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What We’re Using This Winter (Amazon Favorites)⭐ Snowflake Art Kit – My kids LOVE this one (Amazon)📚 Snow-Themed Kids Book (Amazon)🎨 Winter Stampers Set (Amazon)❄️ Winter Wonderland Sensory Bin (Amazon)🎲 Winter Learning Game (Amazon)Winter has a funny way of sneaking up on homeschool families.
The days are shorter. Everyone feels a little more restless. The excitement of the holidays has passed, and suddenly your kids are bouncing off the walls—or dragging their feet—while you’re trying to keep learning going.
If you’ve ever thought:
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“We need something fun but still educational.”
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“I just want them engaged without another worksheet.”
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“Please, anything that doesn’t involve another screen.”
You’re not alone. I’ve been there too.
That’s exactly why winter is one of my favorite seasons to lean into art. Art projects are calming, confidence-building, and surprisingly powerful for learning—especially during the colder months when we’re stuck inside more than we’d like.
Below are 20 winter art projects kids genuinely love. These are:
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Homeschool-friendly
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Easy to adapt for different ages
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Mostly low-prep
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Perfect for building creativity, fine motor skills, and joyful learning
And best of all? These projects actually work when energy is low and cabin fever is high.
Let’s dive in.
Why Winter Art Projects Matter in Your Homeschool
Before we jump into the list, let me say this gently:
Art isn’t “extra.”
It’s not fluff.
And it’s not a waste of time.
Winter art projects help:
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Boost creativity when motivation dips
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Improve fine motor skills (especially for younger kids)
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Encourage emotional expression during long indoor days
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Reinforce learning through hands-on exploration
Art also gives you a breather—something peaceful that keeps little hands busy while big imaginations go to work.
Now let’s get to the fun part.
1. Snowflake Symmetry Art
This classic never fails.
Fold white paper into triangles and let your kids cut out shapes. When they unfold their snowflake, the excitement is instant.
Homeschool bonus:
Use this to teach symmetry, patterns, and basic geometry.
Tip:
Glue finished snowflakes onto blue construction paper for a winter display.
2. Winter Landscape Chalk Pastels
Chalk pastels are magical for winter scenes.
Have kids draw snowy hills, trees, or cabins using blues, whites, and purples. Blend with fingers or cotton balls.
Skills built:
Color blending, depth, creativity
Low-stress win:
There’s no “wrong” way—everything looks dreamy.
3. Snowman Collage Art
Use:
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White paper
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Cotton balls
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Scraps of fabric
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Construction paper
Let kids design their own snowman.
Why kids love it:
It feels like crafting and art.
Why parents love it:
It sneaks in fine motor practice.
4. Winter Tree Finger Painting
Bare winter trees are perfect for finger painting.
Paint the trunk with a brush, then use fingers or Q-tips to add snowy branches.
Adapt it:
5. Arctic Animal Art Study
Pick one animal—polar bear, penguin, arctic fox—and let kids:
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Look at photos
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Draw or paint the animal
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Add facts underneath
Homeschool win:
This turns into an instant art + science lesson.
6. Northern Lights Watercolor Art
This one feels fancy but is surprisingly easy.
Paint wet paper with dark blues and blacks. Add streaks of green, purple, and teal. Sprinkle salt for texture.
Why it’s perfect for winter:
Calming, mesmerizing, and beautiful.
7. Cozy Mitten Art Designs
Trace mitten shapes and let kids design patterns using:
Learning connection:
Patterns, sequencing, creativity
8. Snowy Village Paper Craft
Cut out simple houses, trees, and buildings from paper and glue them into a winter village.
Extend it:
Write stories about who lives in each house.
9. Ice Painting (Indoor-Friendly Version)
Freeze water mixed with food coloring in ice cube trays. Let kids “paint” on thick paper as the ice melts.
Why kids LOVE this:
It feels like science and art combined.
10. Winter Silhouette Art
Paint a winter sky background. Once dry, add black silhouettes of trees, animals, or houses.
Older kids especially love this because it looks impressive without being complicated.
11. Snow Globe Drawing
Have kids draw what they’d put inside a snow globe—realistic or imaginary.
Great conversation starter:
Why did you choose that scene?
12. Penguin Directed Drawing
Step-by-step drawings build confidence for kids who say:
“I’m not good at art.”
Penguins are simple and adorable—perfect for beginners.
13. Winter Poetry + Illustration
Read a short winter poem and have kids illustrate it.
Cross-curricular bonus:
Art + language arts without pressure.
14. Textured Snow Art
Use glue and salt or baking soda to create raised snowy textures.
Sensory win:
Perfect for kids who need hands-on experiences.
15. Winter Mandala Art
Create circular designs using winter colors and shapes.
Why this works in winter:
It’s calming, focused, and great for quiet afternoons.
16. Polar Bear Chalk Resist Art
Draw a polar bear with white crayon, then paint over with watercolor.
Magic moment:
When the bear appears through the paint.
17. Winter Clothing Fashion Art
Design winter outfits—coats, boots, scarves.
Extend learning:
Talk about weather, materials, and function.
18. Snowy Night Cityscape
Paint dark skies, then add snowy buildings with white paint or chalk.
Older kids love the dramatic contrast.
19. Ice Crystal Geometric Art
Draw simple geometric shapes inspired by ice crystals and snowflakes.
Math + art combo:
Perfect for reluctant math learners.
20. “My Favorite Winter Memory” Art Page
Have kids draw a winter memory and write a few sentences about it.
Why this matters:
It builds reflection, gratitude, and emotional awareness.
How to Make Winter Art Work in Your Homeschool
If art feels overwhelming, here’s my simple advice:
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Don’t over plan
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Don’t aim for perfection
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Don’t compare outcomes
Instead:
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Set out supplies
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Offer gentle guidance
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Let creativity lead
Art doesn’t need to be daily—but even once or twice a week can completely shift the mood of your homeschool during winter.
Final Thoughts: Art Is the Reset Button
Winter can feel heavy. Slow. Even frustrating.
But art brings lightness back into your homeschool day.
It reminds kids that learning can be joyful.
It reminds us that not everything needs to be measured or graded.
And sometimes, it’s exactly what everyone needs.
💬 I’d Love to Hear From You
Which winter art project are you most excited to try?
Do you have a favorite winter activity your kids already love?
Leave a comment below—I read every one.
And if this post helped you, consider saving it or sharing it with another homeschool parent who could use a little winter inspiration.
Your support helps me keep creating helpful content for your home and homeschool.
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Thank you for reading my blog! Stay tuned for more tips, resources, and printable materials to help make your homeschooling experience enjoyable and effective. Check out my store for a variety of educational products and printables to assist you on your homeschooling journey.
~With love,
Nancy at Cleverly Kindred ❤️
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