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Winter’s the perfect excuse to keep kids busy with creative projects—especially when outside feels less than inviting. Here’s a bunch of winter craft ideas I’ve collected to help kids enjoy the season while letting their imaginations run wild.
These 21 winter crafts give you easy, hands-on projects for kids of all ages to make cold days feel a little more magical indoors.
Whether you have toddlers or older kids, there’s a mix here for every skill level and interest.
1. Paper Snowflake Cutting
Honestly, I can’t resist making paper snowflakes. Grab a square of paper and some scissors. Fold, snip, and suddenly you’ve got a snowflake no one else has. It’s a satisfying way to practice hand-eye coordination and spruce up your windows.
2. Cotton Ball Snowmen
Cotton ball snowmen are a go-to at my house. I just hand over glue, cotton balls, and paper, and let the kids stick everything together. Drawing on faces and buttons with markers adds a personal touch.
For People Who Love to Make Things ✂️
3. Pinecone Bird Feeders
We make pinecone bird feeders in about ten minutes flat. I hand out pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed. The kids roll the pinecones in the sticky mess, and then we hang them outside. It’s a small way to help the birds and chat about nature.
4. Salt Dough Ornaments
Salt dough ornaments are a classic. I mix salt, flour, and water, then let the kids shape and decorate. There’s something special about making your own holiday keepsakes, even if they’re a bit lumpy.
5. Yarn Wrapped Trees
Yarn wrapped trees are surprisingly fun. We use yarn, sticks or cardboard, and a little glue. Wrapping yarn around the shapes is oddly calming, and the finished pieces look pretty cozy on a shelf.
6. Pom Pom Snowmen
Pom pom snowmen are quick, cheerful, and a bit silly. I set out pom poms, glue, and whatever little decorations we have—buttons, felt, you name it. It’s a good way for kids to practice those tiny hand movements.
7. Q-tip Snowflake Painting
Q-tip snowflake painting is a favorite. Kids dip Q-tips into paint and dot out snowflake designs. It’s simple, a bit messy, and lets everyone experiment with patterns.
8. Ice Sun Catchers
Ice sun catchers look magical on a cold morning. We fill a dish with water, add leaves or berries, and stick a string in. After freezing outside, these catch the sunlight and melt away eventually—kind of poetic, right?
9. Button Snowflakes
Button snowflakes are easy and a little addicting. I hand out glue and a pile of buttons, and the kids arrange them into snowflake shapes. It’s a sneaky way to get them working on fine motor skills.
10. Paper Plate Snowy Owls
Paper plate snowy owls are a winter staple. We paint, snip, and glue the plates into owl faces. They never look exactly the same, which is part of the fun.
11. Toilet Paper Roll Penguins
Toilet paper roll penguins might be my favorite. We use what’s already in the recycling bin, paint them black and white, and add little details. It’s a good way to talk about winter animals, too.
12. Glitter Pinecones
Glitter pinecones are a mess, but worth it. We brush glue on the pinecone tips and sprinkle glitter everywhere (literally everywhere). The sparkle cheers up any gray winter day.
13. Marshmallow Snowmen
Marshmallow snowmen never last long in our house. We use marshmallows, pretzels, and whatever candy is on hand. The kids build them, decorate, and—let’s be honest—eat most of the supplies.
14. Paper Cup Snowmen
Paper cup snowmen come together fast. Grab some cups, paper, and a few markers. Stack and decorate, and you’ve got a snowman that won’t melt on the kitchen table.
15. Mason Jar Snow Globes
Mason jar snow globes are always a hit. We fill jars with water, glue down a little toy or tree, and add a pinch of glitter. The kids shake them up and watch the “snow” swirl around.
16. Sock Snowmen
Sock snowmen are a cozy project. I grab old socks, fill them with rice, and let the kids add faces and scarves. They’re surprisingly sturdy and make cute gifts for grandparents.
17. Felt Mitten Ornaments
Felt mitten ornaments are a sweet way to use up fabric scraps. We cut out mitten shapes, sew or glue them together, and decorate with buttons or sequins. They look great on the tree or tied to a present.
18. Popsicle Stick Sleds
Popsicle stick sleds are simple and satisfying. I hand out sticks and glue, and the kids build mini sleds. Sometimes we race them across the table just for laughs.
19. Paper Roll Reindeer
Paper roll reindeer come together quickly. We paint toilet paper rolls brown, stick on a red pom-pom nose, and twist pipe cleaners into antlers. They’re cute and work for just about any age.
20. Pom Pom Garland
Pom pom garlands add a pop of color to any room. We thread pom poms onto yarn or string and hang them up wherever we want a little cheer. The kids love helping with the threading, and honestly, so do I.
21. Handprint Snowflakes
Handprint snowflakes are simple and, honestly, pretty fun to make. Grab some paint and paper, and you’re good to go. No two ever look quite the same, which is part of their charm. They make a sweet little keepsake, too.
