Decorate your tree with doodle art using this set of Christmas Patterning Baubles. There are 6 festive shapes to print, colour and decorate.
This is a fun and easy Christmas craft for anyone aged 4 and up (adults included!). For a limited time, this template is free to our email subscribers!
Here are over 40 Pattern Art Projects for Kids
Q: What’s better than leadlight Christmas tree ornaments handcrafted from coloured glass?
A: Handmade paper ornaments, decorated to have a faux “leadlight” effect!
OK, so maybe they’re not better exactly. But at least they won’t break, making them child-friendly. They’re nowhere near as expensive as real leadlight ornaments, either.
I know this because when designing this craft, I was inspired by 4 pretty leadlight ornaments I purchased from our local craft market. These were a special gift to myself, because I love handmade things.
I hung my real leadlight ornaments on our tree along with our eclectic collection of store-bought and homemade ones. We don’t have a designer tree, but I love having my kids’ childhood on display in handmade decorations from when they were small until now.
It tells our family story, so I’d even say it’s better than a designer tree.
This year, I also added these new pattern art decorations. You can too! They’re super easy to make.
For younger kids, use this template as a colouring activity. You don’t have to pattern them, and there are no rules when it comes to creativity.
However, if you want to make the faux leadlight decorations pictured, this tutorial shows you how.
Cardstock is recommended for printing. You will also need both thick and thin-tipped markers in different shades of the same colour. I’ve used these Sharpie fineliners (affiliate link) for my pattern art details.
Are you ready to get started?
How to make Christmas Patterning Baubles
You will need
- White card stock
- Thick markers, plus fine-tipped pens in darker shades of your selected colours
- Scissors
- A hole punch
- Ribbon or twine
- The Christmas Patterning Bauble template – enter your name and email in the form below for your free copy
How To
Print the shapes to white cardstock.
Colour the designs in flat colours first. For a matching set like mine, select 4-5 colours that look good together and use these across all of the ornaments.
Use fine line pens in a darker shade of the surrounding colour to create simple, continuous patterns. For example, crosshatches, small spots, wiggly lines or swirls.
The idea is to create a textured look when viewed from a distance. Repeat the same patterns in the same colours on each of the ornaments for consistency.
Cut the shapes out.
Use a hole punch to punch holes in the rounded shape on the top of each ornament.
Tie a length of ribbon in a loop. Thread this through the hole and tuck back through the centre of the loop to attach the ribbon to the ornament.
Now all that’s left to do is hang them on your tree!
They would also make cute handmade gift tags or Christmas bookmarks if you’re lucky enough to have time for holiday reading.
Get the Christmas Pattern Art Bundle
This craft is part of our Christmas Pattern Art series. Get all the pattern art crafts in one great value bundle here.
More Handmade Ornaments
- Make an egg carton Christmas tree that lights up just like a real one
- We also have an adorable egg carton angel
- These free printable mini paper angels have long been a reader favourite
- Preschoolers will love this set of cardboard shape ornaments
See all our pattern art projects here
My daughter is a special needs teacher and I think maybe her students could make these. Thankyou
is this the form to get the free template for tree decoration bauble?
The correct form is the one in the middle of the article that says ‘Get the Christmas Patterning Baubles Template.’ There is a second generic form (Subscribe to our Newsletter) at the end of the article that will only add you to our email list.