Simple Holiday Ornament for Children to Make

My favorite ornaments on my tree include photos of my children through the years, and they’re even better if they are in frames my kids made on their own.  We have an easy craft for children to make fun ornaments that are exactly that—photos in a handmade frame! It’s super easy and requires next to nothing…just glue, sticks, a rubberband (or ribbon) and a picture.  Kids can even tackle this project on their own if you set out the supplies and share this post with them.  I hope it’s something you decide to do every year.

What you need:

• Craft sticks: We prefer the red and green colored sticks for the holiday, but you can use any color you’d like (or use the regular wooden ones).  Technically, you can get away with just four for each frame, but we like the look of two on each side and then using one stick at the top and bottom to hold the photo in place.
• Glue for the sticks: I’m a fan of the quick-drying super glue you find in craft stores.
• Photo to put in the frame.
• Rubber band or ribbon to hang the frame on the tree.

(back side of frame)

What to do:

• Take the photo and print it first.  Think of something in a square shape since your frame will end up holding a square image.  If children don’t have a photo taken, they can draw one on paper and glue it inside, or make a holiday list, or write their best memories of their previous year.  Anything goes for inside the frame.
• Lay out your sticks the way you’d like them on the frame.  We liked using two sticks side by side on each side of the frame, with one stick running across the top and another stick across the bottom.  Run a stick through a rubberband on the top of the frame before you glue on the sides.  You will use this to hang the frame on your tree.
• Glue the sticks in place and let them dry.
• Place your photo or drawing on the frame and glue the remaining two sticks across the tops to keep it in place and let it dry.
• It’s even better if you write your name and the year on the frame, too, so you’ll always remember how old you were when you made it.

You’re done and ready to hang your frame on your tree or wrap it up and give to a loved one for the holiday!

Want to know of other crafts you can do with the kids?  Check out the articles below for some ideas from other bloggers.

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