There are numerous reasons why children should get involved in making Christmas crafts, especially for nursing home residents.
Aside from the fact that Christmas remains a season for giving and spreading joy, it is a fun and exciting way to teach kids the importance of commitment and kindness that comes with the season.
Nursing home residents will most definitely appreciate and cherish handmade gifts because they represent love, creativity, and personal effort. If this activity interests you, below are the top Christmas craft ideas that kids can make.
Best Christmas Crafts for Kids to Make for Nursing Home Residents
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Handmade Christmas Cards
This entails coming up with personalized Christmas cards that ensure that kids can express their creativity while spreading holiday cheer.
To achieve this, you have to guide the kids through a card decorating process that involves festive designs such as snowflakes, trees, or nativity scenes and a well-drafted heartfelt message inside.
Materials: Cardstock, markers, glitter, stickers, stamps.
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Pinecone Ornaments
This ornament can be used to decorate rooms or Christmas trees. To do this, get the kids to paint the pinecones in festive colors, sprinkle glitter on them, and tie a ribbon at the top for hanging. Keep in mind that these natural ornaments infuse a rustic charm to any space.
Materials: Pinecones, acrylic paint, glitter, ribbons.
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Paper Snowflakes
One good thing about paper snowflakes is that they are easy to make and can brighten windows or walls.
To make these ornaments, fold a square sheet of paper into a triangle. Fold again before cutting intricate designs. You might want to add glitter to the edges for a frosty effect.
Materials: White paper, scissors, glitter glue.
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Holiday Magnets
It is also possible for kids to come up with customized magnets to further brighten up a nursing home resident’s refrigerator or magnetic board.
This can include painting festive designs such as candy canes, wreaths, or Santa hats on wooden shapes. After it dries, you have to attach magnets to the back.
Materials: Small wooden shapes, paint, adhesive magnets, Mod Podge.
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Christmas-Themed Bookmarks
This is another good option to consider especially for residents who enjoy reading. You just have to cut the cardstock into bookmark sizes, decorate with Christmas designs, and laminate for durability. You can infuse a ribbon at the top for extra flair.
Materials: Cardstock, ribbons, markers, stickers, laminating sheets.
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Mason Jar Snow Globes
You can consider this option since they make lovely decorations and are a joy to craft. To make it, the kids have to glue a figurine to the inside of the jar lid, fill the jar with water, glycerin, and glitter, and then seal it tightly. Shake to see the magical snowfall effect.
Materials: Mason jars, mini figurines, glitter, water, glycerin, glue.
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Festive Door Hangers
One good reason why this is a good idea is the fact that door hangers bring a unique welcoming touch to any room.
It is also simple to make especially since you just have to cut foam sheets into shapes such as wreaths or stockings, decorate with stickers and glitter, and afterwards attach a ribbon for hanging.
Materials: Foam sheets, stickers, ribbons, glitter glue.
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Decorative Candle Holders
These candle holders are well renowned for being safe and beautiful for nursing home use. To make it, you just have to tear tissue paper into small pieces and glue them onto the jar using Mod Podge. Once dry, place an LED tealight inside for a glowing effect.
Materials: Glass jars, tissue paper, Mod Podge, LED tealights.
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Holiday Suncatchers
It is known to brighten windows with festive colors and patterns. It entails tracing and coloring holiday designs onto the plastic sheets. Aside from that, you will also want to infuse suction cups for easy hanging on windows.
Materials: Clear plastic sheets, markers, and suction cups.
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Personalized Photo Frames
One good reason to consider photo frames is because they are known to hold cherished memories while also acting as festive décor.
Making them is quite easy since you only have to paint and decorate the frames with holiday themes. Also encourage kids to infuse a small, cheerful photo of themselves or a seasonal picture.
Materials: Wooden frames, paint, stickers, ribbons.