Fun Winter Crafts for the Whole Family

Published:
January 13, 2022

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Contributor:
Alpha Omega Publications

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If you’re looking for a collection of easy winter crafts that the whole family can enjoy, then you’ll love these simple ideas. Young children and older kids can all find something here to keep their hands busy during the winter months. Plus, these easy crafts will help your littlest ones to improve their fine motor skills as they create. Don’t let the winter weather stifle your creativity! Here are the best winter crafts to try this time of year.

child crafting

Snowflake and Snowman Crafts

Winter art projects wouldn’t be complete without some snowman themed ideas along with a snowflake craft or two. Of course, using DIY projects for art is great. You can use many common craft supplies from your stash without having to buy anything new. But it’s also a great idea to include some sneaky learning around your easy winter crafts. That’s what you’ll find in the suggestions below.

What if you could also include some STEM activities in the winter months with your craft time? Here are some STEM-related snow activities and craft ideas:

Science of Snow

As you learn about the science of snow, your younger kids can create paper snowflakes. Or, for an added bonus, grab some construction paper and create colorful snowflakes. Another fun way to make colorful snowflakes is to use this Tie Dye Coffee Filter Craft tutorial. Coffee filter snowflakes are a great way to use common household items for your winter crafting.

DIY Snowglobes

Grab some recycled glass jars from the trash and make snow globes with the kids. You can glue bottlebrush trees onto the bottom of the jar and fill the bottom of the jar with Epsom salt as snow. Paint the jar top and you’re done with this simple project.

Even if there’s no snow on the ground, your children can create a crystal masterpiece by following the directions for this Painted Salt Craft. Using watercolors or food coloring, liquid glue and salt, even your little ones can create snowy winter paintings. Bonus, you can find free printables to help you with this craft.

Winter Trees

Speaking of winter paintings, how about some winter crafts that highlight beautiful winter trees? There’s just something about an evergreen in the forest with a layer of snow on its branches. You could use watercolor paints or chalk pastels to create beautiful landscapes of the winter season.

Download some free winter themed printables for an indoor nature study during the winter months. Then, scatter the supplies on the table and have your kids create their own winter tree forest. Bonus points for most creative, most like real winter trees, or best use of materials.

You could use these items for this fun winter craft idea:

  • Popsicle sticks
  • Cotton balls
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Puffy paint
  • Tissue paper
  • Pine cones
  • Craft sticks
  • Pom-poms
  •  White paint

Handprint Crafts

Other easy winter kids crafts ideas use handprints as the base. Handprints are the foundation of the most classic preschool winter crafts. Take your child’s hand and show your kids how to create a simple painted handprint on construction paper. Then, see if they can create a winter animal from the shape of the print. 

Here are some handprint ideas to get your started. Can you learn about polar bears while creating a polar bear craft? Start with the handprint and turn four fingers into legs and your thumb into a neck and head. Use the same ideas to create other winter animals, like the arctic fox.

Then, what about keeping your fingers together while you create a penguin-shaped handprint? Use the right paint colors, and it will look just like a penguin

Finally, see if your kids can use their little hands to make a snowy owl craft. Glue on some feathers after the paint on the handprint has dried. 

Paper Plate Crafts

Paper plates are a great crafting supply. They are cheap, plentiful, and easy to use for projects. But maybe you’ve run out of inspiration for what your kids can create with them. If so, here are some fun winter crafts your kids can make using paper plates.

Using colorful construction paper, have your kids make a winter hat craft. Cut the ridged edge of the paper plate and use it on your winter hat design for some added texture and fun. If you pull out the button stash or some pom-poms, your hats will be even better!

You can use a paper plate to create a winter mobile with this tutorial. Design it with snowy winter colors and break out the glitter if you want. 

A paper plate makes the perfect base for a super cute paper plate penguin craft. All you need to do is fold over the sides and paint them black, then add a round penguin face with googly eyes and you have an easy craft idea.

Of course, all of these winter animals could also be crafted using another common household material – toilet paper rolls! Your younger children can create arctic animals using paper plates or toilet paper rolls, then use them for some fun imaginative play and story telling.

Finally, combine crafting with some math practice and use paper plates as a great way to learn or review fractions. 

Complex Crafts

Many of these ideas are great for your elementary aged kids. It’s always harder to find challenging and interesting ideas for teens. For your older kids who want a more complex winter craft idea, you could try the Vinyl Record Bowl Craft. This craft is literally what it sounds like! Grab an old vinyl record from the basement or your local thrift store and melt it carefully in the oven in the shape of a bowl. Once you’re done, you’ll have a unique display piece.

If you’re looking for some more winter arts and craft projects for kids of all ages, then check out AOP’s roundup of crafts and activities to stave off boredom.

Winter Activities

As a home educator, it’s helpful to have a list of activity ideas to fit a winter theme. So, check out these links to find additional winter activities to use in your homeschool. Whether you take a winter break from your normal academic routine or just need some more ideas for fantastic fun, pin this post for later.

Free Printable Winter Themed Bookmarks will motivate your kids to keep reading through the winter months. Or, grab these Winter-Themed Reading Printables and Resources.

Add to your science content with Resources and Printables for Studying Ice and Snow.  You’ll find fun hands-on ideas like Easy Frosty Winter Slime and Frozen Chalk Painting. Or maybe try to make Glow in the Dark Ice Cubes or Snow Dough with the kids.

Your younger children will stay busy with the Free All About Me Winter Activity Sheets. Your kids can record their favorite parts of winter while creating characters that look like them.

And finally, have some winter fun with a Scripture Inspired Winter Photo Scavenger Hunt that even your teens will love! You could use these for fun snow days ideas. This fun activity will help your whole family slow down and enjoy the beauty of the season. 

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