With winter weather blowing in across the country, now is the perfect time to get creative in the classroom! Try one (or more) of these adorable, easy-to-do classroom winter crafts and watch your kids light up. Perfect just for fun or as a present to take home for the holiday season. Pair your craft session with a winter-themed read-aloud for extra learning and fun.
1. Irresistible pinecone crafts
This blogger has created the cutest pinecone crafts ever! From the adorable elves and hedgehogs to the fairies and owls, your kids will flip for these little forest creatures.
Learn more: Pine Cone Crafts at Two Kids and a Coupon
2. Cheerio bird feeders
Share the love with our fine feathered friends. Create shapes with bendable wire, thread with Cheerios, add a ribbon, and hang!
Learn more: Easy Bird Feeders at Red Ted Art
3. Whimsical snow people
Aren’t these guys just the cutest things? Another genius idea made from paper towel or TP rolls. Add a splash of color with bright buttons and felt scarves.
Learn more: Paper Roll Snowman at Arty Crafty Kids
4. Easy arctic fox
Sighting an arctic fox is considered lucky in some cultures. This simple version is made from paper plates, white paper, googly eyes, and a black pom-pom for the nose.
Learn more: Easy Arctic Fox at I Heart Crafty Things
5. Mug of hot cocoa
Get into the holiday spirit with a steaming hot mug of hot chocolate … or at least a craft that looks like one. All you need are craft sticks, glue, cotton balls, and paint to create these adorable winter crafts in the classroom.
Learn more: Popsicle Stick Cocoa Mug at Glued to My Crafts
6. Pinecone winter owl
Read the timeless classic Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, then make your own wintry white owls. The pinecone base holds the cotton fluff perfectly and gives the owl a feathered look. Add wings and the head and your owl is ready to perch!
Learn more: Pinecone Winter Owls at Easy Peasy and Fun
7. Giant 3D paper snowflake
These giant snowflakes are simple to make if you follow the directions step-by-step. And hanging them from the classroom ceiling or in windows? Stunning!
Learn more: 3D Winter Snowflake at Michael Kay on YouTube
8. Orange peel garland
Create a beautiful garland with dried orange peels rolled up into beads. Drape these around your tree or across your windows.
Learn more: Orange Peel Garland at Krokotak on YouTube
9. Mix-and-match stone snowmen
All you need for this craft is flat rocks, white paint, and colored Sharpies. Decorate each stone as one part of a snowman, and once you’re done, you can mix and match the bodies or stack them up to build a really tall snowman!
Learn more: Stone Snowmen at In the Playroom
10. Snowy Day collage
Use bright-color construction paper, Sharpies, and white paint to create these charming snowy forest scenes.
Learn more: Fingerprint Trees at Cute DIY Projects
11. Pumpkin bird feeder
Make a treat for your fine feathered friends with this pumpkin bird feeder. Hollow out a small pumpkin (or acorn squash). Then, using a sharp knife (grown-ups only!), puncture the pumpkin in four places. Feed sticks through to act as perches and hanging hooks. Fill the gourd with birdseed and hang it in a nearby tree.
Learn more: Pumpkin Bird Feeders at Growing Family
12. Old-fashioned orange pomanders
There was a time when every schoolkid brought one of these home for their mom, but we’re thinking this one has skipped a generation. So why not bring it back into fashion? Your home will smell delicious and they make a great centerpiece.
Learn more: Orange Pomanders at Kelly Elko
13. Pinch pot snowman
The secret to making pinch pots is using the right kind of clay. This version uses air-dry clay. Once the sections are formed (see tutorial below), give them plenty of time to dry. Then treat them to a coat of glossy white paint, and add pipe cleaner arms, face, and buttons.
Learn more: Snowman Pinch Pots at Red Ted Art
14. Yarn-wrapped stars
Not only are these little ornaments cute, they help kids work on their fine motor skills. Experiment with different shapes like trees, snowmen, and snowflakes.
Learn more: Yarn Ornaments at Happy Hooligans
15. Glittery snow globe
This mesmerizing mason jar snow globe is not just pretty, it can also be used as a calm-down tool.
Learn more: Glittery Mason Jar Snow Globe at Hey, Let’s Make Stuff!
16. Shredded-paper winter animals
Finally, a great use for shredded documents! This tactile craft is fun and easy for little ones to put together.
Learn more: Shredded Paper Winter Animals at Make and Takes
17. No-sew sock penguin
This rice-filled sock craft is so simple—a little cutting and a little gluing, and your students have a new little winter buddy.
Learn more: Sock Penguin at Easy Peasy and Fun
18. Swirly glue-and-glitter snowmen
Only for the brave of heart—because this craft involves glitter! Start with a watercolor background, then add swirls of white glue. Before the glue dries, sprinkle on glitter. Once the glue dries, add accessories such as button eyes and fabric scarves.
Learn more: Glittery Snowmen at I Heart Crafty Things
19. Stuck in a snow globe
First, lead your students in making these adorable snow globes with clear plastic bowls and photos. Then, extend the learning with a fun writing project.
Learn more: Stuck in a Snow Globe at Boy Mama/Teacher Mama
20. Icy cold snow paint
Your kids will love using this creamy, puffy paint to whip up a snowman friend. Here’s a tip: When you chill the glue beforehand, it really feels like snow!
Learn more: Snow Paint at Growing a Jeweled Rose
21. Over and Under the Snow
Read Kate Messner’s charming storybook Over and Under the Snow, then have your students create their own adorable winter scene.
Learn more: Over and Under the Snow Illustration at Leah Newton Art
22. Classroom igloo
Start recycling those milk jugs, people! This cozy snow fort is a great cooperative-learning and engineering project for the whole class.
Learn more: Milk Jug Igloo at Hub Pages
23. Fingerprint snow people
Tiny canvases, acrylic paint, and toothpicks (oh, and fingers!) are all you need for this adorable keepsake.
Learn more: Fingerprint Snow People at A Cupcake for the Teacher
24. Custom candles
Use heat transfer to make these delightful and original candles. So clever!
Learn more: Artwork Candles at Come Together Kids
25. Winter tree silhouette
Use masking tape to create the shape of a winter tree, then paint a watercolor wash over the whole page. Once the paint is dry, remove the tape, and you’ll have this beautiful winter scene.
Learn more: Winter Trees at Inner Child Fun
26. Pasta snowflakes
A simple stunner! All you need is a variety of pasta shapes, glue, and white spray paint to create these winter crafts. Tie a pretty ribbon on them and hang them in the window or on your Christmas tree, if you have one.
Learn more: Pasta Snowflakes at Good Home Design
27. Snowflake trees
Here’s a fun twist on the age-old art of paper snowflakes. All you need is a bundle of sticks, some white copy paper, and scissors. Warning: You might want to have the recycle bin handy to capture all the scraps!
Learn more: Snowflake Trees at Instructables
28. Stained-glass mittens
Your kids will love seeing the sunlight dance across these stained-glass mittens. You provide the frame, then they glue the squares of tissue paper. Simple!
Learn more: Stained-Glass Mittens at Kinder Craze
29. Silly melted snowmen
A new twist on the classic snowman craft. This hilarious craft is simple to make and will put a smile on your students’ faces.
Learn more: Melted Snowmen at Glued to My Crafts
30. Snowy forest scene
A darling winter scene activity to go perfectly with the book Snowballs by Lois Ehlert.
Learn more: Aspen Tree/Bird Art Project at I Heart Crafty Things
31. Glittery icicles
Believe it or not, the base of these classroom winter crafts is plastic milk bottles. A gorgeous way to reuse and recycle an everyday object.
Learn more: Glittery Icicles at Kids Craft Room
32. Twig stars
Simple yet lovely, these nature-inspired winter crafts are made from twigs and decorated with ribbon, twine, and berries. Attach a bright-red ribbon and hang them from willow branches in a vase, or suspend them in front of a window.
Learn more: Twig Star Ornaments at Sense and Simplicity
33. Paper wreaths
These gorgeous winter wreaths are easy to make and also terrific for supporting fine motor skills for kids. Full-size versions are shown in the video, but the project can easily be adapted to make smaller versions.
Learn more: Paper Wreaths at YouTube
34. Winter hats
This adorable oil pastel/watercolor hat project comes with a free template and full directions. Students can express their personality with custom touches and top it off with a yarn pom-pom on top.
Learn more: Winter Hat at One Little Project … at a Time
35. Sledding dog
Inspired by an IRL sledding dog, this project is not only adorable, it memorializes a moment in time with your students’ handprints.
Learn more: Sledding Dog at My Creative Life
36. Paper flowers
This beautiful Christmas cactus craft is simple to make and, best of all, requires zero maintenance. Crafted from card stock, tissue paper, and bendable wire, it would make a lovely gift for your students to pass on to one of their favorite people.
Learn more: Christmas Cactus at The House That Lars Built
37. Popsicle stick sled
A very simple craft for younger students, this sled requires Popsicle sticks, glue, pipe cleaners, and mini pom-poms. Adorable as a tree ornament, or put a few Hershey’s Kisses or a tiny wrapped present on top for a sweet winter display.
Learn more: Popsicle Stick Sled at Craft Cottage
38. Finger-knit scarf
A classic childhood craft, finger knitting is easy to teach and easy to do. And the results speak for themselves—a warm, comfy scarf for chilly days.
Learn more: Finger Knit Scarf at YouTube
39. New Year’s Eve poppers
OK, this craft requires confetti and sparkles, so brace yourself! Using a toilet paper roll and a balloon, students will fill their popper with confetti, then cover the whole thing with beautiful scrapbook paper. A fun treat to take home and use for the end-of-the-year countdown.
Learn more: Confetti Cannon at The Spruce Crafts
40. Winter gnomes
Can I get an “Awwwww”? These adorable winter crafts are simple to make and would make a perfect gift for little ones to take home to their families.
Learn more: Flower Pot Gnomes at One Little Project
What are your favorite classroom winter crafts? Come share in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.
Plus, check out Gift Ideas for Students That Won’t Break the Bank.
