11 toddler friendly Christmas decoration ideas

Last Updated on April 4, 2024

Toddlers are at a fun age where they can actually start to enjoy Christmas, but they’re also very curious, and want to get into everything, which means as well as toddler proofing your home, decorating your home with toddler friendly Christmas decorations is essential.

Decorating your home in a toddler friendly way means that you can still create memories for your children, but you’ll do so in a way that’s safe for everyone.

If you’re not sure about how to do this, here are 11 toddler friendly Christmas decoration ideas, which will allow you to enjoy the home décor part of the holidays.

Put your breakable decorations out of reach

Just because you have a toddler doesn’t mean that you can’t decorate your home with breakables, it just means that you have to rethink where you’ll put these types of decorations.

For breakable decorations, display them out of reach of your toddler, which also means putting them high enough that even the most adventurous, table climbing toddler can’t access.

This may mean they’re displayed somewhere you don’t like, but they won’t have to be out of reach forever, there will be a Christmas where they can take pride of place again.

Buy shatterproof tree ornaments

This is a toddler friendly Christmas decoration idea that I am implementing this year, because last year Thomas, who was 19 months old, pulled our Christmas tree down three times, breaking four irreplaceable Christmas tree ornaments in the process.

If you don’t want this to happen to you, decorate your Christmas tree with shatterproof ornaments, which means that you can still decorate your tree as part of your family Christmas traditions, if it’s a tradition you have in place.

Watch out for choking hazards and toxic decorations

Another great toddler friendly Christmas decoration idea is to make sure you don’t use any decorations that could be a choking hazard.

This includes only using decorations that can’t fit into your toddler’s mouth, using decorations that if bitten won’t break, not using edible decorations, especially those wrapped in plastic or foil, and not using tinsel, as tinsel is high up on the choking hazard list.

When hanging decorations on your Christmas tree use ribbons instead of hooks, as hooks can hurt your toddler if touched.

Similarly, don’t use Christmas decorations that are toxic for toddlers, including Holly berries, poinsettias, cacti, mistletoe, and anything made from toxic materials.

Decorate your tree a little differently

You can decorate your tree differently to make it toddler proof, which can include:

• Only decorating the top half, which means placing decorations higher than the top of their fingertips when they put their arm up
• Using bells on the bottom of your tree, so if your toddler pulls on it you’ll hear
• Decorating without ornaments and just using twinkling lights and a star on the top
• Securing your tree to heavy furniture, or putting it in a corner so it doesn’t fall far if pulled
• Covering the bottom with a tree gate or play pen, so your toddler can’t get to it

Hide twinkling lights

Toddlers love to grab twinkling lights, which could result in electrical shock, or the tree falling on them.

To avoid this, tuck your twinkling light cord around the middle of your Christmas tree, or tuck the cord behind the tree’s branches.

Hide your Christmas presents

This isn’t really a toddler friendly Christmas decoration idea, but is something I did last year, and will be doing again this year, which is to hide our Christmas presents and only put them under the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, once the kids are in bed.

This means the presents can’t be opened before Christmas so a toddler can’t put small gifts or wrapping paper in their mouths, which is a choking hazard, and I won’t be nagged every day by my oldest son to open his presents.

Decorate with table top trees

Another great toddler friendly Christmas decoration idea, especially if you have a crawling toddler, is to decorate with table top trees.

These trees can have ornaments and lights on them, and best of all can be placed in areas out of reach of toddlers.

Have a non traditional Christmas tree

There are many toddler friendly Christmas trees that you can use instead of more traditional ones, that can be stuck to walls, doors, or windows, and include:

• Trees made out of green tape
• Felt trees with homemade Christmas crafts
• Christmas card shaped trees

Decorating with candles

Candles are a cosy way to decorate for the holidays, and if you want to burn one with a flame make sure it’s out of reach of your toddler, or burn it once they’re in bed.

Alternatively, you may decide to decorate with battery operated candles, so you can still crate a cosy Christmas décor feel in your home.

Stocking hanging tips

If hanging your stockings off a ledge, window, fireplace, or anywhere else that your toddler can reach, don’t hang them with heavy stocking weights, because if your toddler pulls them down, the weight can cause serious injury.

Instead, hang your stockings using a ribbon and a plastic hook, or place them under the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve.

Related posts:
Practical stocking stuffer ideas for babies
Stocking stuffer ideas for toddlers
Stocking stuffer ideas for preschoolers

Decorate with soft toys, bedding, and stickers

There are many soft toddler friendly Christmas decorations that you can decorate with, including nativity sets, reindeers, Santa, and even soft Christmas tree ornaments.

You can also decorate with Christmas pillows and blankets, and use Christmas bedding on your beds.

Windows can also get a Christmas makeover with stickers, paper snowflakes, and fake snow.

I hope you’ve found some ways to decorate your home this Christmas that will keep your toddler safe, but will also allow you to still get into the Christmas spirit.

Do you have any toddler friendly Christmas decoration ideas?