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Make Your Own Felt Tactile Christmas Tree!
Ivan has really been getting into crafts lately (which I love), so I have been searching for simple, accessible Christmas projects we can do together at home.
This felt tactile Christmas tree quickly became a favorite. It is based on a foam Jack-o-lantern craft we do every Halloween, just with a Christmas twist. The best part is that it works beautifully for kids who are blind, have low vision, or love sensory play.
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Why this tactile tree works so well
- Familiar materials: Foam sheets are soft, squishy, and easy to handle, which is great for little hands and developing fine motor skills.
- High-interest textures: Felt ornaments in different shapes and sizes invite kids to explore with their fingers and build a mental picture of the tree.
- Durable and “re-doable”: Foam and felt hold up to lots of hands-on play, plus all the pulling off and re-sticking that usually happens.
- Built for independence: Add Velcro so kids can place ornaments on their own, then redecorate again and again throughout the season.
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This is one of those low-prep activities that can become a yearly sensory tradition for your family.
What you will need:
- A large green foam sheet or foam tree shape
- Felt sheets or pre-cut felt shapes for ornaments
- Self-adhesive Velcro dots or strips
- Child-safe scissors
- Glue, if your child enjoys helping assemble the pieces
Once you have your materials ready, set everything out in clear, separate piles so your child can explore the textures first. Let them feel the tree shape, then the ornaments, before you start decorating together.
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Sensory and Braille Extension Ideas
If your child is learning braille or you want to add more literacy and sensory elements, you can:
- Add braille labels to a few ornaments, such as “star,” “bell,” or “heart.”
- Use puffy paint or glue lines to outline the tree or create “garland” that can be followed with a fingertip.
- Create a simple matching game, where your child finds two ornaments with the same texture or shape by touch alone.
Small changes like these can turn a simple craft into a meaningful braille and sensory learning experience.
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✨ Spotlight: Easy-Prep Felt Ornament Kits
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If cutting out all the shapes feels overwhelming this year, look for pre-cut felt ornament kits at your local craft store or online. Many come with simple shapes like circles, stars, and trees that are perfect for little hands and can be adapted for blind and low vision kids with Velcro, puffy paint, or braille labels.
You can use the pieces on your tactile tree, or set them aside in a bin for open-ended sensory play throughout the holidays.
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If this season feels busy, heavy, or just plain exhausting, you are not alone. A small, hands-on project like this can be a gentle way to slow down, connect with your child, and create a Christmas tradition that truly fits their needs.
You are doing so much more than “just a craft.” You are giving your child a way to experience Christmas through touch, sound, and connection, and that matters.
🎄💚
Amber Bobnar
Founder, WonderBaby.org
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P.S. If you make a tactile Christmas tree with your child, I would love to hear how it went or see a photo. Reply to this email and share your creation!
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