Button Christmas tree ornaments

These felt Christmas tree ornaments are a simple, satisfying craft to make with preschoolers and kindergartners. All you need is green felt, some buttons, ribbon, and glue. The result is a sweet handmade ornament that looks great on the tree. If you’re looking for more ideas like this one, we have a full roundup of 14 Christmas ornament crafts for kids that are worth checking out.

What makes this craft work for young kids

This project is well suited to kids aged 3 and up. Younger children will need more hands-on help, especially with cutting and applying glue. Older preschoolers and kindergartners can handle more of the steps on their own.

A few safety notes before you start. Buttons are a choking hazard, so this craft is not appropriate for children under 3. Many craft glues are also not recommended for very young children. Read the labels on your supplies before you begin, and make sure kids stay supervised throughout the whole activity.

Supplies you’ll need

This craft uses basic materials, and it’s a great way to use up leftover buttons from old sewing projects. Before you start, gather everything together so the activity flows smoothly.

You will need green craft felt sheets, a marker, scissors, non-toxic glue, buttons in various sizes and colors, and ribbon. That’s it. No special tools or equipment required.

How to make button Christmas tree ornaments

Step 1: Draw and cut out the tree shape

Use a marker to draw a Christmas tree shape on the green felt. Aim for a tree that is about 4 inches (10 cm) tall. This size fits several buttons without being too heavy for the felt to hold. An adult should do the cutting, especially if you’re working with younger children. You can cut the shapes out ahead of time to keep the craft moving and avoid having scissors on the table during the decorating part.

You don’t have to stick with tree shapes. Snowmen and gift boxes work just as well with this same technique.

Step 2: Glue the buttons onto the felt

Place small dabs of glue on the felt where each button will go. Older children may be ready to apply the glue themselves. Younger ones will likely need an adult to handle this step. Try to keep the glue only where the buttons will sit. Extra glue outside the button area can leave visible residue on the finished ornament.

Press the buttons onto the glue one at a time. Let children choose their own button placement. Part of what makes these ornaments special is that each one looks a little different.

Step 3: Let the glue dry fully

Set the ornament aside and give the glue time to dry completely before handling it. This step takes patience, especially for young kids, but it matters. Moving the ornament too soon can shift the buttons before they set.

Step 4: Attach the ribbon hanger

Cut a short length of ribbon and fold it into a loop. An adult can poke a small hole near the top of the felt tree and tie the ribbon through it. You can also use glue to attach a ribbon loop to the back of the ornament if you prefer not to make a hole in the felt. Either approach works well.

A simple variation to try

We kept our trees simple with a single color of green felt. If you want to add a little more detail, cut a small rectangle from brown felt and glue it to the bottom of the tree as a trunk. It’s a small touch that gives the ornament a more finished look.

Hanging your finished ornaments

Once the glue is fully dry, the ornaments are ready to hang. They look lovely grouped together on the tree, and kids are always proud to spot their own work among the decorations. These also make sweet gifts for grandparents or teachers. A handmade ornament with a child’s handiwork tends to stick around for years.

If your family enjoys making ornaments together, here are some other crafts we’ve made that are worth trying. The pom pom star ornaments are very popular with younger kids, and the children’s clay Christmas ornaments are a wonderful keepsake. The piñata Christmas tree ornaments are a fun challenge for older kids, and the reindeer craft for preschoolers is always a hit. We also love the melted crayon ornaments for a more colorful result.

Other great options include pipe cleaner Christmas ornaments, kids pom pom ornaments, snowman ornaments, paint drip ornaments, tiny toboggan ornaments, alphabet block ornaments, and pom pom pinecone ornaments. There is no shortage of options if you want to keep crafting through the holiday season.