“Easy holiday rodent crafts for kids include pinecone capybara ornaments, paper plate hamsters, felt mouse ornaments, toilet paper roll guinea pigs, pom-pom squirrels, and salt dough rodent ornaments. Most use basic supplies like paper, glue, felt, and pinecones. For pet rodents, make safe DIY gifts from plain cardboard, paper, and hay.”
The holidays are the perfect time for cozy crafting, and rodents make adorable subjects. Round bodies, big ears, and tiny noses are easy for kids to draw and build. Below are eight simple projects for different ages, along with a few pet-safe DIY treats so your real-life rodents can join the celebration. Before you start, print a few of our free capybara coloring pages or squirrel coloring pages for younger kids who want something even simpler.
Supplies to Have on Hand
- Construction paper, paper plates, and cardstock
- Glue sticks, white craft glue, and tape
- Kid-safe scissors
- Felt sheets in brown, gray, white, and pink
- Pom-poms and pipe cleaners
- Googly eyes or black markers
- Pinecones and twine
- Flour, salt, and water for salt dough
1. Pinecone Capybara Ornament (Ages 5+)
Choose a short, round pinecone for the body. Cut two small brown felt ovals for ears and a rounded rectangle for the snout. Glue them to the narrow end of the pinecone, then add googly eyes. Tie twine around the top to hang it on the tree. Add a tiny felt orange on top for a nod to the classic capybara-with-an-orange look. Learn why capybaras like oranges.
2. Paper Plate Hamster (Ages 3+)
Color or paint a paper plate golden brown with a white belly. Cut two small circles for ears and glue them on top. Add eyes, a pink nose, and whiskers drawn with marker. For a fun twist, cut two half-circles for puffy cheeks stuffed with paper “seeds.” It’s a great chance to talk about how hamsters carry food in their cheek pouches. See our hamster care guide for more fun facts.
3. Felt Mouse Ornaments (Ages 7+)
Cut two teardrop shapes from gray felt and one smaller circle for ears. Glue or stitch around the edges, leaving a gap to add a little stuffing, then close it up. Add a pipe cleaner or twine tail, bead eyes, and a pink felt nose. Older kids can add a tiny scarf or Santa hat.
4. Toilet Paper Roll Guinea Pig (Ages 4+)
Wrap a toilet paper roll in colored paper, or glue on patches of brown, white, and orange to mimic a guinea pig’s patterned coat. Flatten one end slightly for the face, add tiny ears, eyes, and a nose. Line up several to make a guinea pig “herd.” Our guinea pig breeds guide can inspire different coat patterns.
5. Pom-Pom Squirrel (Ages 6+)
Glue a small pom-pom head onto a larger pom-pom body. Make a big, fluffy tail from a curved pipe cleaner wrapped with extra pom-poms or brown yarn. Add eyes and tiny felt ears. Make gray, red, and brown versions and challenge kids to match them with real species in our red vs gray vs fox squirrel guide.
6. Salt Dough Rodent Ornaments (Ages 5+, with adult help)
Mix 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, and about 1/2 cup water to form a dough. Roll it out and cut shapes with cookie cutters, or sculpt simple capybara and mouse figures. Poke a hole at the top for hanging. Bake at a low temperature, around 200°F, for 2 to 3 hours until hard, then let cool and paint. These keepsakes last for years. Keep salt dough away from pets, since the salt content is harmful if eaten.
7. Paper Chain Beaver Dam (Ages 4+)
Make a paper chain in brown and tan to form a “dam” across a table or mantel. Cut out a paper beaver with a big flat tail to sit on top. It’s a great way to talk about how beavers build. See our beaver facts.
8. Capybara Holiday Cards (Ages 5+)
Fold cardstock in half and draw a simple capybara on the front: an oval body, a rounded head, small ears, and a relaxed expression. Add a scarf, a snowflake, or a tiny hot tub for a nod to Japan’s famous capybara winter baths. Need help drawing? Follow our how to draw a capybara tutorial. Learn about the baths in capybaras in winter.
Pet-Safe DIY Holiday Treats for Your Rodents
Your pets can celebrate too, with homemade enrichment made from safe materials.
Hay-Stuffed Gift Box
Fill a small plain cardboard box with hay and tuck a few pieces of safe vegetable or a small amount of your pet’s usual food inside. Fold the flaps closed. Your pet gets to unwrap its own present. Skip tape, glue, glitter, and printed wrapping paper.
Paper Ball Surprise
Wrap a treat in plain, unprinted paper and crumple it into a ball. Great for rats, hamsters, and gerbils.
Toilet Paper Roll Treat Tube
Fold one end of a cardboard tube, fill it with hay and a treat, and fold the other end closed. Perfect for guinea pigs, chinchillas, and degus.
For more ideas, see enrichment toys by rodent type. Remember that degus and dwarf hamsters shouldn’t have sugary treats; see the degu diet.
Keep Pets Safe During the Holidays
- Keep glue, glitter, tinsel, and ribbon away from pets.
- Don’t let free-roaming pets near holiday plants like poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe.
- Keep electrical cords for lights out of reach.
- Give pets a quiet space away from holiday parties.
Our guide to winter care for pet rodents covers more seasonal safety.
Turn Crafts Into Learning
While crafting, share a few fun facts: capybaras are the largest rodents, beavers have orange teeth, hamsters store food in their cheeks, and squirrels bury thousands of nuts. Our capybara facts and types of rodents pages are full of kid-friendly trivia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest rodent craft for toddlers?
The paper plate hamster is simple, colorful, and great for little hands.
Can pet rodents chew on craft materials?
Only on plain, unprinted cardboard and paper without glue, tape, or dyes.
Is salt dough safe for pets?
No. It contains a lot of salt and should be kept away from pets.
What can I give my hamster for the holidays?
A hay-stuffed cardboard box or paper-wrapped treat makes a safe, fun gift.