Adorable Paper Christmas Tree Ornament

Want an easy and fun decoration to make with the kids?  This cute paper Christmas tree ornament kids craft is a fun and easy way to decorate your home for the holidays. Since all you really need is paper, glue, and ribbon, this is a great project that is budget-friendly and can be made without spending a lot of money.  Plus the kids will have tons of fun making their own unique.

Paper Christmas Tree Ornament

I love rustic and old-fashioned Christmas decor, and nothing beats a simple paper ornament to make that come to life on your tree.  This project is super easy to make and an ideal option for working with younger kids.  They can learn a bit about cutting, it can be used for color recognition, and give them a sense of accomplishment when they see their ornament on the holiday tree. 

These are definitely popular because they’re inexpensive, easy to make and take up very little space.  You can also make them unique with different customizations that will add to the look on your tree.  If you want more ideas for making your own ornaments this year, I suggest starting with this huge list of DIY Christmas ornaments to hang on your holiday tree this year!

Can I Use Foam Paper Instead?

You can use foam instead of paper in this Christmas tree ornament if you want. The foam is thicker than the paper so it will change the look slightly but it can be done.  If using foam instead of paper, just remember that it will be a bit bulkier and may not need as many pieces to create the shape.  You could probably use 4 to 6 instead of 8 pieces for this.

Another idea is to use felt or stiffened fabric that has been sprayed with starch or covered in Mod Podge.  They can be a beautiful addition that is a bit more sturdy than paper to last year after year.  Cardboard or cardstock could also be used but would take a bit more work to fold into shape neatly. 

How Do I Hang These From a Christmas Tree? 

All you need is the ribbon added to the center of the paper ornament.  You can also use yarn, fishing line, beaded ribbon, twine, or rope in the center if you prefer.  Pick what will match your decor the best. 

Can I Make These Larger?

One of the things that I love about this project is that it is so easy to change it for other uses. Use the basic idea of this paper Christmas tree ornament to make a much larger version. You can make a giant version of this ornament and hang it from the trees outside of the house, just like you would on the tree inside.

It can also be hung on the front porch. Use plastic or foam in order to make it. While it can be made in a larger version using paper, the problem is that the paper is not weatherproofed and it will easily get worn and destroyed if it is not taken down.  So, ultimately, it is easy to make in various sizes and use however you wish.  Just make sure the base you choose works for where it will be hung. 

Can I Customize This With Embellishments?

This is a fun project to customize. It is easy to embellish the paper ornament using everyday crafting materials. Some good ideas are below to get you started, but be creative and use whatever works best for you and your overall decor theme.

• Spray with glitter or add glitter on the edges to make it sparkle. 
• Add sequins or beads along the edges. 
• Paint the individual pieces of paper with holiday-themed characters. 
• Add stickers or glue pictures onto the pieces to match a theme.

What Glue is Best for Making These with Kids?

Whenever I am crafting with kids, I make sure to a kid-safe glue. Washable white school glue is my go-to because it is non-toxic and doesn’t hurt kids. It is also easy to work with and affordable.

If the kids have trouble squeezing the bottles that the glue comes in when making the paper Christmas tree ornaments, you can take the glue out of the bottle and place it on a plate. Kids can use a paintbrush or foam brush to put the glue in place. I have also used glue sticks with kids for a mess-free option that works really well for this particular project. 

Supplies Needed

How to Make a Paper Christmas Tree Ornament

Fold over 2″ to 3″ on the bottom of a piece of craft paper. 

Draw a half-moon shape onto the paper to create the “teardrop” ornament look. 

Cut out the paper, keeping it folded.  

Use this as a template to draw and cut out 8 to 10 of these in various colors. 

Begin gluing the flat sides to each other so that they open outward. 

Once you have half glued it together, set it aside and create the second half. 

Add a bit of glue down the middle back of one half and attach the ribbon, then seal the other half over the ribbon. 

Once the glue dries, hang this on your tree!

More Christmas Tree Ornament Ideas

If you want more ideas for adding to your holiday tree this year, I have tons of great ornament ideas to share.  Below are a few more of my favorites that are easy to make, affordable, and great for kids to help you make too! Make sure you print the tutorial, pin it to Pinterest, or bookmark to your browser to make soon. 

Finished Project Gallery

You could also make these using holiday-themed scrapbook paper for a unique look. 

Add beads or sequins to the sides and edges for a sparkling look on your tree.