Parents & KidsJan 16, 2026
3 Kids Crafts for Winter Fun
In the wintertime, nature invites us to slow down, turn inward, and generally spend more time inside. If you're home with little ones and you're all feeling a bit restless, invite the magic of the outdoors in with these fun winter crafts.
We'll help you find your seasonal rhythm with hands-on DIY activities that make the most of nature's gifts this time of year.
Pinecone Bird Feeder
Winter can be a hard time of year for our feathered friends! Help your winged neighbors get an extra bit of nourishment by making a pinecone bird feeder. This simple craft is great for most ages, and it invites birds right into your yard, which can be so fun for kids to see out the window. Start by tying a piece of natural twine on the top of a pinecone. Then, spread a layer of peanut butter (or sunflower seed butter for those with nut allergies) all over the pinecone's scales and roll it gently in birdseed until it's well coated. Hang it on a tree branch or hook within view of your favorite window and wait patiently to see who comes for a snack. Hint: it may not just be birds, sometimes a squirrel comes by for a nibble, too!
DIY Hand Warmers
Keep little hands cozy on winter walks with these DIY hand warmers. Start with two pieces of natural fiber, like 100% cotton flannel or 100% wool felt. Be sure to use natural fibers and fillings for this craft, so the hand warmers don't catch fire in the microwave! Cut them into uniform shapes, like a heart, star, or simple circle. Then, use 100% cotton embroidery floss or crochet thread to sew the two pieces together, leaving a small gap to stuff your hand warmer with a mixture of dry white rice (uncooked and not instant rice, of course!) or buckwheat, and dried herbs like Lavender or Chamomile flowers. Once filled, continue stitching the hand warmer closed and tie a knot at the end. When you're ready to heat them up, toss them in the microwave for 30 seconds to one minute. Make sure they're not too hot before handing them over to the kiddos to put in their pockets!
Cinnamon Salt Dough
Here's a fun craft that blends the delightful seasonal aroma of Cinnamon with sensory play and creativity. To make Cinnamon salt dough, just mix 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of salt, and 1 tbsp to 1 cup of Cinnamon depending on how fragrant you want the dough to be. Blend the dry ingredients with your hands or a spoon. Then, add up to 2 cups of water, mixing it in a little at a time to make sure the salt dough isn't too wet. When it's a nice pliable consistency and can easily be rolled into a ball, it's ready for playtime! From here, little ones can use it as-is, having fun molding it and making creations.
Share Your Ideas
If you complete any of these activities, post a picture or video on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok and tag us! We'd love to see what you create.
