Making Christmas ornaments in animal shapes from colored construction paper is a fun craft to develop small motor skills and color recognition.

Supplies and tools:
1/2 sheet 8.5" by 11" construction paper
18" length of yarn, ribbon or string
Cookie cutters in animal shapes
Scissors
Hole punch

Photo below - vertical ornament cuts

How to:
Child or helper lays cookie cutter on paper, traces outline, and then cuts out 2 animal shapes for each ornament. (I chose a reindeer shape for this photo.) Each shape needs a hole punched near center top center for hanging.

The 2 shapes are laid over each other and folded vertically down the center. Helper or child cuts one shape half way down and the other shape half way up so they can fit together as in photo.

For hanging the ornament, child threads yarn through punched out holes while shapes are laid flat over each other, then makes a loop and ties a bow.

The ornament can then be opened to a 3 dimensional shape as in top photo.

Skills practiced:
Tracing around cookie cutter.
Cutting shapes out along pattern line with scissors.
Using a hole punch.
Threading through holes.
Tying a bow.

Christmas Ornaments for Kids to Make
Rhythmic Motor Skills for Preschoolers
Rhythmic Motor Skills for School Age Children
Kinesthetic Learning Introduction

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