Kid-friendly tree ornaments

[ajrsmom]

My kids always have a Christmas tree in their room each year. They are both getting too old for the ornaments that we've decorated with in the past.

Do you have ideas for easy kid-friendly ornaments that they could make?

[Punky1015]

Salt dough ornaments are very easy to make and I've actually done this with my grandkids. We plan to make some as an activity this year on Thanksgiving as well.

Take 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup salt and 3/4 cup water and mix dough. Place dough between waxed paper and roll out to desired thickness. The dough does rise some so don't leave too thick. Take cookie cutters and make shapes - bells, trees, whatever you like. Take a plastic straw and make an opening at top of ornament for hanger. Make sure the hole goes all the way through the ornament. Place shapes on microwave safe glass plate - not plastic. Microwave on high for between 2 and 4 minutes, checking after each 1 minute interval. The dough will be hard. Remove from plate and allow to cool. Once cooled, use craft paints to paint the ornament and decorate with glitter. Each child was allowed to paint and decorate their own ornament. I took a magic marker and put their name and date on the bottom of the ornament. Then take ribbon and weave through hole of ornament. They have their own ornament. If you intend on making alot of ornaments - double the recipe. It does make quite a few depending on what shape you use. All the grandkids enjoyed it even the 2 year olds. (Of course craft aprons were worn and the table was covered to prevent a huge mess with the paint and glitter).

[KSJEn6891]

Have you decorates the precut wood ornaments or used a decorate your own glass ornament (three sizes) yet? My MIL did the glass ornaments one year w/her 3 grandchildren (ages are now 4,5, 13). The wooden ones are precut shapes that can be decorated with pens, paints, or other decorating items. And of course my favorite scrap-made ornaments. Using scraps of my favorites items (sewing, scrapbook, crafts, cards, etc) and shaping them into their own designs. Use a paper clip or string/yarn to hang them with.

[VicRae]

Have you tried to cut rings from paper tubes and glued them together?
You can make all kinds of shapes; snowflakes, snowmen or other designs. Then spray paint them any color you like. Even sprinkle with glitter while they are wet. Add a loop of string to hang on to the tree or use as gift tags or even presents. The possibilities are endless.