Make this adorable Paper Loop Santa Craft with a fluffy looped beard, a fun Christmas activity that kids can enjoy as a craft or use as a countdown to Christmas!
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The holidays are just around the corner, and this adorable Paper Loop Santa Craft is the perfect way to celebrate the season! Kids will love creating Santa’s fluffy paper loop beard and adding their own festive touches with crayons, stickers, or glitter. You can even turn it into a Christmas countdown by removing one loop each day as the holiday gets closer, or simply enjoy it as a fun Christmas craft that makes a cheerful display.
My kids always get excited to see how Santa’s beard “shrinks” as Christmas gets closer. Crafts like this make the countdown extra fun while encouraging fine motor skills and creativity. Plus, the finished Santa looks so festive hanging on the wall or classroom bulletin board!
Keep craft time going all month long and make a 3D paper loop Christmas tree craft, enjoy this Santa Beard Printable, and make these Santa Treat Bags!
How to Use the Paper Loop Santa Craft as a Countdown
You can turn this cute Santa craft into a Christmas countdown by adding 25 paper loops to his beard, one for each day leading up to Christmas.
Each day, your child can remove one loop until Santa’s beard is complete on Christmas Day! It’s a fun and visual way to track the days while keeping the excitement alive all month long.
If you prefer to use this craft just for fun, that works too! Kids can make Santa’s beard as long or short as they’d like and enjoy decorating him with crayons, stickers, or glitter without worrying about the countdown.
Christmas Books to Pair With This Craft
If you’re making this Paper Loop Santa Craft with your kids or classroom, adding a Christmas story makes the activity feel extra magical. These holiday favorites are perfect to read before or after crafting — they set the mood, spark imagination, and help kids connect with the fun of Santa and the spirit of the season.
- Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever: A heartwarming story about Dasher, a brave young doe who dreams of a different life and ends up helping Santa in a very special way. Kids love the magic, the beautiful illustrations, and the sweet message about courage and hope.
- The Night Before Christmas (Picture Book Edition, Jan Brett): This classic poem comes to life with Jan Brett’s stunning, BEAUTIFUL artwork. Every page feels like a Christmas treasure, and the cozy winter scenes make it perfect for reading aloud before crafting Santa.
- Santa’s Favorite Story: Santa Tells the Story of the First Christmas: A gentle, meaningful story where Santa himself shares why the birth of Jesus is the real heart of Christmas. It’s simple, sweet, and a lovely way to bring more focus to the true meaning of the holiday season.
3D Paper Loop Santa Craft for Christmas Fun
Supplies You’ll Need
- Paper Loop Santa Craft Template (available at the end of this post)
- Red, white, and skin-tone paper OR paint, markers or crayons
- 25 white paper strips, about 1 inch wide and 6 inches long
- Scissors
- Glue stick or tape
- Black marker or crayon
- Optional: stapler, googly eyes, or glitter for extra sparkle
Directions
Watch the short video tutorial to see how easy this craft is to make!
Step 1: Print the Template
You can choose the single-craft version for home or the classroom set for group use.
Option 1: Print the template out on white paper for children to color with paint, crayons, or markers.
Option 2: Print the classroom templates out on colored paper.
- Santa hat and nose-red paper
- Face-skin tone paper
- Mustache, eyes, trim on hat-white paper
Step 2: Cut Out the Pieces
Cut out the template pieces. If you’re working with younger children, pre-cut the smaller parts to make crafting easier.
Step 3: Assemble Santa’s Face
Glue the hat to the top of the face. Glue the trim on the edge of the hat and the hat pom and the tip of the hat.
Use a marker to draw his eyes on the 2 ovals (or add googly eyes if you prefer).
Glue Santa’s nose, eyes, and mustache on.
Step 4: Make the Beard
Cut 25 white paper strips, about 1 inch wide and 6 inches long. Form each strip into a loop by gluing, taping, or stapling the ends together. To make a chain, thread the paper strip through the middle of a loop, then secure the ends together.
Glue all 25 loops under Santa’s face to make a big, fluffy beard.
We made 5 paper loop chains.
Note: Not counting down to Christmas? No problem—just build Santa’s beard with as many loops as you’d like!
Step 5: Add Finishing Touches
Decorate Santa’s hat with cotton balls, glitter, or stickers for extra holiday cheer. Hang your Paper Loop Santa on the wall or fridge and start counting down to Christmas!
To Use Santa Craft as Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar
Starting December 1st, children move one loop off of Santa’s beard until it’s Christmas!
Get the Santa Template Here
Print the Directions Here
3D Paper Loop Santa Craft for Christmas
Materials
- Paper Loop Santa Craft Template
- Red, white, and skin-tone paper OR paint, markers or crayons
- 25 white paper strips, about 1 inch wide and 6 inches long
- Scissors
- Glue stick or tape
- Black marker or crayon
- Optional: stapler, googly eyes, or glitter for extra sparkle
Instructions
- Watch the video tutorial for a quick overview of the directions.
- Step 1: Print the TemplateYou can choose the single-craft version for home or the classroom set for group use.Option 1: Print the template out on white paper for children to color with paint, crayons, or markers.Option 2: Print the classroom templates out on colored paper. Santa hat and nose-red paperFace-skin tone paper, Mustache, eyes, trim on hat-white paper
- Step 2: Cut Out the PiecesCut out the template pieces. If you’re working with younger children, pre-cut the smaller parts to make crafting easier.
- Step 3: Assemble Santa’s FaceGlue the hat to the top of the face. Glue the trim on the edge of the hat and the hat pom and the tip of the hat. Use a marker to draw his eyes on the 2 ovals (or add googly eyes if you prefer).Glue Santa's nose, eyes, and mustache on.
- Step 4: Make the BeardCut 25 white paper strips, about 1 inch wide and 6 inches long. Form each strip into a loop by gluing, taping, or stapling the ends together. To make a chain, thread the paper strip through the middle of a loop, then secure the ends together. Glue all 25 loops under Santa’s face to make a big, fluffy beard. We made 5 paper loop chains.Note: Not counting down to Christmas? No problem—just build Santa’s beard with as many loops as you’d like!
- Step 5: Add Finishing TouchesDecorate Santa’s hat with cotton balls, glitter, or stickers for extra holiday cheer. Hang your Paper Loop Santa on the wall or fridge and start counting down to Christmas!