Even the most clever and crafty of parents are likely to find themselves running out of ideas for indoor entertainment [1], especially toward the end (we hope!) of Winter. On the search for new and creative ways to occupy afternoons when it's simply out of the question to head outdoors, we paid an in-depth visit to our Instagram feed and came back with some fun and easy DIY [2] ideas from real moms and dads. Browse our top 15 finds, and get inspired to get crafty!
3D Snowy Mountain
Get the full tutorial for this snowy mountain montage [4] over at I Heart Crafty Things.
"Stained Glass" Mittens
We love the translucent quality that tissue paper gives to these Winter-ready "stained glass" mittens.
Scissored Snowflakes
This tried-and-true favorite requires nothing more than a pair of scissors and some standard printer paper.
Beads, Sequins, and Glitter — Oh My!
We love the idea of confining craft time to a foil-lined cookie sheet or tray for minimal cleanup. So smart!
Cut-and-Fold Snowmen
Swedish blogger Willowday shares the full tutorial for these sweet cut-and-fold snowmen [9] on her site.
Love Is in the Air
A quartet of valentine-ready paper crafts were displayed on this Instagram collage.
Snowmen Baskets
Pipe cleaners transform these little paper-tube snowmen into minibaskets.
"Tired of the Real Snow" Dough
Skip the chill of real snow, and instead whip up a batch of this supereasy cornstarch and veggie oil substitute for some indoor snow-day fun.
Paper-Roll Snowmen
Trim the tops of a series of paper towel rolls to create a family of snowmen — so sweet!
Valentine Garland
"We were feeling the bug to make something, so we strung pompoms and hearts on bakers twine," wrote Instagram user taraleighgray [15].
Lace-Up Skates
Skip the rink and instead craft your own pair of ice skates. Use this image as your inspiration, but feel free to get creative with whatever supplies you have around the house.
Q-Tip Paint Snowscape
Transform a medicine-cabinet staple into a Winter wonderland!
March of the Penguin Plates
Hit the kitchen pantry, add some construction paper, and you've got everything you need for this easy and supercute penguin plate craft.
Minimal-Mess Snowmen
No glue or glitter required here — just a trip to Michaels, perhaps!
Bottle-Brush Trees
Made from old bottle brushes, these snow-covered "trees" are topped off with red felt hearts.