15 January Crafts for Kids That’ll Totally Save Your Sanity (and Keep Little Hands Busy)

Okay friends, January is here. If your kids are anything like ours, they’re bouncing off the walls with that “stuck indoors” energy, making it the perfect time for easy winter crafts .

We totally get it! Between snow days and long evenings, we all need a little inspiration and craft projects to keep the kids happy and entertained at home.

That’s why we pulled together our favorite winter craft ideas for kids—to help us all survive winter and actually have a little fun together.

Let’s get messy, get creative, and fill these chilly days with lots of smiles (and maybe a sprinkle of glitter on the floor, too).

1) Pom Pom Penguin Buddies

Who can resist a little pom pom penguin? We sure can’t!

These fuzzy cuties are perfect for a chilly January day when we’re stuck inside and everyone’s bouncing off the walls, especially for a fun penguin craft . All we need is some yarn, scissors, glue, and a bit of paper for those adorable beaks and feet.

The best part? Even the littlest hands can help. Get creative and let everyone pick their penguin’s “personality” for this fun art project.

Earmuffs, bowties, whatever—let’s go wild and style them up for an exciting art project !

2) Paper Snowflake Magic

Okay, let’s get real—paper snowflakes never go out of style. They’re still super fun for all ages.

We just need some plain paper and scissors and we’re in business. If we mess up, no worries! Every snowflake comes out a little different, and that just makes them cooler.

We can hang our snowflakes on windows or even make a cute garland. Want extra sparkle on those cold winter days ? Toss on some glitter or grab markers to add color, and check out some free printable templates for extra fun .

For simple step-by-step inspo, check out this easy paper snowflake guide.

3) Mitten Matching Craft

Okay, we all know mittens have a way of vanishing. Seriously, where do they go?

So, why not turn that struggle into a fun game? We grab some cute printable mittens, cut them out, and mix them up for a matching challenge.

Our kids love flipping them over to find the right pairs—plus, it’s super low prep. If you want to keep it easy, check out this adorable mitten matching activity that’s perfect for January.

4) Indoor Snowman Build

Let’s be real—snow doesn’t always show up when we want it to! But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a blast building a snowman inside this winter season .

We just grab some paper, felt, or even cotton balls and let the kids design their own frosty friend. No mittens or snow boots required!

Need more ideas? We love the simple, creative ideas over at Paper Heart Family’s snowman crafts.

Let’s get crafty and keep our floors dry, moms!

5) Salt Painted Snowflakes

We absolutely love salt painted snowflakes because, honestly, who doesn’t enjoy a little art mixed with easy science? Grab some glue, regular table salt, and watercolors.

Making these is super easy. We just draw a snowflake with glue, sprinkle salt on top, and then dab watercolor paint right onto the salt.

The colors spread and blend in magical ways—no two snowflakes are ever the same! Check out a super simple salt snowflake painting guide if you need step-by-step help to enhance fine motor skills !

6) Paper Plate Arctic Fox

We can all agree—paper plates are total lifesavers for easy crafts, right? Grab one, and let’s make the cutest little arctic fox together.

All we need is a paper plate, some white paint, black and pink markers, and scissors. Bonus points if you let your kids do the coloring (even if your fox looks a tad silly).

If you want step-by-step help with basic supplies , check out this adorable Paper Plate Arctic Fox Craft idea for inspo.

7) Popsicle Stick Igloo

Alright, let’s grab those popsicle sticks because we are making the cutest little igloo ever, a fantastic option among winter crafts ! Winter crafts just hit differently when we’re glued together (literally and emotionally) with craft sticks and glue all over our fingers.

We stack the sticks in a circle, adding some cotton balls as snow so our igloo looks frosty and fun. The best part? No cold toes—just sticky hands, lots of laughs, and opportunities to enhance writing skills.

Check out even more popsicle stick ideas for kids right here if you’re ready for a January full of crafty magic.

8) Q-tip Polar Bear Painting

Let’s grab our Q-tips and let the paint party begin! We’re making the cutest polar bear scene, and seriously, there’s no painting skill required (thank goodness).

Just dip, dot, and let the magic happen. Kids can use white paint on blue paper to look like fresh snow. The Q-tips make perfect little snowflakes everywhere!

Need a step-by-step? Check out this simple polar bear in the snow art activity.

9) Cotton Ball Snowy Owl

Let’s get fluffy! We grab a pile of cotton balls, some blue and brown cardstock, googly eyes, and whatever scraps we find hanging around to also help practice scissor skills .

Our kids love sticking the puffy cotton balls to make their snowy owl extra poofy and adorable. It’s wintery, it’s silly, and guess what? Zero chance of snow melting all over the kitchen because it’s all craft supplies.

For more owl inspiration, check out this cotton ball snowy owl craft.

10) Cupcake Liner Snowflakes

Let’s raid our kitchen drawers and use up those leftover cupcake liners for easy snowflakes! No fancy supplies needed—just fold, snip, and see what magical shapes appear.

It’s way easier for little hands than starting with plain paper circles. We love how each snowflake comes out totally unique—just like our wild, creative kids.

Find step-by-step instructions for making cupcake liner snowflakes to keep those crafty winter vibes going and introduce more crafts for kids .

11) Fingerprint Snowman Family

Let’s make some sweet memories with a fingerprint snowman family! We only need white paint, paper, and our fingers to create art that brings hope .

No fancy skills, just pure fun with this snowman craft . We dip fingers in paint, press them onto the paper, and—boom—snowmen!

Each family member can make their own snowman, so it’s totally unique to us. Add little hats, scarves, or silly faces so everyone can spot themselves.

This is such a cute winter craft and perfect for making holiday cards or just giggling around the table.

12) DIY Penguin Puppets

Who’s ready for a little penguin cuteness overload? We love making DIY penguin puppets, and honestly, our glue sticks have never been happier.

All you need are paper bags, a few cut-out shapes, and some googly eyes. This craft is super simple and doesn’t take much time at all.

If you want to keep it easy, there are even printable penguin templates you can use. Let’s get crafty, friends!

13) Crayon Resist Winter Trees

Okay, you guys, crayon resist winter trees are a total win for those snowy January days. All we need are white crayons, some watercolor paints, and paper, plus a cozy cup of hot chocolate —easy, right?

We draw frosty trees with the crayons, then paint over everything, and boom—the trees magically pop out! Kids think this is actual wizard magic.

If you need a little help getting started, check out this awesome crayon resist winter art activity for extra inspo.

14) Paper Chain Snowflakes

Okay, can we just admit that paper chain snowflakes are a total game changer for winter decor? We get to grab some paper, make a bunch of easy folds, and cut out adorable designs.

It’s so simple, but suddenly the whole mood is extra festive. We love that the kiddos can get creative with different patterns, and honestly, we don’t mind joining in.

If you need a guide, check out these step-by-step instructions for paper chain snowflakes and let’s make it snow indoors!

15) Pom Pom Snowball Fight Game

Okay, so who said you can’t have a snowball fight indoors? Grab those white pom poms, clear a space, and let’s get wild.

No snow required and zero frostbite—just pure giggles all around. We can even make it a game or let the little ones get creative and build “snow forts.”

If you want, check out these tips for an indoor pom pom snowball fight.

Why January 15th Is Perfect for Crafting with Kids

January 15th hits at that sweet spot when the winter blues try to sneak in and all the holiday excitement has faded. This is the perfect time to bring some sparkle back into our routines and make memories with fun craft projects at the craft table.

Making Mid-January Magical

Mid-January is where everything slows down, and let’s be real—sometimes the days feel endless. That’s where a little craft time swoops in like a superhero.

When it’s freezing outside and there’s not much going on, we can turn even the gloomiest afternoon into something special with a pile of paper, glue, and glitter. Setting aside this day to craft together helps us break the monotony.

We get to connect, laugh about our messy hands, and actually enjoy slowing down. Plus, making little winter penguins or snowflake art can turn the ordinary into a total win.

We don’t need a fancy holiday or big event—just a reason to get creative as a family, warm up inside, and fight off that cabin fever while building fine motor skills . Need more ideas for those chilly days? Check out these fun January crafts for kids that are all about celebrating the magic of winter.

Encouraging Creativity after the Holidays

After the nonstop chaos and over-the-top sparkle of the holidays, our kids might feel a little bored (us too, honestly). Jumping into crafts around January 15th sparks fresh joy and helps everyone ease back into regular routines without it feeling meh.

This is our chance to let their imaginations run wild without any pressure. The holiday rush is done; now it’s about painting mittens with wild colors, gluing eyes on homemade snowmen, and celebrating our kids’ silly ideas.

We love watching them pick and choose their own projects—hello, independence! Crafting isn’t just busywork, either.

It’s a sneaky way to help little hands build motor skills and let older kids show off their creative brains. When we all sit down and share this time, it feels special—no big plans, just us and a table full of art supplies, making something beautiful together.

Tips for Setting Up a Stress-Free Craft Zone

Let’s be real—crafting with kids is pure chaos unless we set up for success. We’re talking easy, happy vibes where we actually have fun with animal crafts , not headaches.

Organizing Your Supplies (Without Losing Your Mind)

First up, we need a simple system that actually keeps stuff where it belongs. Bins and baskets are our best friends.

Clear storage lets us see what we have (no more digging for lost glue sticks). Labels make it even better, so everyone can help put things back—even the little ones.

We love using rolling carts for a mobile craft party. Just roll it out and it’s go time, then shove it back in the corner when we’re done.

If wall space is available, pegboards and hanging containers are a game changer for scissors, markers, and tape. Open shelving keeps craft items in sight and easy to reach.

For itty bitty supplies like buttons, beads, or googly eyes, grabbing a weekly pill organizer or muffin tin totally works. Wrapping paper? Stash it in a tall bin or repurpose a gift bag for vertical storage (grail status—no crushed rolls).

Kids love picking out which bin is for what, and it keeps the organizing squabbles to a minimum. If you need more tips, check out these craft room organization ideas.

Making Cleanup Quick and Easy

The end-of-crafting mess is sooo real. But cleanup doesn’t have to be a ninja obstacle course, especially with construction paper scraps around .

Let’s keep wipes, a dustpan, and paper towels handy—right where we craft. That way, spills and smudges get handled before they go wild.

We’re all about having a cleanup station. Just toss a basket at the edge of the table for trash, scrap paper, and used-up supplies.

No more sprinting to the kitchen trash can with a fistful of sticky tape. Honestly, that alone saves a little bit of sanity.

Lay down a plastic tablecloth or grab an old shower curtain. When the chaos is over, scoop it up (yep, even the glitter) and shake it out outside.

Spray some warm water on sticky fingers and tabletops. It makes cleanup so much easier.

Assign jobs (“You’re on sticker duty!”) so everyone pitches in. Singing a silly cleanup song while sorting out the materials ? It actually works for getting those tiny hands moving.

If you want more ways to keep craft chaos in check, check out these stress-free craft room tips that include plenty of kids ideas .