Santa in the Chimney Craft (Free Printable)
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Looking for a festive Christmas craft that’s fun, interactive, and easy to make? This Santa in the Chimney craft is a hands-on holiday activity kids absolutely love. Children get to color their own chimney and Santa, then use a simple mechanism to make Santa go down the chimney and come back up again, just like on Christmas Eve.
This craft is perfect for homeschool, classrooms, holiday parties, or a cozy December afternoon at home. It also includes a free printable template to make prep quick and simple.
What’s Included in the Free Printable
The printable template includes:
- 1 chimney
- 3 different Santa designs so kids can choose their favorite
For best results, print the template on cardstock so the pieces are sturdy and last longer during play.
Supplies You’ll Need
- Santa in the Chimney printable (printed on cardstock)
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
- Scissors
- 1 toilet paper roll
- 1 balloon
- Tape
- 1 chopstick
How to Make the Santa in the Chimney Craft
1. Color and Cut
Have kids color the chimney and the Santa they choose. Once finished, carefully cut out the chimney and Santa.
2. Prepare the Chimney Base
Cut a toilet paper roll in half. This will sit inside the chimney and help hold everything together.
3. Create the Balloon Opening
Cut the end off a balloon and stretch it tightly over one end of the toilet paper roll. Snip a tiny hole in the tip of the balloon—just large enough for the chopstick to slide through.
4. Attach the Chimney
Wrap the chimney around the toilet paper roll and tape it in place. Line up the bottom of the toilet paper roll with the bottom of the chimney. The chimney will be much taller than the roll, and that’s exactly how it should be.
5. Prepare Santa
Tape the Santa cutout to the top of a chopstick.
Lightly curl Santa with your hands so he has a slight curve. This helps him move smoothly without getting stuck inside the chimney.
6. Make Santa Go Down the Chimney
Insert the chopstick through the small hole in the balloon from the bottom of the toilet paper roll.
Move the chopstick up and down to watch Santa go down into the chimney and come back up again, just like on Christmas Eve.
Why Kids Love This Craft
- Santa actually moves up and down
- It feels like a toy and a craft combined
- Kids can choose their favorite Santa design
- It’s interactive, silly, and fun to repeat
Download the Free Printable
Click here to download the file.
Learning Extensions
- STEAM: Talk about how pushing and pulling the stick makes Santa move.
- Fine Motor Skills: Cutting, taping, and controlling the chopstick build hand strength.
- Creative Writing: Have kids write a short story about Santa visiting their house.
- Math: Compare the height of the chimney to the toilet paper roll inside.
Recommended Christmas Books to Pair With This Craft
- The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore: A classic Christmas poem that helped shape the modern image of Santa Claus. This book is perfect for reading aloud and pairs beautifully with this craft as kids imagine Santa going down the chimney on Christmas Eve.
- Santa’s Stuck by Rhonda Gowler Greene: A funny, rhyming story about what happens when Santa gets stuck in a chimney. Kids love the humor, and it naturally connects to the idea of Santa squeezing down the chimney in this craft.
- How Santa Got His Job by Stephen Krensky: This playful story explains how Santa became Santa through a series of funny interviews. It’s a great choice for sparking imagination and creative storytelling after finishing the craft.
- Santa Claus: The World’s Number One Toy Expert by Marla Frazee: A charming, behind-the-scenes look at Santa’s workshop and expertise. The detailed illustrations invite kids to study, observe, and imagine what happens before Santa heads down the chimney.
More Holiday Fun for Kids
You might also enjoy these activities:
- FREE Christmas Coloring Pages
- Snow Globe Christmas Card With Free Printable + Video
- Button Wreath Christmas Ornament – Cute Kids Craft + Video
- Twigs & Yarn Christmas Tree Ornament – Easy Kids Craft
- Christmas Tree Rice Krispies Treats
For more festive holiday craft ideas, check out this kid-friendly resource from PBS Kids.
