Frames are an easy craft for kindergartners. For each student, you will need a small cardboard frame, jigsaw-puzzle pieces, gold spray paint, red string, white glue and hot glue. Begin by having students glue puzzle pieces onto their frames so that the majority of the frame is covered. Allow the students to add a second layer of puzzle pieces if they choose. Let the glue dry before an instructor spray paints the frames gold. An instructor needs to attach the red string to the top two corners of the frame using hot glue. After the paint and glue dry, students can insert a hand-drawn picture or a school photo. This irregular-shaped frame makes for a timeless ornament.
This glistening icicle ornament is ideal for second- through fourth-grade students. For each icicle, you will need one silver pipe cleaner, six clear tri-beads and eight clear crystal paddle-wheel beads, two in each size. Tri-beads, also known as propeller beads, are easy to locate. Paddle-wheel beads look like small snowflakes and can be easily found at a craft store. First, take the pipe cleaner and string one tri-bead onto one end. This bead will act as your anchor. Wrap the pipe cleaner around the bead once so that the following beads will not come off. String on the remaining tri-beads and hide the end of the pipe cleaner by covering it with beads. Then, starting with the smallest paddle-wheel beads, string them on in pairs. Continue to string beads until there are no more beads. The remaining pipe cleaner needs to be folded in half and then made into a hook shape. This is where you will hang it from the tree. Adding a small red or green bow at the top gives the ornament some color.
Clear glass ornaments offer a chance for students to show their creative side with paint and confetti. There are two different types of gifts that are made with clear glass ornaments. The first can be swirl painted with craft paint. Light blue and white work well. Squirt a dollop of paint into the ornament. Place your thumb over the open end before you begin shaking and swirling the paint around the inside. Continue to mix the paint until the inside of the ornament is coated. Let the ornament dry before you place the topper on it again. For the sparkling version, fill the bulb with colored tinsel and loose glitter.
To make a penguin ornament, you will need a burnt-out light bulb for each student. Start by cleaning the light bulb with rubbing alcohol. This will help the paint adhere better. The ornament will eventually hang with the socket being the head and the bulb as the body. Cover the light bulb in black acrylic paint. Leave an hourglass shape for the face and belly clear. When the black dries, add a second coat of paint. After the second coat dries, paint two coats of white in the unpainted space. When all the paint dries, use a black marker to draw eyes on the white part of the light bulb's neck. Add buttons on the penguin's bulging stomach. Cut a small orange triangle from felt for the nose. Cut a half-inch wide strip of red felt to make a scarf. To finish the ornament, affix a loop of gold cord on the socket using hot glue. When everything has dried, this adorable penguin is ready for the tree.