I am so excited to share this Grinch-inspired homemade Christmas ornament! It’s perfect for your collection of preschool Christmas ornaments. Based on one of my favorite Christmas books, the Grinch’s heart Christmas ornament is very simple, allowing for all kinds of open-ended art opportunities!
Related: Snowman Fingerprint Ornaments
Homemade Christmas Ornament Based on The Grinch
As I mentioned, my son helped me create this ornament (both the idea and the ornament, itself).
We knew we wanted to make an ornament that shows how the Grinch’s heart grows at the end of the story.
It was Engineer’s idea to add the sweetest touch at the end, based on my love of hand print and fingerprint art!
I hope you and your kids enjoy making this as much as the kiddo and I did. 🙂
Related: Christmas Preschool Songs
Materials we used
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Wooden craft hearts in multiple sizes
Acrylic paints – red, green, and white
Green felt
Green ribbon
What we did
To start off, we created different shades of red using red and white acrylic paints. We added more and more white to the red paint, giving us a few different shades of red to choose from. My son decided he wanted to do the same with some green paint “since the Grinch is GREEN, Mama!”
The largest heart got painted the brightest red, with the next heart a shade lighter. Once the wooden hearts were painted and dried, we glued a piece of green ribbon onto the biggest heart. Then the smaller hearts were added.
At Engineer’s prompting, I used my thumb to make a green “heart” in the center of the wooden hearts. Once that dried, he added his own with a slightly lighter shade of green.
Related: Gift Ideas for Kids Who Love Magical Creatures
The kiddo and I were having a good time, so we decided to make another one. We went with twine instead of ribbon, mounted the hearts on green felt, and only added Engineer’s fingerprint heart in the middle.
I absolutely adore both ornaments, but I know I’m biased! The Grinch’s growing hearts can be changed up easily, depending on what the kids want to do.
How would your kiddos change up this Grinch-inspired homemade Christmas ornament?
Related: Popsicle Stick Winter Crafts
More Ideas for Making a Homemade Christmas Ornament
This post is oh-so-joyfully a part of Mama Miss’ 10 Days of a Kid-Made Christmas! Be sure to check below for some amazing ideas to try with the kiddos.
Nutcracker-Inspired Peg-Doll Ornaments by Rainy Day Mum
How to Make Fun and Easy Paw Print Decorations by Peakle Pie
The Grinch’s Heart Homemade Christmas Ornament by Fun-a-day
Christmas Bell Ornament by Teach Beside Me
Festive Train Ornaments inspired by Polar Express by Crafty Mama in Me
Pony Bead Christmas Tree Craft Using Kids’ Names by Fun-a-day
Christmas Resources for Preschool Teachers
Save time planning (and, really, you can use all the time you have around the holidays!) with already done-for-you resources from Preschool Teacher 101. There are lesson plans, math and STEM activities, and literacy resources just for you! Be sure to check out the membership options for even more savings. You can also find us on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Click on the photos below for more information about Christmas resources:
I love the heart – it looks like it would be a lot of fun to make with my kids 🙂
I have never read any of the Grinch books – but you’ve inspired me to order to pick up at the library this weekend to read. The hearts are so cute and you could even keep them out for Valentines as well.
You chose a great book and I really like your book inspired ornament. I would do this craft for Christmas and Valentine’s Day.
This is so very cute! I love the Grinch, this is a fun way to bring the story alive!
What a clever idea.
Thanks, Susan! The kids really seemed to enjoy it. 🙂
Love this idea. I am a Para educator that works with special needs kids in elementary. 1 of my students wanted a Grinch art project & we found this one! Instead of your ideas we just used construction paper instead. Some of our kids don’t like the feel & texture of paint so we wanted to make it a good experience for everyone in class. Ty for sharing such a wonderful idea.
I’m so happy to hear that you adapted this idea for your students! Construction paper makes a great alternative! Thank you so much for your sweet words, too.