1. Snowflake Symmetry Art
Teaching symmetry? Combine it with creativity by making intricate snowflake designs! This craft is perfect for 2nd grade and up! Even though this winter activity is basic, kids have a lot of fun with it and it’s also super engaging. Hang them from the ceiling and turn your classroom into a winter wonderland!
What You’ll Need:
- White copy paper or colored copy paper
- Scissors
- Blue or silver glitter glue (optional)
How It Works:
- Teach a quick lesson on symmetry and show students how to fold paper into quarters.
- Guide them as they cut out shapes along the folds to create unique snowflakes.
- Have students decorate their snowflakes with glitter glue for an extra wintery touch.
- Hang them around the classroom to turn it into a snowflake wonderland!
2. Christmas Kindness Countdown Chain
Foster a classroom culture of kindness with this interactive winter activity! This winter craft is a great way to count down to winter break. Have the students make one for the class and make a mini one for home!
What You’ll Need:
- Strips of colored paper (red, green, yellow, blue, and white)
- Markers
How It Works:
- Each student writes one act of kindness they can do on a strip of paper.
- Link the strips together to form a chain.
- Each day in December, remove one link, read it aloud, and encourage students to complete the act of kindness.
This simple activity promotes empathy while creating a colorful classroom decoration!
3. Snow Globe Writing Activity
Create a festive display that sparks creativity and writing skills! This snow globe winter activity is so much fun! You’re students will love it when they are done! This winter activity does take a little more time to make, but it’s so cute and the parents always enjoyed it when I sent them home. Take pictures of each student in your class doing funny poses, print and cut them out for this activity.
What You’ll Need:
- blue construction paper
- Scissors, liquid glue, crayons
- Photos of students (optional)
- white glitter (optional)
- Clear plastic plates (6 inch)
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How It Works:
- Trace the plate onto the blue paper. Remove the plate.
- Inside of the traced circle, create a winter scene by adding a small picture of themself (or draw a picture of themself). Draw and color a winter background with a white crayon (perfect for drawing snowman and snow!).
- Color a rectangle under the plate to represent the bottom of the globe.
- Put some glitter on the picture.
- Put liquid glue along the outside of the scene (use lots) and cover the scene with the clear plate.
- Pair it with a writing prompt like “What is your favorite thing to do in the Winter?” Glue it on the back of the blue construction paper.
4. Winter Picture Frames
These fun gingerbread picture craft is the perfect way to end the last day of school before winter break! Kids are getting antsy and you are probably ready for a nice break. Add this winter craft to your day and make it a fun and enjoyable last day before break. Take pictures of your students, or use students’ school picture stickers! These gingerbread picture frames also make great Christmas gifts for parents and family members. Have students wrap them up with tissue paper and give it as a gift! It’s really fun for kids and they love that they can give it to someone as a gift.
What’s Included:
- string
- 30 picture frames (3 different designs)
- 300 sticker sheets
- tissue paper (not included)
- ribbons (not included)
How It Works:
- Give each student a frame along with a picture of them.
- Have students put stickers on their gingerbread house.
- Put in student picture.
- Wrap them with tissue paper, tie it with a ribbon and have the kids take them home and enjoy!
5. Handprint Crafts
These handprint winter Christmas crafts are super cute and easy to make. They do not require a lot of prep and are easy enough for younger kids in elementary.
What You’ll Need:
- sequins
- colored cardstock or construction paper
- cotton
- pom poms
- ribbons
- googly eyes
How it Works:
- Help students trace their hands and cut out handprint(s).
- Decorate the craft with the needed materials for the specific craft you are working on.
- Decorate your classroom with them and/or kids can take them home and enjoy!
6. DIY Christmas Cards
Create personal holiday cards to send festive cheer! Of all of the winter crafts that I have done with students, making holiday cards have always been the kids’ favorite. They love making cards for their family, teachers, and friends. It’s also a great way to practice their writing skills!
What You’ll Need:
- Construction paper in different colors
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Stickers, sequins, pom poms for decoration
- Scissors and glue
- pencils for writing
How It Works: Give students a piece of construction paper to fold in half, creating a card. Let them use markers, crayons, or stickers to decorate the front with Christmas images (trees, snowflakes, gifts). Encourage them to write a holiday message inside the card for a personal touch. These cards can be sent home to parents or shared with others!
