Kid-Friendly Christmas Decor
Have a stress-free Christmas with decorations that suit the rough-and-tumble of family life at home
It’s the kids, not the decorations, that put the magic in Christmas. So you need to enjoy the special moments of the season without constantly worrying about your seven-year-old smashing glass baubles, your baby choking on figures from the nativity scene, or your toddler attempting to climb the tree. Behold, here are 13 Christmas decoration ideas that are completely kid-proof. And, as an added bonus, many of these decorations could be easily made at home with your littlies.
Stocking string
When you don’t have a fireplace, you might look for other creative places to hang the kids’ stockings. Sure, you can put them under the tree or next to their beds, but how charming is this option? Stockings just look that much cuter when they are hung up next to each other at the end of the bed. Hanging them in your bedroom (not the kids’ rooms) also means you’ll definitely be there when they wake up at the crack of dawn and race in to see what they are filled with.
When you don’t have a fireplace, you might look for other creative places to hang the kids’ stockings. Sure, you can put them under the tree or next to their beds, but how charming is this option? Stockings just look that much cuter when they are hung up next to each other at the end of the bed. Hanging them in your bedroom (not the kids’ rooms) also means you’ll definitely be there when they wake up at the crack of dawn and race in to see what they are filled with.
Baubles on branches
It can be a heartbreaking experience to pull out your fragile heirloom decorations only to realise that they won’t survive a day on the tree if it’s within range of your toddler. A happy solution is to gather some elegant branches together and put them into a vase, then hang your more precious ornaments off these rather than the tree. Be sure to place the vase high enough up that it’s out of reach of little hands.
More Christmas trees for small spaces
It can be a heartbreaking experience to pull out your fragile heirloom decorations only to realise that they won’t survive a day on the tree if it’s within range of your toddler. A happy solution is to gather some elegant branches together and put them into a vase, then hang your more precious ornaments off these rather than the tree. Be sure to place the vase high enough up that it’s out of reach of little hands.
More Christmas trees for small spaces
Tabletop trees
As lovely as they are, Christmas trees are more foe than friend to small children and pets. If you’ve got either – or both – you may want to consider lifting your tree well out of reach. Small trees, or large ones with the bottom half cut off, are easy to mount on a table or sideboard. The beauty of this idea is that you still get the height, allowing your tree to be seen from anywhere in the room, without taking up precious floorspace.
As lovely as they are, Christmas trees are more foe than friend to small children and pets. If you’ve got either – or both – you may want to consider lifting your tree well out of reach. Small trees, or large ones with the bottom half cut off, are easy to mount on a table or sideboard. The beauty of this idea is that you still get the height, allowing your tree to be seen from anywhere in the room, without taking up precious floorspace.
Floating cards
Anything made out of paper is your friend when it comes to stress-free decorating. Display your favourite Christmas cards from previous years by pinning them onto some branches using wooden clothespins – you can find mini ones at most art stores. Not only is this a kid-friendly way to decorate, it’s wonderfully meaningful and virtually cost-free.
Anything made out of paper is your friend when it comes to stress-free decorating. Display your favourite Christmas cards from previous years by pinning them onto some branches using wooden clothespins – you can find mini ones at most art stores. Not only is this a kid-friendly way to decorate, it’s wonderfully meaningful and virtually cost-free.
Chalkboard messages
A chalkboard is a cheeky way to have some Christmas fun with the kids. Either have them write messages to Santa, or write messages to them from Santa, or other Christmas themed notes. A daily countdown of sleeps till Christmas is also a sure winner with kids. These signs are a fun way to get everyone involved and excited for the 25th.
A chalkboard is a cheeky way to have some Christmas fun with the kids. Either have them write messages to Santa, or write messages to them from Santa, or other Christmas themed notes. A daily countdown of sleeps till Christmas is also a sure winner with kids. These signs are a fun way to get everyone involved and excited for the 25th.
Guiding star
What’s lightweight, nearly unbreakable, and bright as a night star? Aluminium! Decorations like the ones in this photo create lots of impact and their silvery appearance is stylish enough for the most fashion-conscious.
Make this metallic DIY Christmas star
What’s lightweight, nearly unbreakable, and bright as a night star? Aluminium! Decorations like the ones in this photo create lots of impact and their silvery appearance is stylish enough for the most fashion-conscious.
Make this metallic DIY Christmas star
A beachy Christmas
Driftwood decor is not only kid-friendly, but also suits an Australian Christmas. Driftwood can be collected (another task for the kids!) or easily bought. Cut or break the branches to different lengths and then stack them into a Christmas tree shape, or create stars by binding the pieces with glue or twine. Wrap the finished shape in fairy lights for a dazzling effect.
Driftwood decor is not only kid-friendly, but also suits an Australian Christmas. Driftwood can be collected (another task for the kids!) or easily bought. Cut or break the branches to different lengths and then stack them into a Christmas tree shape, or create stars by binding the pieces with glue or twine. Wrap the finished shape in fairy lights for a dazzling effect.
From straws to snowflakes
These oversized stick snowflakes have a Scandinavian feel, but more importantly, they’re easy for anyone to make with sticks or straws and glue. They’re also lightweight, and inexpensive to replace if they’re damaged. You can create interesting patterns using different snowflake shapes, and if you want to tick off indoor and outdoor decorating simultaneously, you can do so easily enough by hanging them in the windows.
These oversized stick snowflakes have a Scandinavian feel, but more importantly, they’re easy for anyone to make with sticks or straws and glue. They’re also lightweight, and inexpensive to replace if they’re damaged. You can create interesting patterns using different snowflake shapes, and if you want to tick off indoor and outdoor decorating simultaneously, you can do so easily enough by hanging them in the windows.
Paper garlands
A classic decoration that you can make with kids of just about any age are these paper garlands. One of the most simple designs involves looping strips of paper together, or for a more sophisticated look like in this room, you can create snowflakes using small paper doilies or cutting patterns into folded paper for a snowflake effect. While these garlands do tear easily, you at least won’t need to worry about the potential breakage of expensive decorations or any sharp elements.
A classic decoration that you can make with kids of just about any age are these paper garlands. One of the most simple designs involves looping strips of paper together, or for a more sophisticated look like in this room, you can create snowflakes using small paper doilies or cutting patterns into folded paper for a snowflake effect. While these garlands do tear easily, you at least won’t need to worry about the potential breakage of expensive decorations or any sharp elements.
Spell it out
A simple but bold statement, large cut-out letters can be used to spell Christmas-themed words. You can paint them in colours to complement your home, but gold or silver are easy picks if you want it to look festive. Kids can have fun helping you spell different words. If the words aren’t strung together, the kids can change them to spell other words on different days.
Browse more gold decor
A simple but bold statement, large cut-out letters can be used to spell Christmas-themed words. You can paint them in colours to complement your home, but gold or silver are easy picks if you want it to look festive. Kids can have fun helping you spell different words. If the words aren’t strung together, the kids can change them to spell other words on different days.
Browse more gold decor
Advent calendars
What kid doesn’t love counting down the days to Christmas? Think outside the chocolate box, and create a calendar that will complement the decor of your home. The calendar can become a focal point, and the treats you hide behind each day’s marker are entirely up to you.
What kid doesn’t love counting down the days to Christmas? Think outside the chocolate box, and create a calendar that will complement the decor of your home. The calendar can become a focal point, and the treats you hide behind each day’s marker are entirely up to you.
Yuletide in the yard
This has to be one of the most elaborate treehouses around, but it’s the idea of decorating the kids’ own spaces that steals the heart. Whether it’s a play kitchen from a big box store, a somewhat rickety platform nailed onto a tree branch, or a portable plastic cubby house, help your kids decorate their space with lights and other kid-safe ornaments to really brighten their Christmas season.
TELL US
Which of these Christmas decorations would work in your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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Read more Christmas stories
This has to be one of the most elaborate treehouses around, but it’s the idea of decorating the kids’ own spaces that steals the heart. Whether it’s a play kitchen from a big box store, a somewhat rickety platform nailed onto a tree branch, or a portable plastic cubby house, help your kids decorate their space with lights and other kid-safe ornaments to really brighten their Christmas season.
TELL US
Which of these Christmas decorations would work in your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
MORE
Read more Christmas stories
Why not try a modern twist on the classic Christmas stocking? Sock-shaped pieces of burlap or beige canvas can be easily cut out and stitched together. Iron on large block letters in black or white for a bold modern statement that will work with the decor of contemporary lounge rooms, particularly beach house styles where natural textures and neutral colours dominate. Kids will love having their name or initials in large type on their stockings.