Engage young children with delightful December preschool crafts that capture the season’s magic. These winter crafts for kids are perfect for enhancing creativity and learning, whether at home or in the classroom.
From making sparkly snowflakes to creating cozy snowmen, each project is designed to ignite imagination and develop fine motor skills.
With simple materials and easy-to-follow instructions, these crafts allow children to explore textures, colors, and shapes.
As they craft, children can learn about winter traditions and nature, promoting both curiosity and understanding.
These activities entertain and inspire a love for learning and creativity during this festive season.
Popular Themes for Crafts in December
December brings many enchanting themes that make crafting an exciting adventure for preschoolers.
The whimsical winter wonderland theme allows children to craft snowy landscapes and twinkling stars, sparking their imagination about frosty scenes and polar animals.
Holiday decorations such as handcrafted ornaments, wreaths, and garlands fill the air with festive cheer, encouraging creative expression with vibrant colors and textures.
Popular symbols like snowflakes, with their intricate patterns, and gingerbread, representing warmth and sweetness, provide abundant inspiration for crafts.
Each theme celebrates the beauty and joy of the season and offers children a fantastic opportunity to explore and learn through hands-on activities.
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Benefits of Crafting for Preschoolers
Crafting is an excellent way for preschoolers to develop essential skills during early childhood.
When kids engage in these creative activities, they improve their fine motor skills by handling small objects and using scissors and glue, which require precision and coordination.
Crafting also sparks creativity, letting kids express their unique ideas and imaginations through art.
Plus, it helps build problem-solving skills as children plan their projects and think about how to achieve their end goal.
On top of that, crafting introduces basic concepts like shapes and colors and includes fun learning experiences with counting elements like beads, popsicle sticks, or stickers.
These activities offer a hands-on approach to boost math skills while encouraging artistic exploration.
Recommended Supplies
When preparing for these enchanting December preschool crafts, there are several essential materials you’ll want to keep on hand.
Colored construction paper is a staple that provides a vibrant base for various projects.
Glue is necessary for assembling pieces, while glitter can add a festive sparkle to any creation.
Cotton balls are useful for crafting soft, fluffy snow or pom-pom details.
Tissue paper, which is perfect for creating stained glass-like effects, and paper plates, which can be transformed into wreaths or masks, are also beneficial.
Coffee filters offer a versatile medium for crafting everything from snowflakes to angel wings.
With these supplies readily available, children can explore a world of creativity and seasonal magic!
Creative Uses for December Preschool Crafts in Learning Activities
Adding crafts to educational activities is a great way to make preschool learning more engaging.
Try making snowflake patterns to teach kids about symmetry, balance, and proportion.
Advent calendars are another fun project. They help preschoolers practice counting as they mark each day leading up to a holiday.
Plus, combining crafts with winter and Christmas-themed stories lets kids bring the tales they read to life, boosting their understanding and memory.
Setting up these crafts in a winter art center creates a space where kids can explore on their own, try out different artistic techniques, and express ideas from the stories and themes of the festive season.
Winter Picture Books for Kids
Combining winter picture books with craft activities is a wonderful way to enhance the learning experience for preschoolers.
Picture books introduce new themes and stories and serve as a springboard for imagination and creativity in crafting.
Reading a story and engaging in a related craft can help children better comprehend narratives and express their understanding through art.
This dual approach encourages a deeper connection to the material and strengthens language skills.
Below are some suggested picture books that beautifully complement winter projects.
The Biggest Snowman EverThere Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow!The Snow Thief (A Squirrel & Bird Book)The Snowy DayThe MittenHow to Catch Santa Claus
Additional December Activities for Kids
Incorporating various complementary activities alongside December preschool crafts is a fantastic way to create a well-rounded learning experience for children.
Preschoolers can enjoy interactive educational opportunities that spark curiosity by engaging in holiday-themed storytimes, printable worksheets, and simple science experiments related to winter weather.
These activities build on the themes introduced through crafting, enhance cognitive development, and foster a love for learning in a playful, festive atmosphere.
Below are some ideas to integrate into your December lineup.
- Winter Pictionary Word List
- Christmas Movie Charades
- Winter Popsicle Stick Crafts
- Christmas I Spy Printable
- Printable Gingerbread Playdough Mats
FAQs About December Crafts for Preschoolers
Here are some common questions parents and educators might have about engaging preschoolers in December-themed crafts.
When crafting with preschoolers of varying ages, adjust the complexity of the projects. For younger children, simplify tasks by providing pre-cut shapes or using materials that are easy to handle. Older children may enjoy more detailed work, like designing patterns or experimenting with mixed media.
Ensure all crafting materials are non-toxic and age-appropriate. Use safety scissors and supervise activities involving pointed objects, like pencils or tiny beads. Set clear boundaries for using glue, glitter, and other messy supplies, reminding children to keep these away from their eyes and mouths.
To make cleanup easier, lay down a disposable table cover or newspapers before beginning the activity. Encourage kids to help tidy up by wiping surfaces or disposing of scraps, turning cleanup into an interactive part of the crafting process.
Offer a variety of projects that can be scaled in difficulty. Provide visual step-by-step instructions and allow children to choose which elements to include in their projects.
Consider creating a gallery space at home or in the classroom where children can display their completed crafts. For paper-based projects, use flat storage like binders or portfolios, and keep larger three-dimensional crafts on shelves. This organization preserves their work and boosts their pride and confidence in their creations.
December Crafts for Preschoolers
December always has so much to do, it’s hard to keep track. That is where a list of December preschool craft ideas really comes in handy.
It’s a nice way to organize lots of activities to keep the holiday spirit going, without getting overwhelmed by too many things to keep track of at one time.
Celebrate the first day of winter with this simple and beautiful coffee filter snowflake craft. Your preschoolers will love creating their own unique snowflakes using just a few materials.
Take a break from the holiday rush with this easy reindeer craft. Preschoolers will enjoy creating their own Rudolph to brighten up holiday decor.
Your preschoolers can create a plate of delicious cookies without any baking required. Not only will they enjoy making a batch of chocolate chip cookies that spell out their name, but they'll also practice spelling, scissor skills, and fine motor skills.
Make a gingerbread house that you can keep for years. This cardboard roll gingerbread house craft lets you turn ordinary materials into a festive village of gingerbread houses.
This charming cardboard gingerbread house craft is a surefire hit with children of all ages. Say goodbye to those boring shipping boxes cluttering up your space and say hello to a world of imagination and creativity.
Create a festive display in your home by making these charming gingerbread houses with your preschooler. They'll love showing off their creations to friends and family during the holiday season.
Create some magical snowflake ornaments in cool shades of blue, pink, and purple. It’s a super fun winter craft that kids will love.
Welcome winter with a cute cotton ball snowman craft. Perfect for kids of all ages including little ones, and there’s a free printable to make it even easier and more fun.
As the weather gets colder, keep the kids entertained with a fun and festive build a snowman craft activity. Whether there's snow on the ground or not, this December craft is a great way to bring the magic of winter indoors.
Warm up your child’s creativity this winter with a mitten craft. Preschoolers will have a blast using the free printable mitten pattern and a variety of craft supplies to make a colorful masterpiece.
Take your paper plate game to the next level with this If You Give A Mouse A Cookie paper plate craft. Transform an ordinary plate into a delectable cookie masterpiece that will leave everyone craving for more.
Get into the holiday spirit with this festive paper plate Christmas tree craft. It's perfect for preschoolers and proves that simple Christmascrafts can be loads of fun.
This printable reindeer paper bag puppet is so easy to make using the free template provided. This craft is perfect for little ones to practice their fine motor and scissor skills.
Add a touch of magic to your holiday celebrations with this collection of seven Christmas torn paper crafts for kids. From candy canes to Santa hats and Christmas trees, these crafts are sure to bring joy and creativity to your little ones.
Deck the halls with popsicle stick reindeer ornaments. Craft these cute reindeers with your preschooler to gift them to loved ones, or use them to add a personal touch to your Christmas tree.
Ring in the New Year in style by making paper plate party hats. It's a fun and easy way to involve the kids in party planning.
Spice up your New Years activities for preschoolers with a fun handprint keepsake. This fun and easy craft idea will add a festive touch to your celebrations and create a special memento for the new year.
Incorporating December craft ideas into themed lessons brings festive cheer and creativity to preschool settings while helping young learners develop essential skills.
These activities provide a fun and engaging way to celebrate the holiday season, fostering imagination and fine motor development.
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Darcy is the founder of “Life With Darcy and Brian,” where she combines her love for education, board games, and crafting to create engaging learning experiences for kids. Her creative projects and writing have been featured in outlets like The Toy Insider, CafeMom, Mom.com, Parents.com, Country Living, and The Pioneer Woman.