Add a personal touch to your gifts this year with Christmas wrapping paper designed by your little ones! There really is no right or wrong way of doing this hands-on craft activity and will allow children to engage in some child-led, creative play whilst developing their fine motor skills!
How to make festive Christmas gift wrapping paper:
- Start by preparing an area as this can get messy! Once you have a dedicated zone then you can roll out your chosen paper and weigh down the edges.
- Ask your little ones to pick up a pom pom using their tweezers – this is a great activity to strengthen grip and generally improve key fine motor skills that will serve your children well later on.
- Using the pom pom, guide your little ones into the paint and let them dab the paint covered pom pom all over the paper to create a masterpiece!
- Why not turn some of the pom pom paint marks into different festive pictures? We made holly by adding three red paint marks and adding leaves. We also made a snowman using two white marks and adding decorations like a nose, eyes and a hat!
What will I need?
- A roll of paper (this could be any colour – we went for brown)
- A selection of paints
- Colouring pens
- Pom poms
- Gator Grabber Tweezers
- Any additional decorations such as ribbon, glitter or gems
What paper is best to use?
Any type of paper will work for this activity, from regular craft paper to recycled packing paper found in parcels. You can also use fabric to create reusable Christmas wrapping that is zero-waste and will last for years. Take a look at our selection of craft paper and card to get inspired!
How do you stop the paper from rolling up?
Store paper by laying it flat under a heavy weight (such as books) for at least 24 hours to help keep it from curling. When ready to use, place the paper with the curling side facing down and use small weighted objects on each corner. To hold everything in place, add tape to the edges of the paper to keep the paper secure.
Looking for more children’s wrapping paper ideas?
- Create Christmas tree prints by drawing a triangle onto cardboard and cutting it out to use as a template. For a better grip, glue multiple identical pieces together, then press the shape onto paper to transfer the print.
- Upcycle a plain paper bag into a gift bag using Christmas cutters as stencils to stamp out patterns.
- For odd-shaped gifts, a reusable fabric gift wrap is perfect for gifting. Start by selecting a piece of fabric that is large enough to wrap around your object (with a couple of extra inches to tie a knot). Next, paint your design onto fabric and use fabric markers to add extra details for a one-of-a-kind handmade print.
- Make a fairy light pattern by using your fingertips to press each colour onto the paper. Alternate between colours and leave to dry for a fun festive print!
Christmas wrapping paper activity prompts:
Challenge your little ones by adding prompts alongside this Christmas craft such as:
- What theme are your little ones going for?
- Can they think about the person they are creating the wrapping paper for and use their favourite colours and characters?
- Can they create particular patterns and shapes?
We would love to see how you decorate your wrapping paper! Share your DIY Christmas decorations with us on social media by tagging us or using the hashtag #ExploreWithEYR
