30+ Santa Crafts for Kids to Make This Christmas

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If your little ones can’t wait for Santa’s big arrival, these Santa crafts for kids will keep the holiday spirit going strong. Each one is simple to make and uses supplies you likely have.

Kids will have a blast bringing jolly old St. Nick to life, whether gluing, cutting, or painting. Need more merry ideas? Check out our complete list of Christmas crafts for kids for even more ways to stay creative this season.

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Santa Crafts For Kids

Torn Paper Santa

Kids tear up bits of colored paper and glue them onto a template to create a textured Santa face. The simple ripping and pasting is great for little hands and adds a fun, scrappy look to Santa's beard and suit.

Little ones will love seeing torn paper pieces come together to form a jolly Santa, making this a wonderfully tactile and low-prep holiday project.

nontoygifts.com

Shape Santa

Little ones practice shape recognition and scissor skills by building Santa from basic paper shapes. Kids cut out circles, triangles, and rectangles (or use a printable template) and glue them together to assemble Santa's hat, face, and body piece by piece.

Blending holiday cheer with a mini math lesson is fun, as children proudly create a Santa while learning about shapes.

kidscraftroom.com

Pop-Up Santa

Kids will love this interactive Santa that pops up after pressing it down. They use a printable template to create a paper Santa that sits with arms out wide, and a clever folded mechanism or spring makes Santa bounce back up when gently pushed down.

After the fun of making their pop-up Santa, children will enjoy endless giggles playing with their creation as it pops right back up like magic.

Also try: Santa Card Craft

iheartcraftythings.com

Paper Plate Santa Claus

Kids transform a paper plate into Santa Claus using paint, paper, and plenty of imagination. They might paint the plate a skin tone for Santa's face, add a big red paper triangle or foam piece for his hat, and glue on cotton balls as the fluffy beard and hat brim.

This hands-on project turns simple materials into a festive Santa decoration, and children will love adding finishing touches like googly eyes and a pom-pom nose to bring Santa's face to life.

Related: Santa Cup Craft

Paper Plate Santa

Kids can turn a simple paper plate into Santa's jolly face, complete with a fluffy cotton-ball beard. Using basic supplies like a paper plate, colored paper, and glue, children assemble Santa's rosy face and iconic red hat on the plate and decorate it with soft cotton for the beard and hat trim.

This classic art is easy for all ages and makes a cheerful holiday decoration to display or hang up.

taminglittlemonsters.com

Tissue Paper Santa

Kids glue scrunched-up pieces of tissue paper onto a template to make a colorful Santa Claus. This project turns soft tissue paper squares into Santa's fluffy beard and bright red suit, giving the finished artwork a fun, bumpy texture.

Little ones will enjoy the hands-on process of crumpling and sticking the tissue paper, creating a festive Santa picture that's simple enough for toddlers and preschoolers.

Also try: How To Catch Santa Worksheets

iheartcraftythings.com

Newspaper Santa Claus

In this eco-friendly project, kids paint old newspaper in Santa's signature colors and then cut out the pieces to assemble him. The printed newsprint peeking through red, white, and peach paint gives Santa a cool vintage look that stands out.

Children enjoy repurposing newspaper into a jolly Santa decoration, and they see how recycled materials turn into festive art every day.

Related: Photo Santa Paper Craft

www.artycraftykids.com

Paper Plate Santa

This version of the paper plate Santa has kids painting and assembling Santa's features. Children paint a paper plate in Santa's colors — a skin-toned circle for the face and a bright red area for the hat — then glue on cotton wool for the fuzzy hat trim and beard.

With a big pom-pom nose and a pair of painted eyes to finish it off, the result is a super cute Santa plate art that's perfect for little hands to make with minimal help.

Also try: Santa Name Craft

Moving Santa Paper Plate

Children can pretend Santa is going up and down the chimney with this clever art. They decorate a paper plate to look like a brick chimney and attach a cute paper Santa that slides or “drops” in and out of the top (often with the help of a stick or slider).

Little ones will have a blast moving Santa up and down as if he's delivering gifts, making this creative and playfully interactive.

buggyandbuddy.com

Santa with Printed Beard

In this activity, kids experimented with a neat art technique to give Santa a textured beard. Using yarn and pipe cleaners dipped in white paint, children printed fun squiggly patterns onto paper that would become Santa's beard, then assembled the rest of his jolly face with construction paper.

The result is a Santa with a one-of-a-kind beard design, and kids will be proud of the cool “printed” effect they created while making this festive project.

theresjustonemommy.com

Simple Santa Shape

Even the little ones can help build Santa using only a few basic shapes in this simple project. Kids cut out a big circle or triangle for Santa's head and hat, add circles for eyes and a pom-pom nose, and maybe a rectangle for his body, then glue everything together to form a cute Santa Claus.

It's an easy preschool project that doubles as a quick shape-recognition activity, letting children practice identifying shapes while creating a fun holiday decoration.

Also try: Santa Handprint Card Craft

conservamome.com

Toilet Paper Roll Santa Claus

This recycled project transforms an empty toilet paper roll into a cute little Santa Claus. Kids cover the cardboard tube in red paper or paint for Santa's suit, then add on his face, a construction paper hat, and cotton-ball accents like a fluffy beard and hat trim.

This upcycled project is easy to make and fun to play with, resulting in a freestanding Santa figurine that gives holiday activities an eco-friendly twist.

Santa Handprint

Kids can turn the outline of their own hand into Santa's beard with this adorable keepsake activity. They trace their hand on white paper (or use the printable template) and cut it out to form Santa's long beard, then glue Santa's face and red hat on a cheerful paper right above the fingers.

It's an adorable personal art that's virtually mess-free and leaves you with a sweet holiday memento of your child's little hand turned into Santa Claus.

www.thebestideasforkids.com

Santa Handprint Card

Turning a child's handprint into a cute Santa Claus makes for an adorable keepsake and holiday card. For this project, kids paint their hand in sections—red for Santa's hat and white for his beard (leaving the face area unpainted)—and then stamp it on paper to create Santa's shape.

Once it dries, they add eyes, a pom-pom nose, and a greeting if using it as a card, resulting in a heartfelt homemade card that festively captures those little handprints.

Also try: Santa Claus Tissue Paper Craft

www.firefliesandmudpies.com

Paper Cup Santa

This fun art makes an everyday paper cup a jolly 3D Santa. Kids use a printable template to cut out Santa's face, hat, and belt, then glue the pieces onto a cup, which they turn upside down to form Santa's body and head.

The finished product is an adorable standing Santa decoration that kids can pick up and play with, perfect for decorating tables or mantels with homemade holiday cheer.

Related: Santa Cone Craft

www.artycraftykids.com

Paper Santa

Kids can assemble a paper Santa with a silly, bouncy surprise with this printable art. Using the provided template, children cut out and glue Santa's body and face together, then attach his round red nose on a little accordion-folded paper spring so it wiggles when touched.

It's a playful twist on traditional Santa projects—the big bobbling nose will have kids giggling at their jolly creation.

Also try: Santa Craft

Santa Chimney

Kids can imagine Santa's rooftop arrival by creating him halfway down a chimney using simple paper cutouts. With the help of a printable template, they glue together a funny scene of Santa either popping out of or diving into a brick chimney — complete with his boots, belt, and a dusting of “snow” if they like.

It's a playful way for kids to bring the classic Christmas story to life, making a decoration that shows Santa making his grand entrance via the chimney.

nontoygifts.com

Paper Santa

Here's a simple cut-and-paste Santa art project perfect for a quick afternoon activity. With the help of a template, kids can easily cut out Santa's classic features from colored cardstock—his red suit, black belt, boots, and friendly face – and glue them together to make a Santa Claus figure.

It's an easy paper project for preschoolers and early elementary kids, and the finished Santa can be hung up as decoration or used in pretend play.

Related: Popsicle Stick Santa Craft

kidscraftroom.com

Santa Christmas Cards

Kids can create jolly Santa Christmas cards shaped like Santa's round face to send holiday cheer to friends and family. Using a handy template, they cut and fold a circle card base and decorate it to look like Santa's smiling face – complete with a red hat, white beard, rosy cheeks, and even the option to choose different skin tones for Santa's face.

This project is easy and fun, and the personalized cards children make will surely bring a smile to anyone who receives one.

Also try: Roll A Santa Game

www.messylittlemonster.com

Mix-and-Match Santa

Kids can give Santa a unique look by mixing and matching different pieces in this paper art. Using a printable template with various Santa parts (like other styles of eyes, mouths, and accessories), children assemble their own custom Santa face or figure, choosing which features they like best.

It's a creative twist that lets little ones personalize their Santa, so no two Santas are the same – the results can be silly or sweet, and always one-of-a-kind.

Related: Moving Santa Craft

two versions of Santa photo craft side by side

Moveable Santa Photo

Kids will get a kick out of an art that lets them become Santa! Using a free template, children can attach their own photo as Santa's face and assemble a paper Santa body with arms and legs that move.

With paper fasteners (brads) at the joints, their personalized Santa turns into a little puppet – kids will love seeing themselves as a dancing, moveable Santa Claus decoration.

alittlepinchofperfect.com

Christmas Time Santa

Kids assemble a Santa using simple rectangles and a few other basic shapes, making this activity a perfect way to practice shapes and fine motor skills. A large rectangle can become Santa's body, with smaller rectangles for arms or boots, and of course, a triangle for his hat and circles for his head and buttons.

By gluing these shapes together, children create a cheerful Santa Claus, almost like building with blocks, an easy project that combines holiday fun with a subtle lesson in geometry.

Also try: Santa Worksheets

www.hellowonderful.co

Paper Santa

Simple paper Santa art like this one turns basic supplies into a festive holiday decoration. Kids cut and assemble Santa's cheerful figure using colored paper for his hat, suit, and beard, then draw on a friendly face.

The result is a cute, classic Santa that can be hung on the fridge or wall — an approachable project with charming results that add a handmade touch to your holiday decor.

Related: Santa Coloring Pages

www.redtedart.com

Paper Santa Lantern

Kids can create a Santa lantern out of paper to light up the holidays. They roll or fold red paper into a cylinder and decorate it to look like Santa's body — adding details like a black belt and a jolly face — then place a little LED tea light inside.

The lantern makes Santa glow warmly, turning a fun afternoon art project into a magical Christmas decoration that shines on a winter night.

Also try: Santa Do A Dot

www.thebestideasforkids.com

Santa Paper

Kids will love that this Santa paper project doubles as a photo keepsake and a wiggly puppet. They use a photo of themselves (or a family member) as Santa's face and attach it to the paper cutout body, then add arms and legs with brads so the limbs can swing and jiggle.

Every time you pick up this homemade Santa, his arms and legs dance around, making it a fun personalized ornament or toy that captures your child's smile at Christmas.

Related: Santa Headband Craft

www.craftplaylearn.com

Santa Paper

Using basic supplies, kids can cut, color, and glue this simple Santa paper art. The activity comes with a printable Father Christmas template, so kids can easily get all of Santa's pieces ready to assemble—from his red hat and coat to his white beard and friendly face.

This easy holiday activity sparks creativity, and kids can use the finished Santa as a wall decoration, a classroom display, or even a centerpiece for a homemade Christmas card.

Also try: Santa Paper Bag Puppet Craft

thepinterestedparent.com

Popsicle Stick Roof Top Santa Ornament

Kids can create a mini rooftop scene ornament using popsicle sticks, complete with Santa stuck in the chimney. They glue sticks together in a triangle shape to form a roof and chimney, paint it to look like a snow-covered house top, and add funny details like Santa's boots and legs poking out of the chimney.

This homemade ornament is adorable and humorous – children will be proud to hang their little “Santa on the rooftop” creation on the Christmas tree for everyone to admire.

Related: Paper Plate Santa Craft

www.pinkstripeysocks.com

Climbing Santa Paper

In this project, Santa becomes a fun climbing toy that kids can play with. After assembling a paper Santa cutout, children attach him to a simple pulley setup made of string and a cardboard tube or straw; by pulling the strings alternately, Santa “climbs” up the strings as if scaling a rope.

It's part art and part science toy, giving kids an entertaining, hands-on experience as they make Santa climb repeatedly with giggles and excitement.

Also try: Toilet Paper Roll Santa Craft

www.thejoysharing.com

Rocking Santa Sleigh Paper Plate

Kids can set Santa Claus rocking back and forth in his sleigh with this clever paper plate art. Children create a curved base that rocks like a little rocking horse by cutting a paper plate in half and decorating it as Santa's sleigh (complete with a paper Santa and maybe a reindeer or two).

They'll love gently pushing their Santa sleigh and watching it sway, bringing their art to life as a toy and spreading holiday cheer through play.

nontoygifts.com

Santa Stuck in Chimney

Kids will giggle at this activity showing Santa hilariously stuck in a chimney. With a simple template, they cut and glue a chimney topped with Santa's upside-down legs and boots sticking out, capturing a funny “Santa got stuck” moment.

It's an easy project that brings big laughs and a touch of silliness to the holiday, as children imagine Santa's predicament while creating a festive decoration.

Also try: Reindeer Tracing Worksheets

www.thebestideasforkids.com

Fluffy Santa Card

Kids will enjoy this easy Santa Claus project with a free template, which they can turn into a Christmas card. Using the template, they cut Santa's face, hat, and beard from paper and assembled them into a cute Santa head, complete with cotton ball details for a fluffy beard and hat trim.

Glue the finished Santa onto folded cardstock, and it transforms into a handmade holiday card, or simply hang the Santa as is – either way, it's a simple, satisfying art for kids to make around Christmastime.

buggyandbuddy.com

Stick Santa Ornament

Popsicle sticks form the base of this DIY Santa ornament that kids can easily make for the tree. Children glue a few popsicle sticks together (using a triangle shape or fence-like layout) and then add Santa's features on top – a construction paper or felt hat, a jolly face, and cotton or yarn for a beard.

Ultimately, you have a sturdy little Santa Claus ornament to hang on your Christmas tree, and kids will beam with pride seeing their handmade Santa decoration among the branches.

Also try: Torn Paper Grinch Craft

happyhooligans.ca

Paint Stick Santa

An everyday paint stir stick from the hardware store becomes an entertaining Santa decoration in this creative project. Kids paint the wooden stick in Santa's colors (red suit and hat, peach face) and use white yarn or cotton to create a long, fluffy beard and trim for the hat.

A few googly eyes and a pom-pom nose later, their tall Santa is complete — it's easy to make and sturdy enough to be used as a festive puppet or displayed upright as part of your holiday decor.

happyhooligans.ca

Paper Plate Popcorn Santa

Kids will get a kick from using real popcorn to make Santa's fluffy beard in this quirky paper plate art. First, they create Santa's face on a paper plate – painting on eyes and a smile and sticking on a red paper hat – then comes the fun part of gluing popped popcorn all over Santa's chin to form a bumpy, textured beard.

It's adorably creative (and smells like a movie snack!), and children might even munch a few popcorn pieces as they create their one-of-a-kind Santa face.

Also try: Gingerbread Activity Sheets

www.kitchencounterchronicle.com

Toilet Paper Roll Santa

Kids can turn an empty toilet paper roll into the cutest little Santa Claus decoration. This project has a template for Santa's hat, belt, and fluffy hair, which you can cut out from paper or felt for extra texture.

Once kids glue the rosy face, white beard, red suit, and other details onto the painted or wrapped tube, the cardboard Santa stands on its own, ready to decorate a shelf or join in some pretend holiday play.

Related: Polar Bear Christmas Craft

More Fun Kid’s Ideas

20 Easy + Fun Grinch Activities For Kids
30 Fun Reindeer Activities For Kids
19 Festive Elf Activities For Kids

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photograph of found of Simple Everyday Mom, Sam

Meet 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.

About Sam