Toddler care can be overwhelming in winter, as your child won’t be able to play outside often, but they will have plenty of pent-up energy. Doing indoor crafts will keep them entertained, build memories, explore their creativity, and develop motor coordination skills that are crucial in early childhood development. This guide explains some simple and exciting crafts you and your toddler can do together.

What Winter-Themed Activities You Can Do Indoors With Your Toddler

1. Make Cotton Ball Creatures

Buy a large bag of cotton balls, non-toxic glue sticks, and multi-colored construction paper. Outline different holiday characters — like penguins, polar bears, Santa with a large beard, or snowmen — on the construction paper; then, apply glue to the white parts, and let your child stick the cotton balls to it. Once they’re done, you can let them decorate it with crayons, stick-on eyes, glitter, and other touches. Cut out different colored clothing — like a hat, scarf, and mittens — and let your child glue them on and have fun decorating them.

2. Decorate a Paper Gingerbread House

On a piece of brown construction paper, draw the outline of a gingerbread house — complete with windows, a door, and a chimney. Sit down with your toddler, and decorate it together. Use cotton balls to make a snowy roof and yard, and use glitter, stickers, candies, pipe cleaners, and crayons or markers to make it unique. They’ll have fun designing and playing with the house, and their toddler care center will notice that they’ve had some experience when they do crafts with them, too.

3. Make a Christmas Tree Ornament

Preheat your oven to 170℉, and mix two parts flour, one part salt, and one part water to make a dough. Line your kitchen table or counters with parchment paper, and sprinkle flour on them so the dough doesn’t stick; then, roll it flat and let your toddler play with it. They can make a handprint in the dough, and you can use holiday cookie cutters to make fun shapes.

When you’ve used all the dough, poke a hole in the top of each ornament for hanging, and bake them for two to three hours. Once they’ve cooled, decorate them with non-toxic paint and other craft supplies. If their preschool has a tree or craft day, bring undecorated ornaments for everyone to decorate together is an affordable and exciting way that allows your child to contribute.

Do you need reliable toddler care that does useful, fun crafts like these with your child? The Cherokee Academy at Clayton in Canton, GA, offers a preschool program devoted to helping your toddler reach early childhood development milestones in a supportive, safe, and engaging environment. Since 2004, their licensed toddler care center has provided a curriculum that encourages playtime and kindness. Learn more about their services online, and call (770) 479-4404 to reserve your child’s spot today.