Ready to sleigh your December with easy Christmas art projects that elementary kids will actually finish on time? Think low-prep lessons with clear steps and flexible supplies. Marker and crayon friendly, too. Paint optional. Plus, they’re hallway-ready results that don’t wreck cleanup.
Also, if you’re here for the best art projects for Christmas, same. Most ideas below are copy-and-go, making them perfect for art sub plans, too. Some can be finished in one-class period, while others will take 2 – 3 classes. I’ve also linked to classroom-tested art lessons to save you prep time, especially when budgets are tight and energy is lower than a snowbank.
Christmas Art Projects & Crafts for Kids
The following Christmas art projects and crafts are great for teaching elementary kids pattern fluency, digital media skills, and fine motor skills.
1. Design an Ugly Sweater Art Project (2nd – 5th Grade)
National Ugly Sweater Day hits right before break, which is perfect timing. Let kids show off their creativity by designing the ugliest Christmas sweater they can imagine. Garish colors. Kitschy graphics. Have them draw, color, or paint a sweater that’s loud, funny, over the top, or totally cute.
Don’t have time for all that? That’s cool. It comes with two pre-drawn templates you can print on heavy drawing paper so kids can paint on!
2. Christmas Zentangles (3rd – 5th Grade)
Zentangles are a flexible go-to in the elementary art room. Use them as quick fast-finishers with crayons, colored pencils, or markers on shortened days. Or scale them up into the best, full-length easy Christmas art projects with paint and metallic markers.
3. Marta Minujin Christmas Stockings (1st – 2nd Grade)
December needs color. Big, joyful color. This one leans into Marta Minujín’s playful stripes using supplies you already have. Print and trace the template. Add bold color and simple patterns with neon oil pastels. Or crayons, if that’s all you’ve got. Cut, arrange, glue. Hallway-ready by the bell.
It’s a fun one day art project with simple steps and high payoff. Works in 50 minutes with a quick exit ticket or self-assessment at the end. Sub-friendly with student picture directions, too.
4. Easy Build a Christmas Ornament Craft (1st – 2nd grade)
Shortened day? Skip the paint, glitter, and gemstones. It’s a scissors, crayons, and glue kind of day. Build-a crafts are perfect for 1st and 2nd grade teachers needing a quick Christmas craft. Kids simply color, cut, and glue the parts in one class period to build a Christmas ornament.
Need to fill more time? Kids can write about decorating a Christmas tree using one of the two included writing prompts.
5. Andy Warhol Christmas Ornaments Project (4th – 6th)
When you want students to slow down and really design, this one shines. Traceable templates and clear drawing guides do the heavy lifting, so every kid knows what to do next. You model once. Then they stay on task. Quiet focus. Strong craftsmanship. Genuinely satisfying results.
Students pick an ornament template, plan a small set of patterns, and follow the guide to design their composition. Then they add color and a few finishing details for a display-ready piece. It’s a good 2 – 3 class period project.
6. Design a Christmas Stocking (1st – 4th)
It’s December and candy-fueled kids are bouncing off the walls. Don’t fight it. Go with it.
Try a roll-the-dice art game. This Christmas stocking project is one of the best Christmas art projects for elementary because it’s low prep, using basic art materials. Students roll to choose patterns, then draw, color, and add marker “paint.” Quick set up. High engagement. Easy clean up.
7. Digital Build an Elf Craft (3rd – 5th Grade)
In that final week before the break, I plan a “ketchup day” where kids finish projects. Everyone else works independently. A digital Build-a craft keeps them focused and happy.
Even better? Digital art projects like this elf craft have no set up or clean up! Just assign in Google Slides or PowerPoint. The perfect “I only have 25 minutes” kind of activity.
8. Build a Gingerbread House Craft (3rd – 5th)
If the pre-holiday break candy-and-frosting odor wafting the halls makes you queasy, I’m with you. Try a paper Build-a Gingerbread House instead. No sugar rush. No sticky cleanup.
Students color, cut, and glue the pieces to design a sweet little house they can proudly display. Moreover, they also work perfectly as a quick collaborative bulletin board when time is tight.
9. Design an Ornament (2nd – 5th Grade)
No paint? No worries. Just grab markers, pencils, and paper and you can design a fun Christmas ornament. The best part about art projects like this is that every one of them turns out different! And, they make an awesome bulletin board or door decor for the holidays!
10. Digital Gingerbread Man Craft (1st – 4th Grade)
Gingerbread cookies? Delicious. Dressing them up? So much fun! When you need a no-fuss sub plan in December, try a digital art project on Google Slides.
Kids drag and drop (or copy and paste) pants, shirts, mittens, earmuffs, and scarves to build their own gingerbread man. Zero mess. Big smiles. Happy teacher.
11. Build a Christmas Wreath Craft (1st – 3rd Grade)
If decorating bulletin boards makes you want to hide in the supply closet, you’re not alone. December is already loud and sugary enough.
This easy Christmas wreath craft lets students do the decorating for you. They color, cut, and glue their own Christmas wreaths. Then you gather them into one big, cheerful class display. The picture directions are simple, so kids can work independently while you catch up on teacher busywork.
12. Design a Christmas Elf Hat (1st – 4th Grade)
Do your students have an obsession with that little elf who lives on the shelf? Designing an elf hat is a fun way to tap into all that elf mischief. Students roll the dice to choose patterns. Then draw, outline, and “paint” their elf hat with markers. If you have to be absent, it works as a simple draw-and-color activity, too.
13. Candy Cane Art Project (4th – 6th Grade)
This time of year, patience is low and budgets are tight. Finding easy Christmas art projects that don’t burn through glitter, pipe cleaners, and feathers can feel impossible. With this candy cane lesson, all you need is paper and markers.
Students design a bold, patterned candy cane in one class period. And, it’s adaptable across several grade levels, making it an easy choice.
Final Brushstrokes: Wrapping Up Easy Christmas Art Projects for December
December in the art room is magical…and chaotic.
If you came here for easy Christmas art projects, you’re in the right place. This list leans on clear steps, common supplies, and quick clean-up. Bonus points for hallway-ready results. You’ll also find links to the templates I use so you can teach, not scramble.
I’d love to hear what works in your room. What’s your easy go-to Christmas project for elementary? Drop it in the comments, or tell me which idea you want more resources for next.
Planning sub days? Peek at the sub-friendly picks above and bookmark this post for later. Stay cozy, make art, and enjoy the extra sparkle with your students!
Easy Christmas art projects to me means low prep, short and sweet, and made with what’s already in any elementary art room. Think paper, markers, and crayons, with paint as a bonus if there’s time. Simple, step-by-step directions keep kids moving on their own, which gives me a few precious minutes to tidy, grade, and fire off a quick email.
I would swap Santas and reindeer for trees, lights, and snowflakes while teaching the same skills: pattern, symmetry, contrast, and neat cutting. Keep colors wintery, change captions to “winter,” and title the board accordingly. The directions don’t change; only the motifs do, which makes planning simple.
It’s the art-teacher million-dollar question. If only there were a magic wand. Try this instead: predictable steps, a visible timer, and choice with limits (three patterns, one palette). Refresh your early-finisher station with zentangles, roll-the-dice games, and quick Build-a crafts. Then put on calm music and tame les fauves.
I don’t leave in-progress projects with subs unless the sub is an art teacher. Too many pieces come back rushed or half-done. Try print-and-go sub plans instead: picture directions, markers and crayons only, one page of steps. Add a quick reflection (“My best choice today was…”) and plan for a one-class finish with simple clean-up.
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