Hanging Grinch Ornament Craft for Kids

Turn your holiday crafting session into a mischievous, memory-making moment with this Hanging Grinch Ornament Craft for Kids. Inspired by everyone’s favorite grumpy green Christmas character, this festive DIY is not only simple but wildly fun for kids of all ages. Whether you're decorating your Christmas tree or planning a classroom project, this playful ornament adds a handmade charm that’s both silly and seasonal.

This craft is perfect for helping kids develop their painting and gluing skills while allowing their creativity to shine through facial expressions and glittery extras. Using common crafting materials like plastic fillable ornaments, paint, and felt, you’ll create a Grinchy grin that’s ready to hang with pride. Best of all, this keepsake can be saved and reused every holiday season, making it a beloved tradition year after year.

Materials Needed

To make your own Hanging Grinch Ornament, gather the following supplies:

• Clear fillable plastic ornament ball (3" to 4" diameter works best)
• Green acrylic paint
• Yellow acrylic paint
• Paintbrushes (1 small detail brush and 1 medium flat brush)
• Black permanent marker or black paint pen
• Red felt sheet
• White pom-poms or cotton balls (about 4-5 small ones)
• Hot glue gun (or strong craft glue if working with kids)
• Scissors
• Twine or festive ribbon for hanging
• Optional: gold glitter, Mod Podge or spray sealer

Step 1: Paint the Ornament Ball Green

Start by separating the clear plastic ornament halves and laying them open-side up on a clean work surface. Use the medium flat paintbrush to apply an even coat of green acrylic paint on the inside or outside of both halves. Painting the inside gives a glossy finish, while painting the outside offers more texture. Let the paint dry completely before continuing (about 20–30 minutes).

Step 2: Add the Grinch’s Face

Once the green paint is dry, use a black permanent marker or paint pen to carefully draw the Grinch’s iconic facial features—arched eyebrows, mischievous eyes, wrinkled nose, and that unmistakable sly smile. For extra dimension, paint the eyes yellow and let them dry. You can sketch the face with pencil first if you want to plan your placement before committing with marker.

Step 3: Create and Attach the Santa Hat

Cut a triangle from the red felt to fit the top of your ornament. Curve the bottom slightly to mimic the brim of a Santa hat. Glue white pom-poms or cotton balls along the curved edge and one at the tip of the triangle. Once dry, attach the hat to the top of the ornament using hot glue, holding it in place for about 20 seconds until secure.

Step 4: Attach Twine for Hanging

Cut a piece of twine or festive ribbon approximately 6–8 inches long. Loop it and tie a knot at the end. Use hot glue to secure the knotted end to the back of the Santa hat or to the top of the ornament ball. Let it set before testing the strength of the hold.

Step 5: Optional Touches: Seal and Sparkle

If desired, apply Mod Podge or a spray sealant to protect the paint and keep your design intact. For extra holiday flair, add touches of gold glitter around the brim of the hat or even sprinkle a little over the face area while the glue is still tacky. Let everything dry completely before hanging.

Customization Ideas

Want to make your Grinch ornament extra special? Try these fun variations:

• Different Facial Expressions: Instead of the classic smirk, try a shocked Grinch face or a sleepy one. Use different eye shapes and mouth curves to express emotion.
• Mini Grinch Army: Use smaller 2-inch plastic ornaments to create a group of mini Grinch faces. Great for gift tags or advent calendar surprises.
• Glitter Edition: Add red or green glitter accents to the hat, or mix glitter into the paint for a sparkling Grinch that catches the Christmas lights.

Educational / Seasonal Uses

This craft makes a fantastic addition to classroom holiday activities. It encourages fine motor skill development, hand-eye coordination, and creative thinking. Teachers can pair it with a reading of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" for a literary tie-in. It’s also a great project for winter break camps, scout troop meetings, or festive family craft nights.

Printable Template

To make this craft even easier, we've included a printable template with the Grinch's face and Santa hat outline. Kids can color the template with crayons or markers, cut it out, and glue it directly onto the ornament—perfect for younger children or group settings. Simply print, color, cut, and assemble for a mess-free alternative.

This template adds flexibility to the project, making it accessible even when paint and brushes aren’t available. It’s also ideal for take-home kits or classroom stations where minimal setup is key.

Conclusion

Crafting a Hanging Grinch Ornament is the perfect way to combine creativity and Christmas cheer. This simple and charming project gives kids a chance to participate in holiday decorating while making something they'll be proud of. Whether you're preparing for a holiday party or just looking to create a keepsake for the tree, this Grinchy craft is sure to bring smiles—maybe even three sizes bigger!