25 Screen‑Free Art Prompts to Inspire Kids in Late Winter
- Rodnesha Green
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Winter activities for kids often mean indoor time, which can lead to boredom or too much screen use. Once screen time starts creeping up, switch things up with engaging art prompts that get kids creating away from their devices. Art projects give kids a healthy way to grow their fine motor skills, express their feelings, and practice problem-solving.
These 25 art projects for kids offer simple, fun ways to spark imagination and keep hands busy during late winter. Whether your child loves scribble art or detailed craft ideas, these prompts provide variety and flexibility. We also include a smart way to save the best of those creations without cluttering your home.
25 Art Prompts to Try Through Late Winter
1. Scribble Art Snowflakes
Have kids create random scribbles on paper, then cut out snowflake shapes from the scribbled sheets. The random assortment of lines makes unique snowflakes every time.
2. Winter Animal Collage
Use scraps of paper, fabric, or organic materials to make a collage of a favorite winter animal.
3. Wintery Crayon Rubbings
Place paper over textured surfaces like leaves or bark and rub with crayons to reveal icy patterns.
4. Paper Plate Snowman
Turn paper plates into snowmen using paint, buttons, and markers for faces and accessories.
5. Storybook Illustration
Pick a favorite winter story and illustrate a scene or character using crayons or colored pencils.
6. Abstract Winter Landscapes
Encourage kids to use shapes and colors to create their own winter scenes without worrying about realism.
7. Nature Prints
Collect twigs, pinecones, or leaves and use paint to make prints on paper.
8. Salt Painting
Draw with glue on thick paper, sprinkle salt over it, then add watercolor drops to watch colors spread like frost.
9. Paper Snow Globe
Cut a circle from cardstock, decorate it with winter scenes, and glue it onto a folded paper base to stand up.
10. Yarn Wrapped Trees
Wrap yarn around cardboard cutouts of trees to create textured winter forest art.
11. Recycled Craft Animals
Use recycled materials like bottle caps and cardboard to build winter animals.
12. Ice Painting
Freeze colored water in ice cube trays with sticks, then paint on paper as the cubes melt.
13. Winter Mandalas
Draw circular patterns inspired by snowflakes or frost crystals.
14. Handprint Penguins
Use black and white paint to turn handprints into penguins, adding details with markers.
15. Snowy Window Scenes
Use white crayons or chalk on dark paper to create frosty window views.
16. Glittery Snow Scenes
Use glue and glitter to add sparkle to winter landscapes.
17. Felt Snowflakes
Cut snowflake shapes from felt and decorate with sequins or beads.
18. Cotton Ball Snowmen
Glue cotton balls on paper to build fluffy snowmen, adding details with markers.
19. Winter Hat Designs
Draw and decorate paper hats with patterns and colors.
20. Snowy Day Self-Portraits
Draw self-portraits wearing winter gear, focusing on textures like scarves and mittens.
21. Pipe Cleaner Icicles
Use winter-colored pipe cleaners, beads and a straw to make festive icicles you can hang in the home.
22. Paper Quilts
Cut paper squares with winter patterns and arrange them into quilt-like designs.
23. Ice Fishing Game Craft
Create paper fish and a fishing rod with magnets for a fun craft and game combo.
24. Winter Word Art
Write winter-themed words in creative fonts and decorate around them.
25. Snowflake Stencils
Cut snowflake shapes from cardstock and use them as stencils for painting or chalk art.
Tips for Managing New Art Without the Mess
Creating art is exciting, but managing the growing collection of children's drawings can be overwhelming. Try a simple “save the best” plan:
Display favorites on a rotating gallery wall or fridge space.
Photograph artwork before recycling or gifting it.
Create a portfolio to store special pieces (**Artkive can help with that**).
Use digital albums to keep memories without clutter.
For more ideas on keeping art manageable, check out our post 7 Trendy Ways to Display Kids Art.
Encouraging Creativity Beyond Screens
These art prompts offer more than just a way to pass the time. They encourage kids to play with different materials, try new skills, and express themselves in ways screens just can’t match. By choosing art projects that work for each kid, you’re giving your family more ways to bond and your kids more room to grow.
Try a few prompts this week and watch how your child’s creativity warms up the cold winter days. Remember, the goal is fun and exploration, not perfection. Keep materials handy and let your kids' imagination lead the way.
Have More Questions?
Check out these FAQs!
What’s the easiest way to digitize kids’ artwork?
If you’re wondering how to digitize kids’ artwork fast, keep it simple and consistent:
Use natural light near a window.
Photograph artwork straight-on to avoid shadows and distortion.
Take one close-up if there’s texture, glitter, or handwriting.
OR, instead of letting those photos get lost in your camera roll, you can turn the top picks into a kids art book with Artkive (which also comes with a virtual gallery).
How do I turn seasonal kids' art into a meaningful keepsake gift for grandparents or teachers?
For gifting, an Artkive memory book is a great option because it transforms those seasonal favorites into a polished keepsake grandparents can flip through and teachers can truly treasure without you needing to store piles of artwork at home.
