38 DIY Winter Crafts for Kids

Winter Craft Ideas and Art Projects

Winter is the perfect time to get crafty. Once the kids are finished building snowmen and sledding outside, they can come inside, sit by a nice warm fire, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, and do some fun winter crafts! This is such a fun way to spend some family time together.

To give you some GREAT ideas, we’ve gathered enough winter craft ideas and art projects to last you the entire season! We’ve included puppet ideas, snowman crafts, paper crafts, and more…and they’re perfect for elementary students, preschoolers, kids, and even adults.

Some of them you might already have the supplies for, so you can get crafting right away! Anyway, take a look at the ideas and be sure to pin this post or bookmark it so you don’t lose them 🙂

1. Gingerbread Man Paper Bag Puppet

You may already have some of the supplies for this craft handy at home, so this should be super easy! Plus, the tutorial gives you a printable template to make everything even easier.

Supplies:

• Kraft paper
• Colored card stock (pink, red, green and yellow)
• White card stock
• Black marker
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Brown paper bag
• Gingerbread man template

Get the full tutorial at Simple Everyday Mom.

2. Mix n Match Stone Snowmen

If your kids love rock painting they’re going to really enjoy this craft idea! You’ll have to go out into the winter cold to find some stones first, but hopefully, you already have some on hand or close by!

Supplies:

• Stones
• White paint
• Sharpies

Get the full tutorial at In The Playroom.

3. Snowman Puppets

This is such a clever and creative way to use clothespins! The tutorial even has some free printable templates to make crafting the snowmen as easy as possible.

Supplies:

• Printable template
• Clothespin
• Markers
• Scissors
• Glue
• Decorative accessories (feathers, beads, small buttons, felt scraps, etc.)

Get the full tutorial and Moms and Crafters.

4. Winter Windsock

Here’s another super simple winter craft with minimal supplies needed. I think these windsocks would look great hung up in a kid’s bedroom!

Supplies:

• Toilet paper roll
• Blue paint
• White and blue tissue paper (or napkins or old newspaper)
• Paintbrush
• Snowflake punch (or paint)
• Hole puncher
• White paper
• Yarn for hanging

Get the full tutorial at Easy Peasy and Fun.

5. Grinch Handprint

Handprint crafts are always great mementos and this grinch craft is adorable! It a great learning activity for kids too as it requires a bit of preciseness, but not too much to be overwhelming.

Supplies:

• Colored cardstock (white, red, light green and dark green)
• Hole punch or large googly eyes
• Green pom pom (optional)
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Black marker
• Grinch template

Get the full tutorial at Simple Every Day Mom.

6. Snowman Slime

A lot of kids LOVE slime and making it isn’t too difficult (we’ve done a few slime recipes ourselves – check out this DIY glitter slime). Just make sure to read the precautions in this tutorial before making it!

Supplies:

• Black cardstock and red glitter paper for snowman hat
• Small black buttons
• Googly eyes
• Orange felt

Get the full tutorial at The Best Ideas for Kids.

7. Pom Pom Mittens

It doesn’t get much simpler than this! These pom pom mittens are a fun craft for preschoolers as pom poms are just one of the most fun craft supplies ever!

Supplies:

• Card stock
• Yarn
• Hole punch
• Pencil
• Scissors
• White glue
• Pom poms

Get the full tutorial at No Time for Flashcards.

8. Puffy Paint Snowglobe

Puffy paint is always a blast for kids, and you don’t even need to buy any for this snowglobe craft! It’s all homemade and it looks amazing.

Supplies:

• Snowglobe template
• Colored cardstock (light blue, green, brown and multicolor)
• Elmers Glue
• Shaving cream
• Paintbrush
• Scissors

Get the full tutorial at Simple Everyday Mom.

9. Paper Plate Wreath

If you want to do a little bit of winter decorating, this paper plate wreath is a great place to start. It’s super simple too as it requires barely any materials and you don’t even need glue if you pick up some foam stickers from the dollar store.

Supplies:

• Paper plate
• Snowflake stickers
• Crayons or markers
• Hole punch
• Ribbon

Get the full tutorial at Glitter On A Dime.

10. More Mittens!

We already included a paper mitten craft above but I thought I’d include this one too just in case you need more ideas! There are so many fun ways to customize DIY mittens.

Supplies:

• Printable mitten pattern
• White cardstock
• Washable paint
• Paintbrushes
• Scissors
• Sequins, foam stickers, pom poms, paper punches, construction paper, and buttons
• Yarn
• Tape

Get the full tutorial at Fireflies and Mud Pies. 

11. Wintery Cardinal

Here’s another cute handprint craft, but this one requires kids to plan and layout an entire wintery scene! I love this idea.

Supplies:

• Colored cardstock or paper (red, black, white, golden yellow, brown, and light blue)
• Cotton balls
• Glue stick
• Googly eyes (optional)

Get the full tutorial at Simple Everyday Mom. 

12. Handprint Penguin

I hope you’re enjoying all the handprint crafts so far! These handprint penguins are pretty funny looking and super easy to make.

Supplies:

• White felt
• Black cardstock
• Orange cardstock
• Googly eyes
• White pom poms

Get the full tutorial at The Best Ideas for Kids.

13. No-Sew Sock Snowman

This craft idea is SO cute! The kids will have so much fun filling and accessorizing their sock snowman.

Supplies:

• White sock
• Sock in color for the hat
• Rice
• Rubber bands (or thread)
• Colorful buttons
• Ribbons
• Glue gun
• Markers or paint
• Orange pom poms

Get the full tutorial at Easy Peasy and Fun.

14. Waterless Snow Globes

While these waterless snow globes may look a bit intricate at first, they’re actually pretty simple to make! Plus, this is a great craft for kids as it encourages a lot of sensory development.

Supplies:

• Glass jars
• Artificial snow
• Hot glue gun
• Assorted mini Christmas trees
• Mini snowmen
• Spray adhesive (optional)
• Glitter (optional)
• Krylon Glitter Blast (or white spray paint)

Get the full tutorial at Tidy Mom.

15. Paper Plate Snow Globes

These snow globes are really neat because they utilize a clear plate and styrofoam balls for a real snow globe effect. And of course, the kids can customize the image on the plate!

Supplies:

• Plastic plate snow globe craft template
• Clear plastic plates
• Black construction paper
• Clear school glue
• Crayons or oil pastels
• Watercolor paints
• Styrofoam craft snow
• Scissors

Get the full tutorial at Fireflies and Mud Pies.

16. Symmetrical Snowflakes

This winter art project is a fun one and an educational one! It combines a bit of math with art and allows kids to get really creative with their ideas.

Supplies:

• Blue construction paper
• Glue
• Scissors
• Q-tips

Get the full tutorial at Green Kid Crafts.

17. Beaded Snowflakes

Continuing on with mathematical snowflake crafts, this one is educational like the one above, but instead of Q-tips and construction paper, you’ll need some beads and pipe cleaner! Some kids will enjoy working with these materials more, so try out both.

Supplies:

• Pipe cleaners
• Pony beads

Get the full tutorial at Early Learning Ideas.

18. Peppermint Playdough

Peppermint playdough definitely sounds like a strange mix at first, but the end result looks really fun! It’s filled with glitter so the kids will love the look of it, and there are so many different ways to play with it.

P.S. Check out our homemade playdough recipe.

Supplies:

• 2 cups of flour
• 1/2 cup of salt
• 1 cup of warm-hot water
• 2 tsp cream of tartar
• 2 tsp coconut oil or vegetable oil
• Glitter
• Peppermint essential oil

Get the full tutorial at Active Littles.

19. Paper Plate Grinch

Here’s another way to make the grinch but this time, paper plate style. I think the kids will have a lot of fun with this one and the printable template makes things really simple.

Supplies:

• Paper plate
• Green paint
• Black marker
• Colored card stock (green, red and white)
• Glue stick
• Grinch template

Get the full tutorial at Simple Everyday Mom.

20. Snowman Tin Can Toss

Tin tan crafts are always fun and inexpensive (assuming you already have cans on hand), and this DIY winter activity looks like a hoot! It reminds me of a carnival game, but much cheaper!

Supplies:

• Tin cans
• Paint (white, black and orange)
• Ball or bean bag

Get the full tutorial at 5 Minutes for Mom.

21. Popsicle Stick Snowflakes

Popsicle stick crafts are super nice and easy and these snowflakes can double as ornaments if you’d like! You could also simply hang them in your home as a wintertime decoration (I’m sure the kids will love seeing their art displayed).

Supplies:

• Popsicle sticks
• Tacky glue
• Hot glue sticks and hot glue
• Christmas bells
• Glitter stickers
• Silver glitter
• Tinsel pom poms
• Fabric snowflakes
• Twine for hanging

Get the full tutorial at The Best Ideas for Kids.

22. Craft Stick Snowmen

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a cuter way to create snowmen! These are simply adorable and I love that you can color-code them or you could even mix and match colors!

Supplies:

• Craft stick
• White paint
• Googly eyes
• Black marker
• Orange paper
• Ribbon
• Buttons
• Pipe cleaner
• Glue
• Scissors

Get the full tutorial at The Resourceful Mother.

23. Winter Hat

This craft idea is great as a classroom project as every kid will have a unique way of coloring their own hat, but it’s good for an at-home art project as well. Definitely a fun one!

Supplies:

• Hat template
• Colors
• Cotton balls
• White school glue
• Scissors

Get the full tutorial at Easy Peasy and Fun. 

24. Homemade Snow

If you happen to live somewhere that doesn’t get much snow (or your kids just want to be able to play with snow all the time) this craft is perfect. Just watch out for indoor snowball fights!

Supplies:

• Conditioner
• Baking soda

Get the full tutorial at Red Ted Art.

25. Winter Tree Finger Painting

This is one of my favorite winter art projects for kids as it’s such a simple idea that can be done in so many different ways. Let your kid’s imagination run wild with this one!

Supplies:

• Sheet of blue paper
• Nontoxic white paint/fingerpaint
• Black marker or black paint and brush

Get the full tutorial at Easy Peasy and Fun.

26. Snowflake Paper Plate Twirler

I love this out-of-the-ordinary snowflake craft idea. It’s way different than the other snowflake crafts on this list and good for kids to learn how to handle scissors safely!

Supplies:

• Blue paper plate
• Wooden stake
• Scissors
• Stickers

Get the full tutorial at Crafts on Sea.

27. Pom Pom Penguins

These pom pom penguins might give the sock snowmen above a run for their money when it comes to cuteness. These things are delightful!

Supplies:

• Chunky yarn
• Felt
• 6mm black beads
• Scissors
• Glue gun

Get the full tutorial at One Little Project.

28. Snowy Owl Painting

Here’s another wonderful winter art project that is super fun for kids as they’ll get to do a bit of pom pom stamping.

Supplies:

• Large pom pom
• White acrylic paint
• Black, brown, green, yellow and orange construction paper
• Scissors
• Markers
• Glue stick
• Star stickers (optional)
• Small bowl or a paper plate to hold paint

Get the full tutorial at A Dab of Glue Will Do.

29. Paper Icicle

These icicle crafts are so cool! Well, not as cool as a real icicle, but you know what I mean 😉

Supplies:

• Printable icicle craft template
• White or colored printer paper
• Glitter
• Glitter twine
• Sticky tape
• Scissors
• Glue

Get the full tutorial at Kids Craft Room.

30. Pop-Up Penguins

If you think your kids will love a fun interactive craft, you’ve got to make these pop-up penguins!

Supplies:

• Printable template
• Black paper
• White card
• Orange card
• Googly eyes
• Glue
• Scissors

Get the full tutorial at Kids Craft Room.

31. Christmas Sweater Collage

This is more of a Christmas craft than a winter craft, but I had to include it because it looks like a ton of fun! Who says ugly sweaters are just for Christmas anyway?

Supplies:

• Seater template
• Red cardstock
• Christmas craft pom poms
• Buttons
• Jingle bells
• Confetti
• Christmas stickers

Get the full tutorial at Fun Learning for Kids.

32. Penguin Hat

Wearable hat crafts are always exciting to make, and this penguin hat is no exception. It’s pretty darn cute!

Supplies:

• Printable template
• Black paper or cardstock
• Orange paper
• White paper
• Scissors
• Black sharpie pen
• Glue
• Stapler

Get the full tutorial at Kids Craft Room.

33. Snowflake Drop

This winter activity project is more geared toward babies and toddlers. It’s a simple activity that will keep them busy and teach them a bit of hand-eye coordination at a young age!

Supplies:

• Lids from jars
• Wipes container, or large jug or box
• Blue sharpie

Get the full tutorial at Happy Toddler Playtime.

34. Salt Crystal Snowflakes

Another educational snowflake art project! This one will teach your kids a bit of science by showing them how to form salt crystals on pipe cleaners, creating amazing and unique designs. Super cool!

Supplies:

• Salt
• Mason jars
• Pipe cleaners
• Clothespins

Get the full tutorial at Living Well Mom.

35. Paper Plate Gingerbread House

You may be making a real gingerbread house for Christmas already, but these paper plate gingerbread houses are pretty cool too. And a lot easier!

Supplies:

• Large paper plate
• White cardstock
• Color printer
• Paper craft scissors
• Light brown craft paint
• Paint brush
• Black sharpie
• Dark brown colored cardstock
• White cotton balls
• School glue
• Hand-held office stapler

Get the full tutorial at Glued to My Crafts Blog.

36. Reindeer Marble Run

This is another great sensory activity for kids and it’s a fun looking one too! I love how the cardboard tubes double as reindeer antlers.

Supplies:

• Brown and red foam sheets
• Glue
• Scissors
• Giant googly eyes
• Cardboard tubes
• Masking tape
• Marbles or pom poms

Get the full tutorial at Happy Toddler Playtime.

37. Snow Shooters

Snow Shooters is a SUPER fun indoor winter activity for kids. They get to decorate their own cup, and then use it to shoot “snow” around the house and at each other!

Supplies:

•  White cups
• Black and orange craft foam
• Balloons
• Scissors
• Glue

Get the full tutorial at Growing a Jeweled Rose.

38. Tabletop Ice Hockey

This is one of the coolest winter craft ideas I’ve seen! The tabletop rink is made with real ice and I bet it’s a blast to play. You could even use a larger aluminum foil pan if you want a bigger ice rink.

Supplies:

• Aluminum foil container
• Water
• Paper
• Pipe cleaners
• Wooden tablespoons
• Black button
• Thin red tape
• Medium and small blue circle stickers
• Scissors

Get the full tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.

Final Thoughts

I hope you have fun with these awesome winter crafts for kids! Remember to save this post somewhere like Pinterest or in your bookmarks so you can reference it whenever you need new winter arts and crafts ideas.

Which ideas on this list are your favorite? Which ones have you tried already?

Check these out next:

• 25 DIY Christmas Ornaments for Kids
• 40 Easy Homemade Christmas Gifts
• 40 Easy Toilet Paper Roll Crafts for Kids and Adults
• 25 Easy Rock Painting Ideas for Beginners