Easy Watercolor Snowflake Craft for Kids

Snowflakes bring quiet beauty to even the longest winter days! Each one is more unique and delicate that any other. Snowflakes are a perfect inspiration for winter art projects. This Watercolor snowflake craft is a great indoor project for children during the winter.  

Whether you’re planning a cozy afternoon activity or need an engaging project for a classroom party, watercolor snowflakes will brighten up any winter day. In this post, I’ll walk you through a fun and easy watercolor snowflake craft. Keep reading for the supply list and a step-by-step tutorial. 

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Watercolor Snowflake Craft for Kids

What makes this craft particularly great for children is that it’s relatively simple and leaves plenty of room for artistic expression. Plus, watercolor painting is a relaxing and enjoyable way to introduce children to the world of art and can be a fun sensory experience for younger children, too.

This watercolor snowflake craft works well for a wide range of ages. Younger kids may need a little more guidance, while older children can explore more advanced techniques such as blending and creating color variation with their paint.

Why It’s Great for Kids:

• It encourages creativity and fine motor skills.
• It introduces the beauty of watercolor techniques.
• It encourages discussion of education topics such as symmetry and color variation. 
• It can be adapted for different skill levels.

Supplies for Watercolor Snowflakes

Before you dive into the painting process, you’ll need to gather a few supplies. Luckily, watercolor snowflakes require minimal materials, many of which you may already have at home or in your classroom.

Materials List:

• Watercolor Paints: (here is a link for bulk water colors sets for classrooms) A basic watercolor set will do the trick. You can opt for liquid watercolors or traditional pan watercolors. The color choices are entirely up to you, but soft blues, purples, and greys work especially well for creating wintery, frosty effects.
• Watercolor Paper: Use good quality watercolor paper for the best results. It should be thick enough to handle the water-based paints without warping. You can use a 1/2 sheet if you want to turn them into cards.
• Paintbrushes: A set of small to medium-sized brushes will help you get the right details for your snowflake design.
• White China Pencil or other Wax Based Pencil: To sketch out your snowflake before painting. 
• Water: Essential for the painting process, as you’ll need it to activate the watercolor paints and blend the colors together.
• Paper Towels: For blotting excess water or paint and keeping the workspace tidy.

Once you’ve gathered everything, you’re ready to begin!

Watercolor Snowflake Tutorial

Now that you have all the supplies, here is the step-by-step tutorial for creating your very own watercolor snowflakes. Follow these simple instructions to help your little artists create beautiful works of art.

Step 1: Draw the Snowflake Design

Start by drawing a simple snowflake design with the China Pencil  watercolor paper. It is helpful to go over lines several times as thicker marks will create more contrast. You can opt for a symmetrical snowflake with six arms, or let the kids experiment by making irregular shapes.(My youngest even added in the blue snowman). For younger children, you might suggest tracing a snowflake stencil to get started.

Step 2: Paint the Snowflake

Next, it’s time to add color to your snowflake. Choose your favorite winter colors—light blues, purples, or greys are perfect for a frosty, snow-like appearance. Dip your paintbrush into the water and watercolor paint, then gently apply it to the paper. You can experiment with different shades, layering colors to achieve a beautiful gradient effect.

Remember, snowflakes can have many colors, and the more you layer, the more dynamic and textured your painting will be. If you want to create a more realistic effect, try blending some lighter shades in the center of the snowflake and darker shades on the edges.

If it your little artists layer on too much water or pain use a paper towel to blot off excess. 

Step 3: Let it Dry

Allow the watercolor snowflakes to dry completely. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of water used. Once dry, you’ll have a beautifully painted snowflake!

Step 4: Add Final Touches

Once the painting is dry, you can add additional details to your snowflake using a white or silver gel pen or white acrylic paint. Add tiny dots or lines around the snowflake’s edges to give it extra definition and texture. This step can help bring the snowflake to life, giving it a more intricate look and also introduces kids to multi-step or process art. 

Step 5: Display Your Snowflakes

Once your watercolor snowflakes are complete, it’s time to showcase them! Hang them on a wall or bulletin board outside the classroom to  create a winter-themed display. They can also be used as holiday cards. Kids will feel so proud to see their artwork on display, and the beautiful snowflakes will brighten up your home or classroom.

Perfect Part of a Winter Class Party

If you’re planning a winter class party, watercolor snowflakes are the perfect craft to include in the activities. It’s an easy, fun, and low-mess project that can be completed in a relatively short amount of time, which makes it ideal for young children in a classroom setting.

Here’s why watercolor snowflakes are a perfect part of a winter class party:

• Engaging for All Ages: This activity can be tailored to suit different age groups and skill levels. Younger children can focus on simply painting colorful snowflakes, while older students can experiment with more detailed techniques.
• Stress-Free and Fun: The simple materials and easy-to-follow steps make this an enjoyable experience for both kids and teachers.
• Winter-Themed: It fits perfectly with a winter party’s theme, adding a festive, artistic touch.
• Educational: Watercolor painting can help kids develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and creativity. It also introduces them to basic art techniques like water color painting, blending, and process art.
• Low-Cost: The supplies needed are affordable and easy to obtain, making it an economical choice for school parties or group activities.

If you’re hosting a winter snow themed party, you can even expand the project by adding hot cocoa or enjoying a snowman snack to go along with the craft session!

Watercolor Snowflakes for the Win! 

Watercolor snowflakes are a simple yet beautiful craft that’s perfect for kids of all ages. Whether you’re looking to create a peaceful afternoon activity or planning a winter class party, this craft is sure to delight everyone involved. With just a few basic supplies and a bit of creativity, children can create stunning snowflake artwork that captures the magic of winter. Happy crafting!