We love making ornaments, and this year we made a few simple, sweet designs using our kids’ artwork. If you want a quick, budget-friendly craft that turns little masterpieces into keepsakes, these ideas are perfect—especially when you need last-minute grandparent gifts that feel personal and meaningful.
These ornaments are easy to make, cost only a dollar or two each, and take about ten minutes from start to finish. They’re also a great way to display children’s art in a way that’s preserved and enjoyed year after year.
For the wooden tag ornaments, I picked up flat distressed wooden tags at a craft store. They were inexpensive—about 99 cents each before a coupon—and you can often find similar flat wooden discs or tags in the craft aisle. If your tag doesn’t already have a hole for hanging, drilling a small hole (I used a 3/16″ bit) is quick and simple. If you’d rather skip a drill, adhesive loops of ribbon or a glued-on ribbon tab will work in a pinch.
When drilling, place the tag on a scrap piece of wood so you don’t damage your work surface. That small step keeps your bench or table safe and lets you make clean holes without worrying about what’s underneath.
Next comes the fun part: adding the artwork. Our son made caterpillar drawings in preschool and our daughter brought home blue bird illustrations from first grade. Many schools participate in fundraisers that return student art as stickers or prints, but if you don’t have ready-made stickers you can scan or photograph any favorite drawing and print it on sticker paper. Another option is to print on regular paper and adhere the artwork to the wood with Mod Podge or a thin layer of glue, then seal the surface for durability.
Once the artwork is attached, thread thin ribbon through the hole and tie a loop for hanging. I save ribbon scraps and gift wrap pieces, so I used a bit of red ribbon we already had on hand. A simple ribbon loop finishes the ornament and makes it ready for the tree.
One variation I love is using clear plastic domed ornaments that open like a tiny terrarium. These have a flat back that makes it easy to place a sticker inside. Add a bit of faux snow glued to the base and a dusting around the top for a little winter scene. When applying stickers inside a curved dome, avoid smoothing the middle directly onto the curve: attach the corners where they meet the curve and leave the center alone to prevent wrinkling. This keeps the image looking smooth and intact for years.
These kid-art ornaments are great to make each year as the collection grows. To keep the display varied and interesting, mix different bases over time—wood tags one year, ceramic disks the next, a small wooden block another year—so your tree gains a charming, eclectic assortment of memories.
On a personal note: I’ve been trying to enjoy the season instead of stressing—drinking chai, baking cookies, and treating myself to small conveniences like battery-operated LED window candles with timers. Those little comforts make decorating and gift-making feel less frantic and more joyful.
If you want more holiday craft ideas, here are a few related projects we’ve enjoyed making in the past:
- Painted homemade ornaments and painted disks
- Large holiday silhouettes and reindeer decorations
- Ornaments made from race medals and other keepsakes
- Silhouette and handprint ornaments for children
- Small snowy boxes with miniature trees and animals
- Antler and animal ornaments, snow-capped glass balls, and dried orange decorations
- Rustic wood ornaments and other simple, handmade designs
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