Winter Snowflake Crafts for Kids: Easy & Magical Projects

Here’s my personal selection of the best snowflake crafts for children. The scope of these winter crafts for kids starts from very easy ones (good for a preschooler) up to a bit more detailed ones that elementary children can really dig into.

Most of these easy crafts for kids require just the supplies you are likely to have at your home already. So let’s get into it!

1. Classic Q-Tip Snowflakes

This is the craft without any hesitations that I would choose as my winter craft for preschooler the most. It is very simple, there is almost no mess (mostly!), and the look is fantastic every time without exception.

Materials:

  • Q-tips (cotton swabs)
  • White glue or hot glue gun (for older kids with supervision)
  • Cardboard or thick paper
  • Glitter (optional, but when is glitter ever really optional?)
  • String or ribbon for hanging

Instructions:

  1. If your intention is to make smaller snowflakes, cut your Q-tips in half, or for bigger ones, use them whole
  2. On your working surface, place 6-8 Q-tips in a star-like or sunburst pattern
  3. Slide some glue into the center of where they all come together and get them stuck.
  4. Add smaller Q-tip pieces between the main arms to create more intricate designs
  5. While glue is still wet, sprinkle with glitter if using
  6. Let dry completely (this is the hard part for impatient kiddos!)
  7. Attach string to hang

Mom tip: I like to pre-cut a bunch of Q-tips and have my kids experiment with different patterns before gluing. Also, do yourself a favor and use a paper plate as your gluing surface – makes cleanup SO much easier.

2. Paper Strip Snowflakes

These are stunningly beautiful and great for young kids that need a little bit more precision and skill to work.

A paper strip snnorflake.

Materials:

  • White or light blue cardstock
  • Scissors
  • Glue or stapler
  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • Gems or sequins for decoration (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Paper cutting is the first step you will need to take. Paper strips that are half an inch wide and 8-10 inches long are to be cut (about 12 strips per snowflake is the number you need).
  2. Six strips should be taken and crossed in the middle to form a starburst pattern, which will be secured with glue or a staple.
  3. Bring the ends of every strip towards the center thereby forming loops and stick with glue.
  4. The other 6 strips will be put in between the first set and thereby creating a layered effect.
  5. Secure all intersections with glue
  6. Add gems or sequins to the center for extra sparkle
  7. Attach string for hanging

Mom tip: This activity requires a certain level of patience, hence it is better to let it be when you are not crafting alongside your kiddo. Pour some cocoa and make it a warm afternoon activity!

3. Coffee Filter Snowflakes

If we were to list the simplest winter activities for children, these might be the first ones, and they look so fragile and lovely! Moreover, even the littlest one can take part in it.

A coffee filter snowflake.

Materials:

  • Round coffee filters (the basket kind work best)
  • Scissors
  • Washable markers or watercolors (optional)
  • Spray bottle with water (if using markers)
  • String for hanging

Instructions:

  1. Fold the coffee filter in half, then in half again, and one more time (like folding a paper snowflake)
  2. Cut out tiny shapes – some triangles, circles, or just small notches along the edges
  3. Gently unfold and see your snowflake come out
  4. Color the folded filter with markers before cutting as an option, then lightly spray with water to make the colors mix together
  5. Let dry and hang in windows

Mom tip: The marker-and-water method produces the most stunning watercolor effect! Place these on a cookie sheet while they dry so the colors stay on the paper and don’t go onto your table.

4. Popsicle Stick Snowflakes

These winter crafts for kids elementary age are sturdy enough to become actual ornaments or gift tags!

A popsicle stick snowflake.

Materials:

  • Popsicle sticks or craft sticks (4-6 for each snowflake)
  • White paint
  • Paint brushes
  • Hot glue gun or strong craft glue
  • Glitter, sequins, buttons, or small pom-poms
  • Ribbon for hanging

Instructions:

  1. Paint all the sticks white and wait till they are dry
  2. Arrange them in a snowflake pattern (I prefer to cross 3-4 sticks in the middle)
  3. Glue together at the center
  4. Once dry, decorate with glitter, sequins, buttons, or pom-poms
  5. Add a ribbon loop for hanging

Mom tip: Let kids paint the sticks on one day and assemble on another – it splits the project and increases the excitement! Besides, who likes waiting for paint to dry when you’re so keen on finishing?

5. Cupcake Liner Snowflakes

Such an enjoyable kids’ snowflake crafts made easy! These activities are perfectly suited for preschoolers, who are just learning how to use scissors.

Cupcake liner snowflakes.

Materials:

  • White cupcake liners (the paper kind)
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
  • Blue or dark construction paper
  • White crayons or chalk

Instructions:

  1. Flatten out cupcake liners
  2. Fold them like traditional paper snowflakes (in half, then quarters, then one more fold)
  3. Cut small shapes along the edges
  4. Unfold and glue onto construction paper
  5. Use white crayon or chalk to add falling snow around the snowflakes

Mom tip: Grab a variety of cupcake liner sizes – the different sizes look amazing layered together!

6. Doily Snowflakes

Okay, this might be a cheat, but sometimes you just need something easy and beautiful, you know?

Doily snowflakes.

Materials:

  • Paper doilies in various sizes
  • Glue sticks
  • Colored construction paper or cardstock
  • Glitter glue pens
  • String or ribbon

Instructions:

  1. Glue doilies onto colored paper in whatever arrangement looks pretty
  2. Layer different sizes for dimension
  3. Add details with glitter glue pens
  4. Cut out around the doilies or leave as a full page artwork
  5. Add ribbon for hanging if desired

Mom tip: This is perfect for those days when you need a quick win. My preschooler loves these because she can’t mess them up!

7. Salt Dough Snowflake Ornaments

These winter crafts for kids are a little more involved but create keepsakes you’ll treasure for years!

Salt dough snowflake ornament.

Materials:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 cup water
  • Rolling pin
  • Cookie cutters (in the shape of snowflakes)
  • Straw (for making holes)
  • Paint and brushes
  • Glitter
  • Ribbon

Instructions:

  1. Blend together flour, salt, and water using a continuous motion until it looks like a dough
  2. Roll it out to a thickness of about 1/4 iUse the cookie cutters to make snowflake shapes
  3. Use a straw to poke a hole at the top for hanging
  4. Bake at 200°F for 2-3 hours until hard
  5. Let cool completely
  6. Paint white (or leave natural) and decorate with glitter
  7. Thread ribbon through holes

Mom tip: Make extras! These are so sweet as gifts for grandparents. I also let my kids stamp their thumbprint on the back with the year written in Sharpie – instant heirloom!

8. Tissue Paper Snowflakes

Another super easy winter craft for kids preschool age that creates beautiful window decorations.

Tissue paper snowflake.

Materials:

  • White tissue paper
  • Wax paper
  • White glue mixed with a little water
  • Paintbrush
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Cut or tear tissue paper into small pieces
  2. Cut wax paper into circles
  3. Brush wax paper with glue mixture
  4. Have kids arrange tissue pieces in snowflake patterns on the sticky surface
  5. Brush another layer of glue mixture over the top
  6. Let dry overnight
  7. Peel from wax paper and hang in windows

Mom tip: These look absolutely magical when the sun shines through them! They stick to windows with just a tiny bit of water, too.

9. Pasta Snowflakes

This one always gets giggles from my kids – who knew pasta could be so fancy?

A pasta snowflake.

Materials:

  • Various pasta shapes (wheels, bowties, shells, macaroni)
  • Hot glue gun or strong craft glue
  • White spray paint
  • Glitter
  • Cardboard or cardstock
  • Ribbon

Instructions:

  1. Arrange pasta pieces in snowflake patterns on cardboard
  2. Glue together and let dry completely
  3. Spray paint white (do this outside or in a well-ventilated area)
  4. While paint is tacky, sprinkle with glitter
  5. Attach ribbon for hanging

Mom tip: The hot glue gun makes this one faster, but if you’re working with younger kids, regular craft glue works – it just needs longer to dry. Maybe do this as a two-day project!

10. Straw Snowflakes

This is one of those winter crafts for kids elementary grades where they can really flex their problem-solving skills!

A straw snowflake.

Materials:

  • White or silver pipe cleaners
  • Plastic straws
  • Scissors
  • Beads (optional)
  • String or fishing line

Instructions:

  1. Cut straws into 1-2 inch pieces
  2. Cut pipe cleaners into 4-inch pieces
  3. Thread straw pieces onto pipe cleaners
  4. Twist multiple pieces together at the center to create a snowflake shape
  5. Add beads to the ends for extra decoration
  6. Attach string for hanging

Mom tip: This one is great for working on patterns – have kids alternate colors of beads or create symmetrical designs!

Wrapping Up

There you have it – twelve awesome snowflake crafts for kids that’ll keep your littles busy and creative all winter long! These winter crafts for kids work beautifully whether you’ve got preschoolers or elementary kids (or both, like me!).

You can adapt these winter crafts to whatever age and skill level you’re working with. Got a toddler? Start with the coffee filter snowflakes or fingerprint ones. Working with older kids? Try the paper strips or popsicle sticks for more of a challenge.

Looking for more winter craft ideas? Explore these easy snowman crafts, winter animal crafts, winter pipe cleaner crafts, winter crafts for elementary kids, winter paper bag crafts, and winter crafts for preschool and elementary kids, and 15 cardboard winter crafts.

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