Silver Bells Ornament

Nothing says holiday magic quite like a handmade ornament that jingles! This cheerful craft lets your little one create a personalized keepsake by filling a clear ornament with bells, beads, and sparkly surprises—and the best part is watching their face light up when they shake it and hear the delightful jingling sound. For preschoolers, this activity combines the satisfaction of contributing to something tangible with the multi-sensory reward of immediate, joyful feedback. Every time you hang this ornament on the tree—whether this year or years from now—you'll have a physical reminder of your child's creativity, their small hands at work, and the pure delight they felt discovering what their creation could do.

What You'll Need

• One clear plastic or glass ornament with removable top — Plastic ornaments (usually 2–3 inches in diameter) are safest for young hands, though glass works beautifully if an adult supervises closely. Check that the top opens smoothly without sharp edges.
• Small bells — Jingle bells (the classic craft variety) are ideal; they're affordable, make a satisfying sound, and come in various sizes. Aim for bells that are ½ to ¾ inch in diameter.
• Beads, sequins, or small pom-poms — Mix and match! Wooden beads, plastic craft beads, or foam pom-poms (¼ to ½ inch) add visual interest and weight to create varied sounds when shaken.
• Silver glitter or metallic confetti (optional) — Use craft-grade glitter or purchase pre-made metallic confetti to avoid mess. A tablespoon or two is plenty; glitter goes a long way.
• Ribbon, twine, or yarn for hanging — Choose something sturdy enough to support the ornament's weight; 12–18 inches of material gives you plenty to tie a secure loop.
• Funnel (or materials to make one) — A small kitchen funnel works perfectly, or roll a piece of 8.5×11 paper into a cone and secure with tape for a DIY version.
• Small tray or shallow container — Helpful for corralling materials and catching spills, especially glitter.

How to Do It

1. Gather your materials and set up a craft station on a flat, well-lit surface where your child can easily reach everything. Lay out the bells, beads, and other decorative items in small bowls or cups so your child can see all their options at once. If using a glass ornament, let your child know that this is a special item you'll help them with, and explain that you'll be handling the ornament itself while they add the pretty things inside.

2. Remove the ornament's top carefully and set it aside in a designated safe spot where it won't roll away or get lost. Show your child the empty ornament and let them feel how light it is. You might say, "Look! It's empty and see-through. We're going to fill it with bells and beads to make it sparkle and jingle!"

3. Insert the funnel into the ornament's opening and hold it steady. If using a paper cone, make sure it's tightly rolled and secured with a piece of tape so it won't collapse or shift as materials pass through. Position the funnel so your child can easily see down into the ornament and understand where their items are going.

4. Pour in the bells and beads slowly, one at a time, and let your child take the lead. Hand them a bell or bead and guide them to drop it through the funnel, narrating as you go: "Here comes a bell! Listen—do you hear it land at the bottom? Now let's add a sparkly bead!" This makes the process interactive and gives your child complete ownership of their creation. Watch their faces as they discover the cause-and-effect relationship between dropping something in and hearing it hit the bottom.

5. Add sparkle by carefully sprinkling in a small amount of glitter or metallic confetti if desired, and invite your child to help if they're old enough to do so carefully. A tablespoon of glitter creates plenty of shimmer without overdoing it. If your child is very young (under 3), you may want to skip the loose glitter and stick with sequins or pom-poms for safety and easier cleanup.

6. Replace the ornament's top securely, making sure it's snapped or screwed on tightly so nothing spills during play or hanging. Ask your child if they're ready to test it out, and then gently shake the ornament together, letting them hear the jingles and watch the beads and glitter swirl inside. This moment of discovery is pure magic for preschoolers!

7. Tie on ribbon or twine through the ornament's loop to create a hanging loop, using a secure knot like a double knot or bow. Let your child help hold the ends of the ribbon while you tie it, or if they're developmentally ready, let them practice tying with your guidance.

8. Display your finished ornament with pride on the tree, a shelf, or a window where your child can see it and admire their work throughout the season. Let them show it to family members and explain what they put inside—their pride in the creation will be evident!

🎓 Skills Your Child Will Develop

Fine Motor Skills — Dropping individual bells and beads through a narrow funnel opening strengthens hand-eye coordination and finger control. This precise, repetitive motion builds the small-muscle strength and dexterity that will eventually support writing and other detailed tasks.

Sensory Exploration — The combination of visual sparkle, the tactile experience of handling different textures (smooth beads, jingling bells, lightweight pom-poms), and the auditory reward of jingling sounds engages multiple senses simultaneously. Multi-sensory activities deepen learning and create stronger, more memorable neural pathways.

Decision-Making and Color Recognition — Choosing which beads, bells, and colors to add helps children practice making decisions and develop color awareness. These early choices build confidence in their creative judgment and reinforce color vocabulary as you talk about what they're selecting.

Cause and Effect Understanding — Seeing materials drop into the ornament and hearing them land builds foundational understanding of cause and effect. Shaking the finished ornament and hearing the jingling reinforces this concept: "When I move it, it makes noise!"

Following Sequential Directions — Working through each step in a logical order—gathering, opening, filling, closing, tying—builds listening skills and sequencing understanding, essential foundations for future literacy and math concepts.

Patience and Delayed Gratification — Slowly adding materials one at a time and waiting to shake the ornament until it's complete teaches your child to pace themselves and wait for a reward, valuable emotional regulation skills for this age group.

Tips & Variations

• For younger toddlers (ages 2–3): Use larger beads (¾ inch or bigger), skip the glitter entirely, and consider pre-filling most of the ornament yourself so your child only adds a few special pieces. A wider-mouth ornament or even a clear plastic jar will reduce frustration. Your role here is mostly to narrate and celebrate their choices.

• For older preschoolers (ages 4–6): Challenge them to create a pattern ("Red bead, then bell, then red bead") or count how many bells they add. They can also help make the paper funnel or tie the ribbon loop with minimal assistance, increasing their sense of accomplishment.

• Go seasonal: Fill with tiny pinecones, acorns, and dried leaves for fall; use pastel-colored beads and flower-shaped confetti for spring; or add small wrapped candies (in sealed bags for safety) for a festive winter twist.

• Make it a gift: Let your child make one for grandparents, siblings, or friends. Homemade ornaments become treasured keepsakes, and knowing their gift brings joy teaches generosity and pride.

• Sound exploration: After completing the ornament, sit together and listen to the different sounds it makes when shaken gently versus shaken vigorously. Talk about soft and loud, and let your child experiment with creating different sounds.

My Two Cents

I love how this craft hits the sweet spot between sensory fun and meaningful creation. Your child gets to make real decisions, create something beautiful with their own hands, and every single time you hang it on the tree in years to come, you'll hear that jingle and remember exactly how old they were, what they looked like concentrating on dropping in each bead, and the pure joy on their face when they shook it for the first time. That's the real gift of this craft—