Hey mama! If you’re anything like me, you’re drowning in cardboard boxes, toilet paper rolls, and random recyclables after the holidays. But here’s the thing – those “trash” items are actually treasure for creating easy winter crafts for kids!
I’ve rounded up 15 of my favorite winter crafts using recycled materials that are sitting in your house RIGHT NOW. No expensive supply runs, no fancy materials – just good old-fashioned fun that keeps little hands busy on those cold, indoor days.
Let’s dive into these simple recycled and cardboard winter crafts for kids that are perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary-aged kiddos!
1. Toilet Paper Roll Snowmen
These adorable snowmen are probably the easiest winter arts and crafts you’ll ever make!
Materials:
- Empty toilet paper rolls
- White paint or white paper
- Orange and black construction paper
- Buttons or pom-poms
- Fabric scraps for scarves
- Glue and markers
Instructions: Paint your TP rolls white (or wrap them in white paper if you want to skip the drying time). Once dry, glue on small circles of orange paper for the carrot nose and black paper dots for eyes and mouth.
Add button details down the front and tie a fabric scrap around the middle for a scarf.
These fun winter crafts make the cutest windowsill decorations!
2. TP Roll Penguins
Another toilet paper roll craft because honestly, we go through these like crazy in my house!
Materials:
- Toilet paper rolls
- Black, white, and orange paint or construction paper
- Googly eyes
- Orange pipe cleaner or felt (for feet)
- Glue
Instructions: Paint the roll black and let dry. Cut a white oval from paper and glue it to the front for the belly.
Add googly eyes and a small orange triangle for the beak. For the feet, cut small orange shapes from felt or pipe cleaner and glue to the bottom.
3. Cardboard Mitten Cutouts
Perfect for winter crafts for kids elementary age who are working on scissor skills!
Materials:
- Cardboard (cereal boxes work great)
- Markers, paint, or crayons
- Yarn
- Hole punch
- Stickers, glitter, whatever you have
Instructions: Draw mitten shapes on cardboard and cut them out (adults might need to help younger kids).
Let your kiddos decorate them however they want – paint, markers, stickers, glitter glue. Punch a hole at the wrist and thread yarn through to “connect” them just like real mittens.
Hang them up as winter decor or use them for matching games with toddlers!
4. Egg Carton Penguins
Save those egg cartons, mama! These make the sweetest winter crafts for kids.
Materials:
- Cardboard egg carton
- Black and white paint
- Orange construction paper
- Googly eyes
- Black marker
- Glue
Instructions: Cut out individual egg cups from the carton. Paint each cup black and let dry. Paint a white belly on the front.
Glue on googly eyes and cut a tiny orange triangle for the beak. Use the black marker to add wing details on the sides. These little guys are so cute lined up on a shelf!
5. Cardboard Snowflakes
These easy winter crafts are perfect for when you need a quick, quiet activity.
Materials:
- Cardboard
- Scissors
- White paint or markers
- Glitter (optional but fun!)
- String for hanging
Instructions: Cut snowflake shapes from cardboard – they don’t have to be perfect! Let kids paint them white and add glitter while the paint is still wet.
Poke a hole at the top and thread string through for hanging. These look beautiful hanging in windows or from the ceiling.
For older kids doing winter crafts for kids elementary, challenge them to create symmetrical designs!
6. Tissue Box Winter House
This one is such a fun winter arts and crafts for kids project that can take up a whole afternoon!
Materials:
- Empty tissue box
- White paint or paper
- Cotton balls (for snow)
- Construction paper
- Markers
- Small twigs or popsicle sticks
Instructions: Cover the tissue box with white paint or paper. Cut out windows and a door from construction paper and glue them on.
Use cotton balls to create snow on the roof and around the base. Add popsicle stick or twig “logs” for a cabin look.
Kids can even add little cardboard people or animals inside through the top opening!
7. Paper Towel Roll Trees
Make an entire winter forest with these simple winter crafts for kids!
Materials:
- Paper towel rolls (or cut toilet paper rolls in half)
- Green paint or construction paper
- Brown paint for trunks
- Cotton balls or white paint for snow
- Small pom-poms for ornaments (optional)
Instructions: Paint the rolls brown for tree trunks. Cut triangle shapes from green paper or paint green triangles directly on the rolls.
Add white paint or glued cotton balls for snow on the branches. These are perfect for creating winter scenes and they stand up nicely for imaginative play!
8. Recycled Arctic Animals
Get creative with whatever recyclables you have for these fun winter crafts!
Materials:
- Various recyclables (plastic bottles, egg cartons, cardboard tubes)
- White, black, and brown paint
- Cotton balls
- Googly eyes
- Construction paper
- Glue
Instructions: Polar bears: Use small plastic bottles painted white with googly eyes and black marker details.
Seals: Egg carton cups painted gray with whiskers made from pipe cleaners.
Arctic foxes: TP rolls painted white with triangle ears and a fluffy cotton ball tail.
Let kids’ imaginations run wild creating their own Arctic zoo!
9. Milk Carton Igloo
This is one of my favorite winter crafts because it’s so unique!
Materials:
- Clean milk or juice carton
- White paint
- Scissors/craft knife (adult use)
- Cotton balls
- Cardboard for base
Instructions: Cut an arched doorway in one side of the carton (adults only). Paint the entire carton white. Once dry, use a marker to draw brick lines all over to create the igloo texture.
Glue cotton balls around the base for snow. Set it on a cardboard base covered in cotton ball snow for a complete scene.
Kids love adding toy figures to play with their igloo!
10. Cereal Box Snow Village
This project is perfect for winter crafts for kids elementary age and can be done over several days!
Materials:
- Multiple cereal boxes (different sizes)
- White paint or paper
- Construction paper
- Cotton balls
- Glue
- Markers
- Cardboard base
Instructions: Cover cereal boxes with white paint or paper to create buildings. Cut out windows and doors from construction paper. Arrange them on a large cardboard base to create a village layout.
Add cotton ball snow everywhere, create construction paper trees, and draw details like wreaths on doors or lights in windows. This becomes a whole winter wonderland scene!
11. Bottle Cap Snowmen
These tiny easy winter crafts for kids are absolutely adorable and use up all those plastic bottle caps!
Materials:
- 3 white bottle caps per snowman (or paint them white)
- Black permanent marker
- Orange paint or marker
- Fabric scraps
- Hot glue (adult supervision)
Instructions: Stack three bottle caps and glue them together (hot glue works best – adults handle this part). Use black marker to add eyes, mouth, and buttons. Add a tiny orange dot for the carrot nose.
Tie a small fabric scrap around the “neck” for a scarf. These make cute magnets if you glue a magnet to the back!
12. Cardboard Sled Craft
This is such a fun winter themed crafts project that actually looks like a real sled!
Materials:
- Cardboard
- Popsicle sticks
- Paint (red looks classic!)
- String or rope
- Glue
- Scissors
Instructions: Cut a rectangle from cardboard and curve up one end for the sled front. Glue popsicle sticks across the top to create the sled surface.
Paint it whatever color you like (we did classic red). Poke two holes at the front and thread string through for the pull rope.
Kids can use these with small toy figures or even turn them into ornaments!
13. Recycled Snow Globe
One of the most magical winter arts and crafts for kids that they’ll be so proud of!
Materials:
- Clean plastic jar with lid
- Small recycled items (bottle cap snowman, plastic toy, etc.)
- White paint or glitter
- Water
- Glycerin (optional, makes glitter float better)
- Hot glue
Instructions: Hot glue your small winter figure to the inside of the jar lid (adults do this part).
Fill the jar almost to the top with water, add a spoonful of glitter, and add a drop of glycerin if you have it.
Carefully screw the lid on tight (you can add glue around the threads to seal). Shake and watch the snow fall! For winter crafts for infants, make sure the lid is super secure.
14. Yogurt Cup Penguins
These little guys are perfect for kids winter crafts because they’re so easy and forgiving!
Materials:
- Clean yogurt cups
- Black and white paint
- Orange construction paper
- Googly eyes
- Black marker
- Pom-pom or felt (for earmuffs)
Instructions: Turn the yogurt cup upside down and paint it black. Once dry, paint a white belly oval on one side.
Glue on googly eyes and a small orange paper triangle for the beak. Draw wings with black marker on the sides.
For extra cuteness, glue a pom-pom to the top for a hat or add pipe cleaner and pom-poms for earmuffs!
15. Cardboard Winter Masks
These winter themed crafts are perfect for pretend play and rainy day fun!
Materials:
- Cardboard
- Scissors
- Paint or markers
- Elastic string or popsicle sticks
- Decorating supplies (glitter, cotton balls, feathers)
Instructions: Cut mask shapes from cardboard – polar bears, penguins, owls, or snowmen work great. Cut out eye holes.
Let kids paint and decorate their masks with whatever supplies you have. Attach elastic string to the sides or glue a popsicle stick to one side as a handle.
Tips for Success with Recycled Winter Crafts
Start saving now! Keep a bin for clean recyclables so you always have supplies ready.
Prep is key: For younger kids doing winter crafts for infants and toddlers, do the cutting and any intricate prep work beforehand so they can focus on the fun parts like painting and gluing.
Embrace the mess: These easy winter crafts are about the process, not perfection. Lay down newspaper and let kids create freely.
Make it a series: You don’t have to do all these in one day! Pick one or two simple winter crafts for kids each week throughout the winter season.
Display their work: Nothing makes kids prouder than seeing their creations displayed. Create a winter shelf or hang them in windows.
The best part about these recycled winter crafts? You’re teaching kids creativity, resourcefulness, AND keeping trash out of landfills. Plus, they’re entertained for hours, and you didn’t spend a fortune at the craft store. That’s what I call a win-win-win, mama!
Do you need more winter craft inspo? Check out these other easy winter crafts for preschool and elementary kids, winter crafts for elementary kids, 15 easy winter paper bag crafts, 15 easy snowman crafts, winter animal crafts , snowflake crafts, and 15 easy winter pipe cleaner crafts
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