If you’re a parent, you know that the excitement of the first snowfall wears off roughly 47 minutes after breakfast. Suddenly, the kids are bouncing off the walls, and you’re left wondering how to fill the hours until nap time (or wine time, I don’t judge).
Instead of just sticking them in front of another movie, why not get a little messy? I’ve rounded up 15 winter art activities for kids that are actually fun, use stuff you probably already have lying around, and won’t make you want to pull your hair out. These snowy crafts are perfect for those days when it’s too cold to go outside, or when you just need a solid 20 minutes of quiet.
Grab a hot chocolate (spike it if you need to, your secret is safe with me), and let’s get crafty.
Why Bother with Crafts? (Besides Sanity)
Ever wonder why kids can sit still for an hour building a Lego tower but can’t sit still for five minutes at the dinner table? It’s that hands-on engagement. Winter crafts aren’t just about keeping them busy; they’re about building fine motor skills, encouraging creativity, and making memories.
Plus, let’s be honest, seeing your kid’s face light up when they create something they’re proud of is way better than hearing the “Frozen” soundtrack for the 900th time. IMO, it’s a win-win.
1. Puffy Snow Paint
This is my absolute favorite, and it looks way fancier than it actually is. Puffy paint has a 3D texture that dries soft and puffy, just like real snow.
What you need:
- Shaving cream (the foamy kind, not gel)
- White school glue
- A bowl and spoon
- Cardstock or thick paper (regular paper will get soggy)
How to do it:
Mix equal parts shaving cream and glue in a bowl. That’s it. :). Seriously. Give your kid a paintbrush or even just a spoon to plop it onto the paper. They can paint snowmen, snowflakes, or a whole winter landscape. When it dries overnight, the paint expands slightly and stays soft. It’s magic.
2. Salt Crystal Snowflakes
This is part art project, part science experiment, and it looks beautiful hanging in a window. The kids love checking on them throughout the day to see the crystals grow.
What you need:
- Black construction paper
- White school glue
- Table salt
- Watercolors (blue and purple work best)
How to do it:
Let your kid draw a snowflake on the black paper with the glue. Don’t worry if it’s messy; abstract snowflakes are trendy, right? :). While the glue is wet, pour a generous amount of salt over it. Shake off the excess. Then, dip a paintbrush into watery watercolor paint and gently touch it to the salt lines. Watch the color magically travel along the salt!
3. Toilet Paper Roll Snowflakes
Before you throw out that empty toilet paper roll, stop! It’s not trash; it’s a craft supply. I’m a big fan of upcycling stuff we already have.
What you need:
- Empty toilet paper rolls (start saving them now!)
- Scissors (adult supervision required here)
- Paint, glitter, or stickers for decorating
- String or yarn
How to do it:
Flatten the cardboard tube and cut it into rings about 1/2 inch wide. Arrange the rings into a snowflake shape (usually one in the middle and six around it). Glue them together at the contact points. Once dry, let the kids paint them or cover them in glitter. Attach a string, and you’ve got a cute ornament for the tree or the window.
4. Tape Resist Winter Scenes
This technique is great for younger kids because it has a built-in “wow” moment at the end. It feels like you’re breaking the rules.
What you need:
- Canvas or heavy cardstock
- Painter’s tape or washi tape
- Blue and white paint
- Sponges or paintbrushes
How to do it:
Tear the tape into strips and stick them onto your paper in the shape of trees or a skyline. Let the kids go to town painting over the whole paper with wintery colors. Once the paint is completely dry, carefully peel off the tape. Ta-da! You have perfect white trees left behind against a painted background.
5. Pine Cone Winter Trees
If you went on a nature walk last fall and forgot to throw away the pine cones (just me?), here’s your chance to use them.
What you need:
- Pine cones
- Green paint (optional)
- White paint (for snow)
- Small pom-poms or beads
- Glue
How to do it:
If you want them green, paint the pine cones first. Once dry, let the kids dab white paint on the tips of the pine cone “branches” to look like snow. Glue a pom-pom or a wooden bead on top for a star. They look adorable lined up on a mantle.
6. DIY Snow Globe (No Water Needed!)
Real snow globes are messy. The water leaks, they break, it’s a whole thing. This paper plate version gives you 90% of the cute with 0% of the mess.
What you need:
- Two sturdy paper plates
- Markers or crayons
- Clear plastic wrap
- Glue and tape
- Fake snow or glitter
How to do it:
Cut the center out of one paper plate, leaving just the outer rim. Tape a piece of clear plastic wrap over the hole. On the second (uncut) plate, have your child draw a winter scene (a house, a tree, a snowman). Glue the rim of the cut plate on top of the picture plate. Before sealing it completely, pour a little bit of glitter or fake snow inside. Shake it up and enjoy your winter wonderland.
7. Sparkly Snow Slime
Okay, I know slime is controversial in some households (the carpet! the hair!), but hear me out. If you set some ground rules (kitchen table only!), this is a fantastic sensory activity.
What you need:
- White school glue
- Liquid starch or contact lens solution/baking soda (your usual slime activator)
- Silver or white glitter
- Fake snow powder (optional, but fun)
How to do it:
Mix the glue with your glitter and fake snow. Slowly add your activator until the slime forms. Knead it until it’s no longer sticky. The texture is cold and squishy, just like snow, and the kids can squish it for hours. FYI, this keeps them occupied way longer than a worksheet ever could.
8. Bleeding Tissue Paper Snowscapes
This is a technique I stumbled upon last year, and it blew my mind. The colors come out so vibrant.
What you need:
- White cardstock
- Tissue paper in various colors (blue, purple, pink)
- A spray bottle with water
How to do it:
Let your kid tear the tissue paper into small pieces and arrange them on the cardstock. Spray the whole thing lightly with water. Let it sit for a few minutes, then carefully peel off the tissue paper. The dye will have transferred to the paper, leaving a beautiful, watercolor-like stained-glass effect. Once dry, cut out a silhouette of a tree or a deer from black paper and glue it on top. Stunning.
9. Winter Hat Weaving
This craft is excellent for older kids who need a bit of a fine motor challenge. It looks complicated, but once you get the hang of it, it’s repetitive and calming.
What you need:
- Paper plate
- Scissors
- Yarn in various colors
- Tape
How to do it:
Cut a paper plate in half. Cut slits along the curved edge of the plate half (the “hat” brim). Tape the end of a piece of yarn to the back and start weaving it over and under through the slits. Switch yarn colors by tying them together. When you’re done, glue a pom-pom on the tip and at the ends of the brim. It’s a cute craft that actually works those little hand muscles.
10. Q-Tip Snowflake Painting
Ever tried painting on ice? It’s a weirdly satisfying experience. This craft uses ice cubes as your canvas, so it’s temporary, but the process is half the fun.
What you need:
- An ice cube tray
- Q-tips (cotton swabs)
- Liquid watercolors or food coloring
How to do it:
Freeze water in the ice cube tray. Once frozen, pop the ice cubes out onto a tray or into a shallow bin. Give your kid a Q-tip and a small container of liquid watercolors. They can “paint” directly onto the ice. The colors slide and swirl on the surface. It’s a great way to talk about melting and solids/liquids, too.
11. Paper Bag Winter Village
I love this craft because it doubles as play food/imaginative play afterwards. You’re not just making art; you’re building a toy.
What you need:
- Brown paper lunch bags
- White paint and paintbrushes
- Markers
- Tissue paper or cotton balls
- Glue
How to do it:
Keep the bag folded flat. Paint the bottom half of the bag white to look like snow. Once dry, open the bag up. Stuff it with a few crumpled paper towels to give it shape. Fold the top of the bag over to create a “roof.” Use markers to draw doors and windows. Glue cotton balls or tissue paper to the roof for snow. Line them up and you have your very own winter village.
12. Melted Snowman Art
This one always gets a giggle. It’s the perfect way to use up the last bits of paint on the palette.
What you need:
- Blue construction paper
- White paint
- Googly eyes
- Orange pipe cleaner (for the nose)
- Glue
How to do it:
Let your kid splat a blob of white paint in the middle of the blue paper. Tilt the paper slightly to let it “melt” downwards. While the paint is still wet, stick on two googly eyes and a small piece of orange pipe cleaner for a carrot nose. You might need to add a couple of small twig arms made from marker or real twigs. It’s a funny take on a sad situation. 😉
13. Sticky Wall Snowman
If you need a quiet activity, the sticky wall is your best friend. It keeps kids occupied in one spot and works on fine motor skills.
What you need:
- Contact paper
- Painter’s tape
- White craft foam circles (pre-cut or let them cut them)
- Buttons, scarves (fabric scraps), hats
How to do it:
Tape a large piece of contact paper to the wall, sticky side out. Give your child a pile of foam circles, buttons, and scrap fabric. They stick the pieces directly onto the contact paper to build a snowman. It’s like a reusable sticker board. When they’re done, you can peel it off and throw it away. Zero clutter.
14. Snowstorm in a Jar
I’m a sucker for anything that involves jars and glitter. This one is mesmerizing for kids and adults alike.
What you need:
- A glass jar with a tight lid
- Baby oil
- White paint
- Glitter
- Alka-Seltzer tablets
How to do it:
Fill the jar almost to the top with baby oil. In a separate cup, mix water with a generous amount of white paint. Pour the paint water into the jar. It will sink to the bottom. Add glitter. When you’re ready for the “snowstorm,” break an Alka-Seltzer tablet into pieces and drop them in. Watch the “snow” blizzard up and down! It’s pure science magic.
15. Crayon Resist Snowflakes
This is a classic art technique that always looks professional. It feels like a magic trick to the little ones.
What you need:
- White cardstock
- White crayon
- Blue watercolor paint
- Paintbrush
How to do it:
Have your child draw snowflakes all over the paper using the white crayon. Press hard! Then, give them the blue watercolor paint and let them paint over the entire page. Because of the wax in the crayon, the paint will resist it, and the white snowflakes will magically appear. The look on their faces when the snowflakes show up? Priceless.
Time to Get Messy!
So there you have it—15 ways to turn a boring winter afternoon into a creative extravaganza. You don’t need to be a Pinterest-perfect mom to pull these off. Just embrace the mess, let them lead the way, and remember that the memories are more important than the masterpiece.
Now, go raid your recycling bin and find those toilet paper rolls. The snowmen aren’t going to build themselves!
Which one are you trying first? Drop a comment and let me know—I’d love to hear how it goes!
