4 fun and educational winter-themed crafts for kids of all ages

Winter's chill means that you and the kids stay indoors more often than not, and this wintry weather calls for kid-friendly indoor activities. Winter-themed crafts for kids stimulate the imagination and counteract boredom on cold and snowy days. Use the season to inspire creativity in your youngsters with winter-themed crafts and activities.

Finger painting gets a bit more refined with this snowman-inspired craft. Ideal for young toddlers through kindergartners, this craft requires few supplies and creates a winter-inspired piece to display at home. Squirt some washable white paint onto a paper plate, and have your child dip each finger and thumb into the paint. Have him or her leave a thumbprint on a painted canvas or coloured piece of construction paper. After letting the prints dry, your child can turn them into a family of snowmen. You can help your child use crayons or markers to add eyes, a carrot for a nose, a top hat and a scarf.

The weather outside might be snowy, so let your outdoor view inspire this indoor craft. A variety of everyday craft supplies can allow your child to create a 3-D winter landscape. Cotton balls can create snowy hills and mountains, pine needles from your own backyard can serve as trees and glitter can represent falling snowflakes. Let your child's imagination run wild as he or she creates a winter wonderland on paper.

A cardboard box serves as the basis for this creative winter craft. Cut and shape the box so that it resembles a sled. Let your child take over from there. Explain that your child is entering a sled race or sled parade, and he or she needs to decorate it for this festive occasion. If you have more than one child, make each kid a sled. Markers, stickers, crepe paper, streamers and even balloons can be added to the faux sled. When the sled is complete, your kid can pretend to ride it through their very own sled parade.

Older kids who are adept with scissors can create snowflakes to add to their bedroom windows. Have kids fold and cut patterns into large circles of contact paper. Unfold them to reveal the snowflake pattern. Remove the paper backing on the contact paper, and these snowflakes will stick to a window. Alternately, kids can add glitter to the sticky side of the contact paper for a sparkly touch.

Embrace the spirit of winter, and let the cold and snow inspire your crafts. These activities will keep your kids occupied on snowy days and encourage them to discover the beauty of winter.