Updated October 2026
Looking for easy winter art projects for kids that work well in the classroom? These winter art ideas for elementary students are perfect for busy teachers who want creative, low-prep activities for the colder months. From snowmen and penguins to mixed-media winter scenes, these projects are fun, classroom-friendly, and easy to adapt for kindergarten, first grade, and second grade.
I’ve gathered some of my favorite winter art projects to help students explore different materials, textures, and techniques while creating something they’re proud of. You’ll find a mix of quick projects and more detailed art lessons, with plenty of snowy inspiration for January and beyond.
Winter Birds Art Project
I love this winter birds art project for kids from Deep Space Sparkle. Inspired by Lois Ehlert’s book Snowballs, students use a simple template to create watercolor birds, then add birch trees with black paint. They finish the scene with falling snow, making this one of those elementary winter art projects that is beautiful, manageable, and easy to use in the classroom.
Winter Wonderland Art Project
Cassie Stephens’ Winter Wonderland is a beautiful winter art project for kindergarten that combines painting and collage to create peaceful snowy landscapes. Inspired by the artwork of Grandma Moses, this lesson introduces young students to landscape composition and spatial depth in a developmentally appropriate way.
This mixed-media project is also a fun example of winter art for kids because students can explore color, texture, weather, and seasonal scenery while creating their own snowy scene. Cassie even shares a playful classroom tradition: whenever her students finished these winter landscapes, a real snow day seemed to follow, leading them to believe their artwork could influence the weather!
For step-by-step directions and photos of student work, visit Cassie Stephens’ blog post, In the Art Room: Winter Wonderland.
Winter Tree Art Project
This winter tree art project is a fun Winter Wonderland activity for elementary students. These Folk Art Trees use wintry shades of blue, purple, and green and make an engaging art lesson that works well during shorter winter class periods. In about 60 minutes, students explore line, pattern, shape, and watercolor techniques while creating colorful, eye-catching artwork.
This is one of my favorite winter art projects for kids because it’s simple to teach, looks beautiful when displayed together, and helps students build confidence with watercolor. It’s also a great choice if you’re looking for elementary winter art projects that combine creativity with important art skills.
You can download the FREE Winter Folk Art Tree Drawing Guide from Deep Space Sparkle to support students as they create their whimsical winter tree designs.
Winter Trees Art Project for Kindergarten
This winter trees art project for kindergarten is a simple and beautiful activity that combines watercolor painting with creative brushwork. Students explore seasonal colors while building fine motor skills and experimenting with contrast, texture, and different painting techniques.
The finished artwork also makes a striking winter-themed bulletin board display, making this one of those easy winter art ideas that looks beautiful when displayed together in the classroom.
Photo credit: @art_scholl_diy
Peaceful Winter Forest: A Creative Art Project for Kids
This peaceful winter forest art project for kids captures the quiet beauty of a snowy landscape and gives young artists a chance to practice watercolor techniques. Students create soft winter skies in shades of blue and purple, then add white snow-covered ground and bold black tree silhouettes while exploring line, repetition, contrast, and simple perspective.
Small footprints in the snow add a fun storytelling element as students imagine who—or what—walked through the forest. This winter art activity for first grade is also a lovely example of winter art for kids that combines painting, mixed media, and creative thinking. The finished artwork makes a calm, eye-catching display for classroom walls or hallways.
Instagram photo credit: Art_with_ Mrs. Kay
Bright and Easy Winter Art Projects for Kids
This bright and easy winter art project for kids is a colorful way to inspire creativity while keeping the lesson simple and engaging. Students begin by creating a warm sunset background with shades of red, orange, and pink, blending watercolor or markers to create a glowing winter sky. They can then add snowflakes and stars with white paint or gel pens for a magical seasonal touch.
The bold, patterned trees are the focus of this project. Students decorate each tree with different lines and shapes, giving them practice with pattern, line work, and color contrast. This is one of those winter art ideas that is low-prep, visually striking, and perfect for a classroom or hallway display.
Photo Credit: @karin_at_school
Snowman Art Project
Snowman Art Project
Winter wouldn’t be complete without a snowman art project! This adorable snowman activity from Painted Paper Art uses a beautiful blend of blue, green, purple, and white to create a rich, wintery background. While this project may take several class periods to complete, the results are well worth the time as students explore painting techniques and color blending.
This snowman art project for kids is especially engaging for students who love to paint and creates a stunning winter display once finished. It’s a wonderful way to slow down, enjoy the creative process, and celebrate winter in the art room or classroom.
How to Draw a Snowflake Step by Step
Learning how to draw a snowflake step by step is a fun winter activity that combines art, geometry, and creativity. Snowflake drawing gives students a chance to explore symmetry while strengthening fine motor skills, making it a great addition to winter art lessons.
Whether you’re teaching a focused drawing skill or looking for a quick winter activity, these step-by-step guides make it easy for students to create their own unique snowflakes.
Snowflake Drawing Tutorials
Video on How to Draw a Snowflake by Art for Kids Hub
How to Draw a Simple Snowflake
Winter Watercolor Resist Snowflake Art
Introducing new art techniques is always exciting for students, and this winter watercolor resist art project is a fun way to explore watercolor, texture, and color. Students use a white crayon or oil pastel to draw snowflakes, then paint over the designs with watercolor. As the paint spreads across the paper, the snowflakes appear through the resist effect.
Sprinkling a small amount of salt onto the wet watercolor adds even more texture, creating frosty patterns as the paint dries. For the best results, use the salt sparingly so the pigment has room to separate and form distinct designs.
To begin, students trace the snowflake design onto their paper using a white crayon or oil pastel. This creates the resist effect, as the wax repels the watercolor paint applied over it. Once the snowflakes are drawn, students paint the background with vibrant watercolor washes, watching as the snowflakes magically appear when the color spreads across the paper.
Sprinkling salt onto wet watercolor paint adds texture and depth, creating unique, snowflake-like patterns as the paint dries. This technique feels almost magical to students and helps create a frosty winter effect that enhances the overall design.
This easy winter art project for kids combines painting with hands-on experimentation and works well for a variety of elementary ages. A free printable snowflake template can help younger students feel more confident, while older students can create their own snowflake designs.
This is a great addition to winter art lessons because students can experiment with watercolor resist, color blending, and texture while creating a uniquewinter artwork.
You can find more inspiration and directions at Fun at Home with Kids and One Little Project.
Snowflake Art Project using Neon Oil Pastels
Bring a burst of color to winter with this neon snowflake art project! Students use vibrant neon oil pastels to create bold snowflake designs on a soft pastel or watercolor background. The bright colors pop against the blended backdrop, giving each piece a glowing, eye-catching effect.
This project combines creativity with symmetry as students experiment with patterns and snowflake structures. It’s a fun winter art project for kids and creates a colorful classroom display that highlights each student’s unique design.
Photo Credit: @mrsallainart
Catching Snowflake Art Project
The Catching Snowflakes on Your Tongue project is a playful winter art activity for third grade that lets students create expressive self-portraits while imagining snowflakes landing on their tongues. Students draw the face first, then add scarves, sweaters, and other winter details that give each portrait plenty of personality.
Oil pastels add vibrant color and texture, helping students practice drawing, coloring, and self-expression. This is one of those winter art ideas that is especially fun for January and makes a cheerful classroom or hallway display.
Check out Artisan Des Arts for detailed instructions and inspiration for this fun winter art project!
Looking for a directed drawing video to go along with the Catching Snowflakes on Your Tongue art project? This YouTube video by Ms. Curtis walks students through the drawing step by step.
Creative Winter Portraits: Fun January Art Project for Kids
This creative winter portrait art project is a fun and engaging choice for winter art lessons or January art projects. Students create cheerful self-portraits bundled up in colorful hats, scarves, and mittens using painted papers and collage techniques. Bright patterns and layered textures encourage creativity while allowing each student’s personality to shine.
This winter art project for first grade gives students practice with cutting, painting, layering, and self-expression. The finished portraits make eye-catching bulletin board or hallway displays and are a colorful way to celebrate winter in the classroom.
You can find detailed directions for this winter art project at In the Art Room by Cassie Stephens.
Photo Credit: @juliescolorwheel
Easy Snowman Art Project for Kids
This snowman art project for elementary students is a fun way for children to explore winter themes through painting, cutting, and decorating. Students can create their own unique snowmen with colorful hats, scarves, buttons, and other details while practicing fine motor skills, composition, and color blending.
This is one of those elementary winter art projects that is engaging to make and looks adorable displayed on bulletin boards or classroom walls.
For detailed directions, visit the Mixed-Media Snowman page on Deep Space Sparkle.
Snowman Collage Art Lesson
This snowman collage art project is a fun winter activity that encourages creativity and self-expression. By combining painting, cutting, and assembling, students create cheerful snowmen filled with personality and charm. Each finished piece is unique, making the process just as meaningful as the final artwork.
This snowman art project for kids also helps build fine motor skills while introducing basic art concepts such as composition and design. The finished snowmen make an adorable winter display for bulletin boards or classroom walls.
For detailed instructions and visual examples, visit the full lesson on Deep Space Sparkle.
A Fun and Creative Snowman Art Project for Winter
This snowman art project for second grade is a fun winter activity that gives students plenty of room for creativity and self-expression. Using simple materials like construction paper, crayons, and markers, students create one-of-a-kind snowmen with colorful hats, carrot noses, patterned scarves, and cheerful faces.
This is one of those 2nd grade winter art projects that also helps strengthen fine motor skills through cutting, drawing, and assembling. The finished snowmen make a bright and cheerful addition to classroom walls or bulletin board displays.
Special thanks to Mrs. Green Art on Instagram for inspiring this creative snowman project. Visit her page for even more art ideas.
Colorful Snowman Art Project for Kids
This cheerful snowman art project for kids is a fun way to brighten the classroom during the winter months. Students can design colorful snowman portraits with unique hats, scarves, and snowy backgrounds, giving each piece its own personality.
Using mixed-media techniques such as painting, cutting, and gluing, students build fine motor skills while experimenting with color, texture, and design. The finished snowmen make a bright bulletin board display or a special winter keepsake to send home.
Photo Credit: @hello.hue
Snowman Directed Drawing Art Project
Directed drawings are always a hit with students because they provide step-by-step guidance while still allowing each child’s artwork to look unique. This snowman directed drawing is a fun winter art project for kids that combines drawing with a colorful watercolor background.
Students follow the drawing steps to create their snowman, then add their own details and colors to make each piece unique. The finished artwork looks adorable when displayed on classroom walls, bulletin boards, or hallway displays.
Northern Lights Winter Art Project for Kids
One of my favorite winter art projects is creating a Northern Lights art project for kids. This lesson brings the magic of the Aurora Borealis into the classroom while combining art with a little science. Students use vibrant colors and blending techniques to recreate the glowing night sky, often adding snowy landscapes or silhouetted trees for contrast.
This project is a great way to explore color, texture, and composition while introducing students to the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). Connecting the science behind this natural phenomenon with the art process makes the lesson especially engaging and memorable. The finished artwork is always stunning and creates a beautiful winter display.
Before students begin, show a short video or a few images of the Northern Lights and briefly explain how they are created. Discuss the colors, shapes, and movement students notice in the sky so they have plenty of inspiration for their own artwork.
Northern Lights Video
This Northern Lights video from Mystery Doug is a great way to introduce students to the science behind the Aurora Borealis before beginning the art project. In What Causes the Northern Lights?, Doug explains how charged particles from the Sun interact with Earth’s atmosphere to create the colorful lights we see in the sky.
The kid-friendly visuals and explanations make the science easy to understand and give students helpful background knowledge before they begin their artwork. This video pairs perfectly with winter art projects that connect science and creativity.
Directions for Creating Northern Lights Art
For this Northern Lights art project, students can blend chalk pastels, watercolors, or other bright media to recreate the glowing colors of the Aurora Borealis against a dark night sky. Black silhouettes of trees, mountains, or animals can be added for contrast and help make the colors stand out.
If you’re looking for clear guidance on how to create a Northern Lights art project, you can find step-by-step directions on Elements of the Art Room. These instructions break the process into manageable stages, making it easy for students to follow along.
However, if you’re like me and prefer a more visual approach, you’ll love this step-by-step video tutorial. It’s a fantastic resource that shows you and your students how to create the stunning effects of the Northern Lights. Watching the process in action makes it easier to understand blending techniques, layering colors, and adding the final details that bring the artwork to life.
This Northern Lights video is perfect for classroom use, offering a real-time demonstration that’s engaging and easy to follow. Whether you’re trying this project for the first time or have taught it before, it’s a great way to inspire students to create their own dazzling Northern Lights interpretations.
Northern Lights Art Project for Elementary Students
This Northern Lights art project for elementary students is a wonderful way to blend art with science. Using chalk pastels on dark paper, students create vibrant, glowing skies by blending and layering color to mimic the swirling lights of the Aurora Borealis.
This visually striking winter art activity helps students explore color blending and movement while creating artwork that truly shines.
Winter Collage Art Project
This winter collage art project gives students a chance to explore a variety of materials, textures, and techniques while creating their own seasonal artwork. By layering paper, adding paint, and incorporating textured or natural elements, students can design snowy landscapes, frosty trees, or imaginative winter scenes.
This winter art project is a fun example of winter art for kids because it encourages creativity while strengthening fine motor skills through cutting, layering, and assembling. The finished collages make beautiful classroom displays and give students a hands-on way to express their ideas.
Van Gogh’s Snow Globe Art Lesson
Van Gogh’s Snow Globe is a creative twist on the classic winter snow globe project, inspired by the style of Vincent van Gogh. Featured on Painted Paper Art, this activity combines snowy landscapes with swirling lines, bold colors, and expressive brushwork.
Students design a winter scene inside a snow globe, inspired by works such as Starry Night. They can add swirling skies, colorful details, houses, trees, and other winter elements while exploring Van Gogh’s distinctive style.
This winter art lesson for kids introduces blending, line, texture, and art history in a fun cross-curricular way. The finished snow globes are visually striking and make a beautiful classroom display.
Frozen Ice Castle Winter Art Project
This Frozen Ice Castle winter art project for kids combines mixed media, art history, and plenty of creativity. Third-grade students begin by painting Alma Thomas–inspired backgrounds with concentric patterns and vibrant colors, then add frosty details and texture with chalk pastels and tempera paint to bring their icy castles to life.
This winter elementary art lesson gives students a chance to experiment with mixed media while learning about a famous artist and creating their own imaginative winter scene. The finished ice castles are colorful, dramatic, and perfect for an eye-catching classroom display.
Snow Angels Art Project
This Snow Angels Winter Art Project combines painting, stamping, cutting, and gluing to create a fun mixed-media winter scene. Students can explore texture and color while strengthening fine motor skills and adding their own creative details.
This is one of those winter art projects that is both engaging to make and adorable when displayed. The finished snow angels look especially cute on a winter bulletin board or classroom wall.
How to Draw a Snow Angel Video by Art for Kids Hub
This step-by-step snow angel drawing tutorial from Art for Kids Hub is a simple way to guide students through creating their own winter picture. Kids begin with the basic outline, then add details such as winter clothes, boots, and mittens.
The clear directions make this drawing activity easy to follow, and students can personalize their snow angels with different colors, patterns, and creative details. It’s a great addition to winter art lessons when you want a quick, low-prep drawing activity.
Grab some paper, pencils, and markers, and let students create their own unique snow angels.
Winter Art Projects for Kids
These winter art projects for kids offer plenty of ways to bring creativity into the classroom during the colder months. From snowmen and snowflakes to Northern Lights and mixed-media winter scenes, there are ideas here for a variety of ages, skill levels, and classroom schedules.
Whether you’re looking for quick winter art ideas or more detailed winter art lessons, these projects give students opportunities to experiment with color, texture, pattern, and different art techniques while creating something they’re proud to display.
I hope you found a few elementary winter art projects to try with your students this season!
More Winter Ideas and Freebies
Looking for more winter activities for your classroom? These posts are a great place to find additional math, writing, and seasonal ideas for first and second grade.
Winter Math Worksheets for 2nd Grade
Add a little seasonal fun to math practice with winter-themed worksheets and activities for second grade.
Snow Globe Writing Activity – Free Printable for 2nd Grade
Pair your winter art with a creative writing activity using this free snow globe printable for second grade.
Winter Super Sentences
Help students build stronger sentences with this simple winter writing activity and free printable.
Free Winter Writing Prompts and Writing Paper
Give students extra writing practice with winter-themed prompts and free printable writing paper.
Free Winter Writing Paper
Grab this snowman writing paper for an easy winter writing center, journal activity, or classroom display.