Origami snowballs, Christmas stockings, Christmas cards and all kinds of decorations for the Christmas tree. The choice of Christmas craft workshops for children becomes more exotic by the year.

Take the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin Castle, for example. There, children aged between six and 11 can create seasonal pictures inspired by an exhibition of Japanese prints.

And in the Museum of Country Life at Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo, children can choose from a number of Christmas craft activities in a day-long event on December 8th.

Back in Dublin, the National Museum on Kildare Street will show seven to 12-year-olds how to make Christmas puppets (December 15th, 10.30am to 4pm, booking necessary, 01-6486453) while over in Collins Barracks, children can also participate in a variety of workshops during their Christmas open day on December 8th.

There will be opportunities to make Christmas finger puppets in Dublin City Gallery too, but the creations that emerge from the origami snowball workshop there sound like the most exquisite of all. Check out local art centres and libraries throughout the country for details of Christmas craft workshops in your area.