If you're looking for a cheap way to keep the kids busy this December, you've got to try these Christmas crafts with tongue depressors. Most of us have a box of these oversized wooden sticks tucked away in a craft closet or a junk drawer, and honestly, they're the unsung heroes of holiday decorating. They're sturdy, easy to glue, and take paint way better than you'd expect for something that's usually found in a doctor's office.
There is something so nostalgic about sitting at the kitchen table with a pile of wooden sticks and a bottle of school glue. It takes me back to being in elementary school, trying to make a star that wasn't lopsided. The best part is that you don't need to be a professional artist to make these look good. Whether you're making ornaments for the tree or little gift tags for your neighbors, tongue depressors are the perfect blank canvas.
Getting Your Supplies Ready
Before you dive into the projects, you'll want to gather a few basics. You don't need a huge budget for this. Aside from the sticks themselves, grab some acrylic paint (red, green, white, and black are the essentials), some glitter if you're feeling brave about the mess, and a good variety of adhesives.
For kids, a bottle of white school glue or a glue stick is safest, but if you're the one doing the heavy lifting, a low-temp hot glue gun is a total game-changer. It sets almost instantly, which means you don't have to wait twenty minutes for a reindeer ear to dry before moving on to the eyes. Also, don't forget the extras like pipe cleaners, googly eyes, and maybe some twine for hanging your creations.
The Classic Tongue Depressor Snowflake
One of the easiest things to make is a giant snowflake. Because tongue depressors are wider and longer than standard popsicle sticks, these snowflakes end up being large enough to hang in a window or on a front door.
To start, take four sticks and glue them together in the center to create a star shape. Once that base is dry, you can get creative. You can add smaller "branches" to the ends of each stick using halves of other sticks or even standard-sized popsicle sticks for contrast. Paint the whole thing white or a shimmering silver, and while the paint is still wet, shake some white glitter over it. It looks incredibly high-end once the light hits it, and nobody will guess it started as a medical supply.
Making Adorable Reindeer Ornaments
You can't have Christmas crafts with tongue depressors without making at least one Rudolph. There are two ways to do this. The first is to glue three sticks together in a triangle (an inverted "V" shape with a crossbar). Paint the whole thing brown, add a red pom-pom to the bottom point for the nose, and glue two googly eyes just above it.
The second way is even simpler. Just take a single tongue depressor and paint it brown. Glue two brown pipe cleaners to the top for antlers and draw a little face in the middle. These make great bookmarks for holiday books or cute additions to the top of a wrapped present. If you want to get fancy, you can even use a bit of red ribbon to make a little collar with a tiny jingle bell.
Simple Wooden Snowmen
Snowmen are great because they don't have to be perfect. In fact, a slightly wonky snowman usually has more character. For this one, you'll want to line up five or six tongue depressors side-by-side. To hold them together, glue two more sticks horizontally across the back—this acts as a "brace."
Flip it over and paint the entire front white. Once that's dry, you can paint a black "hat" across the top. I like to use a scrap of actual fabric or a bit of felt for the scarf to give it some texture. Use the handle end of your paintbrush to dab on black dots for the eyes and mouth, and a little orange triangle for the carrot nose. These look fantastic sitting on a mantel or propped up against a potted poinsettia.
Building a Mini Sleigh
If you're feeling a bit more ambitious, you can actually build a three-dimensional sleigh. This one takes a bit more patience but the result is adorable. You'll need two sticks for the runners—it's best to leave these unpainted or paint them silver.
Then, build the "seat" by gluing four or five sticks together flat. Attach the runners to the bottom of the seat. If you have any small sprigs of artificial holly or a tiny toy Santa, you can glue them right on top. These little sleighs are perfect for holding a few pieces of holiday candy on a coffee table. They also make really thoughtful handmade gifts for teachers or coworkers.
Festive Christmas Tree Triangles
This is probably the best project for younger kids because it's almost impossible to mess up. Just like the reindeer, you start with a triangle shape made of three sticks. Paint them a bright, festive green.
Once the paint is dry, let the kids go wild with the "ornaments." You can use sequins, buttons, beads, or even just dots of different colored paint. To finish it off, glue a small square of brown construction paper to the bottom for the trunk and a yellow star to the top. If you loop a piece of yarn through the top, you've got an ornament that will last for years. I still have some of these from when my siblings were little, and they're honestly my favorite things to hang on the tree every year.
Creating a Rustic Nativity Scene
For a more meaningful project, you can use tongue depressors to create a simple stable. You can lean two sticks together to make a roof and use several more to create the floor and back wall.
Instead of buying figurines, you can make the characters out of the sticks too! Cut a tongue depressor into smaller sections to represent Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. A little bit of fabric scrap can be glued on as robes, and you can use a gold pipe cleaner to create a halo for the angel. It's a very rustic, farmhouse-style look that fits in perfectly with modern holiday decor.
Tips for Success with Wooden Sticks
Working with wood can be a little tricky if you aren't prepared. One thing I've learned is that tongue depressors can sometimes warp if you use too much watery paint. It's better to do two thin coats of acrylic rather than one thick, soaking coat.
Also, if you need to cut the sticks, don't try to use regular office scissors. They'll usually just splinter the wood. A pair of heavy-duty craft shears or even some wire cutters will give you a much cleaner edge. If the edges are a bit rough after cutting, a quick rub with a piece of sandpaper will smooth them right out so nobody gets a splinter.
Why Crafting Matters This Season
I know it's easy to just go out and buy a box of plastic ornaments, but there's something special about making things by hand. When you sit down to do Christmas crafts with tongue depressors, you're not just making "stuff"—you're making memories.
The house might end up with a bit of glitter on the floor and a few paint smudges on the table, but that's part of the fun. These little wooden creations carry a lot of heart. Years from now, you'll pull that lopsided reindeer or that glittery snowflake out of the Christmas bin, and you'll remember exactly who made it and the fun afternoon you spent together.
So, go ahead and grab that box of sticks. Turn on some holiday music, pour some hot cocoa, and see what you can create. You might be surprised at how much fun you can have with something as simple as a tongue depressor. Happy crafting!