Malvern Blog

Winter Crafts and Activities for Kids: A Guide to Indoor and Outdoor Fun!

Written by Alisha Hunter | Dec 13, 2024 6:36:35 PM

Discover 25 fun winter crafts and outdoor activities for kids, featuring indoor projects and outdoor adventures to fill your days with joy and laughter.

Winter is the perfect season to embrace creativity, outdoor fun, and quality time with your little ones. Whether you’re crafting indoors or bundling up to explore the snowy outdoors, there are endless ways to keep young children entertained.

Tips for Fun-Filled Winter Days

  • Mix Indoor and Outdoor Activities: Spend a morning sledding and building snowmen, then warm up inside with crafts or cocoa.
  • Layer Up for Outdoor Fun: Dress children in layers, waterproof gear, and warm accessories to ensure they stay comfortable.
  • Make Memories: Take photos of your snow creations and crafts to capture the magic of winter.

Indoor Winter Crafts and Activities

1. DIY Snow Globes
Create your own magical snow globe with jars, glitter, and figurines.

2. Handprint Snowmen Cards
Turn tiny handprints into adorable snowman keepsakes or holiday cards.

3. Build a Blanket Fort
Transform your living room into a cozy retreat with blankets, pillows, and fairy lights.

4. Make Edible Snowflakes
Cut tortillas into snowflake shapes, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and bake for a tasty treat.

5. Indoor Snowball Fight
Roll up white socks or use soft balls for a fun, energy-burning snowball fight indoors.

6. Winter Sensory Bin
Fill a large container with white pom-poms, fake snow, or cotton balls, and add winter-themed toys for hands-on exploration.

7. Puffy Snow Paint Art
Mix shaving cream and glue to make a puffy “snow” paint for kids to create wintery masterpieces.

8. Hot Cocoa Bar
Set up a DIY cocoa station with marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles, and candy canes for a sweet treat.

9. Decorate a Gingerbread House
Use a store-bought kit or graham crackers, frosting, and candy to create your own winter-themed masterpiece.

10. Winter Bingo
Create a bingo game featuring winter items like snowflakes, mittens, and snowmen. Perfect for cozy family fun!

11. DIY Snowflake Window Clings
Use puffy paint to draw snowflake shapes on plastic sheets. Once dry, stick them on your windows for a frosty effect.

12. Sock Puppet Snowman Show
Let kids make snowman puppets out of old socks, then put on a fun puppet show.

13. Make a Winter Wreath
Help kids create a simple wreath using paper plates, construction paper, cotton balls, and glitter.

14. Frozen Slime
Make sensory-friendly slime with clear glue, blue glitter, and white foam beads for a frosty winter texture.

15. Snowflake Pasta Necklaces
Dye small pasta shapes blue or white, thread them onto string, and make “snowflake” necklaces.

Outdoor Winter Activities

16. Build a Snowman or Snow Fort
Classic outdoor fun! Use scarves, hats, and sticks to decorate your frosty creations.

17. Snow Painting
Fill spray bottles with water and food coloring, then let kids paint colorful designs in the snow.

18. Winter Scavenger Hunt
Search for items like pinecones, icicles, or animal tracks during a family walk.

19. Go Sledding
Head to a nearby hill for a sledding adventure with toboggans, saucers, or improvised sleds.

20. Ice Skating Adventure
Visit a local rink or find a frozen pond (ensure it’s safe!) for a fun day of skating.

21. Stargazing
Bundle up and enjoy the beauty of a clear winter night. Look for constellations and shooting stars.

22. Winter Bird Feeding
Make pinecone bird feeders with peanut butter and birdseed, then hang them in trees and watch the birds visit.

23. Ice Sun Catchers
Freeze water with natural items (leaves, berries) in a pie tin and hang the frozen creation outdoors.

24. Snow Obstacle Course
Set up an obstacle course in your yard using snow mounds, tunnels, or cones for kids to navigate.

25. Snow Angel Parade
Challenge your kids to see who can make the most snow angels or create a line of angels across the yard.

With this list of activities, you’ll have plenty of options to keep your kids entertained and engaged all winter long. Whether crafting indoors or exploring the snowy outdoors, these ideas are sure to spark creativity, encourage active play, and create lasting memories for your family. Happy Winter!