DIY Air Dry Clay Christmas Ornaments (Easy Kids Craft Idea!)

Create festive DIY air dry clay Christmas ornaments with kids. Easy, budget-friendly keepsakes for your tree or heartfelt handmade gifts.

Looking for a fun and festive holiday craft to do with your kids? These air dry Christmas ornaments are the perfect family project! They’re simple, budget-friendly, and leave you with beautiful keepsakes that will last for years to come. Whether you make them for your own tree or as heartfelt gifts for grandparents and friends, this is one Christmas activity that checks all the boxes: easy, affordable, and memory-making.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to make air dry clay ornaments, share decorating ideas, tips for success, and even answer some frequently asked questions. By the end, you’ll be ready to turn on the Christmas music, gather your supplies, and create a whole set of homemade ornaments that your family will treasure for years.s

These air dry clay ornaments are just one of many festive ideas! You can also check out our full roundup of DIY Christmas ornaments for even more inspiration.

This post is all about DIY air dry clay Christmas ornaments!

Why Make DIY Ornaments?

There are endless holiday crafts out there, but homemade ornaments are extra special for a few reasons:

• Memories attached – Every time you hang these on the tree, you’ll remember the exact year and age your kids made them.
• Budget-friendly – A tub of clay, some ribbon, and a few paints are all you need.
• Meaningful gifts – Teachers, grandparents, and friends love a personalized keepsake.
• Family tradition – Crafting together becomes part of the holiday fun, year after year.

Unlike fragile glass ornaments, air dry clay ornaments can be durable, lightweight, and easy for little hands to make.

Materials You’ll Need

Here’s everything you need to make your own air dry clay ornaments:

• Air-dry clay – Crayola Air-Dry Clay works perfectly and is easy to find at Walmart, Target, or Amazon. Want a homemade alternative? Check out our salt dough ornaments recipe.
• Rolling pin – Or substitute with a cup or smooth jar.
• Cookie cutters – Holiday shapes like stars, trees, hearts, snowflakes, or gingerbread men.
• Straw or toothpick – To poke a hole for hanging.
• Paints, markers, or glitter – For decorating once dry.
• Ribbon, twine, or string – To hang your finished ornaments.
• Optional extras: lace, stamps, leaves, textured fabric for pressing into clay, Mod Podge for sealing, and name stamps or letter beads for personalization.

Tip: Lay out a plastic tablecloth or parchment paper before starting—clay can get messy!

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Roll Out the Clay

Start with a chunk of clay about the size of your fist. Roll it flat on a protected surface until it’s roughly ¼ inch thick. Too thin and the ornaments might crack; too thick and they’ll be heavy on the tree.

2. Cut Out Shapes

Use cookie cutters to make festive shapes like Christmas trees, stars, hearts, or snowflakes. If you don’t have cookie cutters, kids can freehand with a butter knife or even press their hands or fingerprints into the clay for a personalized touch.

3. Make a Hole for Hanging

Don’t forget this step! Use a straw or toothpick to poke a small hole near the top of each ornament. This will be where you thread ribbon or string later.

4. Let the Ornaments Dry

Lay ornaments flat on a cookie sheet or parchment paper. Drying takes 24–48 hours, depending on thickness and humidity. Flip them halfway through for even drying. Make sure they’re completely hardened before decorating.

5. Decorate Your Ornaments

This is the fun part! Get creative with:

• Paints – Acrylic works best for vibrant color.
• Markers – Great for little ones who don’t love messy paint.
• Glitter glue – Adds sparkle without the glitter explosion.
• Natural tones – Keep them neutral with white paint, gold accents, or stamped patterns.

6. Add the Finishing Touch

Thread ribbon, string, or twine through the hole you made earlier. Tie in a loop and your ornament is ready to hang on the Christmas tree.

Decorating Ideas for Every Style

One of the best things about air dry clay is its versatility. Here are a few creative spins:

• Minimalist White Ornaments – Leave them unpainted for a Scandinavian-inspired tree.
• Stamped Ornaments – Use lace, rubber stamps, or textured fabric to press designs into clay before it dries.
• Glitter Accents – Brush the edges with glue and dip in glitter for sparkle.
• Personalized Names – Use letter stamps or carve initials into the clay before drying.
• Handprint Ornaments – Press your child’s handprint into the clay for a sweet keepsake.
• Photo Transfer Ornaments – Print small pictures and Mod Podge them onto clay circles after drying.

If you love styling your tree in different themes, you’ll also enjoy my post on how to decorate for Christmas with even more festive inspiration.

Why This Craft is Perfect for Kids

Crafting ornaments is more than just keeping kids busy—it’s a learning experience too!

• Fine motor skills – Rolling, cutting, and painting help develop coordination.
• Creativity – Kids get to choose colors, shapes, and decorations.
• Patience & process – Waiting for ornaments to dry teaches delayed gratification.
• Confidence – They’ll feel proud seeing their creations hanging on the family tree.

And let’s be honest—it’s a lifesaver for parents looking for a screen-free activity during holiday break.

Gift Idea: Homemade Keepsakes

Homemade ornaments make the sweetest gifts:

• Grandparents – They’ll love ornaments made with little handprints or names.
• Teachers – A simple star-shaped ornament with “Merry Christmas” painted on it feels thoughtful and personal.
• Friends & neighbors – Tie an ornament onto a plate of cookies for an easy, inexpensive gift.
• Stocking stuffers – Slip one into each stocking as a surprise.

For extra meaning, add the child’s name and year on the back with a marker so recipients can treasure them forever.

Tips & Tricks for Success

• Don’t skip the hole! Without it, you won’t be able to hang them later.
• For smoother ornaments, dip your finger in a little water and rub out cracks before drying.
• Add texture with stamps, lace, pine needles, or cookie stamps.
• Seal finished ornaments with Mod Podge or clear acrylic spray if you want extra durability.
• Store them in tissue paper or bubble wrap when packing away after Christmas.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Making them too thin – They may break during drying.
• Drying too quickly – Avoid heaters; let them dry naturally to prevent cracking.
• Overloading with glitter – A little goes a long way!
• Forgetting to date them – Years later you’ll wish you had added the year.

FAQs About Air Dry Clay Christmas Ornaments

Can I use homemade dough instead of clay?
Yes! Salt dough or baking soda dough work, but they may crumble or yellow over time. Air dry clay is more durable.

How long do air dry clay ornaments last?
If stored properly, they can last for decades. Just make sure they’re sealed and fully dry before packing away.

What’s the best paint for clay ornaments?
Acrylic paint is the most durable. Kids’ washable paints are fine but may fade.

Do I need to seal them?
Not required, but sealing helps protect against moisture, especially if you plan to keep them for years.

Can you bake air dry clay to speed it up?
No—baking can cause cracking. Stick with natural air drying.

Making It a Family Tradition

The real magic of this craft is the tradition it can spark. Imagine pulling out a box of ornaments ten years from now and seeing your kids’ early creations lined up next to newer ones. It’s like a timeline of your family’s Christmases.

Ways to make it tradition:

• Pick a new shape each year (stars one year, hearts the next).
• Always write the child’s age on the back.
• Host a yearly ornament-making day with cousins or friends.
• Take a picture each year of the kids holding their finished ornaments.

Final Thoughts

Making DIY air dry clay Christmas ornaments is a simple yet magical way to celebrate the season with your kids. From rolling and shaping to decorating and gifting, this project is full of memory-making moments. Gather your supplies, put on some Christmas music, and enjoy a festive crafting day with the family.

These little creations will be treasures on your tree—and in your heart—for many holidays to come.

As always, thank you for following along with me in my creative journey. Be sure to tag me and use #meagannicholedotcom when sharing your DIY! Thanks for stopping by MeaganNichole.com

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