This is a great activity for all kids, but especially toddlers! You can definitely do this without a Cricut, but if you have one it’ll make the Winter scenes so much more detailed. **This post may contain affiliate links. A small commission may be earned.**
Recently I’ve started to try and use my Cricut more – because what’s the point of having it if I’m not taking full advantage of it? So if you’re in a similar boat make sure you’re following along for a bunch of DIY and creative ways to use a Cricut, especially as a toddler mom! Personally I have two Cricut machines: the Maker 3 and the Joy Xtra. I have a more in depth comparison on the Santa Cookie Board post, but in short – I love the Joy Xtra for the basics (iron on, vinyl, paper) and love how lightweight it is to take out and put away.
For this project you’ll just be cutting vinyl if you’re using a Cricut! If not, you could use painters tape or white glue as a substitute. You can do this with older kids and let them paint or with younger toddlers in the “mess free” version – I’ll put quick directions for both ways!
What you need:
– Canvas (we used these ones for both the paintbrush and mess free version, they squeeze tightly into a gallon baggie)
– Paint (the paint we used)
– Vinyl Cut Out or Tape/Glue
– Paintbrushes and Palettes (only if doing the older kid version)
– Gallon Baggie (only if doing the mess free version)
Directions with Cricut Machine
1. Design your Christmas or Winter scene on Cricut Design Space. Make sure your design will fit on your canvas. My toddlers chose ornaments and snowflakes for theirs, but you can get creative as you want!
2. Cut out your design on Cricut Vinyl (we used permanent) and then weed out everything around your design.
3. Use Cricut Transfer Tape to move your design over to your canvas.
4. Let your toddler pick the colors of paint they’d like to use and paint over the entire canvas. Ideally you want no visible canvas!
5. Let the paint fully dry overnight.
6. Once the paint is fully dry, carefully peel off the vinyl scene you created. Be sure to write your kiddos name on the back and show them their art!
Directions with Glue
1. Think of your design you’ll want for your Christmas scene. My toddlers chose ornaments and snowflakes for theirs, but you can get creative as you want!
2. Draw your scene with Elmer’s Glue. You’ll want this to be a thick line of glue to make it easy to peel up once everything is dry.
3. Let your glue dry – probably overnight.
4. Let your toddler pick the colors of paint they’d like to use and paint over the entire canvas. Ideally you want no visible canvas!
5. Let the paint fully dry overnight.
6. Once the paint is fully dry, carefully peel off the glue scene you created. Be sure to write your kiddos name on the back and show them their art!
How to make this MESS FREE:
Whether you’re using vinyl or the glue, you can make this mess free for your younger toddlers!
– After you’ve created your Winter scene (and it’s dry if glue), plop several globs of paint all over your canvas on top of your scene.
– Place the canvas inside a gallon baggie and zip it up with as little air as you can.
– Let your toddler smoosh the paint all over the canvas. Once again, try and get the entire canvas covered.
– Take your canvas out of the bag and let it dry overnight.
– Once the paint is fully dry, carefully peel off the glue scene you created. Be sure to write your kiddos name on the back and show them their art!
My toddler is so proud of her artwork and loves showing them off to everyone. These could make great little artwork additions to your child’s Christmas decor collection. You could also make some personalized Christmas cards for close family and friends using small canvases like these.
If you’re looking for more Christmas activities, I’ve got you covered with a calendar of 25+ Christmas crafts, activities, and keepsakes to do with your toddler. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! xx Ciara