When it’s cold outside and going to the park isn’t an option, crafting is always a great alternative. Not only does it keep kids busy, it also inspires creativity, encourages fine motor skills and most of all, creates fun memories for the entire family. 

Try some of these winter themed crafts on a chilly, indoor afternoon. 

Snowman Sun Catcher 

What You’ll Need: 

• Contact paper
• Scissors
• Construction paper
• White tissue paper
• Scotch tape
• Glue stick

Using one side of the contact paper, place a large, white circle (snowman head) in the center. Add facial features: mouth, nose, eyes and then use small pieces of tissue paper to fill in the snowman head. Close the contact paper, basically sandwiching the snowman in between. Add a black hat with scotch tape and viola! Tape on the window to let the sunshine through. 

Winter Handprint Tree

What You’ll Need: 

• One sheet of blue stock paper
• Paints
• Q-tips
• Pencil 

Trace your child’s arm and hand on the blue stock paper with fingers spread out like branches. Paint or color in the tree brown. Dab different colors of paint around the tree, creating snow and leaves around the “tree”. Use wintery bright colors and don’t be afraid to experiment! 

Polar Bear Winter Art 

What You’ll Need: 

• Tissue paper (different colors)
• White card stock
• Black construction paper
• PVA Glue
• Scissors

Cut out a polar bear shape from the black construction paper. Cut out squares of tissue paper of different colors and glue them to the card stock. Once the entire card stock is covered in tissue paper, glue the polar bear on top, giving it a 3D impression. 

Icicle Craft 

What You’ll Need: 

• Aluminum foil
• Silver cord or string
• White glue
• Blue glitter

Cut or tear aluminum foil, tearing the lower corner to give it a blunt triangle ending. With the shiny side down, glue the silver cord or string on the top of the “icicle” with a portion of the string left to hang the project. Starting on the end of the string, loosely twist the aluminum foil in a cone shape. Dab glue along the length of the aluminum foil and sprinkle blue glitter along the glue. Once dry, shake the leftover glitter off and hang from the ceiling for a wintery wonderland. 

Egg Carton Penguins 

What You’ll Need: 

• Egg carton
• Black paint
• White Construction paper
• Orange Construction paper
• Googly eyes
• Glue 

Cut out the “cups” of the egg carton along with penguin features: orange nose, white belly, orange feet etc. Paint the egg carton upside down completely black and when that dries, add your penguins face, feet and the white belly to the egg carton. Kids love to paint and it looks adorable when they’re finished!