As winter blankets parts of the world in a snowy embrace and the days grow shorter, it can be a challenging time for children’s happiness and mental well-being. Parents often search for creative ways to keep their children engaged, happy, and mentally healthy. Winter’s limited daylight and frigid temperatures often lead to more time spent indoors relying on screens and indoor activities; however, this can contribute to feelings of restlessness, disconnection, and the winter “blahs.” Crafting, on the other hand, is a perfect way to combat these feelings. It not only keeps children engaged, but also promotes emotional well-being.
A CREATIVE OUTLET
Crafting allows children to express their emotions safely and constructively. When they engage in activities like drawing, painting, or making crafts, they’re able to convey feelings and thoughts that might otherwise be difficult to articulate, in both a therapeutic (and fun!) creative outlet.
For engaging winter crafts, the best source of inspiration is nature—specifically the sparkly snow! Making paper snowflakes (with or without glitter) is a fun craft and a great way to illustrate how everyone is unique, even though the snowflakes are made from the same materials.
FAMILY FUN
Completing a craft project gives children a sense of accomplishment. This feeling of achievement can boost their self-esteem and confidence, which is essential for good mental health. Whether it’s finishing a painting, sewing a stuffed animal, or building a model, crafting provides tangible evidence of a job well done. The ice and snow, again, provide great material for winter crafts. If you’re looking for a large family project, try constructing a fort out of coloured ice blocks. You can use milk cartons and food colouring to create them. Want a smaller project? Try building a mini snow fort using ice cubes from ice cube trays. Children can create a tiny village out of ice or snow, adding any found objects to complete their village.
COZY CRAFTS
Crafting indoors is another relaxing activity that helps reduce stress and anxiety. Engaging in creative endeavours like colouring or knitting can have a calming effect on children, helping them unwind and focus their minds away from worries and stressors. Knitting or yarn projects are great for winter because they keep you warm! Try knitting a scarf or hat, or sewing together fabrics to make a cozy quilt.
SOCIAL BONDING
Crafting can also be a social activity. Encouraging children to craft with friends or family members promotes bonding and strengthens relationships. Sharing creative experiences with loved ones can be a powerful way to combat those feelings of isolation and loneliness that sometimes accompany winter. If you can’t get outside due to the weather, use it to your advantage and have an indoor family craft day. Once the weather improves, the crafting can move outside. You can also plan outdoor activities like a winter obstacle course or snow sledding race, or even try combining the two!
Crafting is a wonderful way to promote children’s mental health during the winter season. It provides an outlet for emotional expression, fosters a sense of accomplishment, reduces stress, and strengthens social connections. By creating winter crafts or activities, we generate a sense of excitement for the season, and children begin to look forward to the colder months and the neat things that they can do (more than just for winter holidays). Let’s stop and taste the snowflakes, focus on the things only winter can bring, and be mindful of all the beautiful gifts nature bestows during the chilly months—like light dancing off of snow-filled fields, or tree branches encased in ice. This winter, embrace the power of creativity and embark on crafting adventures with your children. It’s a delightful journey that will keep their spirits high and minds healthy throughout the colder months.
