Winter, with its chilly weather and shorter days, is the ideal season to stay cozy indoors and enjoy creative activities with little ones. Easy winter crafts ideas for toddlers provide a wonderful way to keep them entertained while fostering their development. The magic of the season—sparkling snow, festive holidays, and cozy vibes—inspires crafts that are simple, fun, and engaging for young children. Crafting during winter isn’t just about creating cute keepsakes; it’s an opportunity to make lasting memories and embrace the season’s charm together.
Crafting offers a host of developmental and emotional benefits for toddlers. It sparks creativity by allowing them to experiment with colors, textures, and materials. Activities like cutting, gluing, and painting help improve fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and concentration. Beyond the developmental perks, crafting is a fantastic way to strengthen parent-child bonds. Sitting together to create something special encourages meaningful conversations, teamwork, and shared laughter.
Easy Winter Crafts Ideas For Toddlers
Winter is a magical season full of opportunities for creative fun, especially for little ones! Easy Winter Crafts Ideas For Toddlers are not only a fantastic way to keep them entertained indoors but also a chance to foster their creativity and fine motor skills. From making snowflake art with simple materials like paper and glue to creating cotton-ball snowmen, Easy Winter Crafts Ideas For Toddlers are designed to be safe, mess-free, and enjoyable for tiny hands. With a little preparation and a lot of imagination, you can transform winter days into a world of crafty wonder!
Snowflake Stamp Art
Snowflakes are a winter staple, and creating stamp art helps toddlers explore symmetry and creativity.
Materials:
Toilet paper rolls or sponge pieces
White paint
Blue construction paper
Glitter (optional)
Paper plates
Steps:
Flatten the end of a toilet paper roll or sponge to create a snowflake shape. Cut slits into the roll for a more intricate design.
Pour white paint onto a paper plate.
Show your toddler how to dip the stamp into the paint and press it onto the blue paper.
Sprinkle glitter onto the wet paint for a sparkling snowflake effect.
Let the artwork dry before displaying it.
Puffy Snow Paint Pictures
Toddlers love the tactile experience of puffy paint, and this craft mimics real snow.
Materials:
Shaving cream
White glue
Cardstock paper
Paintbrushes
Glitter or small craft pom-poms
Steps:
Mix equal parts shaving cream and white glue in a bowl to create puffy paint.
Let your toddler use a paintbrush to apply the paint to cardstock in snowy shapes like snowmen, clouds, or mounds of snow.
Decorate with glitter or pom-poms for added texture and sparkle.
Allow the paint to dry—it will stay puffy!
Paper Plate Snowman
A simple and fun craft that transforms paper plates into adorable snowmen.
Materials:
Small and large paper plates
Markers or crayons
Glue
Cotton balls
Googly eyes
Orange and black construction paper
Steps:
Glue a small paper plate (head) to a large one (body).
Let your toddler draw a face on the small plate using markers. Add googly eyes for fun.
Cut out a carrot nose from orange construction paper and glue it on.
Use cotton balls to decorate the snowman’s body as “snow.”
Add black paper circles for buttons or use stickers for extra flair.
Winter Tree Finger Painting
Finger painting lets toddlers explore colors and textures while creating a wintery tree.
Materials:
Blue or white construction paper
Brown paint
White paint
Green and silver glitter
Steps:
Help your toddler paint a tree trunk and branches using brown paint on the construction paper.
Dip their fingers in white paint to make snow-covered leaves and branches.
Sprinkle glitter onto the wet paint for a frosty effect.
Let it dry and admire their snowy masterpiece.
Cotton Ball Snowstorm
Toddlers can create their very own snowstorm scene using cotton balls.
Materials:
Cotton balls
Blue construction paper
Glue stick
White crayons
Steps:
Have your toddler draw swirly snowstorm patterns on blue paper with a white crayon.
Glue cotton balls randomly onto the paper to represent snowballs falling from the sky.
Optionally, sprinkle some glitter for added sparkle.
Pinecone Snowy Owls
Turn ordinary pinecones into cute snowy owls with this adorable craft.
Materials:
Pinecones
Cotton balls
Googly eyes
Orange and white construction paper
Glue
Steps:
Help your toddler stuff cotton balls between the pinecone layers to create a fluffy snowy effect.
Cut out small triangles from orange construction paper for the owl’s beak.
Glue googly eyes onto the pinecone.
Attach the beak below the eyes, and you’ve got a snowy owl!
Mitten Garland
Create a festive winter garland using mitten-shaped cutouts.
Materials:
Colored construction paper
Markers or crayons
Hole puncher
Yarn
Stickers or glitter for decoration
Steps:
Cut out mitten shapes from construction paper.
Let your toddler decorate each mitten using markers, stickers, and glitter.
Punch a hole at the top of each mitten.
Thread yarn through the holes to string the mittens together.
Hang the garland on a wall or mantle for a cozy winter decoration.
Snow Globe Jars
A magical snow globe is a timeless winter craft that toddlers will adore.
Materials:
Mason jars with lids
Small plastic toys (snowmen, trees, etc.)
Water
Glycerin
Glitter
Super glue
Steps:
Glue the toy to the inside of the jar lid and let it dry.
Fill the jar with water and add a few drops of glycerin.
Sprinkle glitter into the jar.
Screw the lid back on tightly. Shake to see the snowfall effect!
Yarn-Wrapped Snowflakes
This craft helps toddlers practice their hand-eye coordination while making a unique snowflake.
Materials:
Craft sticks
White or silver yarn
Glue
Glitter
Steps:
Cross and glue craft sticks to create a snowflake shape.
Show your toddler how to wrap yarn around the craft sticks.
Cover the snowflake in glue and sprinkle glitter for extra shimmer.
Let it dry before displaying
Icicle Painting
Icicle painting is a creative way to mimic the beauty of shimmering icicles while engaging toddlers in sensory fun.
Materials:
White construction paper
Blue and silver paint
Paintbrushes or sponges
Glitter
Steps:
Cut the construction paper into a long rectangle to resemble a hanging icicle.
Mix blue and silver paint to create a frosty hue.
Let your toddler use a paintbrush or sponge to paint the paper. Encourage them to create streaks to mimic icicles.
While the paint is still wet, sprinkle glitter to give it a sparkling icy effect.
Once dry, hang the icicles on windows or walls.
Pom-Pom Penguins
These adorable penguins are made from soft pom-poms and are a delightful winter craft for toddlers.
Materials:
Black, white, and orange felt
Black and white pom-poms
Googly eyes
Glue
Steps:
Help your toddler glue a smaller white pom-pom onto a larger black pom-pom to form the penguin’s body.
Cut out wings from black felt, a small white oval for the belly, and a beak and feet from orange felt.
Glue the felt pieces onto the pom-poms to complete the penguin.
Attach googly eyes for an extra-cute touch.
Felt Hot Cocoa Mugs
This warm and cozy craft brings the charm of hot cocoa to life using felt.
Materials:
Brown, white, and colorful felt
Scissors
Glue
Cotton balls
Steps:
Cut out a mug shape from colorful felt and a smaller oval from brown felt for the cocoa.
Glue the brown felt onto the mug.
Add small white felt rectangles to resemble marshmallows or use cotton balls for a fluffy touch.
Decorate the mug with stickers or designs using markers.
Snowy Night Collages
Create a wintery night scene using mixed materials for a multi-sensory craft.
Materials:
Black or dark blue construction paper
Cotton balls
Silver and white glitter
Glue
Star stickers
Steps:
Use glue to attach cotton balls to the paper as snowy clouds.
Sprinkle glitter across the paper to resemble twinkling snow.
Add star stickers to the night sky for extra sparkle.
Let your toddler admire their snowy night scene.
Handprint Polar Bears
Transform your toddler’s handprint into a cute polar bear with this simple craft.
Materials:
White construction paper
Black marker
Googly eyes
Glue
Steps:
Trace your toddler’s hand on white construction paper and cut it out.
Position the handprint upside down so the fingers become the polar bear’s legs.
Draw a face on the palm area using the marker and attach googly eyes.
Optionally, use cotton balls to add fluff around the bear for a snowy effect.
Button Snowman
Repurpose old buttons to make an adorable snowman.
Materials:
White, black, and orange buttons
Blue construction paper
Glue
Steps:
Let your toddler glue three large white buttons onto the blue paper for the snowman’s body.
Add smaller black buttons for the eyes, mouth, and buttons on the body.
Use an orange button or paper triangle for the carrot nose.
Draw or glue on accessories like a scarf or hat.
Marshmallow Snowflakes
Marshmallows and toothpicks make this a fun, edible craft for toddlers to create.
Materials:
Mini marshmallows
Toothpicks
Steps:
Show your toddler how to connect marshmallows and toothpicks to form a snowflake shape.
Encourage them to experiment with different patterns.
Once complete, you can let them admire their creation or enjoy a snack!
Frosted Pinecones
A winter classic, frosted pinecones bring the snowy outdoors inside.
Materials:
Pinecones
White paint
Paintbrushes
Glitter
Ribbon
Steps:
Help your toddler paint the tips of the pinecone scales white to mimic snow.
Sprinkle glitter onto the wet paint for extra sparkle.
Once dry, tie a ribbon around the top for hanging as a decoration.
Snowman Sensory Bottles
Sensory bottles are calming and fun to shake, and this snowman version is perfect for winter.
Materials:
Clear plastic bottles
White glitter
Small foam snowman shapes or white pom-poms
Water and glycerin
Steps:
Fill the bottle halfway with water and add a few drops of glycerin.
Add white glitter and foam snowmen or pom-poms.
Seal the bottle tightly and let your toddler shake it to create a snowstorm effect.
Tissue Paper Winter Collage
A colorful craft that helps toddlers practice tearing and gluing.
Materials:
Tissue paper in white, blue, and silver
Construction paper
Glue stick
Steps:
Let your toddler tear the tissue paper into small pieces.
Glue the tissue paper pieces onto construction paper to create a snowy winter scene.
Encourage them to add patterns or layer the colors for a beautiful collage.
Salt Dough Ornaments
Salt dough is easy to make and can be turned into winter-themed ornaments.
Materials:
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup water
Cookie cutters (snowflakes, mittens, etc.)
Paint
Steps:
Mix the flour, salt, and water to create a dough.
Roll out the dough and cut out shapes using cookie cutters.
Bake the ornaments at 200°F (90°C) until hard (about 2-3 hours).
Once cool, let your toddler paint the ornaments
Bubble Wrap Winter Trees
Bubble wrap adds a fun sensory element to this winter tree craft.
Materials:
Brown construction paper
Blue or white construction paper
White paint
Bubble wrap
Scissors
Glue
Steps:
Cut out a tree trunk shape from brown construction paper and glue it onto the blue or white background paper.
Cut a small piece of bubble wrap for your toddler to use as a stamp.
Pour white paint onto a plate and have your toddler dip the bubble wrap into the paint.
Stamp the paint-covered bubble wrap onto the paper around the tree trunk to create the effect of snowy branches.
Paper Straw Snowflakes
Paper straws are lightweight and easy for toddlers to use in making snowflakes.
Materials:
Paper straws (white or patterned)
Glue
Scissors
Glitter
Steps:
Cut the paper straws into different lengths.
Arrange the straws in a snowflake pattern and glue them together.
Let your toddler sprinkle glitter over the glue for a sparkling touch.
Once dry, hang the snowflakes around the house.
Winter Hat Collages
Design colorful winter hats with paper and embellishments.
Materials:
Construction paper
Cotton balls
Stickers or sequins
Glue
Markers or crayons
Steps:
Cut out a large hat shape from construction paper.
Let your toddler decorate the hat with stickers, sequins, or drawings.
Add cotton balls to the top and bottom edges to mimic the hat’s fluffy trim.
Ice Cube Painting
Painting with ice cubes provides a cool, sensory winter-themed activity.
Materials:
Ice cube tray
Food coloring
Popsicle sticks
White construction paper
Steps:
Fill an ice cube tray with water and add a few drops of food coloring to each compartment.
Insert popsicle sticks into the trays and freeze until solid.
Once frozen, let your toddler use the colored ice cubes to paint on white paper.
Watch as the colors melt and mix to create unique designs.
Penguin Handprints
Turn your toddler’s handprint into a cute penguin with a few simple steps.
Materials:
Black, white, and orange paint
Blue construction paper
Googly eyes
Steps:
Paint your toddler’s hand with black paint, leaving the middle of the palm blank.
Press their hand onto the blue construction paper.
Once dry, add a white oval in the center for the belly and an orange beak and feet using paint.
Attach googly eyes for the finishing touch.
Coffee Filter Snowflakes
This classic craft is perfect for creating unique snowflakes with toddlers.
Materials:
Coffee filters
Scissors
Markers or watercolor paints
Steps:
Fold a coffee filter into a small triangle.
Let your toddler make small cuts along the edges with safety scissors.
Unfold the filter to reveal the snowflake.
Decorate with markers or watercolors for a colorful touch.
Paper Bag Winter Owls
Turn a paper bag into a snowy owl with this creative craft.
Materials:
Brown or white paper bags
Construction paper
Glue
Markers or crayons
Googly eyes
Steps:
Let your toddler decorate the paper bag with wings, a belly, and a beak using construction paper.
Add googly eyes for character.
Encourage them to draw patterns or add details to personalize their owl.
Snowy Window Clings
These clings can be made with puffy paint and used to decorate windows.
Materials:
White puffy paint
Wax paper
Glitter
Steps:
Help your toddler draw snowflake shapes or other designs on wax paper using puffy paint.
Sprinkle glitter on the wet paint for sparkle.
Allow the clings to dry completely.
Peel them off and stick them to windows for decoration.
Cupcake Liner Snowmen
Transform cupcake liners into a playful snowman craft.
Materials:
White cupcake liners
Blue construction paper
Glue
Markers
Small buttons
Steps:
Flatten three cupcake liners and glue them onto the blue construction paper to create the snowman’s body.
Use markers to draw a face, arms, and accessories.
Glue buttons onto the snowman’s belly for extra detail.
Popsicle Stick Sleds
Mini sleds made from popsicle sticks are a cute and simple winter craft.
Materials:
Popsicle sticks
Glue
Paint
String or ribbon
Steps:
Arrange and glue popsicle sticks in the shape of a sled.
Once dry, let your toddler paint the sled in their favorite colors.
Add string or ribbon to create a handle.
Polar Bear Masks
Make a polar bear mask for imaginative play and winter fun.
Materials:
White paper plates
Cotton balls
Glue
Black construction paper
String
Steps:
Cut out eye holes in the paper plate.
Cover the plate with glued cotton balls for a fluffy effect.
Add a black paper nose and ears.
Attach string to the sides to create a wearable mask.
Ice Cream Stick Snowflakes
A simple craft that turns wooden sticks into decorative snowflakes.
Materials:
Ice cream sticks
White paint
Glitter
Glue
Steps:
Glue the ice cream sticks into a snowflake shape.
Paint them white and sprinkle glitter on top.
Let them dry and display your sparkly snowflakes.
Winter Animal Finger Puppets
Create finger puppets to tell winter animal stories.
Materials:
Felt or construction paper
Glue
Googly eyes
Scissors
Steps:
Cut out animal shapes (like penguins, polar bears, and owls) from felt or construction paper.
Glue the pieces together to create small finger puppets.
Add googly eyes and draw details like noses or fur.
Snow-Covered Village
A miniature snowy village is perfect for imaginative play.
Materials:
Small cardboard boxes
White paint
Cotton balls
Markers
Steps:
Let your toddler paint the boxes white to create houses.
Decorate the houses with drawn-on windows and doors.
Glue cotton balls to the rooftops for a snowy look.
Tips for Crafting with Toddlers
Crafting with toddlers can be a delightful and enriching experience. It not only sparks their creativity but also enhances their motor skills and provides a fun way to bond. However, keeping their short attention spans and boundless energy in mind is essential for a successful crafting session. Here are some practical tips to make crafting with toddlers enjoyable and stress-free:
1. Keep Activities Short and Engaging
Toddlers have limited attention spans, so aim for activities that can be completed in 15–20 minutes.
Incorporate colorful, interactive, and hands-on elements like stickers, stamps, or sponges to keep them interested.
2. Encourage Creativity, Not Perfection
Focus on the process, not the outcome. Allow toddlers to explore and express themselves without worrying about the end product.
Celebrate their efforts, even if their creations are messy or unconventional—it’s all part of the fun!
3. Use Washable Materials for Easy Clean-Up
Opt for washable paints, markers, and glue to make cleaning up a breeze.
Lay down old newspapers, a plastic tablecloth, or a crafting mat to protect surfaces.
4. Supervise for Safety
Always supervise toddlers, especially when using tools like safety scissors, glue guns, or small craft items.
Choose age-appropriate materials and avoid anything with sharp edges or choking hazards.
5. Incorporate Themes They Love
Pick crafts based on topics that excite your toddler, such as animals, holidays, or favorite stories. This adds a personal touch and keeps them engaged.
Crafting with toddlers doesn’t have to be perfect or elaborate. By keeping things simple, safe, and fun, you can create memorable experiences that nurture their imagination and creativity. Happy crafting!
Recap of the Fun and Educational Benefits of Winter Crafts for Toddlers
Winter crafts offer a perfect blend of fun and learning opportunities for toddlers. As the cold weather sets in, these creative activities not only keep little ones entertained but also promote key developmental skills. Whether it’s making snowflakes, decorating ornaments, or creating winter-themed art, the process of crafting brings a variety of benefits that go beyond just playing.
Here are some fun and educational benefits of winter crafts for toddlers:
Encourages Creativity: Winter crafts provide toddlers with the opportunity to express themselves through art. Whether it’s using different colors or textures, kids develop their imagination and creativity.
Improves Fine Motor Skills: Activities like cutting, gluing, and painting help toddlers strengthen their hand-eye coordination and refine their fine motor skills, essential for later tasks such as writing.
Enhances Cognitive Development: Crafting often involves problem-solving and planning, which aids in cognitive development. Toddlers learn how to follow instructions, make decisions, and experiment with new ideas.
Promotes Sensory Exploration: Many winter crafts involve different textures (like cotton balls for snow or felt for mittens), allowing toddlers to engage their senses and explore the world around them.
Teaches Patience and Focus: Crafting can be a slow, step-by-step process, which helps toddlers practice patience and learn to focus on completing a task, skills they can apply in other areas of life.
Strengthens Parent-Child Bonding: Crafting together gives parents and toddlers quality time to bond. It fosters communication and collaboration, creating lasting memories.
Increases Awareness of Seasons: Through winter-themed crafts, toddlers learn about the changing seasons, snow, and other winter-related concepts, broadening their understanding of the natural world.
Winter crafts provide a rich blend of joy and learning, making them an ideal activity to enjoy with toddlers during the colder months.
FAQ
What are some simple and Easy Winter Crafts Ideas For Toddlers?
There are many Easy Winter Crafts Ideas For Toddlers, such as snowflake cutouts, cotton ball snowmen, handprint mittens, and winter-themed playdough. You can also try painting pinecones, making paper plate snowflakes, or creating snowman puppets using socks.
How can I make a snowman craft with my toddler?
You can create a simple snowman using white construction paper or a paper plate. Add cotton balls for texture, and let your toddler decorate the snowman with buttons, stickers, or crayons for the eyes, nose, and scarf.
Are there any Easy Winter Crafts Ideas For Toddlers that don’t require a lot of materials?
Yes! Many winter crafts require minimal supplies. For example, you can make a snowman from paper or cardboard, use old magazines to create winter scenes, or make a snowstorm in a jar with water, glitter, and a bit of dish soap.
What is a fun and educational Easy Winter Crafts Ideas For Toddlers?
A great educational craft could be creating a winter sensory bin with fake snow or cotton balls, helping toddlers understand textures. You can also teach them about animals in winter by making bear or penguin crafts.
Can I make Easy Winter Crafts Ideas For Toddlers who are not very good with scissors?
Absolutely! Many winter crafts do not require the use of scissors. For example, you can create collages from torn paper, glue cotton balls for snow scenes, or do stamp art with sponges or potatoes for snowy prints.
Hi, I’m Victoria, an art and craft teacher at Newark City Schools, where I have the joy of working with middle school students to help them explore their creativity and develop their artistic talents. I believe that art is a powerful way for students to express themselves, and I strive to make every lesson a fun, engaging, and inspiring experience.
I created this website to share the art and craft projects, techniques, and resources that I use in my classroom, hoping to inspire both educators and young artists alike. Whether you’re a teacher looking for new ideas or a student eager to try something new, I’m excited to provide creative tools and projects that anyone can enjoy.
When I’m not in the classroom, I love experimenting with different art forms and learning new crafting techniques. My goal is to help others discover the joy of making things with their hands, and I hope my website serves as a space for everyone to explore their creative potential.