20+ Silly & Sweet Christmas in July Crafts for Kids

Facebook Email Flipboard Pinterest Reddit

Who says December gets all the fun? When the sun’s out and the pool’s calling, it’s the perfect time to bring some holiday cheer into your summer days. These Christmas in July crafts for kids combine gingerbread pirates and tropical ornaments for a warm-weather twist on holiday traditions.

Whether your kids want to build a snowman without snow or give Santa a Hawaiian vacation, there’s something here for every age. Don’t miss our favorite Christmas crafts for even more ideas!

Collage of “Christmas in July” kids' crafts, including summer-themed snowmen, ornaments, elves, reindeer, and beach Santa decorations, with the text "Christmas in July Crafts for Kids – For Home or Class."

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and a participant in other affiliate programs, I earn a commission on qualifying purchases. Read our disclosure policy.

Christmas In July Preschool Crafts

Summer Santa Craft

Let Santa soak up the sun with this Summer Santa Craft! This fun paper activity gives jolly old St. Nick a warm-weather twist, complete with sunglasses and a Hawaiian shirt. It’s a playful way to blend beach vibes with holiday cheer, and the free printable template makes it super simple for little hands to cut, glue, and assemble. It's a festive pick for adding a bit of silliness to your summer!

Mermaid Gingerbread Man

Imagine a gingerbread man who goes to the beach and trades his legs for a sparkly mermaid tail. Kids decorate the classic cookie character using the blog's printable pattern with seashells and bright colors—you don't need to bake for the transformation.

The mashup of holiday spirit and ocean fun is so unexpected and silly that little ones can't help but smile, and the original tutorial makes it easy to explore this Christmas-in-July art.

www.giftofcuriosity.com

Sand-Filled Ornament

A clear ornament becomes a mini beach scene when kids fill it with sand and a few tiny seashells. This "beach in a bauble" is a unique twist on the usual snow-filled decoration, capturing summer fun to hang on the Christmas tree.

It's simple to make and feels personal—children love bottling up their vacation memories—and the blog's tutorial shares easy tips to ensure everything stays in place.

Two completed "Xmas in July" reindeer crafts are displayed on a white surface, each featuring a reindeer with sunglasses, a red nose, and a colorful flower lei, standing on a beach with the phrase “DASHING THROUGH THE SAND!” at the bottom.

Reindeer Beach Craft For Kids

Rudolph’s traded snow for sand in this silly Reindeer Beach Craft! It looks like he’s snapped a sunny selfie at the beach, complete with cool shades, swim trunks, and a beach ball by his side. This fun paper craft is a great way for kids to mix Christmas cheer with summer fun. Just print the free template, then cut, glue, and let the festive beach vibes begin!

www.icanteachmychild.com

Seashell Ornaments

A seashell from the beach becomes a beautiful Christmas ornament when kids press it into soft clay to leave an imprint of its shape and texture. The experience is tactile—little ones love squishing the clay and seeing a seashell pattern magically appear.

Each ornament ends up as a one-of-a-kind keepsake of summer vacation, and the blog's tutorial shows how to preserve these beachy memories for your Christmas tree.

Grinch Snowman

Even the Grinch can't steal the fun from this quirky project that mixes him with a classic snowman. Kids use a printable pattern to build a snowman who looks suspiciously Grinchy, complete with a green grin and Santa hat.

You don't need real snow for this activity (perfect for a warm July day), and the blog's template helps kids easily create that grumpy-yet-cute face.

www.redtedart.com

Sea Glass Salt Dough Ornaments

Combining beach treasures with a classic salt dough recipe, kids can make beautiful ornaments by pressing pieces of sea glass into dough shapes and letting them harden.

The result resembles a mini sun-catcher: light shines through the colorful glass bits when hung up, reminding everyone of ocean waves and summer days. It's a fantastic way to bring seaside vibes to your Christmas tree, and the blog shares the simple dough recipe and tips for this project.

kidscraftroom.com

Dangly-Legged Reindeer

A few simple art supplies turn into a jolly reindeer with long, swinging legs that kids will love to jiggle. This playful decoration is extra funny because its dangly paper legs bounce around, giving the reindeer a goofy personality.

There might not be any snow in July, but this cheerful critter still brings holiday whimsy to a summer afternoon, and the blog's step-by-step guide makes it easy to put together.

Related: Fork Painted Reindeer Craft

Handprint Manger

A child's handprint becomes baby Jesus in a manger, transforming a simple tracing into a special nativity decoration. Families will treasure this sweet and meaningful project since it captures the Christmas story and a moment in their little one's life.

Even on a sunny July afternoon, kids can share in the holiday spirit by making this keepsake art, and the blog's step-by-step instructions make it easy to recreate.

lifeovercs.com

Felt Christmas Tree

With this art, little ones get their very own Christmas tree to decorate over and over, made entirely of felt. They start with a big felt tree shape and then cut out colorful felt ornaments that stick on the tree like magic (no glue needed), so kids can rearrange the decorations as much as they like.

Toddlers experience the fun of trimming a tree without any pine needles or mess—a perfect Christmas-in-July activity—and the blog shows precisely how to set it up for endless play.

Also try: Christmas Tree Tissue Paper Craft

www.kitchencounterchronicle.com

Palm Tree Ornament

Bring a tropical holiday vibe to your tree with a handmade palm tree ornament inspired by the Hawaiian phrase "Mele Kalikimaka" (Merry Christmas). Kids create a mini palm out of simple materials, decorate it with bright island colors, and add a pinch of glitter for some festive sparkle.

It's a refreshing change from the usual snowmen and reindeer, perfect for a Christmas in July celebration, and the blog's instructions show how to create this little island-style ornament.

Gingerbread Man Paper

You don't need an oven for this adorable gingerbread man project—kids create a cute paper version instead. They simply print and cut out a gingerbread man shape, then decorate their pretend cookie with crayons, stickers, or any "icing" they like.

It's a mess-free way to enjoy the gingerbread tradition even in the middle of summer, and the original post provides the pattern and easy steps to get started.

activelittles.com

Santa Shapes

Even if Santa is off-duty for the summer, toddlers can still make his friendly face in this simple art. Using basic supplies like paper, cotton balls, and big googly eyes, little ones create a jolly Santa without any complicated steps or mess.

It's a fun, no-stress way for the kids to celebrate Christmas in July, and the original post shares tips to keep it toddler-friendly.

Related: Torn Paper Santa Craft

meaningfulmama.com

Toilet Paper Roll Gingerbread

An empty toilet paper tube turns into an adorable gingerbread man, proving you can "bake" up some holiday fun without an oven. Kids paint or wrap the tube in gingerbread colors, add a happy face and paper "icing" squiggles, and suddenly they have a gingerbread friend that stands up on its own.

It's a clever way to recycle everyday materials for Christmas in July activities, and the blog's tutorial shows how to bring this cardboard cookie to life.

Also try: Gingerbread Man Do A Dots Worksheets

two side by side examples of finished buddy the elf crafts

Printable Elf

Santa's little helper comes to life on paper with a printable project that kids color and assemble themselves. From the pointy hat to the curly shoes, children combine an elf piece by piece and add their artistic touches.

It brings some North Pole magic into the summertime, and the blog's free template makes this Christmas-in-July activity as easy as printing and pasting.

meaningfulmama.com

Sponge-Stamped Snowman

Kids can build a frosty friend in July by dipping a sponge in white paint and stamping snowball shapes on paper. This fun art technique lets little ones "stack" painted snowballs without any real snow, and they'll be excited to decorate their snowman with a carrot nose, hat, and goofy grin.

It's a creative way to cool down with some wintery art on a hot day, and the blog provides handy tips for making your stamped snowman come out just right.

Related: Paper Strip Snowman Craft

Two completed beach snowman crafts are displayed side by side, each featuring sunglasses, a colorful hat, paper clouds, ocean waves, sandy ground, and a beach ball.

Beach Snowman Craft Idea

This Beach Snowman Craft gives the classic frosty friend a sunny twist! Kids can imagine their snowman soaking up the sun, complete with sunglasses, a beach ball, and a tropical backdrop. It's a delightful way to blend winter fun with summer vibes. The free printable template makes it easy for little ones to cut, glue, and assemble their own beach-loving snowman. It's perfect for adding a splash of silliness to your Christmas in July celebrations!

happytoddlerplaytime.com

Reindeer Hand Puppet

After making this cute reindeer puppet, kids can put on their little Christmas show—even in the middle of summer. They use something simple like a paper bag or a sock to create the reindeer, adding googly eyes, a red nose, and paper antlers, and then their new friend is ready to come to life on their hand.

It's part art and part imaginative play, which makes it double the fun, and you can find the complete how-to on the blog to help bring this puppet to life.

Also try: Paper Strip Reindeer Craft

Handprint Reindeer

In this adorable keepsake art, one little handprint transforms into one of Santa's reindeer. With some tracing, cutting, and a bit of glue, kids turn the outline of their hand into a reindeer's face—fingers become antlers, and a googly eye and red nose complete the look.

It's an adorable way to bring Christmas cheer to a summer afternoon (and remember how small those hands are), and the blog's printable template makes it easy to make this cute keepsake.

kidscraftroom.com

Newspaper Elf

Yesterday's news becomes tomorrow's holiday fun as kids recycle old newspapers into a lovely little elf. They cut and fold pieces of newsprint to make the elf's outfit and hat, then add some color and a smiling face to bring Santa's helper to life.

It's a clever lesson in recycling and creativity that adds a touch of Christmas cheer to a summer day, and the blog's tutorial shows how a humble newspaper page can turn into a festive decoration.

Related: Torn Paper Elf Craft

www.messforless.net

Cardboard Tube Tree

Who knew toilet paper rolls could turn into a Christmas tree? In this project, kids reuse cardboard tubes by cutting, stacking, or fanning them to build a mini tree. Then, they paint it green and decorate it with tiny pom-poms or a star.

It's an eco-friendly art that brings holiday decorating fun into the summer, and the blog's tutorial shows how those plain tubes can become a festive centerpiece.

Melted Snowman

This silly activity lets kids create a snowman who couldn't handle the heat—he's melted into a funny little puddle, carrot nose and all. Children arrange the "melted" snow using white paper or glue and then add the snowman's hat, eyes, and buttons scattered around, as if he's chilling out in the sun.

It's a lighthearted way to enjoy winter fun on a hot day, and the blog provides printable pieces and simple ideas to bring your melted snowman to life (no freezer required).

alittlepinchofperfect.com

Santa Art

A friendly Santa Claus comes together from just a few basic paper shapes in this preschool-friendly art. Kids glue rectangles, circles, and triangles of paper to build Santa's body, outfit, and smiling face, so they practice their shapes while making a holiday decoration.

Even in July, this easy project brings a bit of Christmas cheer into the day, and the blog's step-by-step instructions keep it simple for little hands.

Also try: Santa Cup Craft

www.messforless.net

Paper Bag Angel

A plain paper lunch bag turns into a heavenly angel in this project that kids can play with or display. By adding paper wings, a halo, and a cheerful face, the bag becomes an angel character ready for a Christmas puppet show or to sit atop the table.

It's a great Christmas-in-July activity because it uses simple stuff you already have and brings a touch of angelic holiday spirit into the summer, and the blog's guide shows how to make your own.

www.thebestideasforkids.com

Egg Carton Christmas

Don't toss that empty egg carton after breakfast—kids can turn it into a whole set of mini Christmas characters! With a bit of cutting and painting, those little cardboard cups transform into Santas, elves, or even tiny Christmas trees that are as cute as can be.

This eco-friendly art spree keeps kids busy on a summer day and brings some holiday art into July, and the original post has several creative ideas to get you started.

ticiamessing.com

Gingerbread Pirates

A swashbuckling twist on holiday activities lets kids turn gingerbread men into pint-sized pirates ready for a high-seas adventure. Children decorate their gingerbread characters with pirate hats, eyepatches, and tiny swords, mixing Christmas cookie art with imaginative playtime.

It's a playful way to bring some summery pirate fun into a Christmas art, and the blog's tutorial guides you through creating your crew of gingerbread buccaneers.

Also try: Gingerbread Activity Sheets

www.artycraftykids.com

Paper Gingerbread House

Who says gingerbread houses are just for winter? This project lets kids assemble and decorate a sweet little house out of paper, with drawn-on candies and colorful "frosting" details.

It's a sugar-free, no-bake way to enjoy a favorite holiday tradition on a hot summer day, and the blog provides all the printable patterns and inspiration to get started.

Related: Gingerbread House Name Craft

www.kitchencounterchronicle.com

Egg Carton Reindeer

An old egg carton finds new life as a mini Rudolph (or any reindeer friend) in this cute recycled art. Kids cut out one of the carton cups, paint it brown, and add pipe cleaner antlers plus a bright red nose to create a tiny reindeer face that can hang on the tree.

It's incredible how something so simple turns into holiday magic in the middle of summer, and the blog's instructions show you how to make a whole herd of these little reindeer if you like.

Also try: Reindeer Paper Cup Craft

More Fun Kid’s Ideas

25 Reindeer Day Activities For Crafty Kids & Little Learners
16 Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas for a Fun Holiday Countdown
21 Quick and Fun Grinch Classroom Activities

Sam

Sam is the crafter and founder of Simple Everyday Mom. She has been featured in Oprah Mag, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Crafts, Country Living, The Bump and more. Read more.

Facebook Email Flipboard Pinterest Reddit