In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to make a beautiful paper Christmas wreath craft using colored craft paper and our free template.
You know what makes kids actually excited about crafts? When they can display them somewhere. Hanging on a door or wall where everyone can see it. Because when people appreciate what your kids made, they get way more interested in making things.
But here’s the problem: most displayable crafts aren’t kid-friendly. They’re either too complicated or need a ton of supplies you don’t have.
This Christmas wreath craft for kids flips that. I handle the cutting (the only hard part), then I hand my son the leaves and base. He glues them on while I casually ask, “How many leaves have you done so far?” Boom. He’s counting, focusing, and building hand-eye coordination without realizing it’s educational.
And since we’re making other Christmas crafts too (our Yart Christmas tree and papercraft stockings are big hits), having one craft that proudly hangs where everyone can see it makes all the difference. That’s the one he tells people about.
Project Specifications:
- Difficulty Level: Beginner-friendly (great first paper layering project)
- Cost: Under $3 (using craft paper you might already have)
- Time: 30-40 minutes
- Ages: 6+ years independently, 4-5 with adult help for cutting
Perfect for:
- Holiday door decorations
- Christmas classroom activities
- Budget-friendly seasonal decor
- Weekend crafting with kids
- Homemade gift decorations
How to Make Christmas Wreath Out of Paper
Things You’ll Need
Materials
- Colored craft paper in green (65-80 lb weight). Regular printer paper curls when folded and glued, while medium-weight craft paper holds its shape perfectly. You’ll need enough for 30-40 leaf cutouts.
- Colored craft paper for the bow (red, gold, or silver works great). Same weight as the green paper so the loops hold their shape without flopping.
- Cardboard for the base (cereal box or shipping box cardboard). Regular cardstock sags under the weight of all those leaves. Sturdy cardboard keeps your wreath flat. Alternative: thick poster board works too.
- Craft glue. Liquid craft glue holds better than glue sticks, especially when the wreath hangs on a door that opens and closes a lot.
Tools
- Scissors (sharp craft scissors for clean edges)
- Pencil (for tracing)
Please note that the provided links may include affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission.
Step by Step Instructions: Paper Christmas Wreath
Step 1: Trace and Cut All Pattern Pieces
Print the template and trace all patterns onto your craft paper. Cut out multiple green leaves, your bow pattern, and the cardboard wreath base. Keep your cuts smooth and even.
Note: Sharp scissors matter here. Jagged edges show up when you fold the leaves, and a wobbly base makes the whole wreath look crooked.
Step 2: Fold the Leaves in Half
Take each green leaf and fold it in half vertically down the center. Use a gentle fold, not a hard crease. This creates the 3D effect that makes your wreath look professional.
Tip: Fold all your leaves at once before gluing. It’s faster, and they’ll hold that folded shape while you work. If you are working with kids, give this task to them, ask them to count the number of leaves while folding.
Step 3: Attach Leaves Around the Outer Edge
Put a pea-sized dot of glue on the bottom center of one folded leaf. Press it onto the outer edge of your cardboard base. Keep going around the circle, overlapping each leaf slightly. Pick clockwise or counterclockwise and stick with it.
Important: Press each leaf down for 5 seconds before moving to the next one, or they’ll pop off.
Step 4: Complete the Outer Ring
Keep adding folded leaves all the way around the outer edge until you’ve made a full circle. The ring should look full with no cardboard showing through.
Parent tip: Kids sometimes space leaves too far apart to finish faster. Show them how close together the leaves should sit by doing the first few yourself.
Step 5: Add Leaves to the Inner Edge
Attach more folded leaves along the inside edge using the same overlapping technique. This covers the cardboard completely and creates that full wreath look.
Note: The inner circle is smaller, so you’ll need fewer leaves. Don’t force too many or they’ll bunch up.
Step 6: Form the Left Side of the Bow
Lay your bow cutout flat with the center strip facing up. Put a dot of glue right in the center. Take the left diagonal strips and curve them toward the center, pressing into the glue. Don’t fold them, just curve them gently to form a loop.
Pro tip: Hold the strips in place for 10 seconds so the glue sets, or they’ll spring back open.
Step 7: Complete the Bow Loops
Bring the right diagonal strips toward the center and press them into the glue to meet the left side. You should now have loops on both sides. Let the bow dry completely before attaching it.
Step 8: Attach the Bow to Finish
Add glue to the back of the bow’s center strip and press it onto your wreath (bottom center or top center works best). Hold for 20 seconds. Let everything dry for 10 minutes before hanging.
Pro tip: If you’re hanging this on a door, tape a ribbon loop to the back of the cardboard before you add leaves. Way easier than trying to add it later.
Watch Complete Video Tutorial: Easy Christmas Wreath
If you’re having trouble visualizing how the bow comes together or you want to see exactly how the leaves should overlap, don’t worry! I’ve made a complete step-by-step video tutorial on my YouTube channel where you can watch every step.
Tips for Beginners: Paper Christmas Wreath
If this is your first time crafting a paper wreath, don’t worry — it’s much easier than it looks! Here are a few beginner-friendly tips to make the process smooth and fun.
Choose sturdy paper:
Use medium or thick craft paper for the leaves and bow so they hold their shape. Lightweight paper may curl or wrinkle when you glue it down.
Use a neat base:
Cut your cardboard or cardstock base carefully — an even, round shape makes the wreath look more polished. You can trace around a bowl or plate to get a perfect circle!
Fold gently:
When folding the leaves in Step 6, make a soft crease to add dimension without tearing the paper. It gives a lovely 3D effect to the wreath!
Layer smartly:
Attach the leaves one after another in the same direction (either clockwise or anticlockwise) to create a clean, full look. Slightly overlap each leaf to avoid gaps.
Perfect the bow:
If your bow doesn’t sit flat, you can add a tiny dab of glue to the back of the loops to keep it in place.
Add festive flair:
Want to make it extra Christmassy? Sprinkle a little glitter on the bow or glue a few tiny paper berries around the wreath for sparkle!
Don’t rush the glue:
Allow each section to dry for a few minutes before moving on. This will help the wreath stay sturdy when you hang or display it.
If this paper Christmas wreath added a handmade charm to your décor, you’ll love our other easy Christmas crafts! Explore the crafts below for more inspiration this season!
We absolutely love seeing how people personalize their wreaths! When you finish your paper Christmas wreath, share photos on social media and tag us with #thecraftaholicwitch so we can celebrate your creativity.
Creative variations we’d love to see:
- Wreaths with multicolored leaves (ombre green, or even rainbow)
- Wreaths with patterned paper instead of solid colors
- Tiny wreaths for ornaments using a smaller base
- Wreaths with multiple bows or extra decorations
Final Thoughts
Creating this paper Christmas wreath is more than just a budget craft. It’s a chance for kids to practice hand-eye coordination, pattern recognition, and spatial awareness while making something they can actually use to decorate their space.
As a mom and craft enthusiast, I love projects like this because they look way more complicated than they actually are. Kids get that confidence boost when adults walk by and say, “Wait, you made that?” And honestly? That’s the whole point. Building creative confidence one paper leaf at a time.
So grab some craft paper, print that free template, and make a wreath that’s uniquely yours. Your door is going to look fantastic.
Keep crafting, keep learning, and keep creating those precious memories!
Happy Crafting!
