You know that feeling when you find a “simple” Christmas craft online, gather all the supplies, and then realize it needs seventeen steps and tools you don’t own? Yeah, me too.
This yarn-wrapped Christmas tree ornament skips all that nonsense. It’s actually simple, uses stuff you probably have already, and kids can make it start to finish without asking for help every two minutes.
In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to make adorable mini Christmas trees using cardboard, yarn, and beads. This Christmas ornament craft is perfect for parents who need quick holiday activities, teachers planning classroom parties, and anyone who wants handmade decorations without hours of work. Plus, we’ve included a free template to make cutting your tree shapes super easy.
Perfect for:
- Classroom Christmas parties
- Rainy December afternoons
- Handmade gift tags or package toppers
- Tree decorations kids actually made themselves
- Holiday crafting with mixed age groups
Project Specifications
Difficulty Level: Beginner-friendly (great first yarn-wrapping project)
Cost: Under $2 (using yarn scraps you probably already have)
Time: 20-30 minutes per ornament
Ages: 5+ years (with supervision for hot glue), 8+ independently
Things You’ll Need
Materials
Cardboard (cereal box thickness or slightly thicker). You need something sturdy enough to hold its shape when yarn gets wrapped around it, but not so thick that it’s hard to cut. Thin cardstock will bend and warp as kids wrap, while corrugated cardboard is too bulky. Regular cereal box cardboard hits that perfect middle ground.
Alternative: File folder cardboard or the backing from notepads works great!
Yarn in Christmas colors (worsted weight recommended). Green for the tree, brown for the trunk, and you’re set. Medium thickness wraps easily without slipping off the edges or creating gaps. Super thin yarn takes forever to cover the cardboard, while chunky yarn makes it hard to wrap neatly around the triangle points.
Small round beads (6-8mm work best). These become your ornaments on the tree. Flat-backed beads stick better than round ones, but regular craft beads work fine with enough glue. Avoid anything too heavy or it’ll pull off.
Golden glitter paper or cardstock (for the star). Regular paper works too, but glitter paper makes that star really pop. You only need a tiny piece, so use scraps if you have them.
String or ribbon (for hanging loop). Thin string, embroidery floss, or even yarn itself works. Just needs to be strong enough to hold the weight of the ornament.
Assembly Supplies
Hot glue sticks (standard size). Hot glue sets fast, which keeps this project moving. White craft glue works but takes way longer to dry, and kids will get impatient waiting.
Tools
Hot glue gun (low-temp recommended for kids). If kids are using the glue gun themselves, get a low-temp one. Regular hot glue guns get seriously hot and will burn little fingers.
Supervision tip: Even with low-temp guns, keep a bowl of cool water nearby just in case.
Scissors (sharp enough to cut cardboard cleanly). Dull scissors will crush and tear the cardboard instead of cutting it, which makes wrapping yarn way harder. If you’re working with younger kids, you cut the cardboard and let them handle the yarn wrapping.
Pencil (for tracing template). Any pencil works. You’ll trace, cut, then cover it all with yarn anyway.
How to Make Yarn-Wrapped Christmas Tree Ornament
If you’re someone who feels comfortable with video instructions, we’ve made a video for you. For a detailed guide or any help, see the step-by-step instructions we wrote below.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and tap the bell icon so you never miss any of our cozy Christmas crafts and holiday DIY projects!
Step by Step Instructions: Yarn-Wrapped Christmas Tree Ornament
Step 1: Preparing the Tree Base and Starting to Wrap Yarn
Print out the template pattern and trace the tree base on a cardboard. Cut out the traced tree shape from the cardboard. Select a brown yarn for the trunk part of the tree. Apply a small amount of hot glue along the bottom edge of the cardboard tree base and join the open end of the brown yarn on the glued part neatly.
Step 2: Wrap the Brown Yarn to Cover the Trunk
Neatly and evenly wrap the brown yarn around the trunk part to cover it. Draw the yarn to the backside once you’re done wrapping the trunk aprt. Cut off extra yarn and glue the open end to the backside of the tree base to secure the wrapping.
Step 3: Start Wrapping the Green Part
Select a green-colored yarn of your choice and join its open end near the secured end of the brown yarn (on the backside).
Step 4: Make Neat and Even Yarn Wrappings
We started the green yarn wrapping from the bottom (wide) side of the tree part. Wrap neatly and evenly; making sure that the cardboard is not visible or less visible.
Step 5: Continue to Wrap Upwards
Apply a drop of hot glue on the edge of the cardboard tree base while wrapping the yarn; this will help keep the yarn in place neatly.
Step 6: Cover the Cardboard Tree Base with Yarn
Wrap the yarn around the cardboard tree base all the way to its tip. Cut off extra yarn leaving 2 cm at the open end.
Step 7: Attach a String Loop
Cut out a small string and make a loop with it. Glue the open ends of the loop to the backside (near the tip of the tree) of the yarn wrapped tree.
Step 8: Select Decorative Items
Trace and cut out a star shape from golden glitter paper and select white and golden round beads to decorate the tree ornament.
Step 9: Decorate the Tree with Beads
Apply a drop of hot glue on the place where you’d like to attach a bead and drop the bead to the wat glue and gently press the bead against the gue to atatch it neatly.
Step 10: Attach the Star to the Tip
Mix and match 2 or 3 different colored beads to decorate the yarn-wrapped tree ornament. Attach the golden star cutout to the tip of the tree ornament to complete the craft.
Beginner Tips for Making Yarn-Wrapped Christmas Tree Ornaments
Before You Start!
Before you dive into this festive craft, take a few minutes to set up your workspace. Gather all your supplies — the cardboard triangle base, yarn, beads, glue, and our free printable template. It’s best to keep your yarn untangled and your glue ready to go. A clean, flat surface will make wrapping and decorating your Christmas tree ornament easier and more fun.
Once you’re ready, let’s craft some Christmas magic and check out the following tips to avoid errors while you craft.
Use sturdy cardboard: Thin paper or flimsy card might bend while wrapping the yarn. A piece of recycled cardboard works perfectly!
Cut clean triangles: The cleaner your triangle edges, the neater your ornament will look. You can use the free template for perfect results every time.
Start wrapping neatly: Tape or glue the starting end of the yarn to the back of the triangle before wrapping — it keeps things tidy and easier to handle.
Keep the yarn snug, not tight: Pull the yarn gently so it wraps smoothly around the triangle without bending the cardboard.
Mix colors and textures: Try using sparkly yarns, metallic threads, or a mix of red, green, and white for a fun, festive touch.
Bead it up: Small beads, sequins, or even mini pom-poms add a magical holiday sparkle — just make sure to use strong craft glue so they stay in place.
Add a hanging loop: Don’t forget to attach a small yarn or ribbon loop at the top so you can hang your finished ornament on the Christmas tree!
Let the glue dry fully: Give your ornament a few minutes to dry before hanging or handling it. Patience makes the craft last longer!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use craft glue instead of hot glue?
You can, but get ready to wait. Hot glue sets in seconds, which keeps this project moving at a kid-friendly pace. White craft glue takes 10-15 minutes to dry for each glued spot, which means you’re looking at over an hour of drying time total. If hot glue isn’t an option, use tacky glue (it’s thicker and faster-drying than regular white glue) and plan on making this a two-day project.
Q: What if my yarn keeps slipping off the edges?
This happens when the cardboard edges are too smooth or rounded. Make sure you’re cutting clean, sharp edges on your triangle. Also check your yarn tension – if it’s too loose, it’ll slide around. Add a tiny dot of hot glue on the edges every 4-5 wraps to anchor the yarn in place. Once you get to the fat part of the tree, slipping is rarely a problem.
Q: Can younger kids (3-4 years old) do this craft?
The wrapping motion is actually too complex for most preschoolers to do independently. Their fine motor skills aren’t quite there yet for maintaining consistent tension. But they can totally participate! You wrap the yarn, and they tell you when to stop or what color to use next. Then they glue on the beads (with supervision). They’ll feel proud of “their” ornament even though you did the technical part.
Q: How do I make different sized trees?
The template is sized to make ornaments about 4 inches tall, which is perfect for hanging on a tree or using as gift tags. To make bigger or smaller versions, just scale the template up or down when printing. Keep in mind that bigger trees need more yarn and take longer to wrap. Smaller trees (under 3 inches) get tricky at the pointy top because there’s not much space for the yarn.
Q: What if I don’t have Christmas-colored yarn?
Use what you’ve got! A brown trunk with any color tree looks great. I’ve seen gorgeous ones with blue yarn, purple yarn, even rainbow-striped yarn. The triangular shape reads as “Christmas tree” regardless of color. If you want traditional Christmas colors but don’t have green, try red or white – both look super festive.
Q: My beads keep falling off. What am I doing wrong?
Either you’re not using enough glue, or you’re not holding the bead in place long enough for the glue to set. Put a decent-sized dot of hot glue (bigger than you think you need), press the bead into it, and hold it there for a full 5 seconds. Don’t let go early or the bead will pop off as soon as the glue cools. If beads are still falling off, your glue might be low-temp when you need regular-temp for better adhesion.
Q: Can these ornaments get wet?
Not really. The cardboard will warp if it gets wet, and the yarn will get soggy. These are indoor decorations only. If you want to use them outside or in a spot where they might get damp, you’d need to use plastic canvas instead of cardboard and seal everything with a waterproof coating. For regular tree decorating, they’ll last for years if stored in a dry place.
Q: How long will these ornaments last?
If you store them carefully, they’ll last indefinitely. The yarn and glue won’t break down. The only risk is crushing them in storage. Pack them in a box with tissue paper between layers, or store them hanging on hooks. I’ve got yarn-wrapped ornaments my son made three years ago that still look perfect.
Q: Can I wash these if they get dusty?
Don’t get them wet. If they collect dust over the years, use a lint roller or wrap some tape around your fingers (sticky side out) and gently press it against the yarn to lift the dust off. You can also use a soft brush to dust them. That’s it – no water, no cleaning products.
More Christmas Ornament Crafts You’ll Love
If you enjoyed making these cozy yarn-wrapped trees, here are other handmade ornament projects perfect for holiday crafting:
More Christmas Tree Crafts:
- Mini Felt Christmas Tree Decor – No-sew option that’s perfect for younger kids
- Easy Origami Christmas Tree – Another budget-friendly ornament using just paper
- Easy Christmas Tree String Art – A bit more advanced but stunning results
Other Christmas Ornaments:
- How to Crochet a Christmas Tree – If you want to level up to yarn crafts with a hook
- Papercraft 3D Christmas Tree – Impressive centerpiece that’s easier than it looks
For even more holiday inspiration, check out our complete collection of Christmas craft tutorials!
We absolutely love seeing the creative ways kids decorate their little Christmas trees! When you finish your yarn-wrapped ornaments, share photos on social media and tag us with #thecraftaholicwitch so we can celebrate your handmade holiday creations.
Creative variations we’d love to see:
- Rainbow Christmas trees with multicolored yarn stripes
- White “snowy” trees with silver beads
- Tiny mini trees (2 inches or smaller) for gift tags
- Trees made with sparkly or metallic yarn
- Whole forests of different-sized trees hanging together
Final Thoughts
This yarn-wrapped Christmas tree ornament is way more than just a cute decoration. It’s a chance for kids to practice that satisfying rhythm of wrapping, see their tree transform right before their eyes, and feel genuinely proud hanging something they made completely themselves on the family tree.
As a mom who’s tried approximately a million Christmas crafts, I love this one because kids actually finish it. There’s no waiting for paint to dry, no complicated steps where they need constant help, and no “Mom, can you just do this part?” It’s their project from start to finish, and that sense of accomplishment? That’s what makes memories.
So grab some yarn, print that free template, and let your kids create some cozy handmade magic this Christmas season!
Keep crafting, keep learning, and keep creating those precious memories!
Happy Crafting!
#thecraftaholicwitch
