Best Christmas Crafts for 3rd Graders
The holiday season can feel magical and messy at the same time when you are homeschooling and working from home. December workloads rise just as your kids’ energy and excitement do, and it gets harder to fit in lessons and still enjoy the season together.
That is when simple Christmas crafts for third graders can pull double duty. The best Christmas crafts for 3rd graders build fine motor skills, support reading and math, and keep little hands busy while you finish one more email or Zoom call. Many of these Christmas crafts for kids also work well for younger siblings or as Christmas crafts for 4th graders, so you can gather everyone around the table at once.
Most of these ideas are exactly the kind of Christmas crafts for 3rd graders Pinterest is full of: low-prep, low-mess, and easy to adapt for a co-op, classroom, or home. I like to set out a small basket of 3rd grade Christmas worksheets next to our craft supplies so my kids can switch between seatwork and hands-on projects. Here are some of the best Christmas crafts for 3rd graders to try this year.
Best Christmas Crafts for 3rd Graders
Create the best Christmas Crafts for 3rd graders with simple, low-mess projects that build skills, use basic supplies, and keep kids happy in December.
Kids glue short pieces of ribbon to a cardstock triangle to make a textured tree. This is one of my favorite easy Christmas crafts for 3rd graders because it uses up scrap ribbon and builds fine motor skills.
Third graders mix cinnamon and applesauce, roll it out, and cut shapes with cookie cutters. These scented ornaments are a fun 3rd grade Christmas ornament craft that makes your home smell like the holidays.
Children create their own Elf on the Shelf using simple templates, markers, and cotton balls. Afterward, they can write a short story about their elf to tie the craft into language arts.
Kids turn a small embroidery hoop into Rudolph with brown fabric, felt ears, googly eyes, and a red pompom nose. This Christmas ornament craft is simple enough for third graders but cute enough to give as a gift.
Children decorate plain paper gift bags to look like gingerbread houses with markers, stickers, and foam shapes. This is one of those Christmas crafts for kids that doubles as gift wrap for grandparents or neighbors.
Kids paint their hands and press them on paper or canvas to make trees, reindeer, or Santa beards. These handprint keepsakes are quick Christmas crafts for 3rd graders that parents usually treasure for years.
hird graders turn a small paper bag into a reindeer with construction paper antlers, googly eyes, and a red nose. Tuck small treats or notes inside and let your child hand these out to friends or siblings.
Children glue crumpled bits of green tissue paper around a cardboard ring to make a wreath. Add a red bow and you have a simple Christmas craft for third graders that builds patience and fine motor control.
Save a few toilet paper rolls and invite kids to turn them into Santas, snowmen, or reindeer. This is an easy Christmas craft for 3rd graders that costs almost nothing and keeps them busy for a full afternoon.
Third graders decorate round ornaments to look like cupcakes using paint, puffy paint, and glitter. These playful ornaments are perfect for kids who enjoy pretend baking and creative decorating.
Give kids popsicle sticks, glue, and decorations to build trees, stars, and picture frames. This open-ended option works well if you need Christmas crafts for 3rd graders and 4th graders at the same table.
Children mix salt dough, roll it into ropes, and twist two colors together to form candy canes. Bake, cool, and paint for a sturdy 3rd grade Christmas ornament craft that also sneaks in a bit of measurement practice.
Kids stack or line up corks, paint them white, and add tiny scarves and hats. This is a fun way to reuse materials and talk about recycling while you craft.
Third graders place tissue paper pieces on contact paper in a tree shape, then seal and cut it out. Hang the sun catcher in a window so the colors glow on winter afternoons.
Kids cut paper straws into beads and string them to make stars, trees, or geometric ornaments. This simple Christmas craft for third graders is great for hand-eye coordination and pattern practice.
Children twist pipe cleaners into snowflakes and grow crystals on them with a simple borax solution. These sparkling snowflakes feel like a mix of Christmas crafts for kids and a science experiment, and older 4th graders enjoy them too.
Kids cut and layer paper triangles or handprint shapes to build a Christmas tree picture. Add stickers, sequins, or paper circles for ornaments and a gold star at the top.
Third graders tape or glue two decorated cardboard tubes together to make Santa binoculars. Hand them to your child and encourage some imaginative play as they “search” for Santa or his reindeer.
Children build small ornament shapes from popsicle sticks, then paint and decorate them. These low-prep ornaments are perfect when you need several easy Christmas crafts for 3rd graders for a party or co-op.
Kids cut and fold paper plates into cone-shaped Santa hats, then add cotton balls and a pompom. This quick project works well on busy days when you have only a short block of time between math and your next meeting.
As you plan your December homeschool lessons, remember that Christmas crafts for 3rd graders do not need to be complicated to be meaningful. Pair a few of these projects with your favorite old-fashioned Christmas read-alouds. Or give math a holiday spin with these 3rd grade Christmas worksheets. You’ll have a calm, festive way to connect with your kids while still keeping your homeschool days on track.
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