19 Winter Crafts for Toddlers Ideas

Winter is the perfect time to get creative with little ones. The cold weather might keep you indoors, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop.

Crafting with toddlers is not only a fantastic way to keep them entertained, but it also helps build fine motor skills, creativity, and even early learning.

I’ve gathered 19 winter craft ideas that are simple, safe, and perfect for toddlers. These projects use materials you probably already have at home, so you can start crafting without a big trip to the store.

1. Cotton Ball Snowmen

Snow may be cold outside, but you can bring it inside with cotton balls. Let your toddler glue cotton balls onto paper to create fluffy snowmen. Add little buttons, paper hats, and carrot noses for extra fun.

2. Paper Plate Snowflakes

Paper plate crafts are always a hit. Cut the plate in half and let your toddler paint or sprinkle glitter on it. You can cut simple snowflake shapes for them to decorate, making a sparkly winter scene for your walls.

3. Popsicle Stick Snowflakes

Popsicle sticks are versatile and toddler-friendly. Arrange them in a snowflake pattern and glue together. Add sequins or glitter for a festive touch. This craft is easy for small hands and looks cute hanging in windows.

4. Fingerprint Penguins

Fingerprints aren’t just for learning—they make adorable penguins too! Dip your toddler’s fingers in black and white paint to create penguin bodies on paper. Add beaks, eyes, and feet with markers for a complete scene.

5. Winter Handprint Trees

Use brown paint to create tree trunks with your toddler’s handprints. Then let them dab white paint or cotton balls on the branches to resemble snow. This is a creative way to combine sensory play with winter art.

6. Snow Globe Jars

Transform old jars into mini snow globes. Add small winter figurines, glitter, and water. Seal the lid tightly and shake to create a magical snowy scene. Toddlers love watching the glitter swirl and settle.

7. Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough is easy to make and safe for toddlers. Mix flour, salt, and water, then let them shape it into stars, snowmen, or trees. Bake and let them paint the ornaments once hardened. They make lovely keepsakes.

8. Paper Cup Snowmen

Paper cups are inexpensive and perfect for building snowmen. Stack a few cups, let your toddler paint them, and add paper hats or scarves. These snowmen can decorate any room and are a great stacking exercise for little hands.

9. Pom-Pom Snowballs

Pom-poms are soft and safe, making them perfect for toddler crafts. Glue white pom-poms together to create snowball piles or little snowmen. You can even use them in pretend snowball fights indoors.

10. Glittery Pine Cones

Collect pine cones from outside and let your toddler brush glue and sprinkle glitter on them. This simple craft brings a bit of the outdoors inside and creates sparkling winter decorations for your home.

11. Snowy Window Art

Use washable white paint or window markers to let your toddler create winter scenes on windows. Snowflakes, snowmen, or even simple handprint snow are fun and easy for toddlers to make, and it brightens up any room.

12. Ice Painting

Freeze water in trays or small containers with a popsicle stick as a handle. Let your toddler paint with the ice, watching it melt and blend colors. This craft is sensory, creative, and a cool twist on regular painting.

13. Mitten Garland

Cut mitten shapes out of colored paper and let your toddler decorate them with stickers, markers, or stamps. String them together to make a festive winter garland. This is great for decorating playrooms or windowsills.

14. Cotton Cloud Snow Scene

Glue cotton balls to a blue sheet of paper to make a snowy sky. Add paper trees, snowmen, or animal stickers for a complete winter scene. Toddlers love arranging the cotton “clouds” themselves.

15. Yarn Wrapped Trees

Cut a simple triangle from cardboard to make a tree shape. Let your toddler wrap yarn around it in different colors. This helps with hand-eye coordination and creates a colorful winter decoration.

16. Snowflake Stamping

Cut snowflake shapes from sponges or potatoes and let your toddler dip them in paint. Press onto paper to create stamped snowflakes. This is a great sensory craft and produces stunning results with minimal effort.

17. Pom-Pom Snowmen Garland

String small pom-poms together to create a snowman garland. Toddlers can help by choosing colors and placing the pom-poms in order. Hang the garland along a wall or across a mantel for a festive touch.

18. Hot Chocolate Craft

Turn an ordinary craft into a cozy scene. Have toddlers paint or glue paper mugs and add cotton balls on top to represent whipped cream. You can even sprinkle a little glitter for “marshmallows.” It’s fun, seasonal, and sparks imagination.

19. Snowy Animal Footprints

Use washable paint to create animal footprints on paper. Toddlers can stamp their own handprints for paws or prints, and you can add animal shapes like penguins, polar bears, or foxes. This is a fun way to combine storytelling and art.

Conclusion

Winter crafts for toddlers are not just about keeping little hands busy—they’re a wonderful way to create memories, encourage creativity, and develop essential skills. From cotton ball snowmen to yarn-wrapped trees, these 19 craft ideas are easy, safe, and require minimal materials. Most importantly, they allow toddlers to explore, experiment, and have fun while celebrating the magic of winter indoors. Set up a cozy crafting space, gather your materials, and enjoy these creative moments with your little ones—they grow up fast, but these winter memories last a lifetime.