Walk through the craft aisle at any big-box store in late November and you’ll see what’s actually in kids’ holiday craft kits: glitter glue tubes with plastic applicators, foam stickers backed with plastic film, glue sticks in plastic tubes, plastic-coated craft paper, plastic googly eyes, and dozens of small plastic embellishments packaged in plastic clamshells. The “craft project” comes home, gets played with for an hour, and the resulting craft and its packaging end up in landfill within weeks.
Jump to:
The compostable alternative isn’t a stretch from how kids’ crafts looked thirty years ago. Flour-water paste. Real paper stickers with paper backing. Construction paper. Natural twine. Dried leaves and seeds. Beeswax crayons. The materials are widely available, often cheaper than the plastic versions, and produce crafts that can actually go into the compost pile when the kid moves on rather than the trash bin.
This is a practical guide for parents, teachers, grandparents, and craft-program coordinators running kids’ holiday crafts with materials that won’t outlive the holiday.
The compostable glue options
Flour-and-water paste
The oldest and simplest. White flour, water, and a few minutes of mixing. Used by kindergarteners for paper-mache, simple paper crafts, and basic gluing for as long as flour has existed.
Recipe:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup water
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon salt to inhibit mold
- Optional: 1 tablespoon sugar to improve adhesion
Mix flour and water to a smooth paste in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens into a translucent gel (about 5-7 minutes). Cool to room temperature before use. Store covered in the refrigerator; use within 5 days.
Strengths:
- Essentially free.
- Fully edible if a kid puts a finger in their mouth.
- Holds paper-to-paper bonds well.
- Compostable along with the project.
Trade-offs:
- Won’t hold heavier materials (cardboard to wood, plastic to anything).
- Dries to a slight matte finish.
- Limited shelf life (5 days refrigerated).
- Wet projects can warp paper.
Best for: Simple paper crafts, paper-mache, collage, decoupage on light papers.
Cornstarch glue
Slightly stronger than flour paste, with a clearer dry finish.
Recipe:
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 3/4 cup cold water
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/2 cup boiling water
Whisk cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Add vinegar. Slowly pour the boiling water in while whisking continuously. The mixture will thicken into a clear, gel-like glue. Cool before use. Store covered in the refrigerator; use within 7 days.
Strengths:
- Stronger bond than flour paste.
- Dries clearer.
- Works on paper, light cardstock, light fabric.
Trade-offs:
- Slightly more complicated to make.
- Acidic vinegar smell briefly after mixing (dissipates).
Best for: Cardstock crafts, light fabric work, decoupage on heavier paper.
Casein-based glue (milk glue)
Made from milk protein. Used commercially for hundreds of years before synthetic glues became dominant.
Recipe:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Heat milk with vinegar until it curdles. Strain through cheesecloth to separate the curds (casein) from the whey. Mix the casein with baking soda — it will foam and become a thick paste. Use immediately or refrigerate up to 3 days.
Strengths:
- Strong bond (used historically for wood-to-wood).
- Fully compostable.
- Water-resistant once dry.
Trade-offs:
- More complicated to make.
- Limited shelf life.
- Smell during preparation (vinegar + curdling milk).
Best for: Heavier craft work, wood-to-paper projects, items that need more durability than flour paste provides.
Commercial natural-rubber glue
For projects where homemade isn’t practical, natural-rubber-latex glue is sold commercially. Brands like Elmer’s Natural and a few specialty options.
Strengths:
- Convenient (no preparation).
- Works on standard craft materials.
- Industrial-compostable when used in moderate quantities.
Trade-offs:
- More expensive than homemade options.
- Some products marketed as “natural” still contain non-compostable additives — verify the ingredient list.
- Less common in retail; often online-only.
Best for: Quick crafts where the time savings of premade glue is worth it.
The compostable sticker problem
This is harder than the glue question. Most modern stickers have plastic backing paper (the “release liner”) and plastic adhesive that doesn’t compost. Even paper-faced stickers usually have plastic adhesive layers.
True compostable stickers exist but are limited:
Washi tape and other paper tapes. Made from natural plant fibers (washi is traditional Japanese mulberry-bark paper). Adhesive is rice-paste-based or plant-derived. Fully compostable. Available in widths from 5mm to 50mm in hundreds of patterns. Reusable to some extent (can be peeled and re-stuck a few times).
Plant-based adhesive labels. A few specialty manufacturers (Avery has a compostable line for some products; some EU manufacturers more broadly) make labels with paper backing and plant-based adhesive. Verify the specific product is industrial-compostable.
Kraft paper stickers with vegetable-based adhesive. Sold by some craft suppliers for envelope sealing, gift wrapping, and decorative use. Adhesive is typically dextrin or gum-arabic-based.
Wax seals. Beeswax-based wax seals (the old-fashioned kind for letters) work as decorative “stickers” for special projects. Compostable beeswax fully biodegrades.
Dried flower or pressed-leaf “stickers.” Stuck on with compostable glue. Visually distinctive, fully compostable.
What to avoid (despite being marketed for kids):
- Foam stickers (polystyrene foam, not compostable).
- Plastic-backed paper stickers (the paper looks compostable, the adhesive isn’t).
- Glitter stickers (plastic glitter contaminates compost streams).
- Plastic-coated paper stickers (water-resistant coating prevents composting).
- Vinyl stickers (PVC plastic).
Real holiday craft examples using compostable materials
Paper-chain garland
Materials: Construction paper (compostable, FSC-certified preferred), flour paste, scissors.
Process: Cut paper into 1″x6″ strips. Form a loop with the first strip, glue ends with flour paste. Thread the next strip through, form a loop, glue. Continue. Result is a paper chain that can decorate a Christmas tree, window, or doorway.
Disposal: Whole garland goes into compost. Breaks down within 6-8 weeks in industrial composting.
Pressed-leaf greeting cards
Materials: Cardstock (FSC-certified), pressed dried leaves (collected in autumn or sourced from craft stores), flour paste or cornstarch glue, natural twine.
Process: Fold cardstock in half. Arrange pressed leaves on the front. Glue with flour paste. Optional: tie a small bow of natural twine around the spine.
Disposal: Whole card compostable. Recipients can compost or save as keepsake.
Salt-dough ornaments
Materials: 1 cup salt, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup water, optional natural food coloring.
Process: Mix to form a dough. Roll out. Cut shapes with cookie cutters or by hand. Punch a hole for ribbon. Bake at 200°F for 2-3 hours until completely dry. Decorate with natural pigments (beet juice, turmeric, blueberry juice, paprika). String with natural twine.
Disposal: Salt-dough ornaments don’t compost well (the salt prevents breakdown). Best to save as keepsakes year-to-year. Alternative: flour-water dough without salt composts faster but doesn’t last as long.
Pinecone Christmas trees
Materials: Large pinecones (collected outdoors), green natural-dye paint or food coloring, beeswax base if you want it to stand, small natural-paper or felt stars.
Process: Apply green dye to the pinecone tips. Let dry. Optional: secure to a beeswax base or kraft-paper-mache base. Decorate with small natural items.
Disposal: Fully compostable. Pinecones break down slowly (months in industrial composting, years in backyard) but eventually return to soil.
Fall leaf crown
Materials: Real fall leaves (collected fresh), flour paste, natural twine.
Process: Press leaves between books for 1-2 days to flatten. Arrange in a crown shape. Glue overlapping with flour paste. Tie ends with natural twine to fit the child’s head.
Disposal: Whole crown compostable when no longer wanted.
Holiday gift-wrap with twine
Materials: Kraft paper, natural twine, dried items (pine sprigs, cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices).
Process: Wrap gifts in kraft paper. Tie with natural twine. Tuck a dried pine sprig or cinnamon stick under the bow.
Disposal: Wrapping paper and twine fully compostable.
Pressed-herb seed packets
Materials: Small kraft paper envelopes, cornstarch glue, dried herbs from kitchen garden, seeds to share.
Process: Decorate small kraft envelopes with pressed herbs glued on. Fill with seeds. Seal with cornstarch glue.
Disposal: When the recipient plants the seeds, the envelope can be composted.
Materials sourcing
Where to find compostable craft materials:
Kraft paper: Available in roll form at office supply stores and craft stores. Brown paper bags (the kind from grocery stores) work for many projects.
Construction paper: Most “construction paper” is uncoated and compostable. Verify FSC certification for sustainability claim.
Natural twine: Hardware stores, craft stores. Jute, cotton, hemp, raffia all work. Avoid waxed twine (the wax may be paraffin/non-compostable).
Washi tape: Specialty stationery stores, craft stores, online. Wide variety of patterns.
Beeswax: Local beekeepers, farmers’ markets, natural-products stores.
Pressed leaves and flowers: Collect in autumn from yards and parks. Some craft stores sell pre-pressed botanicals.
Natural pigments: Beet juice, turmeric, blueberry juice, paprika, coffee — all from the kitchen. Specialty natural-dye suppliers for more substantial projects.
Dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise: Grocery store baking aisle or specialty spice shops.
Pinecones: Free outdoors in most areas. Craft stores for specialty types.
Cardstock (FSC-certified): Craft stores and office supply stores. Check the packaging for FSC certification.
A starter craft kit for the holiday season
If you’re outfitting for a season of compostable kid crafts:
One-time purchases (reusable across years):
- A pair of safety scissors per child
- A few small mixing bowls for glue
- Cookie cutters in holiday shapes (snowflakes, stars, trees)
- A rolling pin for salt-dough projects
- A few small paintbrushes
Per-project consumables:
- Roll of kraft paper
- Pack of FSC-certified construction paper
- Pack of FSC-certified cardstock
- A few rolls of washi tape (various widths and patterns)
- Natural twine
- Pressed leaves (from autumn collection)
- Flour, cornstarch, salt for homemade glue/dough
- Optional: beeswax and natural-color crayons
Total kit cost: $40-80 for the season, depending on what you already have.
What teachers and parents report
A few observations from people running compostable kids’ craft programs:
Kids don’t notice the difference. Children who’ve never worked with plastic glitter glue don’t miss it. The flour paste is fine. The paper stickers work. The natural twine ties bows. Kids care about the project, not the brand of glue.
Parents notice and prefer it. Parents who have been frustrated with plastic-laden craft projects often actively welcome the change. The materials look more aesthetically pleasing on display, and the projects can actually be composted afterward.
The first time you make flour paste is a science lesson. Kids learn that they don’t need to buy everything ready-made. The process of making your own glue is educational and demystifies craft supplies.
Some projects work, some don’t. Heavy materials still need stronger glue. The flour paste won’t hold a cardboard box together. Match the glue to the project.
Cleanup is easier. Flour paste and cornstarch glue clean up with water. Cleanup time after a craft session drops by 30-50% versus using commercial craft glues that need solvents or longer drying times.
What about screens and prints?
Kids’ crafts increasingly involve printed elements — coloring sheets, traceable holiday templates, downloadable decorations. The substrate matters here too:
- Print on FSC-certified paper or cardstock.
- Use vegetable-based ink printers if possible (most modern inkjet printers use water-based inks; many laser printers use plant-based toners).
- Avoid lamination if the print is for a temporary craft. Laminated paper isn’t compostable.
A printed coloring sheet on regular paper, colored with natural pigments or beeswax crayons, composts fine after the holiday.
Connection to broader compostable products
A child’s craft project that ends up in the compost stream is, in scale, a tiny contribution compared to a household’s compostable food container program or compostable trash bag usage. The educational impact, though, can be larger than the material impact.
Kids who grew up making flour paste, decorating with pressed leaves, and watching their crafts go into the compost pile develop intuitive understanding of material cycles that’s hard to replicate through abstract teaching. The hands-on experience builds the foundation for later environmental decision-making. They’ll think differently about packaging at the grocery store, food waste at home, and disposable products in their workplaces.
That’s the long-term payoff. The short-term payoff is just nicer-looking craft projects with materials that don’t outlive the holiday.
The takeaway
Kids’ holiday crafts using compostable materials are easy to implement, often cheaper than commercial alternatives, and produce projects that genuinely return to the soil after the holiday rather than going to landfill.
Three compostable glue recipes (flour paste, cornstarch glue, casein glue) cover most kids’ craft needs. Washi tape, natural-paper stickers, and beeswax substitutes for stickers. Construction paper, kraft paper, pressed leaves, pinecones, and natural twine as primary materials.
For parents starting a season of compostable holiday crafts, the upfront cost is modest ($40-80 for a starter kit), the materials are widely available, and the projects work as well as their commercial-craft equivalents.
For teachers running classroom craft programs, the compostable approach scales cleanly to 20-30 students at once, with classroom budgets that are often more constrained than home budgets.
The change isn’t dramatic. The kids don’t notice. The crafts come out fine. The only difference is what happens to them after the holiday — into the compost pile with the rest of the organic household waste, rather than into the landfill bin with the rest of the disposable plastic.
That’s a small thing per craft. Across a lifetime of childhood holidays, the cumulative diversion is meaningful. And the habits and understanding that come from making your own glue and watching your craft compost have value that lasts well beyond December.
For B2B sourcing, see our compostable supplies catalog or compostable bags catalog.
For procurement teams verifying compostable claims, the controlling references are BPI certification (North America), EN 13432 (EU), and the FTC Green Guides on environmental marketing claims — these are the only sources U.S. enforcement actions cite.