3D pen: 10 Christmas creations to make with your children

Christmas crafting with children is one of the most beautiful rituals of December: you get out the colors, switch on the fairy lights, and make things together to decorate the tree. What if this year, you replaced the eternal coloring sheets with an activity that creates real raised objects? With a 3D pen, your children can make stars, trees, baubles and characters, then hang them all around the house. Here are 10 Christmas creation ideas to make with a 3D pen — simple, festive and perfect for winter afternoons.

Why the 3D pen is ideal for Christmas crafts

Christmas means decorations to hang, small handmade gifts and long afternoons indoors. The 3D pen ticks all the boxes: it lets you create raised objects that harden in a few seconds, so they can be used as decorations right away. It's a screen-free activity that develops creativity and fine motor skills, while giving the child the pride of having decorated the tree with their own hands.

For children from age 6, safety comes first. The Pen'Up 3D pen is designed for children: its tip does not get as hot as an adult 3D pen, its surface temperature stays low (around 35 °C) and does not burn fingers. To achieve clean shapes on the first try, the simplest option is to use stencils, such as the Pad'Up Stencils, which serve as a support for tracing the filament and obtaining regular creations.

10 Christmas creations to make with your children using the 3D pen

Here are ten ideas ranked from simplest to most ambitious, so every child can find a project suited to their level:

1. The tree star: the simplest shape to start with, ideal in yellow or gold.
2. Snowflakes: in white, to hang in the window.
3. Openwork Christmas baubles: two half-spheres assembled for a stunning effect.
4. The small raised Christmas tree: to place on the table or to hang up.
5. The snowman: three stacked circles, a scarf and a button.
6. Santa Claus: a red and white silhouette, perfect with a stencil.
7. Candy canes: red and white stripes to intertwine.
8. Initials and names: to personalize each gift or place card.
9. The Christmas wreath: a circle decorated with leaves and berries.
10. Favorite characters: reindeer, elves, shooting stars, in free creation.

The trick: start with flat shapes (stars, snowflakes, names) before moving on to volume (baubles, characters). Younger children succeed at the first ones within a few minutes; older ones tackle the second ones.

How to succeed at your Christmas decorations with a 3D pen

A few tips to make your creations look great and stay solid:

• Work on a stencil: tracing the filament over a printed template guarantees regular shapes. The Pad'Up Stencils are designed exactly for that.
• Let it harden before peeling off: a few seconds is enough, but don't rush.
• For volume, make the pieces flat first then assemble them by welding them with a spot of filament.
• Vary the colors: red, green, white and gold for a truly festive atmosphere.
• Add a loop of filament at the top of each decoration so it can be hung up.

The filament used is a standard consumable that is easy to repurchase: no locked proprietary cartridge, so you can multiply your Christmas colors without breaking the bank.

A Christmas activity to give… and repeat every year

Beyond decorations, the 3D pen is also a Christmas gift that is hugely popular: creative, screen-free and long-lasting, it becomes the go-to activity of the winter holidays. Pen'Up 3D is an award-winning French brand (Prix Audace 2023), with instructions in French and a customer service team based in France, reassuring both parents and grandparents.

To get started with everything you need, the Pen'Up 3D Complete Pack brings together the low-temperature pen, stencils, models and several color spools. And if you want to learn more before getting started, our complete guide to the 3D pen for children answers all questions about age, safety and getting started.

FAQ, Christmas crafts with a 3D pen

What Christmas decorations can you make with a 3D pen?

Stars, snowflakes, openwork baubles, trees, snowmen, Santa Clauses, candy canes, names and characters: most classic Christmas decorations can be made with a 3D pen, from the simplest flat shapes to more ambitious raised objects.

From what age can children do Christmas crafts with a 3D pen?

From age 6, with ideal use between 6 and 10 years old. The Pen'Up 3D pen is designed for children: its tip stays at a low surface temperature (around 35 °C) and does not burn fingers, making it a Christmas activity suitable for younger children.

Do you need stencils to succeed at your Christmas creations?

It's not mandatory, but stencils make things much easier, especially for children. The Pad'Up Stencils serve as a support for tracing the filament and achieving regular shapes on the first try — ideal for stars, trees and characters.

Do 3D pen decorations last over time?

Yes. The filament hardens in a few seconds and produces solid objects that keep very well from one year to the next. Simply add a loop of filament at the top so they can be hung on the tree or in the window.

Is the 3D pen a good Christmas gift?

Yes: creative, screen-free and long-lasting, the 3D pen is one of children's favorite Christmas gifts. It keeps them busy during the winter holidays and is easily complemented with stencils and color refills.