Winter is the perfect time to snuggle indoors and let your toddler's creativity shine. Crafting together keeps little hands busy and nurtures their fine motor skills, imagination, and love for creating. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or looking for simple ideas, these winter crafts for toddlers are sure to spark joy and keep everyone entertained.

All of these ideas are Montessori-inspired, easy to put together and, not too messy!

1. Cinnamon Stick Ornaments

• Provide cinnamon sticks, ribbons, and beads. Toddlers can thread the ribbon through the beads and tie them to the stick to create a natural, fragrant ornament.

2. Pinecone Bird Feeders

• Let your toddler spread peanut butter (or a nut-free alternative) on a pinecone, then roll it in birdseed. Hang it outside and watch the birds enjoy their feast.

3. Felt Christmas Tree with Velcro Ornaments

• Cut a large felt tree shape and attach it to a wall. Provide felt shapes (stars, circles, snowflakes) with Velcro on the back for your toddler to decorate and redecorate.

4. Nature Wreaths

• Gather leaves, pinecones, and small branches. Toddlers can glue or tie them onto a cardboard ring to create their own holiday wreath.

5. Wooden Bead Garland

• Offer wooden beads and twine for your toddler to string, creating a simple, natural garland to decorate a tree or mantel.

6. Paper Bag Stars

• Toddlers can paint or color brown paper bags, which you can then fold and glue together into beautiful 3D stars.

7. Salt Dough Ornaments

• Help your toddler mix and roll out salt dough. Use cookie cutters for shapes and let them paint the ornaments after they dry.

8. Holiday Sensory Bottles

• Fill plastic bottles with water, glitter, beads, and small holiday-themed trinkets (like mini bells or snowflakes). Seal the lid tightly and let your toddler explore.

9. Homemade Gift Tags

• Provide cardstock, stamps, and washable markers for your toddler to create personalized gift tags for family presents.

10. Pom-Pom Sorting with a Holiday Twist

• Use red, green, and white pom-poms for sorting activities, then let your toddler glue them onto paper to create wreaths, candy canes, or trees.

11. Stamped Wrapping Paper

• Roll out butcher paper and let your toddler stamp it with holiday-themed shapes (stars, trees, snowflakes) using non-toxic paint.

12. Star Ornament Sewing

• Pre-punch holes in star-shaped cardboard pieces. Give your toddler a blunt needle and yarn to practice sewing in and out of the holes.

13. Jingle Bell Bracelets

• Provide pipe cleaners and jingle bells. Your toddler can thread the bells onto the pipe cleaner to create a festive bracelet that jingles with every movement.

14. Felt Mitten Matching

• Cut out pairs of felt mittens in different colors or patterns. Toddlers can match them and use them as decorations or small gifts.

15. Wooden Tree Decorating

• Provide a small wooden tree cutout and natural materials like beads, small shells, or dried fruit for your toddler to glue on as ornaments.

16. Holiday Playdough Creations

• Make homemade playdough in holiday colors (red, green, white). Add natural scents like cinnamon or peppermint and let your toddler shape trees, stars, or candy canes.

17. Nature-Painted Wrapping Paper

• Collect leaves, twigs, and pinecones for your toddler to dip in paint and press onto paper to create unique holiday wrapping paper.

Want more Toddler activity ideas?

18. Mini Advent Calendar

• Use small paper bags or boxes for your toddler to fill with little treasures or notes. Decorate them together and count down the days to a special event.

19. Fabric Scrap Garland

• Provide pre-cut strips of holiday-themed fabric and let your toddler tie them onto a string to create a festive garland.

20. Holiday-Themed Color Sorting

• Use red and green pom-poms, buttons, or beads and let your toddler sort them into holiday-themed containers like stockings or mini gift boxes.

21. Ice Painting with Holiday Colors

• Freeze red, green, and white watercolor paints in ice cube trays. Toddlers can use the melting cubes to paint festive designs on paper.

22. Snowy Pinecone Trees

• Let your toddler paint pinecones green and add white paint or glitter to mimic snow. They can stand them up as mini trees.

23. Recycled Cardboard Holiday Shapes

• Cut holiday shapes like stars or trees from cardboard. Toddlers can decorate them with paint, stickers, or tissue paper.

24. Holiday Scarf Weaving

• Provide a simple cardboard loom and chunky yarn in holiday colors. Toddlers can begin learning basic weaving techniques.

25. Nature-Inspired Candle Holder

• Use air-dry clay to mold a small candle holder. Toddlers can press pine needles, leaves, or berries into the clay for a natural touch.

Tips for Crafting with Toddlers

• Keep it simple: Choose crafts with minimal steps and materials.

• Supervise closely: Always keep an eye on little ones when using small items or craft tools.

• Embrace the mess: Lay down a tablecloth or use a tray to contain the crafting mess.

• Celebrate their creations: Display your toddler’s crafts around the house to make them feel proud of their work.

Crafting during the winter is a magical way to bond with your toddler while exploring their creative side. These winter crafts for toddlers are not only fun but also create lasting memories you'll cherish for years to come. So grab some supplies, turn on some festive music, and get crafting!

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