Winter with young kids has its own kind of magic — the crisp morning air, the crunch of frosty leaves under little boots, and the thrill of stomping through icy puddles followed by a good cozy up indoors.
But too long inside and the boredom can creep in. That’s usually my cue to open up the craft cupboard get the kids creating some easy winter crafts — simple, cheerful projects that keep little hands out of mischief!
I’m all about things that don’t take forever to set up. A little paper, some paint, or even a sensory bin filled with “snow,” and suddenly the room is quiet… in the best way!
Here you’ll find plenty of easy winter arts and crafts for kids of the preschool, toddler and elementary school age.
There are also simple winter activities for kids, including simple sensory play ideas that’ll keep little ones engaged, without the need for screens.
Enjoy!
Simple Winter Crafts for Toddlers
Easy, low-prep winter crafts for toddlers that keep little hands busy without the mess or stress.
Christmas Countdown Snowman Craft
Kids will love counting down the days with this cheerful snowman. It’s cute, interactive, and will add a little excitement as Christmas creeps closer.
Head over to Coffee and Carpool for more
Polar Bear Paper Plate Craft
A plain paper plate becomes an adorable polar bear face with just a bit of cutting and gluing. Simple, cute, and perfect for fine motor practice on chilly days.
Head over to Parenting Chaos for details
Snowman Handprint Craft
Turn little handprints into the cutest frosty snowman! A simple craft you’ll love putting on display year after year.
(We have plenty more festive handprint crafts for kids here.)
Visit Beth Ann Averill for the free template
Winter Paper Plate Wreath
A paper plate transforms into a snowy winter wreath with just a few crayons and some sweet decorations. Kids can hang it on their door or gift it to someone special.
Jump over to Two Pink Peonies for more
Paper Plate Melted Snowman Craft
If your kids love silly crafts, this melted snowman will crack them up! Such a simple winter craft that toddlers can get fully involved in,
Visit Cultivating Brilliant Minds for more
Winter Handprint Snowflake Craft
Kids trace, cut, and glue their handprints into a circle shape, then sprinkle on some sparkle for a snowy effect. It’s a sweet winter craft that sneaks in scissor practice – mom will need to be on hand to assist the little ones.
Snowglobe Paper Plate Craft: A Magical Winter Project for Kids
This paper plate craft becomes a sweet little snow globe, and every kid can create their own unique winter scene. Simple, fun, and perfect for keeping little hands busy on chilly days.
Jump over to Cultivating Brilliant Minds for more
Moving Polar Bear Craft: A Winter Wonderland in Motion
This adorable moving polar bear is such a fun hands-on project! Kids will love watching their little bear glide across the snowy scene — it’s such a cute and interactive winter craft that’ll keep toddlers and preschoolers entertained long after you’ve packed away all your supplies.
Head over to Cultivating Brilliant Minds for details
Fluffy Snowman Christmas Craft
Paper cups turn into the fluffiest snowman with a little cutting and gluing fun. Click through for the printable pieces—nose, eyes, hat, mittens, and more!
Jump over to Crafted with Bliss for details
DIY Upcycled Jar Photo Snow Globe Decoration
A clear jar, a favorite photo, and some “snow” and kids can create their very own snow globe. Little ones will love shaking it up and watching the snow fall. This will make the cutest keepsake or DIY gift for friends and family.
Visit Mommy Christmas for instructions
Popsicle Stick Snowman Ornament
Who knew a plain wooden stick could make such a cute snowman? This easy winter kids’ craft is ideal for young toddlers, whether at home or at preschool.
Head over to Mommy Christmas for more
More Christmas ornament crafts here:
- 25 Adorable Salt Dough Ornaments
- Simple FREE Printable 3D Paper Christmas Ornaments
- 47 Easy DIY Christmas ornaments To Make With Kids
- 25 Easy Christmas ornaments made from nature
- 33+ Cute & Easy DIY Christmas Ornaments for Preschool
- 15 Cute & Easy Keepsake Christmas Ornaments
Winter Cards Kids Can Make
Sweet and simple winter card crafts kids can decorate and share with friends and family.
Simple snowman card or craft
Kids will love making these easy snowman cards. Put out the buttons, paper, and washi tapes, then let their creativity do the rest!
Shape & Fingerprint Christmas Snow Scene
Make this cute winter scene using simple shapes on colored cardstock. Add white paint fingerprints for snow — an easy winter craft that combines creativity and a little learning,
Spinning Snowman Christmas Card Craft
This isn’t an ordinary Christmas card—give it a spin and watch kids light up with excitement! A playful craft that makes a charming surprise for friends and family.
Visit Darcy & Brian for instructions
Christmas Explosion Pop-Up Card
This pop-up card looks like a wrapped gift on the outside, but opens to a cute holiday surprise inside. Kids can use the free template in full color or choose the black-and-white version to decorate themselves.
Christmas explosion pop-up card
Puffy Paint Snowman Snowglobe Card
Puffy paint makes these snowglobe cards extra fun and textured for little hands. Cute, easy, and a great little winter project for kids.
Head over to Red Ted Art for more
Here are some more easy Christmas cards to try:
- Super easy paint chip Christmas tree card
- 33 Cute, Easy DIY Toddler Christmas Cards
- 33 Easy DIY Christmas Card Crafts For Kids
- Upcycled Christmas card collage
Printable Winter Crafts & Activities
Quick, ready-to-go printable winter crafts for kids — perfect for days when you need maximum output with minimum input!
Free Printable Footprint Snowman
A simple little footprint is quickly transformed into an adorable snowman! Kids will love watching their own toes turn into a winter friend, and pinning it on the fridge at home or gifting to a grandparent.
Download the footprint snowman PDF here
Free Printable Winter Owl and Paste Craft
Just print, cut, and paste! This winter owl comes together quickly and makes a cute addition to your winter arts and crafts line up.
Jump over to Natasha LH for details
Preschool Easy Winter Hat Craft (Free Printable)
A little coloring, a bit of cotton wool and you have a cozy winter hat craft. Simple, fun, and perfect for toddlers and preschool kids too.
Visit Simply Full of Delight for instructions
Easy Mittens Craft (with Free Printable Mitten Template)
Here’s a simple winter craft for kids that allows maximum creativity. Little ones can print and decorate their mittens any way they like; color, paint, or glue on fun embellishments —anything goes with this one.
Head over to Simply Full of Delight for more
Free Printable 3D Snowman Craft for Kids
A cute winter win: kids get to color, cut, and assemble a 3D snowman with this free printable. No fancy supplies needed, just paper, scissors, glue, and happy little hands.
Head over to Natasha LH for instructions
Winter Coloring Pages
Sometimes simple is best. These winter coloring pages are perfect for a quiet afternoon, on long car rides, or when waiting for food when out and about. You can never go wrong with an easy, minimal-mess coloring activity.
Winter Search and Find Printable for Ages 4–6
This simple winter printable activity is perfect for keeping kids busy during quiet time. They’ll enjoy hunting for winter pictures while building attention and number skills.
Visit The Crafty Blog Stalker for instructions
Snowman Preschool Activity: Name Learning Printable
This adorable printable gets kids practicing their name as they create their snowman. A sweet, easy way to mix early learning with winter crafting.
Head over to Teach Me Mama for instructions
Here are some more fun and festive printables:
- FREE 17 Page Christmas Activity Booklet Printable
- 7 Free Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt Printable PDFs
- 30 FREE Printable Christmas Bingo Cards {5 Festive Sets}
- 10 {Free & Editable} Santa’s Nice List Certificate Printables
- 12 Cute Printable Christmas Handprint & Footprint Art Templates
Fun Winter Activities for Kids
A mix of playful winter-themed activities that bring extra excitement to those long, chilly days.
Pipe Cleaner Icicle Craft: Fine Motor Winter Fun!
Kids twist and shape pipe cleaners to make sparkly icicles. Such a fun winter activity, and a sneaky way to practice fine motor skills too.
Jump over to Mommy Evolution for more
Snowman Window Cling Craft
These sweet little window clings bring winter magic right into your home. They’re simple to make and will look adorable on any window.
Head over to Ann’s Entitled Life for details
Potato Stamp Penguin
A potato, some paint, and suddenly you’ve got some sweet little penguins. Toddlers will love this simple winter art activity – why not create some fun penguin decorated DIY wrapping paper?
Getting prepared for Christmas while keeping the kids engaged – that’s a double win for sure!
Visit Digicative for instructions
Cardboard Snow Craft for Kids
Let kids dip cardboard rolls into paint and stamp out snowy shapes across the page. It’s simple, creative, and a great way to keep little hands busy when stuck inside this winter.
Head over to Mommy Evolution for more
Jan Brett The Mitten Activities: Sew a Mitten
Inspired by the book The Mitten, this craft lets kids “sew” a mitten with yarn. It’s cute, meaningful, and perfect to follow a winter story time afternoon.
Jump over to Mommy Evolution for details
Fork Painted Snowflakes for Toddlers
Using a fork instead of a paintbrush makes this snowflake craft a little different! Kids can really get creative designing different snowflakes – there’s no right or wrong way to do it!
Visit Mommy Evolution for instructions
Here are more festive activities to keep kids busy:
- 39 Easy Preschool Holiday Activities
- 50 Christmas Sensory Activities & Bins
- 47 Cute Easy Holiday Activities for Toddlers
Winter Sensory Fun for Little Hands
Cozy, hands-on winter sensory play ideas that let toddlers explore textures, “snow,” and seasonal fun.
Snow Dough Winter Playdough
Soft, squishy “snow dough” gives kids plenty of snowy fun without the cold. Fun winter-themed sensory play that has the potential to keep little hands engaged for hours!
Jump over to The Soccer Mom Blog for details
Glitter & Bubble Foam Fake Snow Sensory Bin
Whisk water and bubble bath to make fluffy “snow,” then sprinkle glitter for a wintery shimmer. Add jingle bells and snowflake foam cutouts for a simple sensory bin that toddlers will love.
Head over to And Next Comes L for details
Pretend Snow
This pretend snow is fluffy, cool, and so much fun for little hands. Toddlers can scoop, mold, and play — this easy winter activity for kids is perfect for when you want to enjoy snow indoors.
Visit The Soccer Mom Blog for more
Snowman In A Bag Kids Craft
Kids squish, move, and swirl the “snow” inside this sensory bag to build their snowman. No mess, maximum fun — a win for toddlers and moms.
Jump over to Oh My Creative for more
Cotton Ball Snowy Sensory Bin
Soft cotton balls are the stand-in for snow in this fun winter sensory activity — toss in some scoopers, snowflake shapes, or small cups and let toddlers dig in and explore snowy (fluffly) textures.
Visit And Next Comes L for instructions
Pop Tart Gingerbread House
Building a gingerbread house with Pop Tarts is already fun, but letting kids decorate with candies and peppermint kisses turns it into a little sensory adventure—full of texture, color, festive scent and tiny pieces to explore.
After all the constructing, sticking, and sprinkling, this deliciously sweet winter activity for kids takes care of snack time too!
Visit Chenee Today for details
Wrapping Up the Winter Fun
Winter days feel so much lighter when kids have something creative, cozy, and hands-on to dive into. Whether it’s crafting, playing or exploring sensory textures, these fun winter kids crafts add just the right kind of sparkle to cold afternoons.
Time to grab a few supplies, warm up some cocoa, and enjoy these sweet winter moments with your little ones.
______________________
If Christmas is round the corner, here are some festive crafts to keep your kids busy:
