Wooden Penguin Ornament
Slide into the holiday season with this easy, kid-friendly wooden penguin ornament — a fun, festive DIY made from simple wood slices!
This wooden penguin ornament might just be the most charming little holiday craft you’ll make this year. From his teeny bow tie to his googly eyes, he’s the perfect mix of festive and funny.
Seriously you guys, this penguin ornament is far too adorable for words! Credit where credit is due, my son came up with this idea and I can’t wait to share the easy, peasy tutorial with you.
His little bow tie gives him serious “fancy holiday party” vibes, and this easy DIY couldn’t be simpler to make. You probably already have everything you need right in your craft drawer (or let’s be honest, your craft bins).
For more wood slice ornament ideas, check out these simple wood slice Valentines, a polymer clay snowflake ornament, and these wood and yarn snowflakes.
Too busy to make this right away? Pin it for later! Pin this post to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be there when you’re ready!
Why You’ll Love This Craft
This craft checks all the boxes — it’s simple, quick, and ridiculously adorable. The penguin ornament makes a great gift for friends, teachers, or anyone who needs a smile this holiday season.
It’s kid-friendly, inexpensive, and perfect for using up those spare craft supplies you’ve been holding onto “just in case.” Hang it on your tree, tie it to a wine bottle, or add it to the top of a present — it’s one of those things that instantly says homemade and heartfelt.
This little guy was my son Isaiah’s idea. We were on a roll one weekend, making all sorts of fun things with a pile of wood slices we had, like reindeer, spiders, pumpkins, and apples.
In his enthusiasm, Isaiah came up with this little wooden penguin ornament. Cue the craft supplies flying everywhere because, of course, we had to make one.
I simply cannot take any of the inspirational credit there. That kid loves a good craft and is always game for getting messy when the craft supplies come out!
DIY Wood Slice Penguin Ornament
This is truly a simple craft to create! You probably have everything in your supply stash already.
You could also just use acrylic paint to create the entire penguin look if you wanted. I like the bit of texture and dimension that the cardstock added to this project though.
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Supplies
- 2.5″ Wood slice – If you don’t have a slice of wood, don’t worry! Cardboard or thick cardstock works great too!
- Black acrylic paint – To give your penguin that classic tuxedo look.
- White acrylic paint – Perfect for painting the penguin’s little belly.
- Paintbrush – Any small craft brush will do the trick.
- Scrap red and orange paper – Red for his bow tie, orange for his beak.
- Googly eyes – Because no penguin should go through life without personality.
- Twine – To hang your finished ornament from the tree.
- Glue – Use strong craft glue or a glue gun to hold it all together.
Instructions
1. Paint your wood slice black, then add a belly with white paint.
2. Cut out an orange beak and glue it in place.
3. Cut a red bow tie (or use ribbon if you prefer) and glue it under the beak.
4. Glue on googly eyes.
5. Attach twine to the ornament for easy hanging.
Watch the step-by-step video below for the full tutorial — seriously, it’s easy enough for kids to follow right along!
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These penguin ornaments would be cute hanging on the Christmas tree, added to gift packaging, or hung from a bottle of wine. The only danger is that once you make one, you’ll probably end up making a whole flock.
What would you do with one of these adorable wooden ornaments? Do you have any other ideas for what we could make with a bunch of wood slices?
Tips and Tricks
- Add a tiny set of earmuffs or a scarf made from felt scraps for extra winter charm.
- Use ribbon instead of paper for a 3D bow tie.
- If your wood slices don’t have holes for the string, attach it to the back of the ornament with glue or tape instead.
- Seal your ornament with Mod Podge if you want it to last for many holiday seasons.
- If you don’t have a wood slice, cardboard or even thick paper circles make great backups.
- Keep a kit of supplies ready so you can whip these up anytime the kids say, “I’m bored!”
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make a penguin ornament out of wood?
You simply paint a wood slice black and white, then glue on a beak, bow tie, and eyes. Add a piece of twine to hang it up and you’re done!
Can kids make this craft?
Absolutely! This DIY penguin ornament is totally kid-friendly. Just help with the glue gun if younger ones are crafting along.
What can I use instead of wood slices?
No wood slice? No problem! You can use cardboard, cardstock, or even foam circles — anything with a firm surface works.
How can I personalize my penguin?
Add earmuffs, a scarf, or even tiny snowflakes painted around the edges for a fun twist.
So, what do you think — ready to make your own little tuxedoed friend? Just be warned: once you start making penguins, your kitchen table will officially become a North Pole craft zone!
If you love this DIY wooden penguin ornament, please help me share it on Facebook and Pinterest so that others can enjoy it too!
