15 Homemade Nativity Scenes and Nativity Crafts for Kids

Here are homemade nativity scenes that make great Christmas decorations and nativity crafts for kids to make themselves.

Last year I shared that we don’t really do Santa at our house. Instead, we celebrate St.Nicholas Day which is December 6th. Our only nod to Santa is when we serve as a “Secret Santa” for families in need in our community. So we don’t send mixed messages to our kids, we don’t decorate our home with Santa decorations. Instead, I use a lot of greenery, ribbons, wreaths, and nativity scenes.

I decorate our home shortly after Thanksgiving. I like to have my decorations in place before the first Sunday of Advent (November 30th this year) as that is when we begin celebrating Christmas. As friends and family realized we didn’t include Santas in our Christmas decorations they began giving me Nativity Scenes. My favorites are the ones that are made of wood because I can let my youngest son play with them without fear of them being broken.

One of my favorite memories is of the Christmas when my youngest son was one. He kept pulling baby Jesus out of the manger and then have the camels “eat” the hay out of the manger. No sooner would I put Jesus back, when he would pull him out again. I tried explaining this was where baby Jesus was supposed to sleep. He shook his head violently no. I asked him where baby Jesus should sleep and he said, “His mama should hold him”. Since I was a baby-wearer, I couldn’t argue with his logic and we taped baby Jesus into a makeshift carrier on Mary. That is the beauty of having touchable decorations when you have children in your home.

Homemade Nativity Scenes & Decor Ideas

DIY Block Nativity Set from Ginger Snap Crafts is a very unique and rustic way to create a nativity scene at home.

Wood Block Holy Family from Clumsy Crafter is made using 1.5″ x 1.5″x6″ pieces of wood, wood balls, and burlap to make Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus.

This DIY Wooden Nativity Set from Lovely Etc. is made using scrap wood.

Nativity Scene Wreath from Saving Dollars & Sense made by making a burlap wreath and then creating a manger scene at the base of the wreath.

DIY Nativity Crafts for Kids

This adorable Clay Flower Pot Nativity Set uses mini terra cotta flower pots as the base for Joseph, Mary, and the manger baby Jesus.

Your little one will enjoy using clothes pins to make their own Clothes Pin Nativity Scene. It includes directions for making a creche with popsicle sticks.

The Wooden Doll Nativity from Little Inspirations not only makes a simple set, but it can also be something kids can play with throughout Advent.

This Felt Nativity Advent Calendar from Barefoot in the Kitchen lets kids work on their cutting skills and also makes a nice toy and a fun way to explain the story of Jesus’ birth to little ones.

Nativity Scene made with Recycled Items from Pink and Green Mama uses upcycled items to create a perfect scene for kids to make.

This Magnetic Nativity Scene from Freshly Completed is another playset that allows your kiddos to make the scene and then play with it on the refrigerator.

Kids who love to build with Legos and other bricks will enjoy making the Nativity Scene Made from Legos from Science.UVA. It’s actually pretty incredible!

Have a kids who loves art? This Stained Glass Nativity Craft from Meaningful Mama takes on a more crafty approach. It is simple enough to do with preschool but elegant enough that older children will also enjoy doing this Christmas art project.

These Nativity Story Stones from My Joy Filled Life are not only a great craft, but once finished a wonderful activity for your kids to use to retell the story of the birth of Jesus.