During the winter it can be hard to keep kids busy and happy, and finding ideas online can be really overwhelming. We’re here to help! We’ve compiled six of our favorite upcycled winter crafts for kids that will help you turn your trash into treasure.
1.) Toilet Paper Roll Penguins:
Wrap your toilet paper roll in black construction paper (instead of using paper you can use paint.) Then add white paper for the body, and cut orange paper for the feet and nose. Then cut wings out of the black paper and attach. Then glue on googly eyes. Tina from MamasLikeMe recommends adding a popsicle stick to make the penguin into a puppet!
2.) Egg Carton Snowman:
Paint 3 egg cartons white and assemble them into a snowman’s body. Then glue small buttons onto the body. Cut out a black hat using either felt or paper, and glue to the top of the snowman’s head. Then glue on googly eyes and add an orange triangle nose and a piece of fabric for a scarf! You can also add sticks for arms as seen here by Mama to 4 Blessings or add an earmuff.
3.) Popsicle Stick Snowman:
We love this individual Popsicle Stick Snowman as seen here by Designed to Dwell. Use 1 popsicle stick, paint it white and draw on the eyes and buttons. Then cut out an orange triangle nose, make a black paper hat and attach a piece of yarn or fabric as a scarf. This can be used a cute bookmark or fun decoration! You can also make this Snowman Popsicle Stick Banner by Making Friends.
4.) Water Bottle Snowman!
First take off the water bottle label, then fill the water bottle with cotton balls. Glue on a scarf made out of felt or fabric and add buttons to the body. Next add the eyes, smile and nose (using either buttons or another material.) We love this one by Mom 2 Posh Little Divas where you cover your cap with black paper or tape to create the hat. You can also use pipe cleaners to create twig arms as seen here by Plumberry Pie.
5.) Paint Stick Snow Ruler
This is a great way for kids to use their math skills during the snow days, and encourage them to have fun in the snow! Paint a paint stick white (you can get these for free at many home improvement stores if you don’t already have one to upcycle.) Then add the measurement markings for inches. Next add googly eyes, an orange paper triangle nose, a black paper hat and eyes. The glue a scrap fabric scarf.
6.) Winter Sun Catcher
This winter sun catcher from Mama’s Little Muse is a great way to encourage your children to go outside during the chilly winter months. Go on a treasure hunt in your backyard or local park and collect berries, twigs, pinecones, leaves etc. Then come inside and add all your treasures to a foil pie dish with water. Add yarn to the dish, allowing for part of it to be outside of the dish so you can hang the sun catcher. Place in the freezer until fully frozen, then hang outside for a beautiful winter sun catcher.
What are some of your favorite winter crafts and activities you’ve done this year? Leave us a comment and let us know.
Do you have a child that enjoys crafts? Sign them up for a gift subscription or monthly subscription to Green Kid Crafts – they’ll get 3 fun and earth-friendly craft kits each month by mail!
