplies and protect your workspace with an old sheet or tablecloth.
• Be Flexible: If your baby loses interest, it’s okay to pause and come back later.
• Use Baby-Safe Materials: Choose non-toxic paints, washable markers, and edible materials for safety.

3. Handprint and Footprint Keepsakes

One of the easiest and most cherished baby holiday crafts involves handprints or footprints. These projects are quick, adorable, and make perfect gifts for grandparents.

Salt Dough Ornaments

• Materials: Flour, salt, water, rolling pin, cookie cutters, paint
• Steps:
  1. Mix 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, and 1/2 cup water into dough.
  2. Roll it out and cut shapes with cookie cutters.
  3. Press your baby’s hand or foot into the dough to create an imprint.
  4. Bake at 200°F for 2-3 hours, then paint once cooled.

Handprint Holiday Cards

• Materials: Cardstock, non-toxic paint, markers
• Steps:
  1. Paint your baby’s hand with non-toxic paint.
  2. Gently press it onto the cardstock.
  3. Add details like antlers or a Santa hat to turn the print into a festive design.

4. Mess-Free Painting Ideas

If the idea of paint everywhere makes you break out in a sweat, these mess-free ideas are for you:

Ziploc Bag Painting

• Materials: Large Ziploc bag, cardstock, paint
• Steps:
  1. Place a piece of cardstock inside a Ziploc bag.
  2. Add a few drops of paint inside the bag and seal it tightly.
  3. Let your baby squish and move the paint around to create art without the mess.

Bubble Wrap Stamping

• Materials: Bubble wrap, non-toxic paint, paper
• Steps:
  1. Tape bubble wrap to your baby’s hand or foot.
  2. Dip it in paint and press onto paper.
  3. The result? A textured and unique holiday design!

5. Holiday-Themed Sensory Bottles

Sensory bottles are a hit with babies and an easy way to add some holiday sparkle to playtime.

Snow Globe Sensory Bottle

• Materials: Empty plastic bottle, water, glitter, small holiday trinkets
• Steps:
  1. Fill the bottle halfway with water.
  2. Add glitter and small items like plastic snowflakes or mini ornaments.
  3. Seal the lid tightly (hot glue works well for extra security).

Jingle Bell Sensory Bottle

• Materials: Empty bottle, jingle bells, pom-poms
• Steps:
  1. Fill the bottle with small jingle bells and holiday-colored pom-poms.
  2. Seal the lid, and let your baby shake away!

6. Easy Decorations Babies Can Help With

Let your baby take part in decorating with these simple ideas:

Paper Chain Garland

• Materials: Construction paper, glue stick
• Steps:
  1. Cut paper into strips.
  2. Help your baby glue ends together to form links.
  3. Hang the garland on your tree or around the house.

Felt Christmas Tree

• Materials: Large piece of green felt, smaller pieces of colorful felt, scissors
• Steps:
  1. Cut a tree shape from the large green felt.
  2. Cut ornaments from the smaller felt.
  3. Let your baby “decorate” the tree by sticking the ornaments on (felt sticks to felt without glue!).

7. Clean-Up Made Easy

Crafting with babies means mess is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be stressful:

• Use a highchair tray as a crafting station.
• Keep baby wipes or a damp cloth nearby for quick clean-up.
• Line the floor with an old sheet to catch spills.

Make Memories, Not Perfection

Crafting with your baby doesn’t have to be picture-perfect. It’s about spending quality time together, fostering creativity, and creating memories you’ll both cherish. Whether you’re making handprint ornaments, sensory bottles, or mess-free paintings, these baby holiday crafts are sure to bring joy to your holiday season.

Now it’s your turn! Gather your materials, choose a craft, and start creating. Which one are you most excited to try?