Looking for an easy Christmas craft that won’t require any cleanup or advance prep? This free build a Santa printable is easy to make, fun for kids, and it only requires simple supplies that you probably already have at home!
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If you’re not feeling super creative, but you’re looking for a fun Christmas craft to make with your kids, this build a Santa project is a great option! All you’ll need to do is print, color, cut and glue the template to complete the craft.
Young children can do this craft with the assistance of an adult, while older kids should be able to make it entirely on their own. Make sure you grab the template below so you have it on hand the next time your child is looking for a Christmas-themed craft idea!
Why You’ll Love This Project
- Easy to download: You won’t need to enter your email address or track down a resource library password in order to download this template. Simply scroll down to the preview image and click on the text link to instantly download the file!
- Low-prep and low-mess: This craft requires no advance prep, and doesn’t involve paint, glitter, liquid glue, or any other supplies that your kids might make a mess with. All you’ll need to do is print out the template, color in the shapes, and assemble them using scissors and glue.
- Simple supplies: No need to make a last-minute run to the craft store! This project only requires 4 simple supplies, and you probably already have them all at home.
- Good for fine motor skills: Use this fun craft as a way to help your little one practice coloring within the lines and cutting with scissors.
Love everything Santa-related? Check out this Santa’s Beard Cotton Ball Countdown, this Santa Sensory Bottle, this Free Santa Letter Template or this DIY Santa’s Clothesline Garland!
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Required Materials
- Cardstock: White cardstock is best for this project because it is thicker and sturdier than regular paper. If you don’t have any, you can use regular printer paper, but you’ll need to handle the shapes with care to prevent them from tearing.
- Markers, colored pencils or crayons: Whichever your child prefers is fine. I used red (for Santa’s clothing), black (for Santa’s gloves, boots and belt), yellow (for Santa’s belt buckle) and beige (for Santa’s face). Choose any color you wish for the skin. If you decide to use markers, I recommend that you print the template on cardstock, which is thicker and will hold up better.
- Scissors: Make sure they are sharp and comfortable to use. Plastic safety scissors are not sharp enough.
- Glue: A glue stick is best because it dries quickly and will prevent the paper from becoming wavy, but if you don’t have one, you should be able to use a small amount of liquid school glue. Using repositionable glue can help if your child is still young, but it is not required.
The full supply list and instructions can be found in the how-to card.
Download Your Free Build a Santa Template
Click the text link below the image to be redirected to the PDF file. (The preview image is not print resolution.)
Please note that this template is for school and personal use only and cannot be redistributed. When sharing this free printable, please link to this article rather than directly to the files. You can read our full printables terms of use here.
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Printing Instructions
This file was designed to be printed on US Letter-sized (8.5 x 11 inches) paper or cardstock. If you wish to print it on A4 paper, you’ll need to adjust the “Scale to Fit” setting on your printer to ensure that none of the printable area is being cut off.
How to Build a Paper Santa (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Color shapes. Print the template on white cardstock and color in all the shapes. (Some of the details can be left white.)
Step 2: Cut shapes. Use a pair of sharp scissors to cut out all the shapes you colored in.
Step 3: Glue arms and legs. Give Santa arms and legs by adding a bit of glue to the front side of the limbs and pressing them against the back of Santa’s body.
Step 4: Glue head and hat. Add some glue to the back side of Santa’s beard and press it against the body to give Santa a head. Then, add some glue to the back side of the hat, on the bottom only, and press it against to top of Santa’s head.
I love how easy all the steps were, and how cute the finished Santa craft turned out! This is such a fun project for kids to make—either with the help of an adult, or on their own.
Helpful Tips
- Stick with cardstock: Regular printer paper is fine if that’s what you have, but printing the template on cardstock will ensure that your craft doesn’t tear, and will prevent the ink from bleeding through if your child decides to use markers.
- Start with the edges: Does your child need to practice coloring within the lines? This craft is a great opportunity to practice! Encourage them to color along the edges of each shape first, then fill in the inside.
- Avoid dry markers: If your child decides to use markers to color in the shapes, make sure the markers have enough ink to color in all the shapes that need to be colored without needing to switch colors partway.
- Try isolating each shape: To make the cutting process a little simpler, cut around each shape to detach it from the full page before you start cutting along the lines. This will create smaller pieces of paper that are easier to handle.
- Only add glue where needed: To avoid ending up with a craft that sticks to your table, only spread glue on the parts of the template that need it, rather than covering the entire shape.
- Make a puppet: For added fun, glue a popsicle stick to the back of your paper Santa to turn it into a Christmas-themed puppet!
Love crafts that you can print, color, cut and assemble? Check out this Build an Ice Cream Cone Printable or this Build a Monster Printable!
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question that wasn’t answered here? Let me know in the comments and I’ll be happy to help!
More Christmas Crafts for Kids
If you have tried this Build a Santa Craft or any other project on my website, please let me know how it went in the comments below. I can’t wait to hear from you!
Build a Santa Craft
Materials
- free build a Santa template
- 1 sheet white cardstock
- colored markers, pencils or crayons in red, black, yellow and beige/brown (for Santa's skin)
- 1 pair scissors
- 1 glue stick
Instructions
- Print the template on white cardstock and color in all the shapes. (Some details can be left white.)
- Use a pair of sharp scissors to cut out all the shapes.
- Assemble the different parts of the craft with glue. The head should be glued to the front of the body, with the hat glued on top; the arms and legs should be pressed against the back of the body.
Video
Notes
- Start with the edges: To help your child practice coloring inside the lines, start by coloring along the edges before filling in the rest of the shape.
- Isolate each shape: When cutting smaller shapes, make the cutting process a little easier by cutting around each shape to detach it from the sheet of cardstock.
- Avoid dry markers: If you choose to use markers, make sure they have enough ink to fill in all the required shapes.
- Use glue sparingly: To prevent the craft from becoming sticky, only add glue to the parts of the shapes that need it, rather than covering the entire shape.
- Turn it into a puppet: Try making a Santa puppet by glueing a popsicle stick to the back of your craft.
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