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The snow is falling, school is canceled, and the kids have asked for screens six times before 9 a.m. You want something hands-on. Something worth displaying when it’s done. Pull out the glue and paper.
These 16 winter crafts for kids double as real decorations for your mantel, windows, and front door. Most use supplies from the junk drawer, and every one works for ages four and up with a little help.
1. Paper Snowflake Garland
Fold white paper into triangles, snip shapes along the edges, and unfold to reveal a snowflake. String a dozen on twine and hang them across a window. No two look the same, which is the whole charm.
Hot tip: use thin printer paper for kids, since cardstock is too tough for small scissors. Honest caveat: younger kids need you to fold first. (Unfolding is the best part anyway.)
A snowy window with zero shoveling.
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2. Popsicle Stick Snowflake Wall Hangings
Glue three popsicle sticks into a star, then decorate with paint, glitter, and sequins. Add a ribbon loop and hang them on a wall or branch. Kids love customizing every one.
The trick here: hot glue the base yourself so it holds while kids decorate. Honest caveat: glitter travels everywhere. (Consider it winter confetti.)
Sparkly wall art for pocket change.
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3. Salt Dough Ornaments
Mix flour, salt, and water into a dough, roll it out, and cut shapes with cookie cutters. Bake low, then paint mittens, stars, and snowmen. These become family keepsakes for years.
Hot tip: poke the ribbon hole with a straw before baking. Honest caveat: thick shapes crack, so roll to a quarter inch. (Thin and even wins.)
Ornaments with tiny fingerprints you’ll treasure.
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4. Snowy Pinecone Trees for the Mantel
Dab white paint on pinecone tips for a snowy look, then glue each into a wooden spool base. Top with a tiny pom pom star. Group a whole forest across your mantel.
The trick here: dry-brush the paint so it catches only the edges. Honest caveat: pinecones hide bugs, so bake them at 200 degrees for 30 minutes first. (Nobody wants surprise guests.)
A mini winter forest from the backyard.
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5. Mini Jar Snow Globes
Glue a tiny tree and figurine to the inside of a small jar lid, then fill the jar with water, a drop of glycerin, and glitter. Screw it on tight and shake. Kids watch the snow swirl for ages.
Hot tip: glycerin slows the glitter for a dreamy snowfall. Honest caveat: seal the lid with waterproof glue or it will leak. (Ask me how I know.)
A snowy scene in the palm of their hand.
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6. Watercolor Coffee Filter Snowflakes
Color coffee filters with washable markers, spritz with water, and let the colors bleed into soft watercolor blends. Once dry, fold and cut them into snowflakes. Tape them to the window for a stained-glass glow.
The trick here: stick with cool blues and purples for an icy look. Honest caveat: wet filters tear easily, so let them dry flat. (Patience pays off.)
Your windows glow like a frosty morning.
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7. Paper Plate Snowman Wreath
Cut the center from a paper plate, cover the ring in cotton balls, and add a felt snowman face. A plaid ribbon scarf finishes the look. Hang it on the front door to greet guests.
Hot tip: use tacky glue instead of glue sticks so the cotton stays put. Honest caveat: outdoor doors get wet, so hang it inside a storm door. (Soggy snowmen are sad.)
Front door charm made by little hands.
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8. Yarn Wrapped Mini Trees
Roll cardstock into cones, then wrap them in green, white, and red yarn. Add tiny pom pom ornaments and a paper star on top. Group three heights for a cozy tabletop display.
The trick here: tape the yarn end inside the cone before wrapping. Honest caveat: wrapping takes patience for little ones. (Perfect for quiet time.)
A forest of fuzzy trees on your shelf.
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9. Button Tree Canvas Art
Paint a tree trunk and branches on a small canvas, then glue buttons all over as snow. White, silver, and pale blue buttons shine in the light. It’s gallery-worthy and grandparent-approved.
Hot tip: sort buttons into a muffin tin first to keep things tidy. Honest caveat: small buttons are a choking hazard for toddlers. (Save this one for ages five and up.)
Art worth framing.
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10. Felt Mitten Door Hanger
Cut two mitten shapes from felt, glue or stitch the edges, and add snowflake details with white paint. Tie on a ribbon and hang it from a doorknob. Tuck a candy cane inside for fun.
The trick here: use fabric glue for kids who aren’t ready for needles. Honest caveat: thin felt pills with handling, so pick stiff felt. (Thicker felt holds its shape.)
A cozy welcome on every door in the house.
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11. Toilet Paper Roll Penguins
Paint empty toilet paper rolls black and white, add orange paper beaks and feet, and wrap tiny yarn scarves around their necks. Line a family of penguins on a windowsill. They look adorable in a row.
Hot tip: paint the white belly first, then the black, for cleaner lines. Honest caveat: you’ll need to save rolls for a few weeks. (Start collecting now.)
Recycling never looked this cute.
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12. Frozen Ice Suncatchers
Fill shallow pans with water, cranberries, orange slices, and pine sprigs, add a twine loop, and freeze overnight outside. Pop them out and hang them from tree branches. Sunlight makes them glow.
The trick here: use distilled water for clearer ice. Honest caveat: these only last in freezing weather. (Enjoy them while the cold sticks around.)
Nature art for the backyard.
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13. Clothespin Reindeer Magnets
Glue wooden clothespins into a reindeer shape, then add googly eyes and a red pom pom nose. A magnet on the back turns them into fridge decor. Make a whole team.
Hot tip: paint the clothespins brown first for a richer look. Honest caveat: strong magnets are a hazard for toddlers. (Keep them up high.)
Your fridge gets a festive herd.
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14. Snowflake Paper Bag Luminaries
Fold paper bags, cut snowflake shapes from the sides, and drop in LED tea lights. Line them along the walkway or porch steps. They glow like lanterns at dusk.
The trick here: fold the bag flat and cut through both layers for matching designs. Honest caveat: always use LED lights, never real flames. (Safety first, sparkle second.)
Your walkway turns into a winter wonderland.
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15. Paper House Winter Village
Fold white cardstock into little houses, cut windows and doors, and set them over LED tea lights. Arrange them on cotton batting with mini trees. It turns a sideboard into a glowing village.
Hot tip: print free house templates to make folding easier. Honest caveat: this one needs adult help with cutting. (Teamwork makes the village.)
A cozy town the whole family built.
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16. Winter Wonderland Shadow Box
Turn a shoebox lid into a snowy scene with cotton snow, paper trees, and a tiny felt animal. Paint a starry sky on the back. Kids love building their own little world.
The trick here: glue layers from back to front for depth. Honest caveat: small pieces need tweezers and patience. (Big payoff, small parts.)
A tiny winter wonderland for the bookshelf.
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Start Your Winter Crafts for Kids This Weekend
Winter is the perfect season to slow down, stay cozy, and fill your home with handmade magic. From snowflake garlands and salt dough ornaments to paper villages and shadow boxes, these ideas cover windows, mantels, doors, and even the backyard. Pick two easy projects for the next snow day, set up a supply tray the night before, and display each finished piece the minute it dries. If you are ready for even more kid-friendly ideas, be sure to check out 15 Easy Winter Crafts for Kids Using Paper and Cardboard for even more snow day fun.
