Alright, parents, let’s have a real talk. We’re deep in the sweaty, glorious chaos of summer. The kids have said “I’m bored” approximately 47 times this morning, the popsicle stash is dwindling, and the only “snow” you see is the spilled glitter from last week’s craft explosion. What if I told you there’s a secret weapon that combines the magic of the holidays with the fun of summer? Enter Christmas in July crafts for kids. It’s the perfect way to inject some unexpected, air-conditioned fun, make a dent in the “I’m bored” chorus, and maybe—just maybe—get a tiny head start on the holiday season. Let’s dive into 13 ridiculously fun ideas that will have your little elves cheering.
1. Melted Snowman Ornaments
This craft is the ultimate mashup of summer heat and winter whimsy. Kids get a hilarious kick out of making a snowman who has… let’s just say, seen better days. You’ll need clear plastic ornaments you can pop open, some fake snow or epsom salts, and tiny accessories like black bead eyes, orange pipe cleaner noses, and mini ribbon scarves.
Let your kids fill the ornament with their “snow,” then add the little face and scarf pieces. The final, genius touch? Hot gluing the top of a black craft hat to the outside of the ornament, so it looks like the hat is sitting on the ground next to our melted friend. It’s silly, creative, and makes for an adorable conversation starter on the tree come December.
2. Beach Sand Snow Globes
Who says snow globes need snow? Use what you’ve got! For this Christmas in July craft for kids, repurpose small mason jars or even clear plastic containers. Instead of faux snow, let your children layer colored sand from the craft store (or clean play sand) to create a festive scene. Think red and green layers for a candy cane effect.
Then, have them glue a small summer-themed toy—like a tiny palm tree wearing a Santa hat or a dolphin with a red ribbon—to the inside of the lid. Fill the jar with water and a dash of glycerin (to slow the “snow” fall), screw on the lid tightly, and seal it with waterproof glue. Shake it up for a tropical holiday blizzard!
3. Pinecone Christmas Trees
This is a fantastic way to bring a nature walk into your crafting session. Send the kids on a mission to find the perfect, well-shaped pinecones. Once they’ve got their “trees,” the decorating fun begins. Provide green paint (or leave them natural for a rustic look), and an assortment of tiny decorations.
We’re talking mini pom-poms, sequins, dabs of glitter glue, and even tiny beads. They can use tacky glue to adorn their pinecone trees. Prop them up on a painted wooden circle or a bottle cap for a stand, and you’ve got a whole forest of adorable, summer-foraged table decor.
4. Popsicle Stick Sleds
Using popsicle sticks to make a sled is practically poetic for a Christmas in July theme. Kids can glue the sticks together in a classic sled shape—a rectangular base with raised front runners. This project is great for practicing those fine motor skills and a little basic engineering.
Once the glue dries, the painting and personalization party starts. Let them paint their sleds in classic red or get wild with stripes and patterns. They can add a tiny felt Santa bag, a mini painted “present,” or even a little plush animal as a passenger. So cute, right?
5. Salt Dough Holiday Handprints
Salt dough is the OG of kid-friendly crafts, and it’s perfect for preserving those summer-sized handprints. Whip up a batch of dough (just flour, salt, and water), roll it out, and let each kid press their hand in firmly. Use a straw to poke a hole at the top for hanging.
Bake according to recipe instructions, let them cool completely, and then the real magic happens. Kids can paint their handprints to look like reindeer (thumb as the head, fingers as antlers!), a Santa Claus (add a white beard and red hat), or a simple festive shape decorated with their favorite colors. It’s a keepsake you’ll treasure forever.
6. “Frozen” Sun Catchers
These capture the icy beauty of winter but use the blazing summer sun to make them sparkle. You’ll need clear plastic lids (from yogurt or fruit containers), glitter, sequins, and a strong glue like Mod Podge. Have your kids arrange their glitter and sequins in a holiday design—a snowflake, a tree, a star—inside the lid.
Carefully pour a thin layer of glue over the top to seal everything in, and let it dry completely overnight. Once it’s rock solid, peel the plastic away and you have a gorgeous, translucent sun catcher. Tape it to a sunny window and watch it cast little rainbows all over the room.
7. Santa’s Summer Suit Card
What does Santa wear on vacation? Let your kids decide! Fold a piece of construction paper to make a card. Then, using red paper, cut out the shape of a swimsuit trunk or a Hawaiian shirt. Glue it to the front of the card. This is where the creativity explodes.
Provide googly eyes, cotton balls for a beard and sun-hat trim, tiny sunglasses cut from paper, and markers. They can design Santa’s relaxed summer look. Inside, they can write a funny message like “Wish you were here!” or “Surf’s up! -Santa.” It’s a hilarious and personalized card to send to grandparents.
8. Ice Cube “Ornament” Painting
This is a gloriously messy, wonderfully cooling process art activity. Freeze water in an ice cube tray, but put a loop of string in each cube so it freezes with a “hanger” sticking out. For extra fun, add a drop of liquid watercolor to the water before freezing. You’ll get colorful ice ornaments!
Take the frozen cubes outside and let your kids “paint” with them on large sheets of sturdy paper. As the ice melts, it creates beautiful, swirling, watery patterns. They can watch their ornament melt into a masterpiece. It’s sensory, science-y, and stunningly beautiful.
9. Paper Plate Grinch Masks
Why should Halloween have all the mask fun? Cut eye holes in a green paper plate. Let your kids go to town creating their best Grinch face using green crepe paper for fur, red paper for a sly smile, and huge, expressive yellow and black paper eyes.
Attach a popsicle stick to the bottom as a handle. Suddenly, you have a host of little Grinches running around, which is objectively funnier in July than in December. They can even act out scenes or have a “Grinch race.” It’s pure, imaginative play with a holiday twist.
10. Bottle Cap Jingle Bell Bracelets
This craft is as jolly as it sounds. Save up plastic bottle caps from your summer beverages. Let the kids paint the *inside* of the caps in bright, festive colors. Once dry, help them hot glue a small jingle bell inside each cap.
Then, simply punch a hole on either side of the cap and let the kids string them onto elastic cord, alternating with festive beads. Tie a secure knot, and they have a wearable, jingling bracelet that sounds like holiday cheer with every step. Instant festive mood! 🙂
11. Cookie Cutter Sponge Prints
Dig out those holiday cookie cutters from the back of the pantry! Tape a piece of sponge to the back of a sturdy cookie cutter (like a tree, star, or bell). It creates a perfect stamp handle for little hands. Pour some washable paint onto a paper plate.
Your kids can dip their sponge-stamp into the paint and press it all over rolls of craft paper, old gift bags, or plain cards to create their own custom holiday wrapping paper or artwork. It’s simple, satisfying, and the results look fantastic. Plus, cleanup is a breeze—just rinse the sponge.
12. Recycled Cardboard Tube Nutcrackers
Don’t toss those empty paper towel or toilet paper tubes! With some paint, construction paper, and marker details, they transform into proud little nutcracker soldiers. Start by painting the tube in a solid color for the uniform.
Then, cut and glue on paper details: a belt, epaulets on the shoulders, a grand mustache and beard for the face, and a paper hat. Draw on the eyes and mouth. Line them up on the mantle or a windowsill for an impressively upcycled guard. This project teaches resourcefulness and yields seriously cool results.
13. Felt Christmas Stocking for Stuffy
Every favorite stuffed animal or action figure deserves a stocking, right? Cut out two simple stocking shapes from felt. Let your kids go wild decorating one side with sequins, buttons, fabric markers, or glued-on felt shapes before you assemble it.
Then, help them sew or fabric-glue the two pieces together around the edges, leaving the top open. Add a felt loop for hanging. It’s the perfect size for holding tiny treasures, notes, or even a candy cane come December. It also makes for an adorable dollhouse or playroom decoration.
And there you have it! Thirteen ways to turn a hot summer afternoon into a winter wonderland of creativity. The best part about these Christmas in July crafts for kids isn’t just the adorable finished products (though those are pretty great). It’s the laughter, the concentrated little tongues poking out in focus, and the memories you’re making together, far away from the holiday rush. You’ve beaten the boredom, sparked some joy, and maybe even found a few future ornaments for the tree. So crank the AC, play some holiday tunes ironically (or not so ironically), and get crafting. Your summer just got a whole lot merrier.