Whimsical Egg Carton Mushroom Ornaments: A Kid-Friendly Christmas Craft Full of Wonder

There’s something extra special about handmade ornaments—especially the ones crafted by little hands. They capture a moment in time, a memory you can hang on your tree year after year. If you’re looking for a simple, affordable, and absolutely charming Christmas craft this season, these Whimsical Egg Carton Mushroom Ornaments are just the thing.

They’re adorable, smell amazing (thanks, cinnamon sticks!), and are surprisingly sturdy. Plus, kids love how imaginative and fairy-like they feel. If your holiday décor leans toward woodland, cottagecore, or storybook charm, these mushrooms will fit right in.

So gather your little makers and let’s turn a humble egg carton into something wonderful.

Supplies You’ll Need

Most of these items are inexpensive and may already be in your home. Here’s everything you’ll want to have on hand:

Joanna Gott

Craft Basics

Egg carton cups (you can use both the middle or rounded sections depending on what mushroom shape you want)
Cinnamon sticks (these make the stems and smell amazing!)
Acrylic paint
- Red, white, and any fun accent colors
Paintbrushes
- A medium brush for base colors
- A small detail brush for polka dots
Hot glue gun (or strong craft glue for younger children)
Small eye screws or ornament hooks (optional)
Twine, ribbon, or string

Optional Embellishments

Glitter or metallic paint for extra shimmer
Tiny pom-poms
Felt leaves
White paint pen for easy dot-making

Protective Items

Paper plate or scrap cardboard for painting
Apron or old shirt for the kids
Table covering

Step-by-Step Instructions

These mushrooms come together quickly, making them perfect for short attention spans and multi-kid households. Here’s how to make them:

Joanna Gott

1. Prepare the Mushroom Caps

Cut individual cups from your egg carton. Each cup forms a little dome—perfect for a mushroom cap. We ended up using the middle sections as my daughter Penny liked the look of the longer mushroom, but either size works! Trim any uneven edges until it resembles a smooth, curved shape. Imperfections add charm!

2. Paint the Caps

Let your kids choose their favorite colors. Classic red with white dots is a favorite, but feel free to try:

Soft pastel pink
Forest green
Sky blue
Metallic gold

After the base coat dries, use a small brush or paint pen to add white polka dots. Let dry completely.

3. Prepare the Cinnamon Stick Stems

Cut cinnamon sticks to about 2–3 inches long.
They’re perfect because they’re sturdy, natural-looking, and smell wonderful.

If you plan to hang them, screw in the ornament hook now before assembly.

4. Attach the Caps to the Stems

Flip each cap upside down. Add a generous dot of hot glue inside the center and press the cinnamon stick into place. Hold briefly until secure.

If using craft glue, allow extra drying time.

5. Add Details and Shimmer

Kids can personalize their mushrooms with:

Glitter accents
Tiny leaves
Pom-poms
Painted designs or patterns

Every mushroom becomes a unique little creation.

6. Add the String for Hanging

If hooks were added, simply tie twine or ribbon through them.

Without hooks, glue the ends of a small loop of twine to the top of the cap. Hold until secure.

7. Display and Enjoy

Your whimsical mushrooms are ready to hang on the tree, decorate a garland, or brighten a holiday table display. They also make lovely gift toppers or sweet handmade gifts—tie a few together with ribbon and add a tag for teachers, neighbors, or family.