Create a meaningful Christian nativity scene using craft sticks from the Dollar Store!
This simple Christian Christmas craft for kids transforms jumbo craft sticks into a beautiful manger display featuring Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus with painted details and felt clothing.
Craft Stick Nativity Materials
Gather these supplies to create your craft stick nativity:
Essential Supplies:
- Jumbo craft sticks (Dollar Store) or on Amazon
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks (Dollar Store) or on Amazon
- Wooden star (Dollar Store) or on Amazon
- Acrylic craft paint (yellow, brown, flesh tone color)
- Craft felt (white, green, blue, yellow) on Amazon
- Scissors (adult supervision recommended)
- Paintbrush
- Black marker (Dollar Store) or on Amazon
- Pencil
- Nativity patterns
How to Make Your Craft Stick Nativity with Kids
This craft takes about 30 minutes and is perfect for creating meaningful Christmas decorations with kids.
Step 1: Build the Manger Base
- Line up 8 jumbo craft sticks side by side on your work surface
- Attach 1 jumbo craft stick horizontally along the bottom edge
- Use hot glue gun to secure the cross stick
Step 2: Create the Roof Frame
- Take 2 jumbo craft sticks and cross them to form a peaked roof shape – place the crossed sticks over the top of the manger wall and use a pencil, trace along the roofline where it meets each vertical stick.
- Using scissors, trim the tops of the jumbo craft sticks along the traced pencil lines
Step 3: Trim and Attach the Roof
- Apply hot glue to the crossed roof sticks and attach the roof securely to the trimmed manger wall
Step 4: Cut Craft Sticks for Figures
- For baby Jesus: measure and cut 1 jumbo craft stick to 2 inches long
- For Mary: measure and cut 2 jumbo craft sticks to 2.5 inches long, then glue them side by side using a shorter craft stick piece across the back
- For Joseph: measure and cut 2 jumbo craft sticks to 3 inches long, then glue them side by side using a shorter craft stick piece across the back
- Adult supervision required for cutting
- Paint the top half of the Jesus, Mary, and Joseph craft sticks with flesh tone acrylic paint – Apply a second coat if necessary for full coverage
Step 5: Paint the Manger Brown
- Using brown acrylic craft paint, basecoat the entire manger structure
- Let dry completely
- Apply a second coat if necessary for full coverage
Step 6: Cut Out Felt Clothing Patterns
- Download, print, and cut out the nativity patterns
- Trace Mary's head covering and robe patterns onto blue craft felt
- Trace Joseph's head covering and robe patterns onto green craft felt
- Trace Jesus' halo onto yellow craft felt
- Use a marker to trace around patterns
Step 7: Cut Felt Pieces and Strips
- Cut out all traced felt patterns with scissors
- Cut 4-5 skinny strips from white felt for Jesus' swaddling cloths
Step 8: Wrap Baby Jesus
- Take the skinny white felt strips
- Wrap them around the bottom half of the Jesus craft stick
- Overlap the strips to create swaddling cloths
- Secure the ends with hot glue
Step 9: Attach Clothing and Halo
- Hot glue the yellow felt halo to the back of baby Jesus' head
- Attach the blue felt robe and head covering to Mary using hot glue
- Attach the green felt robe and head covering to Joseph using hot glue
- Press firmly to secure all pieces
Step 10: Add Facial Features
- Using black marker, draw half-circle shaped closed eyes on all three figures
Step 11: Paint the Star Yellow
- Basecoat the wooden star with yellow acrylic craft paint
- Apply a second coat if necessary
Step 12: Assemble the Complete Nativity
- Hot glue Mary and Joseph side by side in the center of the manger
- Position Jesus in Mary's arms
- Attach the yellow star to the top peak of the manger roof using hot glue
- Allow all glue to cool completely before displaying
Final Thoughts on This Kids Craft Stick Nativity Project
This Dollar Store craft stick nativity brings the reason for the season to life with simple painted craft sticks and felt clothing details.
The easy 30-minute assembly creates a beautiful manger scene that celebrates the true meaning of Christmas, making this perfect for family craft time.
Ready for more Christmas crafts for kids? Check out these festive favorites:
- 35 Christmas Keepsake Craft Ideas
- 30 Christmas Popsicle Stick Ornament Crafts for Kids
- 30 Fun DIY Clear Christmas Ornament Crafts Kids Will Love
Explore our kids craft blog for even more Christmas crafts that combine creativity with meaningful holiday traditions!
