Crafting with toddlers is a magical experience. Their little hands bring big imaginations to life, making every project feel like a masterpiece. January, with its chilly weather, is the perfect time to gather around the crafting table for some cozy indoor fun. If you’re looking for ideas to engage your toddler on January 23rd, you’re in for a treat.
This guide offers 23 unique and toddler-friendly crafts that are easy, fun, and meaningful. Each idea is designed to keep little ones entertained, stimulate their creativity, and create lasting memories. Let’s dive in and make January 23rd a day filled with crafts and smiles!
1. Handprint Snowflakes
Handprint crafts are a classic for toddlers, capturing the moment while letting their creativity shine. These snowflakes are both beautiful and personal, making them a great keepsake for parents. The process is simple, and toddlers love seeing their handprints turn into snowflake art.
All you need is some construction paper and non-toxic paint. Help your toddler press their painted hand onto the paper in a circular pattern, overlapping the prints to mimic a snowflake. Sprinkle a touch of glitter to add some sparkle, and you have a piece of art that’s perfect for display.
2. Puffy Snowman Painting
Puffy paint adds a fun texture to traditional painting projects. By mixing shaving cream and glue, you create a fluffy substance that toddlers will love to touch and spread. This craft is ideal for making adorable snowmen that pop off the page.
Start by helping your toddler paint three circles for the snowman. Use construction paper to cut out accessories like hats and scarves, and let your toddler glue them on. Finish it off with googly eyes or drawn features to bring the snowman to life.
3. Coffee Filter Snowflakes
Coffee filters make crafting snowflakes a breeze. They’re lightweight and easy to cut, making them perfect for toddlers. This craft combines creativity with motor skill development, as your toddler folds, cuts, and decorates their snowflakes.
Fold a coffee filter into quarters and help your toddler make small cuts along the edges. Once unfolded, the snowflake design appears like magic. For an added touch, let them color the snowflake with markers, and spray it lightly with water for a tie-dye effect.
4. Paper Plate Winter Animals
Transforming paper plates into winter animals is a delightful way to spark your toddler’s imagination. With just a few simple materials, you can create penguins, polar bears, or owls that are as cute as they are easy to make.
Cut out shapes for your chosen animal’s features, like a penguin’s wings or a polar bear’s ears. Your toddler can glue these onto the paper plate and add finishing touches with markers or stickers. These creations are perfect for decorating your home or playroom.
5. Winter Scene Collage
A winter scene collage encourages toddlers to explore textures and colors in an open-ended way. This craft is perfect for fostering creativity as there’s no right or wrong way to make it. Toddlers love the freedom to arrange materials however they like.
Set up a crafting station with cotton balls, glitter, and stickers. Blue construction paper makes an excellent backdrop for a snowy scene. Help your toddler glue cotton balls as snow, sprinkle glitter for shimmer, and place stickers to complete their masterpiece.
6. Salt Dough Winter Ornaments
Salt dough is a fantastic medium for creating lasting keepsakes. Making ornaments is a fun hands-on activity that allows toddlers to mold, shape, and decorate their creations. It’s also a lovely way to preserve their artistic work.
Mix flour, salt, and water to form a pliable dough. Roll it out and let your toddler use cookie cutters to make winter-themed shapes like snowflakes or mittens. Once baked, these ornaments can be painted and hung around your home.
7. Fingerprint Winter Trees
Fingerprint crafts are simple and result in beautiful, personalized art. Winter trees made with fingerprints capture the magic of the season while being easy enough for little hands to handle. This craft is a favorite for toddlers and parents alike.
Start by painting a tree trunk and branches on a piece of paper. Your toddler can then dip their fingers in paint to create snow-covered branches. For an extra sparkle, sprinkle glitter on the wet paint for a frosty effect.
8. Snow Globe Sensory Bottle
Sensory bottles are a calming and engaging activity for toddlers. A snow globe-themed sensory bottle mimics the swirling magic of winter, offering both entertainment and a touch of science. Toddlers love shaking the bottle to see the glitter dance.
Fill a clear plastic bottle with water, glycerin, and glitter. Add small winter-themed figurines for an extra surprise. Seal the bottle tightly, and your toddler will have a mesmerizing snow globe they can play with all day.
9. Ice Painting
Ice painting is a sensory-rich craft that combines art and science. Toddlers love the cool, slippery feel of ice cubes as they watch colors blend and melt. This activity is as educational as it is fun.
Freeze colored water in ice cube trays with popsicle sticks. Once ready, give your toddler a sheet of paper and let them “paint” as the ice melts. It’s a creative way to explore the properties of water and color.
10. Pinecone Bird Feeder
Crafting a bird feeder is a wonderful way to teach toddlers about nature. Using simple materials, your toddler can create a treat for local birds while enjoying a hands-on activity.
Spread peanut butter on a pinecone and roll it in birdseed. Tie a ribbon at the top and hang it in a tree outside. Your toddler will love watching birds enjoy their homemade feeder.
11. Snow Dough
Snow dough is a soft, moldable sensory material that mimics real snow without the cold. Toddlers can squish, shape, and play with this easy-to-make dough for hours.
Mix cornstarch and vegetable oil until the dough reaches a snow-like consistency. Add glitter to give it a frosty sparkle. Encourage your toddler to mold snowmen, snowballs, or whatever their imagination inspires.
12. Tissue Paper Icicles
Tissue paper icicles are a simple yet decorative craft that toddlers can easily make. These lightweight creations add a wintry touch to any space.
Cut tissue paper into long, thin strips. Help your toddler twist the strips to resemble icicles and glue them together. Hang them on a string or in windows for a frosty look.
13. Simple Snowflake Cutting
Cutting snowflakes is an excellent activity for improving fine motor skills. It’s a classic winter craft that’s both fun and educational for toddlers.
Fold a piece of paper into a small square and let your toddler make cuts along the edges. Unfold the paper to reveal a unique snowflake design. Display these snowflakes on windows or walls for a seasonal touch.
14. Mitten Garland
A mitten garland is a cheerful and colorful decoration toddlers will love to make. This craft is easy, festive, and perfect for little hands.
Cut mitten shapes out of construction paper. Let your toddler decorate each mitten with markers or stickers. String them together to create a garland that’s perfect for hanging on a mantel or doorway.
15. Cotton Ball Polar Bear
Cotton ball polar bears are soft, fluffy, and adorable. This craft combines sensory play with creativity, making it a favorite among toddlers.
Cut out a polar bear shape from construction paper. Help your toddler glue cotton balls all over the bear to create its fur. Use markers to add facial features, bringing the polar bear to life.
16. Suncatcher Snowflakes
Suncatcher snowflakes brighten up any room, especially on gloomy winter days. This craft combines color and light for a magical effect toddlers will adore.
Tear tissue paper into small pieces and glue them onto wax paper. Once dry, cut out snowflake shapes and hang them in windows. The sunlight streaming through creates a beautiful display.
17. Painted Ice Blocks
Painting on ice is a unique and sensory-rich activity that toddlers love. The cold surface adds an element of surprise to their artistic exploration.
Freeze water in containers to create large ice blocks. Let your toddler paint on the ice with non-toxic paints. Watch as the colors spread and mix, creating a beautiful, ever-changing masterpiece.
18. Snowstorm in a Jar
A snowstorm in a jar combines crafting with a bit of science. This interactive activity captivates toddlers as they watch the snow swirl inside the jar.
Fill a jar with water, baby oil, and white paint. Drop in an Alka-Seltzer tablet to create a bubbling snowstorm effect. Your toddler will be mesmerized by the swirling glitter and foam.
19. Pom-Pom Hot Chocolate Cups
Hot chocolate cups made with pom-poms are a delightful pretend-play craft. Toddlers will love “serving” their creations to family members.
Cut a cup shape from construction paper and decorate it with markers. Glue cotton balls or pom-poms on top to represent marshmallows. These cups are perfect for imaginative play.\
20. Snowflake Crown
A snowflake crown is a fun accessory for winter dress-up. Toddlers will love creating their own frosty headwear.
Cut a strip of paper to fit your toddler’s head. Decorate it with glitter, stickers, and snowflake shapes. Once finished, staple the ends together to form a crown fit for winter royalty.
21. Winter Hat Collage
Winter hat collages let toddlers design their own cozy creations. This craft is simple, colorful, and perfect for little artists.
Cut out hat shapes from construction paper. Let your toddler decorate them with markers, stickers, and cotton balls. Display their finished hats as a fun winter decoration.
22. Puffy Mitten Garland
A puffy mitten garland adds a textural twist to a classic craft. Toddlers will enjoy the hands-on experience of creating something soft and decorative.
Cut mitten shapes from construction paper and decorate them with cotton balls. String them together to create a fluffy garland that’s perfect for winter decor.
23. DIY Snow Globe
A DIY snow globe is a magical craft that toddlers will treasure. This activity combines art and sensory play into one delightful project.
Fill a jar with glitter, water, and small figurines. Seal it tightly and let your toddler shake it to watch the snow swirl inside. This craft is easy, fun, and mesmerizing.
Conclusion: A Winter Wonderland of Creativity
Crafting with toddlers on January 23rd is more than just a way to pass the time—it’s an opportunity to bond, create, and explore together. From handprint snowflakes to sensory snow globes, each of these 23 ideas offers a unique way to celebrate winter and spark joy.
So grab your supplies, gather your little one, and let the creativity flow. These simple yet meaningful crafts will leave you with keepsakes, laughter, and precious memories to cherish for years to come.