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Winter days are perfect for slowing down and getting creative — especially when kids are curious about animals that live in cold, snowy places. From fluffy penguin crafts to hands-on sensory play and simple science experiments, these winter animal activities are all about learning through play.
This roundup brings together easy, kid-approved winter animal crafts that use everyday supplies and leave plenty of room for creativity. Whether you’re filling a snow day at home, planning a classroom theme, or just looking for something fun to do indoors, these ideas are simple, engaging, and guaranteed to keep little hands busy.
Cotton Ball Penguin
This fluffy penguin craft uses cotton balls to create a soft, textured belly that kids love sticking down. With a simple paper penguin shape, googly eyes, and a bright orange beak and feet, it’s an easy winter animal craft that works well for preschoolers and early elementary kids. Great for practicing fine motor skills and talking about cold-weather animals.
Tissue Paper Arctic Animal Suncatcher
This is always a favorite activity with preschoolers when learning about animals in winter. Kids stick pieces of tissue paper onto contact paper to fill in an Arctic or (Antarctic) animal shape, creating a colorful suncatcher effect when it’s finished. All you need is tissue paper, contact paper, and an animal cutout, making it an easy, low-prep winter craft for the classroom or home. This is a great activity to help kids remember that polar bears live in the arctic but penguins live in the antarctic!
Handprint Polar Bear Craft
This sweet polar bear craft uses a child’s handprint to form the bear’s body, making it extra special and keepsake-worthy. With simple paper shapes and a few drawn details, it’s an easy winter animal craft that’s perfect for preschool and early elementary kids. Great for Arctic animal themes, winter units, or a low-prep classroom activity.
Penguin Animal Diorama
This hands-on penguin diorama lets kids build a mini icy habitat using sensory materials like faux snow, clear “ice” stones, and small animal figures. It’s a brilliant open-ended winter activity that encourages storytelling, creativity, and hands-on learning as children design the scene their own way. A great option for animal studies, sensory play, or extending interest sparked by favorite penguin movies.
Paper Plate Walrus Craft
This fun walrus craft uses a paper plate as the base, with simple cut-and-stick details to create the walrus’s face and long tusks. Kids can color or paint the plate, add googly eyes, and use craft sticks for the tusks, making it a great winter animal activity for preschool and early elementary ages. Easy to prep and perfect for Arctic animal themes or classroom art time.
Fizzy Arctic Ice Animals Experiment
This fun winter science activity freezes Arctic animal figures into baking soda “ice” cubes, then lets kids use vinegar to create a fizzy, bubbling reaction. It’s a simple way to level up the classic baking soda and vinegar experiment while exploring snowy animals and sensory play. Perfect for curious little ones who love hands-on science and messy fun.
Toilet Roll Penguin Craft
These adorable penguins are made using empty toilet rolls, paper, and googly eyes, making them a quick and budget-friendly winter craft. Kids wrap the roll with paper, then add simple cut-out shapes for the wings, belly, beak, and feet. An easy winter animal craft that’s perfect for classroom projects, rainy days, or using up recycled materials.
Edible Igloo Snack Craft
This fun winter food craft turns apple halves into mini igloos using almond butter (or chocolate spread) and tiny marshmallows. Kids spread the almond butter over the apple dome, then press on the marshmallows to “build” their igloo, making it a hands-on snack that doubles as an activity. A great option for winter themes, Arctic units, or when you want something creative and edible.
Two-Ingredient Snow Sensory Bin
This easy winter sensory activity uses baking soda and shaving cream to create soft, moldable “snow” for kids to play with indoors. Children can scoop, mold, and build using polar animals, igloos, and loose parts, turning it into an open-ended winter wonderland. A great hands-on activity for snowy days, sensory play, and imaginative Arctic-themed fun.
Sponge Painted Polar Bear Craft
This winter art activity lets kids use a household sponge to paint a fluffy polar bear on dark paper. The sponge texture creates a snowy, furry look, while added white paint dots bring the Arctic scene to life. A simple, creative craft that’s great for exploring textures and winter animal themes with kids.
Winter Animal Crafts for Kids – FAQs
Do penguins live in the Arctic?
Nope! Penguins live in the Southern Hemisphere, mostly in Antarctica, not the Arctic. The Arctic is home to animals like polar bears, arctic foxes, walruses, and seals — but penguins and polar bears never meet in the wild.
What age are these winter animal crafts suitable for?
Most of these activities work well for preschool and early elementary kids, with a few also suitable for toddlers when closely supervised. Sensory bins and simple crafts are especially great for younger children, while dioramas and painting projects suit slightly older kids.
Do I need special supplies for these crafts?
Not at all. Most of these winter animal crafts use basic household or classroom supplies like paper plates, cotton balls, sponges, baking soda, and recycled materials. A few small animal figures or sensory extras are nice to have, but they’re totally optional.
Are these winter crafts and sensory activities safe for young children?
Yes, with adult supervision. Many of these activities are designed for preschoolers and up, but sensory play often involves small items, messy materials, or ingredients that aren’t meant for eating. Always supervise closely, especially with toddlers, avoid choking hazards, and choose age-appropriate materials. If younger children are involved, larger items and taste-safe alternatives are a good option.
