Winter crafts are a perfect way to keep little ones engaged, especially when chilly weather keeps everyone indoors. These ideas are specially chosen for preschoolers, with easy-to-follow steps and minimal supplies. Each craft offers a chance to explore shapes, colors, and textures—all while making something fun and seasonal!
1. Cotton Ball Snowman
- Supplies: White paper, cotton balls, glue, buttons, orange and black construction paper
- Instructions: Cut out three circles of different sizes from white paper and let kids glue cotton balls on each to make a snowman. Add button eyes, an orange paper nose, and a black paper hat for a fun 3D effect!
- Tip: Draw a snow scene around the snowman to complete the look.
2. Puffy Paint Snowflakes
- Supplies: Shaving cream, white glue, blue construction paper
- Instructions: Mix equal parts shaving cream and glue to create puffy paint. Help kids use paintbrushes or cotton swabs to make snowflake shapes on blue paper.
- Tip: Add a sprinkle of glitter to make snowflakes sparkle!
3. Pine Cone Snowy Owls
- Supplies: Pine cones, cotton balls, googly eyes, orange felt or paper
- Instructions: Fill the spaces between the pine cone scales with cotton balls for a fluffy, snow-covered look. Glue on googly eyes and a small orange beak to transform the pine cone into an adorable owl.
- Tip: Encourage kids to name their owl friends!
4. Mitten Match-Up
- Supplies: Colored construction paper, markers, stickers
- Instructions: Cut out pairs of mitten shapes from various colors of construction paper. Let kids decorate the mittens, and then play a matching game by pairing up each set.
- Tip: This craft doubles as a game and helps develop matching skills.
5. Paper Plate Polar Bear
- Supplies: White paper plate, cotton balls, googly eyes, black marker, pink paper
- Instructions: Have kids glue cotton balls around the edges of a paper plate for fur. Use googly eyes, a small black circle for the nose, and a pink circle for the tongue to make a friendly polar bear face.
- Tip: Attach a craft stick to the bottom to make it into a polar bear puppet.
6. Bubble Wrap Snowy Trees
- Supplies: Green construction paper, brown paper, bubble wrap, white paint
- Instructions: Cut green paper triangles for tree tops and brown rectangles for trunks. Let kids dip bubble wrap in white paint and press it on the trees to make them look snowy.
- Tip: Add a few snowflakes to the background by stamping with fingertips or a brush.
7. Snow Globe Handprint Craft
- Supplies: Blue construction paper, white paint, glitter, clear plastic plate
- Instructions: Paint the child’s hand white and press it onto blue paper to create a handprint “snowman.” Add glitter, then cover with a clear plastic plate to make it look like a snow globe.
- Tip: Add a small paper stand shape to the bottom of the globe for a realistic effect.
8. Simple Icicle Garland
- Supplies: Blue and white tissue paper, string, glue
- Instructions: Tear blue and white tissue paper into small pieces. Kids can glue the paper along a string to make a garland that looks like icy icicles.
- Tip: This craft is great for practicing fine motor skills.
9. Footprint Penguins
- Supplies: Black and white paint, orange construction paper, blue construction paper
- Instructions: Paint the child’s foot with black paint, then press it onto blue paper to make the penguin’s body. Add white paint for the belly and eyes, and cut small orange triangles for the beak and feet.
- Tip: Make a family of penguins with different footprints for a whole scene.
10. Snowy Window Clings
- Supplies: White glue, wax paper, glitter
- Instructions: Squeeze glue onto wax paper in the shape of snowflakes. Sprinkle glitter on top, then let dry overnight. Once dry, peel off the wax paper and place the snowflake on a window for a cute, reusable cling.
- Tip: Use food coloring to make colorful clings!
Each of these winter crafts offers preschoolers a way to play, explore, and create with winter themes.