Making crafts is a great way to enjoy an afternoon. It lets children express themselves and develop their creativity while practicing their fine motor skills. Here are six ideas for fun and simple winter crafts.

1. Paper roll snowman

Rather than building a snowman outside, you can make one inside using a toilet paper roll or a paper towel roll cut in half. Either paint the roll white or glue a layer of white paper around it to make the snowman’s body. Then, use other colours of paper to make the snowman a scarf and an orange triangle nose. Finish it off by using a black marker to draw the snowman’s eyes and mouth.

2. Cotton ball snowman

If the first snowman craft was a hit, then here is another one to try. Start by drawing three circles on a piece of paper for the snowman’s body. Set up a shallow container with some liquid glue into which you can dip the cotton balls and then stick them within the outlines of the circles. Once the cotton balls cover the entire snowman, you can finish it off with googly eyes and other fun decorations.

3. Pine cone owl

Super cute and easy to make, this craft offers another unique way to use cotton balls. First, you’ll have to find a large pine cone. Cut some cotton balls into smaller pieces, dip the pieces in glue, and poke them into the pine cone’s crevices to make the owl’s fluffy feathers. Attach some googly eyes to the top and glue a piece of pipe cleaner underneath for the owl’s beak.

4. Egg carton penguins

If you have an empty egg carton, then you can make a troupe of adorable penguins in just a few easy steps. Begin by trimming the individual egg cups from the carton and painting them black. As they dry, cut out each penguin’s feet and beak from orange paper and a belly from white paper. Position the egg cup with the open side facing down and glue on the beak, feet, belly, and googly eyes to complete the craft.

5. Popsicle stick snowflakes

This simple craft makes a nice piece of seasonal decor when it’s done. All you need is some colourful popsicle sticks, whether they come that way or you paint them yourself. Next, glue the centres of four popsicle sticks together using a hot glue gun to make an eight-pointed snowflake. Then, you can decorate the snowflake with glitter, pom-poms, beads, sequins, or anything else you happen to have on-hand.

6. Snow slime

Slime is all the rage among kids, and this three-ingredient version will give it a wintery twist. All you need is white liquid glue, liquid starch, and some artificial snow. Combine about 1/2 cup of glue, 1/2 cup of starch, and 1/2 cup of snow, then stir until mixed. The mixture should quickly form the consistency of slime but with the look of snow. Add more starch if it is too sticky, more glue if it is too stringy, and more snow for extra flair.

Cold days don’t have to be spent watching TV or on the computer. This winter, enjoy some time at home with your kids by getting creative and trying out some new crafts together.