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A few sheets of paper, a pair of scissors and a place at the table: often, that is all you need for a little afternoon of making. Paper stars and woven Christmas hearts suit an Advent season with time to create something by hand. Each child can choose their own colours, patterns and little details.
Here you will find a simple star idea to try straight away, tips for getting started with woven hearts and a manageable selection of materials. The more intricate patterns can wait until you feel ready for them.
A small beginning for your craft afternoon
Start by setting out only the materials for one idea. A star or a heart is a good beginning. If everyone is still interested, you can make more. When concentration fades, the paper and templates can simply wait for another day.
Have a quick chat about who would like to do what. One child might choose the colours while another traces the outlines. An adult can help with tricky cuts. Everyone’s finished decoration can look different.
What materials do you need?
- Paper in two colours: Red and white suit many Danish Christmas hearts. You can also use paper you already have in your favourite colours.
- A piece of used card: You can cut a reusable star template from it.
- Pencil, eraser and suitable scissors: Children’s scissors should suit their hand size and abilities; left-handed children also need scissors suited to the hand they use.
- A glue stick for paper: The simple hanging stars usually need only a little glue. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- A little yarn: Only if you want to hang up the finished stars or hearts.
First, check what you already have at home. Clean paper offcuts are useful for practice pieces, for example. With printed paper, see whether the reverse side suits your design.
Free craft idea: a two-colour hanging star
This simple version is cut out and glued together. It does not require any complicated folding. You can choose the size: a larger star is usually easier to trace and cut out than a very small one.
- Prepare the template: An adult draws a simple star on used card and cuts it out. Broad points are easier to cut than very narrow ones when starting out.
- Trace two stars: Place the template on two pieces of differently coloured paper and trace the outlines. If you like, draw one of the stars slightly smaller.
- Take your time cutting: Cut along the lines. The accompanying adult can help with tight corners and difficult sections.
- Combine the colours: First, place the stars loosely on top of each other. You can turn them slightly in relation to one another or centre the smaller star on the larger one. Glue them together only when you are happy with the arrangement.
- Finish the star: Allow the glue to dry sufficiently. For hanging, an adult can make a small hole near a sturdy part of the star and thread yarn through it. Alternatively, glue the star onto a handmade greetings card.
Several stars can become a little window decoration. Leave some space between them so that their colours and shapes remain visible. The stars do not need to be the same size or evenly cut.
Danish woven hearts: start with a simple pattern
Woven Christmas hearts are part of Danish Christmas crafting. Hillerød Town Museum also includes this tradition in its Christmas programme, as described by VisitDenmark.
For the classic woven version, slots are cut into two folded paper shapes and their loops are woven through one another. A suitable template makes getting started easier: the shapes and cuts need to match. Begin with a few broad strips and practise the movements together on a larger pattern first.
Choose paper that folds neatly and does not tear as soon as it is gently bent. Very stiff card makes threading the loops unnecessarily difficult. Making a practice piece first can therefore save paper and frustration.
If weaving is still too difficult, the child can choose colours, trace the shapes or make a paper handle. A cut-out heart with paper strips glued onto it is another craft idea in its own right, although it is not a traditional woven Christmas heart.
Material examples: what to look for when choosing
The following material examples are not product recommendations tested by 
. The paper link leads to a specific listing; the scissors and glue-stick links currently lead to search results. Check each listing’s materials, dimensions and manufacturer’s instructions. You do not need to buy anything new if the materials you already have are suitable.
- Craft paper: Slightly sturdier paper can work for stars; for woven hearts, it needs to stay flexible enough. View red kangaro craft paper, DIN A4, 120 g/m² (Amazon.de · affiliate link).
- Children’s scissors: Choose according to hand size, handedness and abilities. Children’s scissors do not replace appropriate adult support. View children’s scissors (Amazon.de search in German · affiliate link).
- Glue stick: Check that it is suitable for paper and follow the manufacturer’s age guidance and instructions for use. View glue sticks for paper (Amazon.de search in German · affiliate link).
When something does not work straight away
A torn strip or a crooked cut can be frustrating. Instead of stepping in immediately, you can ask: “Would you like to try again, would you like my help, or shall we take a break?” This keeps the next decision manageable.
Simply describe what you notice: “You chose those two colours yourself” or “You tried placing the strip a different way.” There is no need to judge the result as especially beautiful or perfect.
Alva’s little Advent question: Who would you like to give a handmade star or heart to? Perhaps you can think of a little message to go with it.
Keep creating with Alva and Niels
If you would like more ideas and matching templates, the PDF pack PDF-Paket „Nordischer Adventszauber“ ansehen → offers 24 creative Advent activities for children aged around 4 to 9, with adult support. These include illustrated instructions for paper stars and woven Christmas hearts, craft templates, games and memory pages.
The paid pack includes 55 A4 pages per language version. German, Danish, Norwegian Bokmål, Swedish and English are included in one purchase. This is a digital PDF download; printed pages and craft materials are not included.
Creating safely and in your own way
Support children according to their age and abilities, especially when cutting and using yarn. Do not hang paper decorations near candles, other open flames or heat sources. Keep long loops and small parts out of young children’s reach.
Every craft project becomes individual through the way you make it. Results may vary depending on the materials and methods you choose. Follow the safety guidance and support children according to their age and abilities.