As the winter season approaches, keeping little hands occupied becomes a top priority-especially when they’re stuck indoors! To ensure a fun-filled experience for preschoolers and young artists alike, I’ve curated a treasure trove of thirty-one winter crafts that are not only engaging but also utilize readily available household materials. Many of these projects can be prepared ahead of time by prepping templates, pieces, and parts, making it easier to get started.
Whether you’re a parent, educator, or caregiver, I hope you and the young artists in your life enjoy these crafts as much as we do! With that said, let’s dive into the fun and creative world of winter crafts for preschool.
Easy Toilet Paper Snowman
Toilet paper roll crafts offer endless creative possibilities, making them an absolute delight to explore! One such project that’s perfect for a spontaneous craft session with kids is this simple yet charming toilet paper snowman. With just a few basic supplies, including ribbons of your choice – I recommend picking up a vibrant set like [this sweet set](url-link) for the snowmen’s scarves – you can create multiple adorable snowmen in no time.
Paper Straw Wreath Ornament
Crafting a paper straw wreath is an engaging activity that not only yields a charming decoration but also develops finger dexterity. This project can be adapted to suit any theme, making it a versatile and fun endeavor for both personal use and educational settings. Simply gather a multicolored, patterned, or plain straw pack to create a unique piece that adds a touch of whimsy to your tree or serves as a thoughtful gift.
Winter Hat Craft
Incorporating seasonal clothing units into elementary school curricula is a time-honored tradition. One engaging way to explore winter is by creating and designing a winter hat with students. To facilitate this activity, you can either utilize an existing template found online or have the kids create their own design on paper. This hands-on approach not only allows children to express their creativity but also fosters problem-solving skills as they work together to bring their ideas to life.
Snow Painting
On a particularly snowy afternoon, turn a mundane day into an unforgettable experience by engaging in this fun and creative activity with your little ones. Begin by gathering a pack of food coloring and mixing each hue with a small quantity of snow. As the kids experiment with the cool medium, encourage them to explore and get creative.
If you’re looking for more ways to keep your toddlers entertained during the winter months, check out our collection of winter crafts suitable for young children.
Popsicle Stick Penguin
When it comes to crafting with kids, popsicle sticks are an absolute treasure trove of creative possibilities. Their durability, ease of use, and affordability make them an ideal material for a variety of projects. And let’s not forget about the added fun factor – try incorporating different colors like pink, orange, blue, or any other vibrant hue to bring your creations to life. The result is a delightful and engaging experience that kids will surely love.
Wood Slice Christmas Ornaments
Over the past decade, there’s been a significant surge in popularity of natural and nature-inspired decor. This aesthetic is not only visually appealing but also evokes a sense of connection with the environment. One creative way to incorporate this style into your home is through the use of wood slices as mini canvases for handmade ornaments.
These small, rustic surfaces offer kids the perfect opportunity to express themselves creatively, whether they choose to draw a simple character or go all out and create a masterpiece.
Popsicle Stick Winter Owl
Blending seamlessly into a wintry landscape, our winter owl popsicle stick craft is sure to capture your imagination. To give it that extra snowy charm, we recommend a simple yet effective coat of white paint – a few swift strokes will do wonders in transforming this charming creature into the perfect addition to any winter wonderland scene.
Mitten Salt Painting
Discover the joy of creating unique artwork through the process of salt painting. This creative technique involves a combination of gluing, sprinkling, and painting to produce intriguing designs that unfold as they dry. To achieve stunning results, start by applying Elmer’s glue to a specific area, followed by a light dusting of salt. Then, add layers of paint to watch your artwork come to life.
3D Paper Snowman
For an engaging and slightly more challenging DIY project, consider creating a 3D snowman craft with your little ones. This activity is perfect for reinforcing cutting skills or teaching multi-step instructions. As children work on this project, they’ll have the opportunity to develop their fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities. To ensure a smooth experience, encourage patience and persistence as needed.
Be prepared to offer support and guidance if required, but also let them take ownership of the process.
Snow Dough
A treasure trove of exploration and sensory delight, this activity is perfect for filling those moments of spare time. Whether it’s a short break or an extended period, this engaging tool is sure to bring joy and excitement to children. Some kids might even view it as a rewarding task, so feel free to experiment and find what works best for you and your little ones.
Shiny and Sparkly Snowflake
As the winter season approaches, there’s something undeniably captivating about sparkling or shimmering objects. The most iconic example of this is perhaps a delicate snowflake, its intricate design and ephemeral nature making it all the more fascinating. To bring some of that wintry magic into your home, consider crafting your own homemade snowflakes using a touch of glittery paint. The result will be a whimsical and charming decoration that captures the essence of winter’s sparkle.
Polar Bear Name
Incorporating academics into art doesn’t have to be a daunting task! One simple and engaging way to do so is by having kids practice their names using a polar bear name craft. This activity requires minimal setup and can be adapted to suit various age groups.
To begin, randomize the letters in each child’s name, allowing them to focus on sequencing the correct order.
As they work on their polar bears, encourage them to double-check their spelling with an adult or peer before gluing everything in place. This added step ensures that the kids develop a sense of accuracy and attention to detail – skills that will serve them well in both artistic and academic pursuits.
Popsicle Stick Snowflake Ornaments
Classic snowflake ornaments made from popsicle sticks are always a hit. To give them your own special touch, incorporate personal embellishments like gemstones, glitter, buttons, puffy stickers, or any other craft supplies you have on hand. While the kids will be thrilled to get their hands on the finished products, it’s essential to remind them to let each ornament dry completely before handling. The last thing you want is for a delicate snowflake to break apart prematurely.
Handprint Snowman
Transform your winter wonderland scene with this effortless and charming handprint snowman craft. With minimal prep required, you’ll simply need to trace and cut out hands from construction paper or card stock – both options produce a delightful result. The latter option offers the added benefit of a longer-lasting keepsake.
As you bring this whimsical character to life, your little ones will also love exploring our collection of Christmas handprint crafts, perfect for the holiday season’s creative festivities.
Salt Painting
Salt-based crafting offers a wealth of creative possibilities, allowing you to breathe new life into traditional projects. The outcome of each project is distinct, making it a delightful and engaging experience. By experimenting with varying amounts of liquid, you can further customize your creations. I’ve personally explored using an array of delivery methods, from spray bottles to eye droppers.
This craft is particularly well-suited for young children, such as 3-year-olds, who can enjoy the tactile and sensory aspects of this activity.
Melted Snowman Craft
As the last wisps of winter’s chill dissipate, the once-proud snowmen that stood tall just days before inevitably meet their demise. The sight of a melted snowman is a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of the season. However, this melancholic scene can be transformed into a unique and engaging art project by using puffy paint to add texture, depth, and sensory stimulation.
This activity allows children to explore and interact with the artwork in a way that’s both tactile and visually appealing.
Ice Skate Craft
The nostalgic charm of a vintage winter scene with ice skates remains an enduring theme, albeit less prominent than before. This mixed media idea offers immense customization potential, allowing for creative freedom in terms of colors, patterns, sizes, and more. To bring this concept to life, start by gathering a pack of card stock, which will serve as the foundation for your unique winter scene.
Toilet Paper Roll Penguin
This adorable penguin craft is as quick and easy as it is cute! In fact, we love making a whole colony of these little guys. To mix things up, feel free to choose different colors or patterned paper for your penguins. For an added level of realism, consider cutting the rolls in half to create baby penguins. Alternatively, you can use paper towel rolls and trim them down for an even more diminutive effect.
Coffee Filter Snowflake
Elevate your creativity with this effortless craft! Transform ordinary coffee filters into stunning snowflakes by treating them with your favorite art supplies. Simply apply watercolors, markers, or even salt paint to the filters, let them dry completely, and then cut out intricate shapes to create a whimsical winter wonderland effect. As an added bonus, this pack of coffee filters offers excellent value for its versatility in various projects – from crafting to DIY endeavors.
Marble Painted Winter Tree Craft
For this unique winter tree project, it’s the addition of an actual marble that has kids thoroughly enthralled. To set the stage, prepare your trees ahead of time and then gather a shallow cardboard box, white paint, and the star of the show: a single marble. As each child takes their turn, have them tilt the box to create unpredictable, yet captivating, patterns on the tree’s surface.
This collaborative process encourages children to exercise patience, especially when working with just one or two boxes at a time.
Winter Cap Craft
For a comprehensive learning experience on seasonal clothing, consider pairing this cap with the mittens mentioned earlier. Encourage students to express their creativity by either printing out the design online or sketching one themselves. Extend the activity by having them create similar designs for younger children they work with, incorporating various materials such as cotton balls, glitter, or other embellishments.
Oversized Winter Mittens Craft
Transform ordinary winter breaks into an extraordinary experience with these oversized mittens! Not only can they be used as a creative outlet to express favorite winter activities or share what you’ve done during the break, but they also provide endless opportunities for artistic expression. Let students unleash their imagination by drawing their own ideas or printing out fun options.
And don’t worry about not having larger-scale paper – this pack is designed specifically for these mittens and can accommodate even the most oversized of needs.
Paper Plate Bear
Popsicle stick and toilet paper roll crafts are staples in many households, often accompanied by humble paper plates. One such creative outlet is the paper plate bear craft, an unconventional yet straightforward idea that’s sure to bring out the artist in your little ones. Encourage them to get creative with the scene, crafting a whole family of bears or a single majestic one.
Paper Bag Snowflakes
The elegance of this snowflake craft belies its affordability, with the entire project requiring nothing more than a humble pack of paper bags. To add variety, I recommend stocking up on multiple packs in various sizes to create a range of snowflakes once complete. Additionally, colorful options are available, allowing for further customization and creativity.
Paper Cup Christmas Tree
While paper cups might not be the first material that comes to mind when it comes to crafting, they offer a surprisingly versatile canvas for creative projects. One such example is the delightful paper cup Christmas tree. To keep your cups from flying around as you work on them, consider using something weighted or anchored to stabilize them.
When it comes to decorating your cups, feel free to get creative with a range of mediums – from traditional tools like crayons and paint to more unconventional options like bingo daubers. The key is to choose the method that works best for you and your little ones. With a bit of imagination and some basic supplies, you can create a unique and festive Christmas tree that’s sure to delight.
Sock Snowman
Gathering stray socks is a familiar experience for many of us – but did you ever think to give them a new lease on life? That’s exactly what we did when we stumbled upon the idea of upcycling solo socks into adorable snowmen. As it turns out, the size of the sock determines the size of the resulting snowman, making it a fun and interactive activity for families to enjoy together. Imagine creating an entire family of snowpeople – each one uniquely proportioned based on its matching solo sock!
Bingo Dauber Winter Scenes
While traditional crafts may seem limiting, utilizing abstract winter projects or printed pictures filled with creative tools like bingo daubers can lead to innovative and inclusive artistic experiences. In my experience, these versatile markers are equally effective in empowering children with varying abilities to express themselves freely. One particular pack of bingo daubers stands out for its impressive array of vibrant color options and reasonable pricing.
Toilet Paper Roll Olaf
Incorporating the beloved character from Disney’s Frozen, Olaf, into toilet paper roll crafts is an excellent way to make creative activities more enjoyable for kids. To do this, cut out or find detailed pieces of Olaf that can be easily added to the toilet paper rolls. This not only adds a fun twist to the traditional craft but also allows children to get creative and express themselves.
Alternatively, consider letting everyone, regardless of age, try their hand at crafting Olaf onto the toilet paper roll, making for a memorable Frozen-themed day.
Popsicle Stick Snowman
To complete our collection of popsicle stick crafts on this post, the snowman project is undoubtedly the simplest. Providing an added layer of stability, attach your snowperson to a piece of cardboard before getting started. Feel free to experiment with the type of hat adorning your snowperson’s head! From a classic bowler to a bold pink cowboy hat, the possibilities are endless and will result in a unique snowman creation.
No Sew Snowflake Hat
For a quick and engaging winter activity that’s perfect for a weather lesson, create a no-sew snowflake hat with your kids. Start by making a traditional paper snowflake, then attach the delicate design to their hat using a simple adhesive. Let them get creative with the colors they choose – this project is an excellent opportunity to incorporate color recognition and listening skills if you have multiple options available.
The result will be a unique and adorable winter craft that’s sure to bring joy and warmth to your students.
No Sew Felt Snowman Ornament
As we wrap up our creative endeavors for the day, we’re excited to share with you one final craft project that’s sure to delight: a charming no-sew felt snowman ornament. To get started, simply cut out any necessary pieces and present your little ones with an assortment of options to choose from – or, if you prefer, grab some adhesive accessories to make the process even more seamless.
