Easy Pipe Cleaner Garland for Christmas

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This pipe cleaner garland is a really quick and easy Christmas craft for the kids! It looks so pretty on the tree, or strung up as decor around the room, and you only need one simple supply.

Best for: ages 3–7 (younger children with help)
Time: 15–20 minutes

What You Need for a Pipe Cleaner Garland

Pipe cleaners in Christmas colours (red, green, white, gold or silver)
Scissors (for an adult)

Short on time? This big pack of Christmas pipe cleaners has enough for a garland that wraps the whole tree.

How to Make a Pipe Cleaner Garland

First, cut your pipe cleaners in half. This makes smaller, neater links that are easier for little hands to bend.
Next, bend one half into a circle and twist the ends together to close it.
Then, thread the next pipe cleaner through your first circle and close it into a circle too. Make sure you do this around your previous circle so the links join together like a chain!
Wrap the ends around the rest of the circle to make it neat and round.
Keep adding links until your garland is as long as you like. Now hang and decorate!

Why Kids Love It

Fine motor skills: bending and twisting pipe cleaners builds finger strength and control.
Two hands working together: holding one link while threading the next is great practice for bilateral coordination.
Patterns and counting: try a red, green, white pattern, or count the links as you go.

Ways to Change It Up

Christmas countdown: add one link each day in December, or make 24 links and remove one each day until Christmas.
Busy bag: pop a handful of pipe cleaner halves in a zip-lock bag for a quiet activity on the go.
For older kids: twist two colours together for a candy cane effect.