I made 44 giant paper snowflakes for a holiday party. Don’t be me. Make the amount you need for your kids at home; this will be the perfect indoor activity for a long winter day. You would never guess they are super simple to make. Grab the glue gun; it’s time to winterize your home with process art.
Related: Love winter art ideas? Here are 40 Winter Craft Ideas for Kids.
Why I made these paper snowflakes
Okay. Let’s start with the obvious. I am a room parent for my big kids and also a kid activity blogger. What does the equation add up to? The person in charge of the winter craft idea for the classroom holiday party by default.
And truly, even as a former teacher, I still rack my brain over what to do with the kids. But when I saw these giant snowflakes on Art Bar Blog, I was sold.
So here we are. 44 snowflakes later, I live to tell you that these make a terrific winter art activity for toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids. An indoor activity for kids of all ages!
Related: Snowmen inside? You know it! Here are 10 low-prep snowman activities for kids.
Supplies
Making these giant paper snowflakes doesn’t take much, but I suggest adding the items and checking out on Amazon. After many attempts to gather items from craft stores, I quickly realized I had wasted the day away. Take my advice and enjoy collecting the supplies from your cozy couch instead.
Days with Grey participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.
White Paper Bags
Can you use brown paper bags? You sure can! Art Bar shares brown snowflakes on her site, which look just as vibrant. If you have a stack of lunch bags in your kitchen, you are good to go!
Tempera Secondary Colors in a Tray
What makes these great is that they are faster to dry than liquid paint. I chose secondary colors, and they have other color palettes to choose from.
Hot Glue Gun
Yeh, hot glue guns are a little like painter’s tape for me. I use it all the time for things that may not be traditionally hot-glued. For this winter craft, you absolutely need a hot glue gun to create the perfect snowflake.
How to make these snowflakes
The snowflake tutorial video I used for these calls them stars. Since I need a winter art activity for kids, I rename these snowflakes. Honestly I think they look the same. Feel free to email me if you find a reason to disagree. In the meantime, I’m going with it. LOL
Here is how to make these snowflake stars:
- Count out seven paper bags. (You can use brown)
- Plug in the hot glue gun.
- Hot glue one bag at a time and stack it on top of the other.
- Cut twice at the top of the glued and stacked bag to make a peek.
- Hot glue the top paper bag.
- Lift the top bag, and you will see how the collections of bags wrap around to make a giant paper snowflake.
- Press the glue to the other end to secure it.
- Finally, you are ready to paint the paper snowflakes!
Paint the paper snowflakes
Again, I have learned a lot from these snowflakes. Originally I wanted to use Kwik Stix Paint Pens. But after putting them together, I realized the paper would get crushed by the pressure.
Tempera paint trays are a much better choice but both work if you are not a paint person. (you know your limits)
As my child paints his snowflakes, the energy in the room calms. Painting often does this to kids! We think of painting as a giant mess when in reality, painting with kids can help us work through difficult emotions and redirect focus to something productive. One thing is certain, and that is that low-prep preschool activities are key to my sanity.
Painting is also excellent for fine motor development, hand-eye coordination, and practice holding a steady hand.
Related: First time painting with kids? I wrote this guide on how to paint with kids to help.
What happens after the snowflakes are painted
I know. You are drowning in kid art. Especially after the holidays.
Well, after reading 5 ways to display your kids’ artwork, you won’t feel as badly recycling what you need to avoid overwhelm. If you do wish to hang these paper snowflakes, think about hanging them in a window, from the ceiling, or, my personal favorite, on the child’s bedroom door.
More winter activities for kids
Over the years, we have made some low-prep winter crafts to help inspire creativity and help pass the time. Process art has my heart, and since there are no particular rules or directions, process art is excellent for toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids.
- Ice Skating Bears – not a craft, but a preschool activity you must add to your rotation!
- Tissue Paper Mitten Painting
- Watercolor Winter Hats
