At our house, when the kids rush home from school, the first thing they usually do is dive straight into screens—video games, virtual reality, you name it. My wife noticed this pattern while working from home and decided to shake things up. She started introducing themed crafts to give the kids something creative to focus on. At first, it was just a way to cut back on screen time, but it quickly turned into a tradition that stuck.
Even when she went back to working in an office, the crafts became a regular part of our evenings. They were more than just activities; they were little moments of connection and creativity, the perfect way to transition from winter’s chill to spring’s excitement. Honestly, those projects added so much joy to an otherwise dreary month—it’s a tradition I’d recommend to any family.
If you’re looking for ways to keep your kids entertained, inspired, and off the screens for a while, here are some fun and easy February craft ideas for kids of all ages. Who knows? You might just start your own family tradition!
Handprint Art Projects
Handprint crafts are always a hit with kids—and they make the sweetest keepsakes, too.
- Handprint Trees: Use brown construction paper for the trunk and branches, then have kids dip their hands in paint to create colorful “leaves” that show the transition from winter to spring.
- Heartwarming Handprints: In Sunday school, turn handprints into doves or sunbursts to symbolize peace and new beginnings.
- Handprint Black History Art: Celebrate important figures by decorating handprints with quotes, symbols, or designs tied to their achievements.
Recreate This:
Use washable paints and large sheets of craft paper. Add personal touches like the kids’ names or fun messages to make the artwork even more special.
Nature Crafts
February might still feel like winter, but nature is beginning to wake up—making it the perfect time for nature-inspired crafts.
- Frozen Sun Catchers: Gather leaves, berries, and twigs, freeze them in bowls of water with string embedded, and hang them outside as beautiful, nature-inspired decorations.
- Bird Feeders: Use pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed to create feeders. Hang them where kids can watch the birds stop by for a snack.
- Winter-to-Spring Collage: Take a walk, collect bits of nature, and create a collage that captures the seasonal transition.
Picture This:
A row of sparkling frozen sun catchers glistening in the sunlight, hanging from tree branches in your backyard.
Recreate This:
Let your kids pick out their favorite natural items for their sun catchers. When the ice melts, it’s a fun science moment to talk about seasons and weather.
Classroom-Friendly Crafts
These crafts are simple, fun, and perfect for kids of all ages in a classroom setting.
- Paper Plate Groundhogs: Celebrate Groundhog Day with a groundhog peeking out of a paper plate “burrow.”
- Black History Month Portraits: Provide templates of prominent figures for kids to color and decorate with facts they’ve learned.
- Tissue Paper Sun Catchers: Layer tissue paper on wax paper to make colorful window art celebrating February’s brighter days.
Recreate This:
Provide pre-cut shapes or let kids tear tissue paper into their own designs for a more creative twist.
Easy Crafts for Toddlers and Preschoolers
For the littlest ones, tactile and simple crafts are always a winner—trust me, I’ve seen firsthand how much joy these hands-on activities can bring. When my kids were toddlers, I was always on the lookout for creative ways to keep their little hands busy while encouraging their curiosity. Simple crafts with soft textures, bright colors, and easy-to-hold materials were not only fun but helped develop their fine motor skills too. Whether it was finger painting masterpieces, playing with squishy homemade playdough, or sticking colorful shapes onto paper, these activities became some of our favorite bonding moments. Plus, the sense of pride they feel when they create something all on their own? Absolutely priceless.
- Pom-Pom Winter Trees: Glue cotton balls or pom-poms onto construction paper trees to create a snowy effect.
- Animal Masks: Use paper plates, markers, and string for toddlers to craft their favorite animals.
- Footprint Penguins: Stamp painted footprints onto paper and turn them into adorable penguins with googly eyes and construction paper beaks.
Recreate This:
Set up a dedicated craft space with washable paints and plenty of paper towels—this one’s adorable but delightfully messy!
Crafts for Older Kids and Middle Schoolers
Older kids often enjoy crafts that push their creativity and let them explore new skills.
- DIY Desk Organizers: Upcycle cereal boxes and paper towel rolls into custom organizers they can paint and decorate.
- Upcycled Art: Turn items from the recycling bin (cans, jars, cardboard) into creative sculptures or functional decor.
- Black History Quotes Wall Art: Have kids design posters featuring powerful quotes from Black leaders using calligraphy, paint, or digital tools.
Recreate This:
Let kids choose their own designs and colors. Offer stencils or stickers for an extra creative boost.
Why February Crafts Are Special
February may be short, but it’s packed with opportunities to celebrate creativity and learning—especially when the days feel long and chilly. For our family, crafting became more than just a way to pass the time during those cold winter afternoons. It turned into a special ritual, where the kitchen table transformed into a creative hub filled with scraps of construction paper, glitter, and markers scattered everywhere. The kids would be completely immersed, their little hands busy with glue sticks while their faces lit up as they created masterpieces from the simplest materials.
I’ll never forget one snowy afternoon when we made heart-shaped sun catchers for Valentine’s Day. The kids pressed bits of colorful tissue paper onto sticky contact paper, completely amazed as the light shone through their creations when we hung them in the window. They were so proud of their work—they kept running back to the window to admire how the colors changed as the sun shifted.
Crafting during February also helped our kids transition from winter’s slower pace to the excitement of spring. Each project, whether it was making paper flowers or decorating birdhouses, sparked their creativity while giving them a sense of accomplishment. Those moments around the craft table? They’re some of my favorites now—the laughter, the creativity, the occasional glue mishap—all part of those beautiful, simple memories that stick with you long after the season changes.
Final Thoughts
Try a few of these crafts with your kids this February—you might be surprised by how much fun it brings to your home. Whether it’s making adorable handprint art to hang on the fridge, creating nature-inspired decorations with leaves and twigs from a winter walk, or turning old jars into glittering lanterns in an upcycling project, these moments are about so much more than just crafting. I’ve found that these creative sessions aren’t just a way to keep the kids entertained—they’re memory-making magic. The laughter, the excitement when they finish a project, even the occasional sticky fingers and glitter mess, all become part of your family’s story. So grab the glue sticks and paint—it’s about sparking creativity, sharing smiles, and creating memories that will last long after the crafts are done.
Which craft are you excited to try first? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear how your family celebrates creativity this February!
