10 Easy Toddler Craft Ornaments for Holiday Fun

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Connection Between Crafting and Communication
3. 1. The Handprint Reindeer: A Classic Sensory Experience
4. 2. Pony Bead Stars: Fine Motor Mastery
5. 3. The "How Tall Am I?" Ribbon Keepsake
6. 4. Popsicle Stick Photo Frames
7. 5. Finger-Painted Glass (or Plastic) Lockets
8. 6. Shaving Cream Marbled Ornaments
9. 7. LEGO Snow Globes
10. 8. "Stained Glass" Paper Ornaments
11. 9. Fillable Clear Ornaments: The Texture Hunt
12. 10. 3D Paper Folding Ornaments
13. Why Play-Based Learning is the "Smart" Choice
14. Making Crafting Stress-Free for Parents
15. Maximizing Value for Your Child’s Future
16. How to Talk While You Craft: A Parent’s Guide
17. Conclusion
18. FAQ

Introduction

Does the thought of crafting with a toddler make you reach for the vacuum cleaner before you’ve even opened a bottle of glue? You aren’t alone. Many parents feel a mix of excitement and trepidation when the holiday season rolls around. We want those precious handmade keepsakes to hang on the tree, but we also want to keep our sanity and our carpets intact. However, what if we told you that these messy, glittery, and sometimes lopsided creations are actually building blocks for your child’s future communication skills?

At Speech Blubs, we believe that every moment is an opportunity for a child to find their voice. Whether they are pressing a paint-covered hand onto paper or choosing which color bead comes next, they are practicing the foundational skills necessary for speech and language. In this post, we are going to dive deep into the world of toddler craft ornaments. We will explore ten fun, doable projects that focus on sensory play, fine motor development, and vocabulary building. We’ll also discuss how these activities mirror the scientific principles we use in our app, such as imitation and engagement, to help children thrive.

Our goal is to help you create more than just decorations; we want to help you create joyful family learning moments. By the end of this article, you’ll have a toolkit of holiday activities that foster a love for communication and build your child's confidence. Most importantly, you’ll see how "smart screen time" and "real-world play" can work hand-in-hand to support your little one’s development.

The Connection Between Crafting and Communication

Before we get to the glitter and glue, it’s important to understand why we advocate so strongly for hands-on play. At Speech Blubs, our mission is to empower children to "speak their minds and hearts." This mission is personal to us; our founders grew up with speech challenges and created the tool they wished they had. We know that for the 1 in 4 children who need speech support, every interaction counts.

Crafting provides a rich environment for language because it is naturally "multisensory." When a child feels the cold squish of paint or the rough texture of a pipe cleaner, their brain is firing on all cylinders. This sensory input creates "hooks" for new words. Instead of just learning the word "red" from a book, they are seeing red paint, feeling red paint, and using red paint to make a reindeer’s nose.

This type of active engagement is a core pillar of our methodology. On the Speech Blubs homepage, you can learn more about how we use "video modeling." This is a technique where children watch their peers perform tasks or say words, which triggers mirror neurons in the brain and encourages imitation. When you craft with your child, you are essentially providing a live-action version of video modeling. They watch you squeeze the glue, and then they try to do the same. This cycle of observation and imitation is how complex communication skills begin to take root.

1. The Handprint Reindeer: A Classic Sensory Experience

The handprint reindeer is a staple of toddlerhood for a reason. It is simple, requires minimal supplies, and captures a moment in time that passes all too quickly.

Supplies Needed:

• Brown non-toxic washable paint
• Cardstock or construction paper
• Googly eyes
• Red pom-poms (for the nose)
• Ribbon for hanging

How it Boosts Language:

While your child’s hand is covered in paint, it’s the perfect time to practice "body part" vocabulary. Point to their thumb, their palm, and their fingers. For a child who is just starting to make sounds, you can narrate the experience with fun onomatopoeia. "Squish! Cold! Splat!"

For a parent whose 3-year-old "late talker" loves animals, this craft is a gateway to practicing animal sounds. As you turn that handprint into a reindeer, you can talk about what reindeer say or how they "clop clop clop" through the snow. This mirrors the way our "Animal Kingdom" section in the app encourages kids to mimic sounds in a low-pressure, playful way.

2. Pony Bead Stars: Fine Motor Mastery

If your toddler is reaching the age where they are interested in "doing it myself," stringing beads is an excellent activity. It requires focus, bilateral coordination (using both hands), and precision.

Supplies Needed:

• Pipe cleaners (gold or silver work well)
• Large plastic pony beads
• Small bells (optional)

How it Boosts Language:

This craft is all about "sequencing" and "color identification." You can ask your child, "Which color comes next?" or "Can you find a blue bead?" If they are working on following two-step directions, you might say, "First put on a bead, then give me a high-five!"

If you aren't sure where your child stands with these developmental milestones, you can take our quick 3-minute preliminary screener. It involves 9 simple questions and provides an assessment and next-steps plan to help you understand how to best support your child's growth.

3. The "How Tall Am I?" Ribbon Keepsake

This is perhaps the most sentimental ornament on the list. It’s a screen-free alternative to passive viewing that involves the whole family.

Supplies Needed:

• Festive ribbon or yarn
• A printed poem or a small card
• A hole punch

How it Works:

Measure your child from head to toe with the ribbon. Cut the ribbon to that exact length. Attach it to a card that says, "This ribbon is as tall as me in [Year]." Every year, you can untie the ribbon and see just how much they’ve grown.

Why We Love It:

This activity introduces abstract concepts like "tall," "short," "long," and "measure." These are foundational cognitive skills that eventually feed into more complex language. It’s a joyful family learning moment that emphasizes connection over a "perfect" final product.

4. Popsicle Stick Photo Frames

Children love seeing pictures of themselves. It helps build a sense of identity and "self-concept," which is vital for social-emotional development.

Supplies Needed:

• Jumbo popsicle sticks
• Green or red paint
• A small photo of your child
• Glue or double-sided tape

The "Smart Screen Time" Connection:

While the paint on the sticks is drying, this is a great time to transition to a short session with Speech Blubs. You can look at the "Family" or "This is Me" sections of the app to reinforce the vocabulary of the faces they see. Then, when you come back to the craft, you can point to the photo and ask, "Who is that?" Encouraging your child to say their own name or "Me!" is a huge milestone. Download Speech Blubs on the App Store to explore these sections together.

5. Finger-Painted Glass (or Plastic) Lockets

For parents who want a "high-end" look with toddler-level effort, framing tiny scraps of finger-painted art is the way to go.

Instructions:

1. Let your toddler go wild with red and green finger paint on a large piece of cardstock.
2. Once dry, use a small square template to find the most "artistic" sections.
3. Cut them out and place them inside small glass locket frames (available at craft stores).

This teaches your child that their "scribbles" have value. It builds confidence—a key ingredient in a child's willingness to try new speech sounds. Building that confidence is a core part of what we do. You can read testimonials from other parents who have seen their children's confidence soar through play-based learning.

6. Shaving Cream Marbled Ornaments

This is a "magical" craft that never fails to impress. It’s messy, but the results are stunning.

Supplies Needed:

• A tray of shaving cream
• Liquid watercolors or food coloring
• Cardstock cut into ornament shapes

The Process:

Drip the colors into the shaving cream, swirl them with a toothpick, and then press the paper shape onto the surface. When you scrape off the excess cream, the marbled pattern stays behind.

Language Opportunities:

This is a science experiment and an art project in one. Use "wow" words like "swirl," "mix," "disappear," and "magic." For a child working on the "m" sound, saying "More cream" or "Messy!" provides functional practice in a highly motivating context.

7. LEGO Snow Globes

For the child who is obsessed with building, turning a favorite toy into an ornament is a dream come true.

Instructions:

Use a clear plastic ornament "blank." Let your child place a small LEGO figure or a few bricks inside. Add a little "fake snow" (or white glitter) and seal it up.

Why it Works:

Constructive play like this helps with spatial awareness. As you build, use prepositions: "Put the man inside the ball," or "The snow is on top of the bricks." These small words are often difficult for children with speech delays, and practicing them during a fun activity makes them much easier to grasp.

8. "Stained Glass" Paper Ornaments

This craft is perfect for practicing shapes and colors without the mess of liquid paint.

Supplies Needed:

• Contact paper (clear sticky paper)
• Tissue paper scraps
• Black construction paper (for the border)

Instructions:

Cut a shape (like a tree or a star) out of the black paper to create a frame. Place it on the sticky side of the contact paper. Let your child fill the middle with tissue paper scraps. Seal with another piece of contact paper.

This creates a beautiful effect when hung near a window or a Christmas tree light. You can talk about "bright," "light," and "see-through."

9. Fillable Clear Ornaments: The Texture Hunt

This is less about "making" and more about "exploring."

Instructions:

Provide a bowl of various textures: soft pom-poms, scratchy tinsel, smooth ribbons, and hard bells. Let your child choose what to put inside a clear plastic ornament.

This is a fantastic way to work on "descriptive" language. Instead of just "thing," you are teaching them "soft thing," "shiny thing," or "noisy thing." If you want to see the science behind why this type of sensory categorization is so effective, check out our research-backed methodology.

10. 3D Paper Folding Ornaments

For older toddlers (around age 4), you can introduce basic folding.

Instructions:

Print out a simple 3D shape template (like a cube or a diamond). Let your child color it in completely. Help them fold along the lines and tape it together.

This introduces the concept of turning something "flat" into something "big." It’s a great lesson in persistence. If the paper rips or the tape gets stuck, it’s an opportunity to model "problem-solving" language: "Oh no, it ripped. Let’s fix it with tape!"

Why Play-Based Learning is the "Smart" Choice

At Speech Blubs, we are often asked why we focus so much on play rather than traditional "drills." The answer is simple: children learn best when they are having fun. When a child is stressed or bored, their brain shuts down to new information. But when they are laughing, creating, and exploring, their "affective filter" is low, and they are like sponges.

Our app is designed to be a powerful supplement to this type of real-world play. While these toddler craft ornaments build fine motor skills and sensory awareness, Speech Blubs targets the specific articulatory movements and social cues needed for speech. We use peers—real children—in our videos because kids are naturally drawn to other kids. This "peer-to-peer" learning is what makes our tool so effective for the modern family.

Ready to see the difference for yourself? Create your account and begin your 7-day free trial today. It’s the perfect way to add some "smart screen time" to your holiday routine.

Making Crafting Stress-Free for Parents

We know that "toddler" and "stress-free" don't always go together. However, a few simple strategies can make your crafting sessions much more enjoyable:

The 10-Minute Rule: Most toddlers have an attention span of about 5-10 minutes. Don't expect them to sit through an hour-long project. Break the crafts into small chunks. Paint the sticks in the morning, glue them in the afternoon.

Embrace the Mess: Cover your table with a cheap plastic tablecloth or even a trash bag. Have baby wipes ready before you start. If you aren't worried about the mess, your child won't be either.

Focus on the Process, Not the Product: Your child’s reindeer might have three eyes and a nose on its ear. That’s okay! The goal isn't a Pinterest-perfect ornament; the goal is the conversation you had while making it.

Co-Play is Key: These activities aren't meant to be "babysitters." The magic happens when you are down on the floor with them, narrating their actions and sharing the joy of creation.

Maximizing Value for Your Child’s Future

We are committed to providing an immediate, effective, and joyful solution for families. We also believe in being transparent and providing the best possible value for your investment in your child’s development.

When you decide to join the Speech Blubs family, you have two main options:

• Monthly Plan: For $14.99 per month, you get full access to our library of 1,500+ activities and regular content updates.
• Yearly Plan: For $59.99 per year, which breaks down to just $4.99 per month.

The Yearly Plan is our most popular choice for a reason. It offers a 66% savings compared to the monthly rate and includes exclusive features you won't get elsewhere:

1. A 7-day free trial so you can explore the app risk-free.
2. The Reading Blubs app, which helps transition your child from speech to literacy.
3. Early access to our newest updates and features.
4. Priority 24-hour support response time from our dedicated team.

Choosing the yearly plan ensures that as your child grows and their needs change throughout the year, you have a consistent, high-quality tool to support them every step of the way.

How to Talk While You Craft: A Parent’s Guide

If you’re wondering exactly what to say while you’re making these toddler craft ornaments, here are a few "Speech Therapist approved" strategies:

• Self-Talk: Describe what you are doing. "I am picking up the red bead. I am putting it on the string."
• Parallel Talk: Describe what your child is doing. "You are squeezing the glue! Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze."
• Expansion: If your child says a single word, like "Blue," you can expand it: "Yes, a blue star!"
• Wait Time: This is the hardest part. After you ask a question, count to five in your head before prompting them again. Give them the space to find their words.

These strategies, combined with the video modeling in our app, create a powerful "language sandwich" that helps children move from sounds to words, and words to sentences. You can find more of these tips and tricks on the Speech Blubs Google Play Store page.

Conclusion

The holiday season is a whirlwind of activity, but among the shopping and the baking, these small moments of creativity stand out. Making toddler craft ornaments is about so much more than decorating a tree. It’s about building the fine motor skills that will one day hold a pencil. It’s about learning the words that will one day tell you how their day was. And it’s about the confidence that comes from knowing that their ideas and their creations matter.

At Speech Blubs, we are honored to be a part of your family’s journey. Whether you are using our app to practice new sounds or using our blog to find new ways to play, we are here to support you. We don't promise overnight miracles, but we do promise a path toward more joyful, confident communication.

Ready to get started? Choose the best for your child and your wallet. Download Speech Blubs today and select the Yearly plan to unlock your 7-day free trial, the Reading Blubs app, and our full suite of smart screen time features. Let’s help your little one speak their mind and heart this holiday season!

FAQ

1. What is the best age to start making ornaments with my toddler?

Most toddlers can start participating in simple crafts around 18 months. At this age, focus on sensory experiences like finger painting or "helping" you put items into a clear ball. As they reach age 3 and 4, they can begin more complex tasks like stringing beads or using safety scissors with supervision.

2. My child still puts everything in their mouth. Is crafting safe?

Safety is the top priority! Always use non-toxic, washable paints and glues. If your child is in a "mouthing" phase, avoid small beads or sequins. Instead, focus on "contained" crafts like the snow globe photo ornament or the handprint reindeer where the parent handles the small parts and the child provides the "art."

3. How does Speech Blubs help with these activities?

Speech Blubs provides the "vocabulary foundation." By using the app to learn the names of colors, animals, and household objects, your child will have the words ready to use during the craft. The app’s video modeling also encourages the imitation skills needed to follow your crafting instructions.

4. What if my child gets frustrated and doesn't want to finish the craft?

That is perfectly normal! Toddlers have short attention spans. If they lose interest, stop and try again later—or don't finish it at all. The value is in the interaction and the exposure to new textures and words, not the finished product. Follow their lead and keep it fun!