This homemade Christmas tree ornament made from newspaper and flour is actually a fun sensory activity too. It’s perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and up!
Follow our DIY Christmas Ornaments Pinterest board!
*This post was originally published on November 16, 2014 and has since been updated.
These paper mache-like Christmas tree ornaments are actually a lot easier to make than you might think. Grab some leftover newspaper, whip up some paste using flour and water, and you’re ready to go! This post contains affiliate links.
Paper Mache Christmas Tree Ornament
Materials for Homemade Ornaments
- Newspaper
- Scissors
- Flour and water
- Paintbrush
- Green watercolor (We used liquid watercolors.)
- Brown construction paper
- Glue
- Single hole punch (This is our absolute favorite hole punch. It can punch through quite a bit with very little effort.)
- String or yarn (We used hemp cord provided by Craftprojectideas.)
- Any other embellishments you might want (glitter, sequins, gem stickers, enamel dots, pompoms etc.)
- Sealant (optional)
Directions for Homemade Christmas Tree Ornament
1. Start by mixing your flour and water paste. Combine 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup warm water. Stir until smooth. (You can even use a hand blender if you want your paste really smooth.)
2. Cut out two triangles from the newspaper. You want them to be identical so cut them at the same time by stacking the two sheets of newspaper together before you cut.
3. Use a paintbrush to spread a thick layer of paste onto one of the newspaper triangles.
4. Put the second triangle on top of the paste so both newspaper triangles are glued together.
5. Now you’re ready to mold your Christmas tree and give it some texture! Use your thumbs and index fingers to pinch and scrunch the Christmas tree until you like how it looks. Let it dry overnight.
6. Once the tree is completely dry, paint it using the green watercolor. Don’t worry about covering each and every crevice with green, the white areas give it a unique look! Let the paint dry. (Optional: If you want to seal your ornament, this is the time to do it. Be sure your paint is completely dry. Spray your ornament with the sealant, sprinkle on any glitter you want, and let it dry.)
7. Add your embellishments. We used brown construction paper for a trunk and punched out a yellow star from some scrapbooking paper. On one tree we added some white paint for snow. On another tree we used enamel dot stickers for ornaments.
8. Punch a hole through the top of the tree and tie some string through the hole. Now you’re ready to hang your paper mache Christmas tree ornament!
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I love all the texture they have! What a very unique and cute way to paper mache an ornament!
Very nice! I like the texture and how hands on this is—thanks!
Very nice! Thank you. I just tried to comment before.