
This jingle bell craft is a brilliant way to enjoy a fun and frugal activity that’s perfect for the holidays.
Using coffee filters and a few other simple supplies, this craft makes it easy to boost Christmas fun for kids, especially with the book and movie The Polar Express. My boys’ faces would light up with excitement as they’d watch this coffee filter craft transform into cool colors with a few sprays of water.
Get my tips for enjoying this creative activity with your children and ideas for using for all sorts of holiday fun!


Simple Way to Get Into the Holiday Spirit
Christmas activities with kids don’t have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, some of the best things that you can do for creating special memories (and keepsakes) feature frugal supplies!
This jingle bell coffee filter craft is an example of an easy and fun activity that your students can make for cool decorations. Pair this craft with a reading (or watch party) of The Polar Express to take your celebration to the next level.
As a busy mom of 5 boys, one of the ways that I maintained my sanity around the holidays (well, really any time of year!) was to have a few affordable and easy-to-make activities ready for when we needed a bit of a break or to get out some of our pre-Christmas excitement. I liked having these smart alternatives to screen time so my boys could have positive ways to channel their energy into creative projects.
With a wide range of ages between my oldest and youngest (12 ½ years), I strived to have options that all the boys could participate in at some level. This coffee filter craft that features jingle bells was a big hit, especially after we’d read The Polar Express as party of our Christmas homeschool fun.
Recommended Materials for This Coffee Filter Craft
WooHoo! This easy Christmas craft uses only a few supplies. I encourage you to search through your craft stash (and pantry) to find them. If you’re missing something (like the coffee filters), you can pick these supplies up at little cost at the store on or order online.
If you’re using this craft with older kids or have extra time, you can add some extras, like glitter, glitter glue, and metallic Kwik Stix.
Have these supplies prepared so you’ll be ready to go for craft fun with kids:
- Coffee filters
- Washable Markers
- Black Paint Pen or Marker
- Construction Paper
- Glue
- Spray Bottle (with water)
Amazon Basics Basket Coffee Filters for 8-12 Cup Coffee Makers, White, 200 CountCrayola Ultra Clean Washable Markers (40ct), Coloring Markers for Kids, Back to School Supplies, Marker Set, Markers for SchoolCrayola Broad Line Markers (12ct), Washable Markers for Kids, Classroom Supplies for Teachers, Kids Back to School Supplies, 3+Sharpie Permanent Markers Set, Quick Drying And Fade Resistant Fine Tip Marker For Wood, Plastic, Paper, Metal, And More, Drawing, Coloring, And Poster Marker , Black, 5 CountColorations Construction Paper for Kids – 7 Bright Colors – 600 Bulk Sheets of 9Elmer’s Disappearing Purple School Glue Sticks, 0.24 oz Each, 4 Sticks per Pack (E543)DilaBee Spray Bottles (4-Pack – 8 Oz) Water Spray Bottle for Hair, Plants, Cleaning Solutions, Cooking, BBQ, Squirt Bottle for Cats, Empty Spray Bottles – BPA-Free – Multicolor


How to Make This Jingle Bell Craft


01
Prepare coffee filters
Color the entire coffee filter with a washable marker.
Use a spray bottle to mist the coffee filter lightly. Allow plenty of time to dry.


02
Make tag
Cut out a rectangle tag from the construction paper.
Write Believe on the tag.


03
Add jingle bell patterns
Use the black paint pen or marker to draw the simple patterns of a jingle bell.


04
Trim the bell
Trim the coffee filter slightly to create the ridges of a bell.
Glue the Believe tag on the top of the bell.
A few tips on making this coffee filter craft:
- Do this craft in an area that can get messy. The marker will bleed right through the filter and onto the surface below. Use paper towels or cardboard underneath the project.
- Once you are done spraying, picking the filter up and putting it back down several times will make the colors bleed much more dramatically.


Enjoy More Jingle Bell Fun with Kids
This craft is also wonderful for using for letter of the week activities (“Jj” and “Bb”). To extend learning fun, use books and accessories to reinforce concepts and make it enjoyable. These resources are wonderful for Christmas events, too.
Llama Llama Jingle BellsJingle Bells: A Classic Christmas Book for Kids (Little Golden Book)Jingle Bell Joy: A Bedtime Christmas Rhyme for KidsJingle BellsJingle Bells, Augshy 20 packs Christmas Wrist Jingle Bells, 10 Colors Christmas Hand Bells, Classroom Music Jingle Bells for School and Party FavorsCindeer 2 Pcs Christmas Hand Jingle Bells Wooden Handhold Sleigh Bells Jingle Bells Shaker Rattle Musical Percussion Instrument for Christmas Party Favors Birthday Gifts Kids Children Toys (25 Bells)2 Pack Hand Bell, Silver Steel Bell, Ringing Bell with Handle, Dinner Bells for Inside Classroom Bell, for Food Line, Alarm, Jingles, Ringing (Silver)
Ideas for Using Your Easy Jingle Bell Craft
I’ve got some great news for you: It’s easy to customize this simple craft (or leave it as-is) and have a cute final product. Also, this coffee filter craft can be used in a variety of ways for easy holiday fun with kids. I have a few ideas to give you inspiration for making and displaying:
Want to personalize your jingle bell? Consider using different colors of markers. Stick with one color for the entire bell OR use a mix of colors for a unique effect. Glitter or glitter glue can also add a nice touch of sparkle to your project.
Create several coffee filter jingle bells and attach to string (or yarn) to make a banner. Adorn a wall, fireplace mantle, or top of a doorway for a DIY festive touch.
Attach a few actual small jingle bells to the tag to add a musical effect.
Make extra jingle bells to give to family and friends!
⭐ What are your ideas for making and enjoying this easy jingle bell craft for kids? Let me know if you have any questions about the instructions. Please share in the comments area at the bottom of this post!