DIY Wood Slice Ornament

Making ornaments with the kids has become one of our favorite holiday traditions. Each year the main Christmas tree gets put out in the living room and two smaller trees are placed in the kids' rooms for them to hang their own special ornaments. It's the perfect way for them to save and display their handcrafted creations year after year.

We've already added to our collection of kid-made ornaments this year with these birch wood slice ornaments. The inspiration came from one of our favorite winter stories--Old Bear and His Cub. It's the endearing tale of the love between an old bear and his little cub. The rustic wood slices and the lumbering bear stamp seemed like the perfect makings of a fun craft to accompany the story. This ornament idea is so simple and easy to make! You're going to love it! Ready to give it a try? Be sure to grab plenty of supplies. You may want to have the kids make a few extras to gift to others this holiday season!

Painted Wood Slice Ornaments

 Supplies:

• wood slices (Buy them or cut your own from a tree branch using a miter saw.)
• paint (We used these fantastic samples of Fusion mineral paint in Lamp White and Homestead Blue.)
• paint brush
• stamp
• paper or mat to cover your craft space
• twine
• scissors
• hot glue gun

Directions:
1. Using your finger, apply a generous amount of paint to the stamp. The kids will love getting a little messy with this step. You'll love knowing that the mineral paint washes off easily.

2. Press the stamp firmly onto the wood slice ensuring that all parts have made contact with the wood. Carefully lift the stamp. If there are any empty spaces where the paint didn't transfer, just use your finger to fill them in. Let the paint dry. The Fusion mineral paint we used dries quickly, so it was the ideal paint to use for this project.

3. Use a brush to add a pile of snow below the bear's paws and a few flecks floating around him.

4. Adhere a piece of twine to the back of the wood slice with hot glue. The twine adds to the rustic quality of the ornament and gives it something to hang from. Now your ornament is ready to hang and enjoy. For another great version of a wood slice ornament, be sure to visit my friend Christine at Let's Get Crafty.

This ornament idea is part of the 10 Days of a Kid-Made Christmas Ornament Series. You'll find 70+ ornament ideas all inspired by children's books by visiting the fabulous Melissa of Mama Miss. For more ornament inspiration, be sure to also check out some of my favorite kid bloggers who are linked below.

Montessori Nature / Christmas Star Ornament

Happy Brown House / Mason Jar Lid Ornament

Mama Smiles / Polymer Clay Snowman Ornament

One Time Through / Easy Fabric Ornament

Buggy and Buddy / Button Star Christmas Ornament

A Little Pinch of Perfect / Homemade Gingerbread Ornament

What We Do All Day / Tomten Garland

Adventures of Adam / Cute Toddler Made Ornament

Kitchen Floor Crafts / White Mitten Ornament

Happy Christmas crafting!