Build Your Own Christmas Nativity Scene Printable Craft (Free To Print)

Build your own Christmas Nativity scene with this hands-on kids’ project. Kids can cut out the characters, assemble the figures, and arrange them into a display while learning about Jesus’ birth.

This makes the activity perfect for Sunday school, homeschool Bible lessons, Christian classrooms, children’s church, or a meaningful Christmas craft for kids to enjoy at home.

If you are planning more faith-focused projects this December, you can also find plenty of inspiration in our Bible crafts and printables collection and our Christmas activities for kids.

Fun and simple nativity scene printable craft

Table of Contents

Nativity Scene Printable Craft for Kids

Unlike a flat coloring page, the individual pieces in this set can stand on their own. Kids can move and rearrange the figures as they retell the Bible story.

My site has several Nativity crafts, but this one is especially fun because children can build a more complete scene with individual characters.

Instead of attaching everything permanently inside a folded display or diorama, the pieces become separate standing paper figures.

That means kids can arrange the pieces in different ways, move the characters as they tell the Bible story, or display the finished set throughout December.

What Comes With This Nativity Project?

The PDF includes the key figures from the Bible story, plus extra pieces that let children create a fuller display.

The kit includes characters such as:

Mary
Joseph
Baby Jesus
Shepherds
The three wise men
Other Nativity figures and pieces included in the set

Once assembled, the characters stand separately instead of being attached to one permanent background.

This makes the finished set especially useful for storytelling and hands-on Bible lessons.

A printable cut-out of Joseph from the Nativity scene, labeled "Joseph," with cut-out instructions. He is depicted in traditional robes, and the text says, "Joseph, a carpenter, was Mary's husband and cared for her and baby Jesus."

a printable cut-out of Mary with the text: "Mary, the mother of Jesus, was visited by an angel who told her she'd give birth to the Son of God."

Get the Free Nativity File

Download the file, print it on sturdy stock, and gather your scissors and glue.

I would place your first form here rather than making readers scroll through the entire tutorial before they can find the free printable.

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Supplies

You only need a few basic supplies to make this DIY scene craft.

Free Nativity scene template
White cardstock
Printer
Scissors
Glue or glue stick
Crayons, markers, or colored pencils if you want to add color
Adult help for younger children

What Paper Should I Use?

I recommend a heavier sheet instead of regular copy paper.

The thicker material supports the standing pieces and makes them easier for children to handle after the project is complete.

Regular paper can work, but the figures will be softer and may bend more easily.

How to Make the Standing Set

The basic idea is simple: prepare the pages, cut them out, make the standing sections, and arrange the characters to create your display.

Step 1: Prepare the Pages

Use sturdy white stock for the pages.

Using a heavier sheet will make the pieces sturdier and help them stand upright.

A printable cut-out of baby Jesus in a manger, labeled "Baby Jesus in the Manger," with cut-out instructions. The text says, "Baby Jesus, the Son of God, was born in a humble manger."

Step 2: Prepare the Characters

If your version includes pieces for children to personalize, decorate the characters before cutting them out.

Kids can use crayons, colored pencils, or markers.

Adding artwork before cutting is usually much easier for younger children because they have a larger piece to hold.

a printable cut-out of a stable with a star, labeled "Stable or Manger Scene" and "The stable where Jesus was born."

Step 3: Cut Out the Figures

Follow each character outline carefully as you cut.

You do not have to cut perfectly against every small detail.

Leaving a narrow white border around each shape is fine and can make cutting much easier for younger children.

A printable cut-out of an angel from the Nativity scene, labeled "Angels," with cut-out instructions. The angel is depicted flying with a halo, and the text says, "Angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds."

A printable cut-out of an angel from the Nativity scene, labeled "Angels," with cut-out instructions. The angel is flying with a halo, and the text says, "Angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds."

Step 4: Prepare the Standing Tabs

Fold the sections designed to support the individual pieces.

Crease the folds firmly so each figure has a stable base.

Younger kids may need some help making straight folds.

Step 5: Assemble the Pieces

Glue the appropriate sections together according to the design.

Press each glued area firmly and allow it to dry.

Avoid using too much glue because wet stock can curl.

A printable cut-out of two sheep from the Nativity scene, labeled "Sheep," with cut-out instructions. The text reads, "The sheep were with the shepherds in the fields when the angel announced the birth of Jesus."

A printable cut-out of a shepherd from the Nativity scene, labeled "Shepherds," with cut-out instructions. The text reads, "The shepherds were watching their flocks in the fields when an angel appeared to them, announcing the birth of Jesus. They hurried to Bethlehem to see the newborn King."

Step 6: Set Up the Central Family

Begin your display with the Holy Family.

Place the baby near the center with His mother and earthly father nearby.

This creates the scene’s center.

Step 7: Add the Shepherd Figures

Arrange the visitors from the fields around the display.

If you are using this project with a Bible lesson, this is a great time to talk about Luke 2 and how the angels announced the good news to them.

A printable cut-out of the Star of Bethlehem, labeled "Star of Bethlehem," with cut-out instructions. The text reads, "The star that guided the Wise Men to Jesus."

Step 8: Add the Wise Men

Add the three wise men to your scene.

Because all of the pieces remain separate, children can move the wise men toward the center while talking about their journey to see the Savior.

A printable cut-out of King Balthazar from the Nativity scene, labeled "The Wise Men - King Balthazar," with cut-out instructions. The text reads, "Balthazar, traditionally depicted as a king from Arabia, brought the gift of myrrh to honor baby Jesus."

A printable cut-out of King Gaspar from the Nativity scene, labeled "The Wise Men - King Gaspar," with cut-out instructions. The text reads, "Gaspar, traditionally depicted as a king from India, brought the gift of frankincense as a tribute to baby Jesus."

Step 9: Finish Your Display

Arrange the remaining pieces around the central characters.

Children can decide how they want their finished project to look.

Place it on a table, shelf, desk, classroom display, or near your family’s holiday decorations.

Why I Like a Set With Movable Figures

One of this design’s biggest advantages is that the pieces are separate.

Children aren’t simply making the project and putting it away.

They can continue interacting with it.

The movable pieces can become:

Bible story props
A seasonal display
A Sunday school visual
Pretend-play figures
A homeschool storytelling lesson
A December countdown lesson
A December keepsake

You can also introduce the characters gradually as you read different parts of the Bible story.

Retell the Bible Story With the Figures

After assembling the set, use the pieces to retell the story.

Start with the parents and talk about their journey to Bethlehem.

Then place the baby in the center of the scene.

Add the visitors from the fields as you read about the angels announcing the Savior’s arrival.

Older children can take turns moving the characters and explaining what happens next.

This turns a simple project into an interactive Bible lesson.

Read Luke 2 With Your Finished Set

Luke 2:1-20 is a wonderful Scripture passage to pair with this project.

Read the passage first, or bring out each figure as that character is mentioned in the story.

After reading, talk through a few questions to see what children remember:

Who were the two people responsible for caring for the newborn?
Why did they need to travel to Bethlehem?
Where did the newborn rest after His arrival?
Which group heard the angels share the special news?
What did the visitors decide to do after hearing the announcement?
Why does this part of the Bible story hold special meaning for Christians?

For a simple memory verse, consider Luke 2:11 from the KJV:

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

What About the Wise Men?

Children commonly associate the wise men with traditional Nativity displays, so these pieces give you a good opportunity to explain the Bible account more carefully.

In Luke 2, the story focuses on the Savior’s arrival and those who came from the nearby fields.

The wise men are described later in Matthew 2.

If you are using the figures for a Bible lesson, you can start the display with the family and early visitors, then add the wise men when you read Matthew 2.

That turns the set into a simple sequencing exercise too.

Sunday School Nativity Project

This project works especially well for Sunday school because children can make something they take home and continue using.

With younger groups, have a few pieces ready before the lesson begins.

Try:

Using sturdy stock for every page
Pre-cutting complicated shapes
Pre-folding difficult sections
Giving each child a small bag for finished pieces
Writing each child’s name on the back
Reading Luke 2 while the class works

For older children, let them complete the entire project independently.

Homeschool Nativity Activity

This also makes an easy hands-on Bible lesson for homeschool families.

You could turn it into a simple mini-unit by combining:

Reading Luke 2.
Making the standing figures.
Retelling the story with the finished characters.
Reading Matthew 2.
Adding the wise men.
Writing or narrating what happened in the Bible story.

Younger children can narrate orally, while older students can write a short summary.

Skills Children Practice

Making the set also gives children a chance to build several developmental skills.

They can practice:

Scissor control
Folding
Gluing
Fine motor control
Hand-eye coordination
Following directions
Sequencing
Storytelling
Character recognition
Oral narration

Children may think they’re just making something fun, but they’re learning a lot at the same time.

Preschool Nativity Tips

Preschoolers can enjoy this project too, but they may need additional help.

Pre-Cut Complicated Pieces

Let young children do simpler cuts while an adult handles the detailed sections.

Use a Glue Stick

Glue sticks are usually easier for little hands and create a no-mess option compared with liquid glue.

Make the Pieces Sturdier

A heavier sheet is especially important if younger kids will play with the figures after you make them.

Focus on a Few Characters

You don’t necessarily have to finish the entire set in one sitting.

Make the central family first.

Add the visitors and wise men another day.

This works especially well if you use the project throughout December.

Turn It Into an Advent Countdown

Instead of assembling the entire set at once, introduce the pieces gradually throughout December.

You might begin with the parents.

Save the baby figure to introduce later in the month.

Place the visitors in the display when you reach their part in Luke 2.

Finally, bring out the wise men when you read Matthew 2.

By the holiday, children will have a complete display and will have learned the story behind the characters.

How This Version Differs From My Other Nativity Crafts

I have several Nativity activities, but they each work a little differently.

Build a Movable Character Set

This version gives children a larger collection of separate standing pieces, including the visitors from the fields and the wise men.

Choose this one when you want movable characters for storytelling or pretend play.

Free 3D Nativity Display

My free 3D Nativity project creates a structured display with the central family, an angel, sheep, a star, a palm tree, and a background.

Choose that one when you want a finished three-dimensional display.

Nativity Story Pop-Up Project

The Nativity Christmas Story Pop-Up Card folds into a greeting and pops open to reveal the scene.

Choose it if you want children to make something they can give to someone special.

Nativity Diorama

The Nativity diorama project creates a more enclosed, simple paper scene.

Choose that version when you want a construction-style display rather than movable stand-alone figures.

More Nativity Crafts for Kids

Keep the Christmas Bible lesson going with more hands-on Nativity activities.

Try our Nativity toilet paper roll craft using simple cardboard tubes.

You can also make our Moving Nativity Paper Plate Craft, which lets children move Baby Jesus into the scene.

Younger children may enjoy the Printable Nativity Matching Puzzle Game.

For a simple art activity, print our Nativity coloring pages.

Find all these activities and more in our collection of Bible crafts and printables.

More Christmas Crafts and Printables

For non-Nativity activities too, browse our full collection of Christmas crafts and printables for kids.

You’ll find printable crafts, Christmas games, coloring pages, learning activities, ornaments, paper crafts, and more December ideas.

Families and teachers working with younger children can also visit our collection of Christmas crafts for preschoolers.

Build Your Own Display This Season

This printable paper set gives children a hands-on way to learn the Bible story while creating something they can keep using after project time.

Once the pieces are assembled, kids can arrange the family, visitors, and wise men as they read and retell the story.

Use the finished set throughout December to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and make Christmas lessons more hands-on.

What comes with this Nativity scene printable craft?

The set contains individual characters that children can cut out, assemble, and arrange into their own display. It includes the central family as well as visitors from the fields and the three wise men.

Is this a free Nativity PDF?

Yes. You may print it for personal use after using the form in this post.

Can the Nativity characters stand on their own?

Yes. This design lets the individual characters stand separately, so children can arrange and move them instead of permanently gluing everything together.

Which material works best for this project?

A heavier stock works best because it gives the standing pieces more structure than ordinary copy sheets.

What ages can complete this project?

Elementary-age children can complete much of the project independently. Younger children can participate with adult help to cut, fold, and assemble smaller pieces.

Can I use this for Sunday school?

Yes. The movable pieces make it especially useful for Sunday school because you can use them while reading or retelling the Bible story.

Can children play with the finished figures?

Yes. Once the glue dries, children can move and rearrange the pieces to retell the story.

What Bible passage goes with this project?

Read Luke 2:1-20 for the opening events and Matthew 2 for the wise men.

Are the wise men included in the traditional account?

The wise men are part of the biblical account surrounding the Savior’s early life, but Matthew 2 describes their visit separately from the opening events in Luke 2. If you are using the set as a Bible lesson, you can add the wise men when you reach Matthew 2.

How is this different from a 3D version?

This version focuses on separate standing characters that children can move and rearrange. The 3D Nativity project creates a more fixed, dimensional display with a background.