How to Make Turtle-Themed Christmas Ornaments That Will Wow Your Guests
fact checked & review by
Dr. Partho Kumar Shaha
Veterinarian (DVM)
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Move over, snowmen and reindeer—there’s a new Christmas star in town, and it’s wearing a shell!
These turtle-themed ornaments are the cutest (and easiest!) craft you’ll try this holiday season.
Grab your glitter, glue, and imagination—it’s time to get creative!
Gear up for a Shell-tastic Christmas!
Materials You’ll Need
- Air-dry or polymer clay (for shaping turtles)
- Green and brown paint (for sea turtles and turtle shells)
- Plain round ornaments (for Ninja Turtle designs)
- Craft foam or felt (for Ninja Turtle masks, flippers, and legs)
- Hot glue gun (for attaching pieces)
- Ribbon or hooks (for hanging)
- Paintbrushes (for detailed painting)
- Glossy finish or glitter (optional for extra shine)
Most of these can be found at craft stores or around the house!
Project 1: Sea Turtle Christmas Ornaments
Step 1:
Start by gathering your materials: air-dry clay (or polymer clay), green and brown paint, a paintbrush, and a small hook or ribbon for hanging. You’ll also need sculpting tools or just use your hands.
Step 2:
Take a ball of clay and shape it into an oval for the sea turtle’s shell. Flatten it slightly to give it that familiar rounded, dome-like shape.
Next, form small pieces of clay for the flippers, head, and tail. Attach these to the sides of the shell, making sure the flippers are smooth and slightly pointed for a realistic look.
Step 3:
Once the turtle is fully shaped, make a small hole at the top of the shell or attach a tiny hook for hanging. Let the clay dry completely according to the instructions (air-dry clay may take up to 24 hours, while polymer clay might need to be baked).
Step 4:
After the turtle has dried, paint the shell in shades of green and brown to resemble a sea turtle. For added detail, you can paint small scales or patterns on the shell. Let the paint dry.
Step 5:
To finish, give the ornament a glossy coat using a clear varnish or gloss finish. This will make the turtle shine and stand out on your Christmas tree. Attach a ribbon or hook through the hole, and your sea turtle ornament is ready to hang!
Project 2: Ninja Turtle Christmas Ornaments
Making Ninja Turtle Christmas ornaments is fun and easy, and they’re perfect for fans of the famous turtles! Here’s how you can create your own step-by-step.
Step 1:
Start with plain round ornaments. If you can find green ones, that’s perfect! But if not, you can paint plain plastic or glass ornaments green as a base.
Step 2:
Next, you’ll need craft foam or felt in four colors—red, blue, purple, and orange—to represent the Ninja Turtle masks. Cut out strips of the foam or felt to make the masks, ensuring they are long enough to wrap around the ornament.
Step 3:
Once you have the strips, glue them around the top third of the ornament, where the turtle’s eyes would go. Secure them with a hot glue gun.
Step 4:
Now, use white paint to create two big white ovals on the mask where the turtle’s eyes will be. You can add a tiny black dot in each eye to complete the look. If you’re feeling creative, use a marker or paint to draw a little mouth and nostrils below the mask.
Step 5:
Finally, attach a hook or tie a ribbon through the top of the ornament to hang it on your tree. And just like that, you have a cute Ninja Turtle ornament ready for your Christmas tree!
Project 3: Turtle Shell Christmas Tree Ornaments
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Start with plain round ornaments, either plastic or glass. You’ll also need green and brown paint, felt (for legs and head), a paintbrush, and a hot glue gun.
Step 2: Paint the Turtle Shell
Paint the round ornament to resemble a turtle shell. Use a mix of green and brown colors to mimic the natural look of a turtle’s back. You can get creative with the pattern, adding hexagonal or circular shapes to give it a realistic touch. Let the paint dry completely before moving on.
Step 3: Create the Turtle Parts
Cut small turtle legs and a head out of green felt or craft foam. The legs should be short and stubby, while the head can be oval-shaped. These pieces don’t need to be perfect—simple shapes work great for this.
Step 4: Attach the Turtle Parts
Once your ornament is dry, use a hot glue gun to attach the legs around the bottom of the ornament and glue the head near the top. Make sure everything is secured well.
Step 5: Add a Ribbon or Hook
Attach a small ribbon or hook to the top of the ornament so it can hang on your tree. You can also paint extra details, like eyes on the head, or add a little holiday flair like glitter or a mini Santa hat!
You now have a cute turtle shell ornament for your Christmas tree!
tips for final touches
To make your turtle shell ornament even more festive, here are a few ideas:
- Add Glitter: After the paint dries, brush a little clear glue onto the shell and sprinkle glitter over it. This adds a magical holiday sparkle to your turtle.
- Mini Santa Hats: Create or buy tiny Santa hats to place on the turtle’s head for a fun, holiday-themed twist.
- Jingle Bells: Attach small jingle bells to the turtle’s legs or around the ribbon to give the ornament a cheerful sound when it moves.
- Personalization: Use a fine-tip paint pen or marker to write names, dates, or holiday messages on the turtle’s shell. This adds a special personal touch, perfect for gifting!
Mixing these final touches gives your ornament a customized, festive look that really stands out on the tree!
About Author
Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.