Snowy afternoon? Rainy afternoon? An afternoon when everyone has somehow already eaten three snacks? These 25 winter crafts for toddlers use simple supplies to keep little hands busy. Nobody needs to make a picture-perfect snowman.
Before you start, cover the table, choose washable, nontoxic materials, and stay close enough to supervise. Toddlers explore with their mouths, so skip small decorations, loose beads, and anything else your child could choke on. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s toy safety guidance offers more advice on choosing materials that suit your child’s age.
1. Cotton ball snowman picture
Draw a large snowman outline on blue paper, then invite your toddler to glue cotton balls inside it. Add a paper scarf and draw a face together.
Safety tip: If your child tends to put craft supplies in their mouth, use torn white paper instead of cotton balls. An adult should supervise every step.
2. Paper plate snowflake
Cut a few large notches around the edge of a paper plate before you hand it to your toddler. Let them decorate the plate with blue crayons, washable paint, or white paper scraps and a glue stick.
Every snowflake will look a little different. Hang the finished creations well out of reach, and skip strings that little hands can grab.
3. Mitten matching collage
Cut two large mitten shapes from sturdy paper and give your toddler big pieces of colored paper to glue onto each one. Talk about the colors as you work: “Can you find another blue piece?”
The mittens don’t need to match perfectly. Your toddler can practice placing and pressing the paper, then decide where each piece belongs.
4. Handprint penguin
Paint your toddler’s hand black and help them press it onto white paper, with their fingers pointing down to make the penguin’s body. Once the paint dries, add a large white paper belly and draw a beak and eyes.
Use washable, nontoxic paint and wash hands afterward. If your child dislikes paint on their skin, trace their hand and let them color the outline instead.
5. Snowy tree finger painting
Draw a simple tree trunk and branches on dark paper, then offer a small amount of white finger paint. Your toddler can dab snow onto the branches, the ground, and probably a few unexpected places.
Ask whether the tree needs a little snow or a lot. Keep a damp cloth nearby for the cleanup that follows.
6. Polar bear paper plate
Give your toddler a white paper plate and two large paper ears to glue along the top edge. Draw a nose, mouth, and eyes, or invite your child to give the bear a face of their own.
For a textured bear, let your toddler glue on large pieces of torn white paper. Skip small plastic eyes because a child could choke on them.
7. Winter window art
Tape a large sheet of clear contact paper to a table with the sticky side facing up. Offer large tissue paper shapes in cool colors and let your toddler press them onto the surface.
Cover the finished collage with another sheet of contact paper, trim the edges yourself, and display it in a window. Keep loose plastic backing away from your child.
8. Puffy-looking paper snow
Cut or tear white paper into large pieces your toddler can handle, then let them scrunch the pieces into loose shapes. Glue them onto blue cardboard to make a bumpy snow scene.
Your toddler can enjoy the feel of the paper without homemade paint mixtures or tiny decorations. Stay close and make sure the paper stays out of their mouth.
9. Ice skate paper craft
Cut a large skate shape from cardstock, including a broad paper blade. Let your toddler decorate the boot with crayons, large paper shapes, or washable paint.
Talk about how skaters glide across ice while your child works. Draw the laces with a marker instead of using real cords, which can tangle around a child’s body.
10. Snowy pinecone painting
Hold a large, clean pinecone steady while your toddler brushes its edges with white washable paint. Place it on a covered tray and let it dry, then use it as a winter table decoration.
Choose a pinecone too large for your child to put in their mouth, check for sharp or loose pieces, and supervise closely. If you prefer, cut a pinecone shape from cardboard and let your toddler paint that instead.
11. Marshmallow-free hot cocoa mug
Cut a large mug shape from construction paper and let your toddler color the cocoa area brown. Add big white paper circles for marshmallows, then decorate the mug with crayon stripes or dots.
The paper cocoa might look tempting, but save this mug for display. For another cozy seasonal project, try these Christmas stocking craft ideas.
12. Paper bag winter puppet
Turn a paper lunch bag into a snow creature by drawing a face on the folded bottom. Your toddler can glue on large paper mittens, a hat, or a scarf before you help bring the puppet to life.
Give your new friend a silly voice and ask where it wants to play in the snow. You might end up with a whole puppet show.
13. Snowstorm sponge painting
Cut a large household sponge into a shape your toddler can grip, then pour a little white washable paint onto a tray. Your toddler can press the sponge onto blue paper to make a flurry of snowy marks.
Use a whole sponge if cutting creates loose bits. Press it gently, then firmly, and notice how the prints change.
14. Cardboard winter hat
Cut a large hat shape from a cereal box or other thin cardboard. Offer washable markers, crayons, and large paper strips so your toddler can decorate the hat for cold weather.
Draw a pom-pom at the top rather than attaching a small craft pom-pom. You can also reuse some packaging before you recycle it.
15. Northern lights crayon art
Give your toddler blue, green, purple, and white crayons to sweep across a sheet of dark paper. Encourage broad lines and overlapping colors to suggest a glowing winter sky.
Explain that people can see the real northern lights in certain parts of the world when conditions allow. Your fridge version doesn’t require freezing temperatures or a late bedtime.
16. Paper snow globe
Cut a large circle and a trapezoid-shaped base from cardstock, then glue them together to make a flat snow globe. Your toddler can decorate the circle with white crayon snow and a simple paper tree.
Write the date on the back if you want a keepsake. Your toddler can give this paper version an enthusiastic shake without breaking any glass.
17. Footprint snowman keepsake
Help your toddler step into a thin layer of washable white paint and press one foot onto colored paper. Wash their foot right away, then let the print dry and turn it into a snowman by drawing a hat, face, and scarf.
Keep a towel and warm water within reach, and hold your child securely to prevent slips. If paint feels too messy, trace their foot and let them color the shape.
18. Winter animal tracks
Cut a clean sponge into a large paw shape, or use your fingers to stamp simple tracks with washable paint. Let your toddler make trails across white paper and imagine which winter animals visited.
After painting, try a slow bear walk or a quick rabbit hop together. For more animal ideas, explore these easy elephant crafts for toddlers.
19. Torn paper snowy owl
Draw a large oval owl on dark paper and invite your toddler to fill it with torn white paper. Add two large paper circles for eyes, then draw the pupils and a beak.
Tearing gives little hands a satisfying job, and the oval helps your child see the owl take shape. Your owl might look a little surprised when you put it on the refrigerator.
20. Cardboard tube snow person
Wrap a cardboard tube in white paper, then let your toddler draw a face and colorful buttons. Cut a wide paper strip for a scarf and help your child glue it around the tube.
Choose a clean tube and check the edges before crafting. Draw the details instead of adding small buttons, beads, or other loose decorations.
21. Winter forest collage
Cut several large green triangles and brown rectangles to make simple trees. Your toddler can glue them onto blue paper, then add white crayon marks for falling snow.
Count the trees together if your child shows interest, but let them decide what goes on the page. A forest with one tree and a giant snow cloud can tell a good story, too.
22. Melted snowman painting
Let your toddler spread white washable paint across dark paper to create a snowman-shaped puddle. Once the paint dries, draw a carrot nose, a hat, and a few big buttons around the puddle.
This funny snowman gives toddlers plenty of room to make the squiggles and smears they love. Ask, “What do you think happened to our snowman?” and listen to their answer.
23. Cardboard box igloo scene
Cut a large dome from white cardboard and draw curved lines to suggest blocks of snow. Your toddler can glue the dome onto blue paper and add a dark paper doorway or white crayon snowfall.
Explain simply that some Inuit communities traditionally built snow shelters for certain conditions and purposes. For more context, consult The Canadian Encyclopedia’s introduction to igloos.
24. Winter scarf paper weaving
Cut a wide paper scarf and make a few long, roomy slits in its center. Offer your toddler broad paper strips and help them push the strips through the openings to make a woven pattern.
Plan to help with this one, and take your time. If weaving frustrates your child, let them glue the strips on top instead.
25. Snowy day family portrait
Draw simple outlines of your family on a large sheet of paper and invite your toddler to add colorful winter hats, scarves, and snow. Use crayons, washable paint, or large paper shapes, whatever you already have handy.
Label each person together and ask your child to tell you about the scene. Keep the portrait as a reminder of where your toddler’s imagination can take these winter crafts for toddlers.
Make cold days a little more creative
You don’t need elaborate supplies to make winter afternoons fun. With paper, washable paint, and a few minutes together, you can make snowmen, penguins, and snowy forests, then tell stories about them.
Choose projects that suit your toddler’s interests and developmental stage, supervise closely, and let them lead whenever possible. Enjoy the time together, let the craft turn out however it turns out, and maybe even finish your coffee while it’s warm.