Best Christmas Art Projects and Painting Ideas for Kids

Here’s a list of fun Christmas art project ideas to keep the kids busy for the holidays. Try any of these easy Christmas painting ideas for toddlers to teens–and adults, too!

Whether you are a teacher looking for Christmas art project ideas or a parent looking for cute Christmas painting ideas–including handprint, footprint, and fingerprint art ideas to make Christmas cards–you can find it all in this roundup of fun Christmas arts and crafts!

Choose from any of the quick and easy Christmas arts and crafts below, and don’t forget to share a bit of the history of the Christmas character or symbol you choose with children. We have included everything that you need below. You might also enjoy this list of winter art projects for kids.

We have listed the Christmas art projects for kids into categories to make it easy to find the perfect project to try at home or in the classroom. This collection of cute Christmas art projects, crafts, and painting ideas is not just a list of art ideas you can try, it also includes classic Christmas symbols and characters AND how and why they came to be associated with Christmas. Scroll down to learn how Santa and his reindeer came to be associated with Christmas and more. You might also enjoy this list of Christmas traditions to make your holiday a magical time of year.

Related: Christmas Coloring & Activity Books for Kids and Adults

Christmas Tree Art Projects and Painting Ideas for Kids

Spend some time getting creative with your children this holiday season with this collection of fun Christmas tree art projects for kids of all ages.

Why do we have a Christmas Tree?

Evergreen fir trees have been used to celebrate winter festivals for thousands of years. In ancient days, an entire fir tree was cut down and burned to celebrate Yule. Learn more about the history of Christmas trees HERE!

There are so many creative ways to make Christmas tree art. Children can use their handprints, footprints, fingerprints, sponges, ripped paper, bubble wrap, or a fork to make excellent Christmas tree art!

Christmas Tree Art and Painting Ideas

• Watercolor Christmas Tree Art Cards | Rhythms of Play
• Glowing Christmas Tree Chalk Art Tutorial | Hodge Podge
• Sponge Painted Christmas Tree Art | Hello Wonderful
• Christmas Tree Winter Art | I Heart Crafty Things
• Black Glue Christmas Tree Art Project | I Heart Crafty Things
• Bubble Wrap Christmas Tree Art | School Time Snippets
• Fork Painted Christmas Tree | The Pinterested Parent 
• Single Downward Handprint Christmas Tree Art | Fun Handprint Art Blog
• Upward Handprint Christmas Tree Art | Pinky for Pink
• Family Downward Handprint Christmas Tree Canvas | Mum in the Madhouse
• Footprint Christmas Tree | Fun Handprint Art Blog
• Fingerprint Christmas Tree Art | A More Crafty Life
• Positive and Negative Fingerprint Christmas Trees | Rhythms of Play (photo below)

Related: Christmas Ornaments Kids Can Make

Cool Santa Art Projects and Painting Ideas for Kids

What does Santa Have to do with Christmas?

Santa Claus is one of the most classic characters associated with Christmas. The legend of Santa Claus originated from stories of a rich monk named Saint Nicolas, who gave gifts to poor and needy children. Learn more about the connection between Saint Nicolas and Santa Claus in fun family Christmas traditions.

Children love making Santa Clause art! Try either of the fun ideas listed below.

Santa Claus art project ideas

• Learn to draw Santa | Art Projects for Kids
• Santa Claus Directed Drawing | Find the post HERE and video HERE by Proud to be Primary
• How to Draw Santa Claus | Find the Video by Draw so Cute HERE
• Draw Santa Claus with a Christmas Tree | Find the step-by-step video tutorial by Farjana Drawing Academy HERE

Related: Ultimate Gift Guide for Kids

Cute Christmas Lights Art Ideas

Christmas fingerprint art is fun for kids and adults! You can even make fingerprint lights on a Christmas tree card. Make fingerprint Christmas lights for a cute Christmas keepsake gift idea, or create gorgeous Christmas lights art with chalk. Each of these Christmas art project ideas turns out beautifully.

Christmas Lights Art Projects

• Chalk Stencil Christmas Light Art | Buggy and Buddy
• Fingerprint Christmas Lights | Crafty Morning
• Easy Fingerprint Lights Cards | Dayna Banya
• Fingerprint Lights Christmas Tree Art Cards | Rhythms of Play (photo below)

Related: Christmas Elf Ornaments

Fun Christmas Elf Art Projects and Painting Ideas for Kids

What are Christmas Elves?

Christmas elves are magical and mischievous little friends that live with Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the north pole. Christmas elves usually dress in red or green and have large pointy ears and tall pointy hats. They are the cute, tiny, dwarf-like creatures known for being Santa’s little helpers. Many children believe that Santa’s elves help make toys in Santa’s workshop and care for his reindeer.

Christmas elf art ideas for kids

• Fingerprint Elf Art | Crafty Morning
• Draw Symmetrical Elf Shoes | Art Projects for Kids
• Elf Hat Marker Art Video | Glitter Meets Glue
• Step-by-Step Elf Drawing | Art Projects for Kids Blog

Related: 10 Reasons to Choose the Kindness Elves over the Elf on the Shelf

Cool Snowman Art Project and Painting Ideas for Children

What is a Snowman?

A snowman or snowperson is a snow sculpture built in the winter after a fresh heavy snowfall. A typical snowman usually has two or three giant snowballs of different sizes stacked one upon the other, with the biggest snowball placed on the bottom.

Snowmen are made with natural materials such as sticks or branches for arms and clothing like hats and scarves. Make a face with coal pieces or rocks and a carrot nose!

There are many ways to make and build a snowman, as there are ways to create snowman art. Try a few cool snowman art projects with your children this year!

For even more snowperson art ideas, pop over to look at winter art projects for kids!

Snowman Art Ideas for Kids

• Snowman Directed Drawing | Proud to be Primary
• How to Paint a Simple Snowman | Flower Patch Farmhouse
• Snowman Painting ~ Winter Art Projects for Kids | Housing a Forest
• Fingerprint Snowman Art (photo below)

 

Related: Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas and Gift-Giving Traditions

Cute Reindeer Art Projects and Painting Ideas for Kids

How did Santa’s reindeer become associated with Christmas?

In the days leading toward Christmas, we often share the tales of Santa and his flying reindeer with children. According to tradition, Santa’s reindeer help Santa Clause deliver gifts to all the girls and boys worldwide on Christmas Eve.

Santa’s reindeer were first made famous by a poem titled “A visit from Saint Nick,” written by Clement Moore. Today this poem is known as “Twas the night before Christmas.”

But why not also share the ancient stories and folktales that influenced these modern-day tales with our children? The legend of Santa Claus and his reindeer originates in folktales from around the world. The two most notable are the legend of Saint Nicolas, as mentioned above, and the “Deer Mother.”

In ancient times, people believed that the deer mother took flight on the night of the winter solstice–the darkest, longest night of the year. The Deer Mother was revered by many ancient peoples and was said to carry the sun’s life-giving light back to the Earth. Once I learned about this ancient folktale, I better understood why Rudolf had the brightest light guiding the sleigh through the skies!

What are Santa’s reindeer names in order, and how many reindeer does Santa have?

Santa’s reindeer names in order are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen, made famous by the story “‘Twas the night before Christmas.”

Later, the popularity of the song “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer” brought Santa’s official number of reindeer up to nine.

Reindeer Art Ideas for Children

• Reindeer Directed Drawing-how to draw a reindeer | BusyKidsHappyMom
• Sponge Painted Reindeer | I Heart Crafty Things
• Handprint Reindeer Art| Crafty Morning

Related: Best Winter Art Projects for Kids

Christmas Nativity Art Ideas

What is a Christmas Nativity Scene?

A Nativity scene depicts the birth of Jesus. The figures traditionally represented are the baby Jesus, his mother, Mary, and his father, Joseph. Sometimes the Three Wise Men, or Magi, are also included. Give one of these Christmas nativity art ideas a try with your kids at home or in the classroom.

Related: Easy Holy Family Nativity Scene

Christmas Nativity Art Projects for Kids

• Nativity Christmas Art | Fun A Day
• Christmas Nativity Art | Munchkin Time

Related: DIY Craft Stick Nativity Stable 

Christmas Nutcracker Art

What is a Christmas Nutcracker?

Nutcracker dolls are decorative figurines representing power, strength, and good luck as they guard us against evil and danger. This is why a Nutcracker is almost always bearing its teeth. Try drawing a Christmas Nutcracker with this giant nutcracker art project.

Christmas Nutcracker Art Projects for Kids

• Draw a Giant Nutcracker | Art Projects for Kids Blog

Related: Rustic Acorn Marble Ornaments

Christmas Ornament Art

Christmas ornaments are one of the most classic Christmas crafts around. Make some Christmas ornament art to accompany the Christmas ornament crafts you make with your children this year!

Easy Christmas Ornament Art Ideas

• Ornament Marker Drawings | Art Projects for Kids
• Potato Stamp Christmas Ornament Bulbs | Crafty Morning
• Holiday Ornaments Art Project | Artsonia

Related: Christmas Ornaments Kids Can Make

Best Christmas Handprint Art

Christmas handprint art is a beautiful keepsake gift that kids can make for parents and grandparents. Try any of the fun Christmas handprint art ideas below!

Christmas Handprint Art Projects for Kids

• Single Handprint Christmas Tree Art | Fun Handprint Art Blog
• Upward Handprint Christmas Tree Art | Pinky for Pink
• Family Downward Handprint Christmas Tree Canvas | Mum in the Madhouse
• Handprint Reindeer | Crafty Morning
• Best Christmas Handprint Art Ideas | Rhythms of Play–Click for more Christmas handprint art Ideas.
• Easy Christmas Carolers Handprint Art | Rhythms of Play (photo below)

Related: Four Season Handprint and Fingerprint Art Project

Christmas Fingerprint Art

Kid-made Christmas fingerprint art is another fun and easy keepsake gift idea. Create some Christmas magic with your fingertips with any of these art ideas.

Easy Christmas Fingerprint Art Ideas

• Fingerprint Lights Christmas Tree Art | Rhythms of Play
• Reverse Fingerprint Christmas Tree Art | Rhythms of Play
• Best Christmas Fingerprint Art Ideas | Rhythms of Play–Click for more Christmas fingerprint art ideas.

Related: Best Fingerprint Art Ideas for Kids

Best Christmas Footprint Art

Christmas footprint art also makes a fabulous keepsake gift idea that kids can make. Make some handmade (or foot-made) Christmas art today!

Christmas Footprint Art Projects

• Reindeer Footprint Art| Emma Owl
• Footprint Christmas Tree | Fun Handprint Art Blog
• Best Christmas Footprint Art Ideas | Rhythms of Play–Click for more Christmas footprint art ideas.

Christmas Art Project Ideas for Children

Try any of these fun Christmas art projects with your children this year. We have included a selection of cute Christmas art projects for kids from toddlers to teens.

This collection has an art project to please everyone, from Christmas handprint and footprint art ideas to a fork-painted Christmas tree. Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

If you like Christmas art ideas, you will love this fantastic collection of winter art projects for kids and adults. You may also like 51 fun family Christmas traditions for a magical holiday. 

Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!

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