Some ornaments are just pretty. Others make you stop and smile every December. This one makes you stop, smile, and maybe tear up a little.
Meet the Polar Bear Height Scarf Ornament, a sweet little bear with a big secret. His red-and-white striped scarf is made from baker’s twine cut to the exact height of the child who made him. The twine is wrapped snugly around his neck, so the scarf looks small, but it holds a full head-to-toe measurement of your little one at this moment in time.
Hang him on the tree, tuck him into a card for Grandma, or tie him onto a gift. Years from now, someone will unwind that scarf and see just how tiny those kids once were.
It’s cozy, it’s simple, and it’s one of those crafts you’ll be glad you made.
Craft Supplies:
- Jumbo craft sticks (popsicle sticks)
- White acrylic paint and a paintbrush
- Paper plate for painting
- Polar bear head and poem tag printable – on box.com – password is GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS2026
- White cardstock paper
- Small googly eyes
- Baker’s twine
- Scissors
- Craft glue or a low-temp glue gun (adults only for hot glue)
- Embellishments
Tip: Baker’s twine is perfect for this craft. It’s thin enough to wrap neatly many times around the stick, and the stripes give you that classic candy-cane scarf look.
Directions:
Step 1: Paint the Craft Stick
Set your craft stick on a paper plate and paint it white on one side. Let it dry, then add a second coat if the wood still shows through. This is your polar bear’s snowy little body. Once done painting, set it aside for now.
Step 2: Prep the Polar Bear Head
Cut out one polar bear head shapes from the printable. If desired, decorate the head shape. This is the perfect time to add wiggle eyes and a Santa hat.
Step 3: Attach the Head to the Stick
Once the paint is fully dry, glue the bear head near the top of the craft stick. Press it down and hold for a few seconds so it sets well.
Step 4: Measure Your Child’s Height
Here comes the magic. Have your child stand tall against a wall with their heels touching the floor. Hold the end of the baker’s twine at the floor by their heels and stretch it straight up to the very top of their head. Cut it right there.
Wiggly toddler? Have them lie flat on the floor instead and measure from heels to the top of their head.
Step 5: Wrap the Scarf
Add a small dot of glue just below the bear’s head and press one end of the twine into it. Now start wrapping the twine around the stick, keeping the rows close together. Keep going until you’ve used the whole length.
It takes quite a few wraps to fit a whole child’s height around one little bear, and that’s part of the charm. The thicker the scarf, the taller the kid!
Tuck the end under the last wrap and secure it with a dab of glue.
Step 6: Add the Hanging Loop
Cut a short piece of extra baker’s twine, about 6 inches. Fold it into a loop, knot the ends, and glue the knot to the back of the bear’s head. Now he’s ready to hang on the tree.
Step 7: Add the Poem Tag
Cut out the poem tag from the printable. Have your child sign their name on the “Love” line. Glue the tag vertically onto the lower half of the craft stick, just below the scarf.
The poem reads:
I’m a polar bear so soft and white,
my scarf is made to match my height.
So when you see it, think of me,
and smile at how small I used to be.
Love, ________
Step 8: Record the Details
Flip the ornament over and write your child’s name, the year, and their height on the back of the stick with a fine-tip marker. Something like “Jack, 2026, 44 inches” is perfect. Future you will be so thankful.
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Kids grow so fast. One winter they barely reach the countertop, and the next they’re grabbing cookies off the top shelf. The Polar Bear Height Scarf Ornament holds onto those fleeting moments in a way that’s simple, hands-on, and full of heart.
So grab some craft sticks, a spool of baker’s twine, and a few googly eyes. Measure that little one while they’re still little. And when the ornament comes out of the box next December, you’ll smile at how small they used to be. Happy crafting, my friends!
