Keep kids entertained all December with these fun winter and arctic animal crafts-from paper plate penguins to snowflake decorations!
These simple DIY December crafts for kids include snowmen, polar bears, owls, and other winter-themed projects perfect for preschool through elementary ages.
50 Easy December Crafts for Kids to Make
From paper cup hoppers to yarn art snowflakes, here are 50 winter crafts that will keep your kids busy all month long!
1. Melted Snowman Paper Plate Craft
This creative craft reimagines the classic snowman as one that's melting with a droopy body beneath the head!
Using simple paper materials, kids explore the concept of seasonal change in a fun, visual way.
Find the full tutorial on our blog
2. Hopping Penguin Paper Cup Craft
These playful penguin crafts use paper cups with built-in hopping action that kids will giggle about!
Your little ones will love making their penguins bounce and move across the table in adorable fashion.
Find the full tutorial on our blog
3. Hopping Polar Bear Paper Cup Craft
Similar to the penguin version, these polar bear cup crafts feature playful hopping action that keeps kids entertained!
Watch as your kids make their bears bounce and play on any surface.
Find the full tutorial on our blog
4. Hopping Arctic Fox Paper Cup Craft
These Arctic fox friends hop and bounce just like the penguin and polar bear versions, bringing the arctic to life!
Kids will love watching their creations spring into action with every press.
Find the full tutorial on our blog
5. Hopping Winter Bunny Paper Cup Craft
Not all arctic animals are big—this hopping bunny craft brings a gentle touch to the collection with its playful bouncing movement!
Find the full tutorial on our blog
6. Hopping Owl Paper Cup Winter Craft
These cheerful owls have hopping action that's irresistible for little crafters!
Kids will love making them bounce across a table or shelf with pure delight.
Find the full tutorial on our blog
7. Fluffy Winter Blue Slime Recipe
Forget traditional crafts—make sensory slime with a winter theme that's loads of fun!
This fluffy blue slime is perfect for tactile play and fun winter experimentation.
Find the full tutorial on our blog
8. 3D Penguin Paper Plate Craft
Add dimension to penguin crafts with this 3D paper plate version that really stands out!
The folding technique creates a standing penguin that looks impressive when displayed.
Find the full tutorial on our blog
9. Moving Polar Bear Craft
This interactive polar bear craft keeps things fun with built-in movement that engages kids' imaginations and creativity!
Find the full tutorial on our blog
10. DIY Paper Plate Penguin Igloo Winter Craft
This craft combines penguin-making with an igloo setting for a complete arctic scene!
Kids create both the penguin character and the icy home environment for endless playtime fun.
Find the full tutorial on our blog
11. Paper Plate Penguin Craft
A timeless paper plate penguin that's perfect for introducing younger kids to craft basics! Paint, cut, and glue to create this adorable arctic friend.
Find the full tutorial on our blog
12. Polar Bear Popsicle Stick Craft
Build and paint popsicle sticks to create an adorable polar bear craft that's sturdy enough to display or play with!
Find the full tutorial on our blog
13. Snowy Owl Popsicle Stick Craft
Create a snowy white owl using painted popsicle sticks that captures the beauty of this arctic bird perfectly!
Find the full tutorial on our blog
14. Arctic Walrus Popsicle Stick Winter Craft
Kids construct a walrus using popsicle sticks, complete with the characteristic tusks that make this arctic animal so recognizable!
Find the full tutorial on our blog
15. Winter Arctic Fox Popsicle Stick Craft
Use popsicle sticks to build an arctic fox that stands proudly with its winter coat and features clearly defined!
Find the full tutorial on our blog
16. Winter Fox Paper Plate Craft
Create a foxy friend with this winter paper plate craft that teaches kids about foxes that live in snowy climates!
Find the full tutorial on our blog
17. Moving Winter Owl Paper Plate Craft
This interactive owl craft keeps things fun with built-in movement that engages kids' creativity!
Find the full tutorial on our blog
18. Hot Chocolate Mug Paper Craft for Kids
Create a cozy hot chocolate mug craft using paper and simple materials!
Perfect for the December season when warm drinks are on everyone's minds.
Find the full tutorial on our blog
19. Frozen Dinosaur Eggs
Combine kids' love of dinosaurs with winter fun by freezing small dinosaur toys in ice blocks!
Kids then “excavate” their dinosaurs by melting or chipping away at the ice—pure winter science fun.
Find the full tutorial on our blog
20. Paper Penguin Winter Craft
This easy paper penguin craft requires minimal materials but creates an impressive finished product!
Kids will love displaying their adorable arctic friends on shelves.
Find the full tutorial on our blog
21. Toilet Paper Roll Snowman with Headphones Craft
A modern twist on the classic snowman that kids absolutely love!
Decorate a toilet paper roll snowman and add fun headphone accessories for a trendy craft.
Find the full tutorial on our blog
22. Handprint Sleepy Christmas Gnomes
Create charming gnome characters using handprints, then add details to make them look sleepy and adorable!
This is a wonderful keepsake craft kids will treasure.
Find the full tutorial on our blog
23. Tin Can Snowman Craft
Transform old tin cans into a charming snowman that's perfect for decorating!
This craft is great for recycling and teaches kids about upcycling while creating beautiful winter decorations.
Find the full tutorial on our blog
24. Snowy Owl Kids Craft
Use foam cups as the base for these adorable owls that come to life!
Paint, glue on white feathers and googly eyes, then add a black marker beak to create a three-dimensional craft that's charming and easy.
Find the full tutorial on I Heart Crafty Things
25. Winter Crafts for Kids: Create a Symmetrical Snowflake
Teach kids about symmetry while making gorgeous snowflakes using cotton swabs, pom-poms, and other craft supplies on a black background!
Kids learn about rotationally symmetric designs by gluing materials around a hexagon center.
Find the full tutorial on Buggy and Buddy
26. Handprint Walrus Craft for Kids
Turn handprints into charming walruses with simple pen additions for tusks and whiskers!
It's a keepsake craft kids will cherish for years to come.
Find the full tutorial on Simple Everyday Mom.
27. Coffee Filter Snowflakes
Decorate coffee filters with washable markers, spray with water, and watch the colors blend and mix together as they dry!
Fold them and cut along the lines to create beautiful snowflakes that look like stained glass windows.
Find the full tutorial on Printables Fairy
28. Pine Cone Snowy Owl Craft
Stuff pine cones with pulled-apart cotton balls to create fluffy snowy owls, then add felt wings, yellow circle eyes, and googly eyes!
These adorable owls make beautiful winter decorations that look great displayed on a mantle or shelf.
Find the full tutorial on Frugal Fun 4 Boys
29. Paper Plate Snowman Craft
This simple paper plate snowman craft is perfect for preschool through school-aged kids!
Paint the plate white, add googly eyes and a carrot nose, then cut the plate in half and glue pieces together to create a snowman with real twig arms.
Find the full tutorial on Simple Everyday Mom
30. Arctic Puffin Card Craft
Create an adorable arctic puffin character using colorful paper and simple assembly techniques!
Find the full tutorial on Simple Everyday Mom
31. Snowflake Craft
This beaded snowflake craft for kids is a great winter project that provides opportunities to work on fine motor skills!
Twist pipe cleaners together into a snowflake base, then string colorful pony beads onto each arm to create shimmering winter decorations.
Find the full tutorial on Early Learning Ideas
32. Pom-Pom Popper Snowman Craft
Kids will love this interactive snowman craft that uses a pop-it mechanism!
The pom-pom popper makes a satisfying sound when activated, adding extra fun to the craft experience.
Find the full tutorial on The Craft Train
33. Popsicle Stick Snowflake Craft
Arrange popsicle sticks to form intricate snowflake patterns, then paint or decorate them for a rustic winter look!
This craft teaches kids about geometric shapes and patterns.
Find the full tutorial on Taming Little Monsters
34. Paper Bag Walrus Craft
Create an adorable arctic walrus using paper bags and simple decorative supplies!
This quick craft is perfect for days when you need activity ideas fast.
Find the full tutorial on Simple Everyday Mom
35. Folded Paper Icicle Craft
Create stretchy, concertina-folded icicles from pastel-colored printer paper with a beautiful folding technique!
These decorative icicles can be stretched and compressed for sensory fun, and you can add glitter or silver twine to make them sparkle.
Find the full tutorial on Kids Craft Room
36. Melting Snowman Craft
This adorable craft uses recycled cardboard tubes cut in half and covered with white paper to create a snowman head!
Cut a random wiggly shape from white paper for the melted body, then add googly eyes, an orange nose, buttons, and real twig arms.
Find the full tutorial on Kids Craft Room
37. Paper Plate Penguin Craft
Kids paint a paper plate and roll it into a cone shape to create a penguin that wobbles and rocks!
Paint the wings and back black, draw an orange beak, and attach googly eye stickers to bring your penguin to life.
Find the full tutorial on Easy Peasy and Fun
38. Paper Plate Rocking Polar Bear Craft
Draw a polar bear outline on a folded paper plate and decorate it with pencil colors to show a sweater and scarf!
Cut out the bear carefully, leaving a small connector strip between the legs to create a rocking base that moves back and forth.
Find the full tutorial on I Heart Crafty Things
39. Paper Plate Polar Bear Twirler
Create a whirling twirler by cutting a spiral into a paper plate and attaching a polar bear head in the center!
Decorate the spiral with fish shapes and glue ribbon to the back so you can hold it and watch it spin around.
Find the full tutorial on Kids Craft Room
40. Paper Plate Yarn Weaving Penguin Craft
This penguin craft combines sewing skills with creativity by using yarn threading!
Paint a paper plate black, punch holes around a circle at the bottom to create the belly, then weave white yarn through the holes to create beautiful string art.
Find the full tutorial on Non-Toy Gifts
41. Snowman Snow Globe Craft
Create a waterless snow globe featuring a cute snowman using a clear plastic plate, felt shapes, pom-poms, and buffalo snowflakes!
Glue felt circles together with a snowman, add pom-pom eyes and buttons, then seal a plastic plate on top filled with artificial snow.
Find the full tutorial on The Simple Parent
42. Easy Snowman Craft for Kids
Save a few toilet paper or paper towel rolls and let preschool to school-aged kids decorate their own snowmen!
Paint rolls white, add googly eyes and pom-pom noses, then cut into sections to create a fun stacking puzzle snowman activity.
Find the full tutorial on Jessica Etcetera
43. Arctic Animals Paper Chains
Create paper chain garlands featuring arctic animals like penguins, polar bears, and walruses!
Find the full tutorial on Baker Ross
44. Snowflake Coaster Set
Make practical craft projects with snowflake-decorated coasters that the whole family can use!
Find the full tutorial on Baker Ross
45. Paper Plate Snow Globe
Layer paper plates and plastic to create a snow globe effect filled with artificial snow!
Shake and watch the winter magic swirl around inside your creation.
Find the full tutorial on Baker Ross
46. Winter Beaded Snowflake Decoration
Thread beads onto wire or string to create three-dimensional snowflake ornaments that sparkle and shine!
Find the full tutorial on Baker Ross
47. Winter Skiing Peg Dolls
Paint wooden peg dolls as skiers and create a winter scene for imaginative play!
This craft combines painting, imaginative play, and storytelling in one fun activity.
Find the full tutorial on Baker Ross
48. Paper Plate Snowflake Yarn Art
Poke holes along the snowflake pattern on a paper plate and thread yarn through to create beautiful string art!
This activity develops fine motor skills as kids weave the yarn in and out, producing gorgeous results for winter décor.
Find the full tutorial on I Heart Crafty Things
49. Paper Straw Snowflakes
Cut colorful paper straws into pieces and arrange them into snowflake patterns on a circle!
This craft is perfect for scissor-cutting practice and creates beautiful results with two-inch circles and felt snowflake stickers.
Find the full tutorial on I Heart Crafty Things
50. Popsicle Stick Nutcrackers
Create adorable miniature nutcracker ornaments by gluing popsicle sticks together in layers and painting them with details like hats, faces, and uniforms!
Add faux fur for hair, paint pens for mustaches and buttons, then attach twine to hang as ornaments.
Find the full tutorial on The Craft Patch Blog
Final Thoughts on These 50 December Crafts for Kids
These 50 easy December crafts are perfect for keeping kids entertained with fun winter and arctic animal activities that work for every age and skill level.
Kids love making multiple versions of their favorite animals to build their own arctic animal colony!
Ready for more fun winter crafts? Check out these favorites:
- DIY Fluffy Winter Blue Slime Recipe
- 23 Adorable Snowman Crafts For Kids
- 25 Fun Winter Crafts for Kids
Explore our kids craft blog for even more creative crafts that combine learning with imaginative play!
