15 Easy Winter Paper Bag Crafts to Make with Your Kids

Paper bag crafts are a favorite among many moms like me who are looking for budget-friendly and easy-to-set-up activities with great results. Today I’m sharing 12 simple winter paper bag crafts for kids.

I’ve included the materials and step-by-step instructions for each one to make your crafting time as stress-free as possible.

1. Paper Bag Snowman Puppet

A winter paper bag snowman puppet.

This classic winter crafts project never gets old! Kids love bringing their snowman to life.

Materials:

  • Brown paper lunch bag
  • White construction paper or white paint
  • Black buttons or paper circles
  • Orange construction paper (for carrot nose)
  • Fabric scraps or ribbon (for scarf)
  • Glue stick
  • Markers

Instructions:

  1. A paper bag should be painted white or wrapped with white construction paper.
  2. An orange paper triangle is to be cut, for the carrot nose and glued on.
  3. Draw eyes and a smile with markers.
  4. A fabric scrap or a ribbon’s “neck” of the snowman is to be tied for a warm scarf.
  5. Let kids add extra details like coal buttons or stick arms.

2. Paper Bag Penguin Craft

A winter paper bag penguin craft.

Every child loves penguins! This is one of my favorite paper crafts bag ideas.

Materials:

  • Brown paper lunch bag
  • Black construction paper
  • White construction paper
  • Orange construction paper (for beak and feet)
  • Googly eyes
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Cut a large black oval for the penguin’s body and stick it to the front of the bag.
  2. Make a white oval which will be slightly smaller for the belly and put it on the black oval.
  3. Create a small orange triangle for the beak and stick it close to the top.
  4. Place the googly eyes above the beak.
  5. Make two orange webbed feet and glue them to the bottom of the bag.
  6. Optional: Add little black wings on the sides!

3. Paper Bag Polar Bear Puppet

A winter paper bag polar bear puppet.

This fluffy friend is perfect for winter arts and crafts time!

Materials:

  • Brown paper lunch bag
  • White construction paper or white paint
  • Cotton balls
  • Black marker or googly eyes
  • Black construction paper (for nose)
  • Glue

Instructions:

  1. Paper bag is painted in white color or white construction paper is used to cover it.
  2. Cut out two small white circles for the ears and glue them at the top corners.
  3. Googly eyes or drawing them with a marker are added.
  4. Cut-out a small black circle for the nose and glue it on.
  5. Glue cotton balls all over the bag for applying of a fluffy texture.
  6. Draw a simple smile below the nose.

4. Paper Bag Reindeer Puppet

A paper bag reindeer craft.

The handprint antlers make this one extra special—kids are always amazed by crafts that use their own hands!

Materials:

  • Brown paper lunch bag
  • Brown construction paper
  • Googly eyes
  • Red pom-pom or red construction paper
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors
  • Pencil

Instructions:

  1. On brown construction paper trace your child’s hands and cut out to make antlers.
  2. The handprint antlers are to be glued on top of a brown paper bag. Googly eyes are to be added to the bag
  3. A red pom-pom or paper circle is to be glued for Rudolph’s nose.
  4. Draw a smile with marker.
  5. Optional: Add small ears cut from brown paper.

5. Paper Bag Snowy Owl

A winter paper bag snow owl craft.

The magical owl is beautiful and one of the most spectacular paper bag crafts for kids.

Materials:

  • Brown paper lunch bag
  • White paint
  • Feathers (white, gray, or brown)
  • Yellow or orange construction paper (for beak)
  • Large googly eyes or paper circles
  • Glue
  • Paintbrush

Instructions:

  1. The whole paper bag is to be painted white and left to dry completely.
  2. Large googly eyes are to be glued near the top of the bag.
  3. A small triangle is to be cut from yellow or orange paper for the beak, and it is to be glued below the eyes.
  4. Use glue to attach feathers all over the bag for a look that feels different.
  5. If you want, you can add more feathers to the wings.
  6. After that, let your kid’s owl to dry completely before playing with it.

6. Paper Bag Arctic Fox

A paper bag artic fox.

Simple, sweet, and incredibly lovely—this could be the perfect starter craft for really young kids.

Materials:

  • Brown paper lunch bag
  • White construction paper
  • Gray construction paper
  • Black marker
  • Googly eyes
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Make a large white oval for the fox’s face and stick it on the bag.
  2. Prepare two white triangular ears with a gray piece of the inner ear and attach them to the top.
  3. Add googly eyes.
  4. Make a tiny black nose and whiskers with a marker.
  5. Cut out a fluffy white tail and stick it on the back or side of the bag.
  6. Add snowflake stickers for the kids to make the winter more exciting.

7. Paper Bag Hot Cocoa Mug Craft

A paper bag mug craft.

This one is cuteness overload! Ideal for pretending using techniques with paper bags for preschoolers who are into role-playing.

Materials:

  • Brown paper lunch bag
  • Brown or tan construction paper
  • White cotton balls
  • Markers or crayons
  • Glue
  • Optional: foam handle cutout

Instructions:

  1. Hide the paper bag in brown construction paper to make it look like a cup.
  2. Let children color the “cup” with markers, creating hearts, stripes, or polka dots.
  3. Cut the paper into the shape of a handle and attach it to the side with glue.
  4. Put cotton balls at the top of the opening to represent marshmallows.
  5. Optional: Put a cinnamon stick or candy cane through the marshmallow.
  6. Set it on the shelf or use it as a gift bag!

8. Paper Bag Igloo Craft

A winter paper bag igloo craft.

This interactive craft lets kids create a whole winter scene!

Materials:

  • Brown paper lunch bag
  • White paint
  • Black marker
  • Scissors
  • Small toy arctic animals or paper cutouts
  • Glue

Instructions:

  1. The entire paper bag should be painted white and dried.
  2. With a black marker, draw square “ice blocks” everywhere on the bag.
  3. Make a cut in the shape of an arch on one side of the bag.
  4. Put small toy animals or paper cutouts in the igloo.
  5. If you want, you can put cotton ball snow around the base.
  6. Kids can build a whole arctic village with several igloos!

9. Paper Bag Gingerbread House

Paper bag gingerbread winter craft.

Winter arts and crafts combined with holiday cheer perfectly!

Materials:

  • Brown paper lunch bag
  • Construction paper in bright colors
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors
  • Markers or crayons
  • Optional: glitter, pom-poms

Instructions:

  1. Keep the brown paper bag for the gingerbread color.
  2. From vibrant construction paper cut out the shapes of the candies: gumdrops, peppermints, candy canes, and lollipops.
  3. Stick the candy shapes onto the bag with the intent to “decorate” the gingerbread house.
  4. Draw icing details with white markers or glue.
  5. Add a paper door and windows.
  6. Top with glitter for added glam!

10. Paper Bag Yeti Puppet

A yeti puppet made with paper bag for winter craft.

This ridiculous, furry friend is very popular among kids! It is undoubtedly one of the best paper bag crafts for little ones.

Materials:

  • Brown paper lunch bag
  • White paint or white paper
  • Cotton balls or white tissue paper
  • Blue construction paper
  • Googly eyes
  • Black and white construction paper (for teeth)
  • Glue

Instructions:

  1. Paint the bag white or use white paper to cover it.
  2. Attach cotton balls or ripped tissue paper over the surface for a furry feel.
  3. Make a large blue circle for the face and affix it.
  4. Add big googly eyes.
  5. Cut white triangle teeth with black outlines and glue them to create a silly grin.
  6. Let kids make their yeti as wild and wacky as they want!

11. Paper Bag Mittens Craft

Mittens made with paper bags are winter crafts for kids.

This is a sweet way to celebrate cozy winter accessories.

Materials:

  • Brown paper lunch bag
  • Construction paper in various colors
  • Markers or crayons
  • Glitter glue
  • Scissors
  • Stickers or sequins
  • Glue stick

Instructions:

  1. Transform the paper bag into a mitten (or keep it as is and mark with a mitten outline).
  2. Dress the bag up with colorful construction paper in your little one’s preferred color.
  3. Give kids the opportunity to embellish with crayons, making lines, zigzags, or hearts.
  4. Apply glitter glue for shimmer.
  5. Adhere stickers, sequins, or pom-poms as further decoration.
  6. Create a set and show them together!

12. Paper Bag Walrus

A winter paper bag walrus craft.

Arctic animal lovers will adore this unique craft!

Materials:

  • Brown paper lunch bag
  • Brown or gray construction paper
  • White construction paper (for tusks)
  • Googly eyes
  • Black marker or black paper strips (for whiskers)
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Leave the brown bag as it is or wrap it up with gray paper.
  2. Make two long white tusks out of construction paper and stick them close to the base of the bag.
  3. Place googly eyes above the tusks.
  4. Cut little black strips or use a marker to make whiskers on both sides of the face.
  5. Draw or cut a small nose jusr above the tusks.
  6. Optional: Add flipper shapes on the sides.

13. Paper Bag Cardinal Craft

A paper bag cardinal craft.

Bring a bright pop of color to your winter arts and crafts for kids collection!

Materials:

  • Brown paper lunch bag
  • Red construction paper or red paint
  • Black construction paper
  • Orange construction paper (for beak)
  • Googly eyes
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Use red construction paper to cover the bag or paint it red.
  2. From red paper cut a triangle shape for the crest and glue it to the top.
  3. Add googly eyes.
  4. Create a small orange triangle for the beak and stick it on.
  5. Make black wing shapes and attach them to the sides.
  6. Optional: Provide a cutout of a tree branch for the cardinal to sit on.

14. Paper Bag Snowflake Gift Bag

A paper bag snowflake gift bag.

This simple craft doubles as wrapping for small gifts—moms love a two-in-one project!

Materials:

  • Brown or white paper lunch bag
  • White paper or pre-cut snowflakes
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
  • Ribbon or string
  • Optional: glitter, stickers

Instructions:

  1. Start with a plain paper bag (brown or white).
  2. Cut out snowflake shapes from white paper or use store-bought snowflake decorations.
  3. Glue snowflakes all over the bag in a pretty pattern.
  4. Add glitter to the snowflakes for extra sparkle.
  5. Fill the bag with a small gift or treats.
  6. Tie the top with ribbon and give to someone special!

15. Paper Bag Winter Tree

A winter tree made with paper bag.

This creative craft is perfect for exploring textures and shapes.

Materials:

  • Brown paper lunch bag
  • Brown paint (optional)
  • White paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Optional: cotton balls, glitter
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Take the paper bag and twist the top portion into branch shapes
  2. Optional: Paint the bag brown if you want a darker tree color.
  3. Fluff out the twisted sections to create multiple branches.
  4. Dab white paint on the branches for snow.
  5. Optional: Glue cotton balls or sprinkle glitter for extra snowy texture.
  6. Let the tree dry standing upright, then display it as winter decor.

Looking for more winter craft ideas? Check out these other easy winter crafts for preschool and elementary kids, winter crafts for elementary kids,  15 easy snowman crafts, winter animal crafts, snowflake crafts, 15 easy winter pipe cleaner crafts, and 15 recycled and cardboard winter crafts.

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