Pickleball DIY Christmas Crafts: Creative Recycling Ideas for Cracked Pickleballs

Wondering what to do with your old, cracked pickleballs? Instead of tossing them, recycle and reuse them in festive, DIY Pickleball Christmas crafts! We’ve got fun ideas to transform old pickleballs into unique ornaments, holiday decor and pickleball christmas gifts. Most of these craft supplies can be found at home, on Amazon or a craft store. So give your Holidays a merry pickleball twist with these easy, creative ideas to upcycle your game! 

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Pickleball Christmas Crafts - Tree Ornaments

Why not bring some pickleball flair to your holiday tree? With a few craft supplies you can make unique DIY pickleball ornaments that friends and family will love.

Pickleball Christmas Ornament - Santa Claus

Give your cracked pickleball a jolly makeover! Add a mini Santa hat, complete with faux fur trim, a jolly beard and mustache, red pom pom nose and funny goggly eyes. This easy craft is the perfect way to get the pickleball spirit on your tree. 

Instructions: Cut out a red felt hat and fake fur trim and assemble (Search for santa hat instructions online or just wing-it) Attach a pom pom to the end. Or purchase a pre-made santa hat on Amazon. Glue hat to the top of the pickleball. Cut a small piece of white felt, faux fur or white foam into the shape of a beard and mustache, glue onto the pickleball. Draw on eyes or use googly eyes. Thread the string or ribbon through the hat to hang.

Supplies: Pickleballs, hot glue gun, red hat (pre-made or make your own), white and red pom poms, white faux fur, felt or foam sheet for the beard and mustache, black marker for eyes or googly eyes, string or ribbon, large eye needle for the string.

Here are some supplies that are specific to the pickleball santa ornament. See the general supply list at the bottom of the post.

Pickleball Christmas Ornament - Elf

Hang this little helper on your tree, and you’ll have a charming, pickleball-inspired elf bringing holiday cheer!

Instructions: Make elf hat and scarf out of felt (search for hat instructions online) or buy pre-made hat at craft store or Amazon. Cut elf ears out of felt. Glue hat, scarf, ears, nose onto the pickleball. Draw a mischievous face or use googly eyes. Sew a jingle bell or add a pom pom onto the end of the elf hat. Glue the elf hat to the top of the pickleball and use ribbon or string to hang.

Supplies: Pickleballs, glue gun, knit elf hat, felt hats, foam or buy pre-made hat online, small jingle bell or pom poms, for the top of the hat and nose, felt for elf ears and rosy cheeks, googly eyes, and black marker for face, ribbon for hanging.

Here are some supplies that are specific to the pickleball elf ornament. See the general supply list at the bottom of the post.

Pickleball Christmas Ornament - Pine Bough Mistletoe

Create a mini mistletoe-inspired pickleball ornament by attaching artificial pine boughs and tiny red berries to your cracked pickleball. Add a few small pine cones for that rustic, natural look. Hang this on your tree or above the doorway for a festive “mistletoe” look.

Instructions: Attach a string or ribbon to the top of the pickleball using an ornament cap, ribbon, pipe cleaner or ornament hook. Glue pieces of greenery, berries and pine cones onto the top of the pickleball. *See below for further instructions on hanging your ornament.

Supplies: Pickleballs, glue gun, artificial greenery (or fresh), berries, small pine cones, mini white pickleballs, string, ribbon, ornament hook or cap. Stickers or stick on gems for extra decoration.

Here are some supplies that are specific to the pickleball pine bough ornament. See the general supply list at the bottom of the post.

Pickleball Christmas Ornament - Snowman

This ornament is great for any white pickleballs that you'd like to recycle - or spray paint a cracked yellow ball white to create a snowman head. This is also perfect for the small mini balls - string together a few small pickleballs (practice golf balls) to make a mini snowman. Use buttons, sequins or a marker to create a face and add a carrot nose and hat and scarf to complete this frosty character.

Instructions: Use yellow balls or mini white balls, make the hat and scarf out of felt or use pre-made, attach black buttons or sequins to make a face with glue (or use a black marker.) Glue on carrot nose made of felt or pre-made. Make pipe cleaner arms and attach. Thread ribbon or string through top of hat and hang!

Supplies: yellow or mini white pickleballs, glue gun, string, ribbon, pipe cleaners for the snowman arms, felt for the hat, scarf, carrot nose (or pre-made supplies from Amazon). Small black buttons or sequins.

Here are some supplies that are specific to the pickleball snowman ornament. See the general supply list at the bottom of the post.

Pickleball Christmas Ornament - Charms and Beads

Create a cute dangling ornament with beads and charms. Perfect for your pickleball bestie or secret santa gift. Just add some string or wire, to the bottom, add a charm or beads to spell out your friend's name or any saying, and you'll have an adorable one-of-a-kind pickleball ornament.

Instructions: String wire or beading thread through the pickleball leaving a loop on top for hanging. Or you can just add the wire to the bottom. Add charms or beads to the wire hanging at the bottom of the pickleball. Use letter beads to spell out your pickleball partner’s name or any word. Feel free to use the mini balls for a smaller ornament.  Add greenery on top and a festive bow for hanging. *See below for further instructions on hanging and stringing your ornament.

Supplies: pickleballs (large or small), glue gun, wire or beading thread, charms, letter beads, red and green beads, ribbon for the top, add optional greenery, long needle

Here are some supplies that are specific to the pickleball charm and beaded ornaments. See the general supply list at the bottom of the post.

Pickleball Christmas Ornament - Reindeer

Turn your cracked pickleball into Rudolph by adding pipe cleaner antlers, a red pom pom nose, and a pair of googly eyes. The red-nosed reindeer will surely be a hit on your tree!

Instructions: Form the pipe cleaners to make the antlers and glue onto the pickleball. You can also thread a long pipe cleaner through the holes and form afterwards. Cut out felt ears and glue on. Secure red pom pom nose and googly eyes with glue. Use marker to draw smile or other facial expressions. Attach a string, ribbon or pipe cleaner to the top of the pickleball using an ornament cap or thread through the holes. *See below for further instructions on hanging your ornament.

Supplies: Pickleballs, glue gun, brown pipe cleaners, red pom poms, googly eyes, felt, hook or ornament cap, string or ribbon for hanging.

Here are some supplies that are specific to the pickleball reindeer ornament. See the general supply list at the bottom of the post.

Glitter Pickleball Ornament

Give your pickleball a little sparkle with glitter or stick on faux gems. Add a bow and ribbon for hanging you’ve got a glimmering ornament ready to shine on your tree!

Instructions: Attach a string or ribbon to the top of the pickleball using an ornament cap, ribbon, string or pipe cleaner*. Hang from rafters or tree branch and spray with glitter - do this outside or in the garage as it can be messy. Then add a bow or greenery on top to make it more festive.

Supplies: pickleballs, glue gun, spray glitter, bow for top, stick on gems, ornament cap, ribbon for hanging

Here are some supplies that are specific to the glitter ornaments. See the general supply list at the bottom of the post.

*Options for Hanging Your Pickleball Ornament - you can thread ribbon or pipe cleaner through the holes on top or try these methods:

1. Ornament Cap

   • Attach an ornament cap (the kind typically found on regular ornaments) to the top of the pickleball using strong adhesive glue.

   • Once the cap is secure, thread a ribbon, string or wire through the cap’s loop, allowing you to hang it easily.

2. Pipe Cleaner Stopper

   • Insert a long pipe cleaner from a top hole into a bottom hole directly below.

   • Leave extra pipe cleaner at the bottom, then twist this into a small circle to create a "stopper" or plug.

   • Glue the twisted pipe cleaner at the bottom of the pickleball to hold it in place securely. The top end of the pipe cleaner becomes your hanging loop.

3. Button or Bead Stopper with Wire Loop

   • Choose a button or bead that is larger than a pickleball hole. Thread a length of wire from the top hole to the bottom hole, then pass it through the button or bead and tie a knot or loop through button hole to secure it in place.

   • Glue the button or bead at the bottom of the pickleball to act as a plug.

   • Leave enough wire at the top to form a hanging loop. Alternatively, create a continuous loop by adding a button or bead at both the top and bottom of the pickleball for a balanced look.

4. Threading thru with Long Needle or Pipe Cleaner

   • Use a really long needle with ribbon or thread. Insert at top dangle thru to bottom hole directly below. Tie a knot at the bottom and secure with glue

   • Tie ribbon or thread to pipe cleaner and wrap around. Then thread pipe cleaner through holes. Pull pipe cleaner out and knot the bottom of the ribbon many times to create a knot bigger than the hole or attache button plug. Secure with glue.

     
     

Festive Pickleball Christmas Crafts Decor - Wreaths, Swags and Garlands

Transforming pickleballs into holiday decor is easier than you’d think, and it’s sure to add some holiday cheer!

Pickleball Wreaths and Swags

For a classic holiday look, start with a traditional green wreath or swag and decorate it with festive accents like berries and pickleballs for a playful twist on timeless decor. Or create a unique pickleball-only wreath by gluing cracked pickleballs onto a simple wreath form in a circular pattern, finishing with a red, plaid or gold bow to make your front door truly stand out.

Instructions: attach pickleballs with wire, glue or pipe cleaners to the classic wreath or swag, add berry and pine cone accents. For pickleball wreath, use the glue gun to attach the pickleballs to the wreath form. If desired, insert pine boughs in between the pickleballs and on top. Add a festive bow to complete the look.

Supplies: pickleballs, glue gun, traditional wreath and accents, wire or pipe cleaners for attaching pickleballs, bow. You can also attach with glue gun. Just pickleballs wreath - metal or cardboard wreath form, glue gun, faux pine boughs, festive bow.

Pickleball Christmas Garland Ideas

For a playful twist on holiday decor and extra pop of color, tuck bright yellow pickleballs into a traditional greenery garland - perfect for adding a subtle pickleball accent around a lamp post or along a fence. Or, create a pickleball garland by threading ribbon, string, or wire through the pickleball holes. Hang it on a fence, tree, fireplace, or even outdoors at your pickleball club for a fun, eye-catching decoration. For extra sparkle, add pickleballs to a string of lights to illuminate them and make your garland truly stand out.

Instructions greenery garland: using either large or small pickleballs, secure balls to garland with pipe cleaners, wire or hot glue. Add extras such as ribbon, bows, berries, pine cones.

Instructions just pickleballs garland: use string, ribbon or wire and thread through the pickleball holes with needle or pipe cleaner. Tie a big knot before and after each hole to prevent them from slipping - or use the button or bead method above*. Use either large or small pickleballs. Decorate with festive ribbon, bows and twinkle lights.

Supplies: pickleballs, glue gun, artificial or fresh garland, festive accents such as berries, pine cones, string, wire, pipe cleaners, twinkle lights and ribbon for a festive touch. 

Here are some supplies that are specific to the wreaths, swags and garlands. For general supplies, see the list at the bottom.

Pickleball Christmas Crafts - Trees

If you're feeling especially festive, why not create an entire Christmas tree inspired by pickleball? Sure, you could simply add a few pickleballs and call it a day—but here are some more creative ways to bring your love for the sport to life on your tree.

Christmas Tree with Pickleball Ornaments

Decorate a small table top or large Christmas tree (real or artificial) with pickleball ornaments, turning it into a tribute to your favorite sport. You could even spray-paint the pickleballs different colors to add a colorful touch.  

Instructions: use ornament caps, hooks or ribbon to hang the pickleballs on the tree. *See section in ornaments for hanging how-tos.

Supplies: small artificial tree, glue gun, regular size pickleballs for a larger tree or mini balls for a smaller tree - Flocked trees look really nice too. Ribbon, bows, ornament caps, hooks, string, Twinkle lights.

Pickleball Christmas Tree Pyramid

Arrange pickleballs in a pyramid shape to create a small pickleball “tree.” Add a little star at the top for a finishing touch, and you’ve got a DIY pickleball Christmas tree that’s perfect for any pickleball enthusiast’s home or club court.

Instructions: Begin by arranging a base layer of approximately 6 pickleballs (or more if you'd like a larger tree) and hot glue them together in a circular shape. You may want to use a circular form to stabilize (cardboard or wire). Add layers on top by gluing 4 pickleballs above the base, then 3, and finally 1 at the top to form a pyramid shape. For a custom look, spray paint the pickleballs in your desired color before assembling. For extra festiveness, tuck live or artificial greenery between the gaps or around the base. Finish with a star glued or wired to the top for a charming holiday touch!

Supplies: lots of pickleballs! glue gun,  circular wire form or cardboard painted green, tree topper, pine branches or greenery for added decor. Spray paint for the gold pickleballs.

Here are some supplies that are specific to the pickleball trees. For general supplies, see the list at the bottom.

Pickleball Party Decor - Festive Centerpieces for Your Holiday Table

Add pickleball flair to your holiday table with unique centerpieces made from cracked pickleballs. Use the holes as holders for holiday flowers like poinsettias, holly, or small pine branches to create charming mini-bouquets, perfect as take-home favors for guests. For a larger centerpiece, layer cracked pickleballs inside a clear vase and arrange flowers on top, inserting stems into the pickleballs for a beautiful, festive display.

Instructions for large centerpiece: Arrange pickleballs in the vase and insert flower stems into the holes of the pickleballs, letting them poke through for a delightful, fun bouquet that’s sure to make guests smile. 

Instructions for mini individual centerpiece: Insert flower stems into the pickleball holes - you may need to secure with hot glue. Or create a small "swag" of greenery and glue onto the top. To keep the pickleball steady, add a large furniture felt pad underneath (these are stick and peel but you may want to also use some hot glue to secure) Then surround the base with festive greenery to cover up the stickiness - or sprinkle with glitter. Alternatively, you could cut a base out of cardboard.

Supplies: Pickleballs, glue gun, artificial or fresh flowers and greenery with stems that can fit into the pickleball holes like poinsettias, holly, large felt pads or cardboard for the mini centerpiece, clear glass vase.

Here are some supplies that are specific to the pickleball centerpieces. For general supplies, see the list at the bottom.

Get Festive and Creative - Recycle Your Pickleballs to Create Fun DIY Pickleball Christmas Gifts and Decor

With a few easy steps, you can turn cracked pickleballs into festive holiday decorations for your home, Christmas tree, Christmas holiday pickleball party and gift-giving. So now you know how to reuse and recycle cracked pickleballs! Don’t toss those old balls — give them new life as part of your holiday decor! Happy crafting, and happy pickleball holidays!

Christmas Pickleball Craft Supplies

General Supplies - 1 festive holiday ribbon // 2 artificial holly // 3 markers // 4 wire // 5 mini bows // 6 greenery with berries // 7 hot glue gun // 8 large needles // 9 ornament hooks // 10 Greenery with Berries // 11 Ribbon // 12 Ornament Caps // 13 Felt // 14 Pom Poms, Pipe cleaners and Googly Eyes // 15 Pipe Cleaners