With winter here, the cold weather tends to keep us inside. Engaging children with indoor activities, such as arts and crafts projects can be fun for everyone. Here’s a list of ten winter crafts that kids will enjoy.
10 Winter Crafts for Toddlers
Build a Snowman
Put together an activity tray where children can build their own snowmen.
Items to include:
- White foam circles
Small twigs - Buttons
- Wiggle Eyes
- Dried black beans
- Small pieces of ribbon
- Orange felt (cut into carrot noses)
- Black felt (cut into top hats)
- School Glue
Arctic Eskimo
Preschoolers will love crafting their very own Eskimo friend from the Arctic.
Supplies:
- Paper plate
- Cotton balls
- Markers or crayons
- Glue
Have children color the face of an Eskimo on the paper plate using their choice of markers or crayons. Once completed, glue cotton balls around the outside of the plate. Let dry in a drying rack, and then hang to display!
Paper Mittens
Children can create their own paper mittens with this fun craft idea.
Supplies:
- Cardstock
- Scissors
- Hole punch
- Yarn or twine
- Pencil
Help preschoolers trace their hands on pieces of cardstock with the pencil. Do this twice so there will be two lefts and two rights. Using the scissors, cut out their hand shaped mittens about an inch outside the traced line. Put the two lefts and the two rights together and hole punch around the outsides (between the edge and pencil line). With the yarn or twine, have children lace the left mittens together while leaving the wrist part open. Repeat with the right mittens. Tie off yarn with a knot or a bow. Once complete, preschoolers can slide on their newly crafted paper mittens!
Glittery Snowflakes
Hanging these glittery snowflakes will make wintertime extra special for kids.
Supplies:
- Craft sticks
- Glue
- Glitter
- Yarn or twine
- Paintbrushes
- Hot Glue
Glue craft sticks on top each other to form a snowflake (attach two x’s together). ADULTS ONLY: Use hot glue to attach yarn or twine in a loop in order to hang up later. Let dry. Children can cover with glue using paintbrushes to coat the sticks front and back. Sprinkle lots of glitter onto to glue. Hang up the glittery snowflake to dry and be displayed!
Marshmallow Igloo
Many imaginary adventures can be had with this fun marshmallow igloo.
Supplies:
- Paper bowl
- Paper plate
- Scissors
- Mini marshmallows
- Glue
Cut out a small arc shape out of the edge of the paper bowl (this will be the door to the igloo). Flip the bowl upside down and glue the rim to the paper plate. Let dry. When ready, supply the toddlers with the marshmallows and glue so they can create their own igloo by gluing the marshmallows to the outside of the bowl. Once dry, let the pretend play begin!
Winter Snow Globe
Create a fun snow globe with this preschool craft idea.
Supplies:
- Baby food jar with lid (empty and clean)
- Small plastic toys
- Glitter
- Water
- Glue gun
ADULTS: Hot glue a small toy of choice onto the inside of the lid and let dry. Have children put glitter in the empty jars (about 2 teaspoons) and add water until the jar is about ¾ of the way full. ADULTS: Put a small amount of hot glue around the mouth of the jar and twist on lid until secure. Let dry and preschoolers will enjoy shaking up their handmade snow globe.
Penguin
Preschoolers can create a new penguin friend.
Supplies:
- Toilet paper roll
- Black paint
- Paintbrush
- White paper ovals
- Black paper ovals
- Wiggle eyes
- Glue
Paint the tube black. Glue on the white oval for the penguins belly and the black ovals for its flippers. Add wiggle eyes and meet Mr. Penguin.
Candy Cane Reindeer
Kids will enjoy this tasty craft with candy canes.
Supplies:
- Candy canes
- Brown pipe cleaners
- Wiggle eyes
- Red pom-poms
- Glue
Twist a pipe cleaner around the arch of the candy cane creating antlers. Glue on wiggle eyes to the short side of the cane and a red pom-pom on the tip for its nose.
Fake Snow
Creating fake snow can turn into any craft design or just simple sensory play.
Supplies:
- Baking soda
- White conditioner
Mix 3 cups baking soda to half a cup of conditioner and watch preschoolers pretend play, build snowmen, or make snowballs.
Sled Ornament
Children can hang these sleds up or use them for imaginative play.
Supplies:
- Craft sticks
- Glue
- Markers
- Ribbon
Glue craft sticks together side by side to create a sled. Attach a ribbon at one end to hang. Once dry, preschoolers can have fun coloring their sled with markers.
What are some of your favorite winter crafts for kids?