coffee filter snowflake 2466

This winter, gather the kids to make beautiful, colorful snowflakes using coffee filters and water-soluble markers. This craft project promotes creativity and a sense of intrigue as kids wait to see the final result of each unique snowflake. It’s also a versatile project since colors can match any theme. Consider using cool colors, warm colors or analogous colors—or any colors that complement your party or celebration.

Supplies

One coffee filter for each snowflake

Water-soluble markers or food dye

Water

Paintbrush 

Something to cover workspace

Scissors

Optional: glitter glue 

Note: Consider practicing steps #3 and #4 with a plain coffee filter, so you have the cutting technique down when it’s time to cut your colored filters.

Directions

  1. For each snowflake, add desired colors to a coffee filter. If using water-soluble markers, color some (or most) of the filter, then add a few drops of water so the colors will bleed. Or, dip a paintbrush into water and spread it lightly across the colored filter.
  2. Allow to dry. 
  3. Fold the coffee filter in half, in half again, and then once more, until you have a pie shape. 
  4. Snip small triangles, circles and squares out of the long, folded edges. Be careful to not cut all the way across or your snowflake will be in two pieces. 
  5. Open the coffee filter up to reveal your snowflake! If desired, fold it again and cut other areas. 
  6. Optional: Put drops of glitter glue around the snowflake to decorate it. Allow to dry.
  7. Hang in a window for all to enjoy, decorate the house, or attach to paper with a few drops of glue and give to friends.

Note: You can use watercolor paint in this project, but in my experience, the brightest colors come from water-soluble markers or food dye.

Alyssa Navapanich is a nationally recognized art educator who teaches art to elementary school kids in East San Diego County. She is the author of San Diego Family Magazine’s “Art with Alyssa” column.

____________

13 Halloween Party Games for Kids

13 Halloween Party Games for Kids

Host the best kid’s Halloween party with these lucky (or unlucky) 13 games.Planning a Halloween party for the kids? Here are fun party games that thrill trick-or-treaters of all ages. Need an extr . . .

Read more

Art with Alyssa: Halloween Luminaries

Art with Alyssa: Halloween Luminaries

Supplies Something to cover your workspace (opened large paper bag, placemat or plastic cloth) Glass jars such as jelly, pickle or small yogurt jars and/or mason jars; cleaned and dried. Sponge . . .

Read more

DIY Halloween Treats

DIY Halloween Treats

These not-so-spooky treats are sure to delight your child’s friends, neighbors and classmates. Click the links below to download FREE printable bag toppers for Spooky S'mores, Jack-o-Lantern Teeth a . . .

Read more

Halloween Bingo Scavenger Hunt

Halloween Bingo Scavenger Hunt

It’s not bingo, and it’s not a traditional scavenger hunt, it’s a Halloween bingo scavenger hunt! Get the kids together for a Halloween party and walk (or drive) the neighborhood, looking at H . . .

Read more

Halloween Door Decorations for Families

Halloween Door Decorations for Families

Whether decorating at home or school, our Halloween doors are to “DIY” for! Not very crafty? Try the “mummy and me” door for beginners. More experienced crafters can try our “fear the waking . . .

Read more

Art with Alyssa: Mini Halloween Piñatas

Art with Alyssa: Mini Halloween Piñatas

As an art teacher, I love connecting arts & crafts to literature and recycling. This Halloween craft is a great way to repurpose cardboard toilet paper tubes. If you want to link your mini piña . . .

Read more

Art with Alyssa: Fall Leaves

Art with Alyssa: Fall Leaves

Celebrate the season by making fall leaves with a DIY printing plate made from Styrofoam. Print leaves onto paper just for fun or get creative and use the printing plate to make thank you cards, place . . .

Read more

Greedy Ghosts Game

Greedy Ghosts Game

What to do with all that leftover Halloween candy? Toss it into the open mouths of these three greedy ghosts, and it becomes a fun game for one or a whole party! Supplies: Cardboard box (at least 1 . . .

Read more

Art with Alyssa: Halloween Tabletop Cornhole

Art with Alyssa: Halloween Tabletop Cornhole

This DIY Halloween craft offers lots of room for creativity, such as creating beanbags and cornhole boards inspired by your favorite characters. As an art teacher, I love connecting arts & craft . . .

Read more

Make Potion Bottles for Halloween

Make Potion Bottles for Halloween

If you’re into decorating for Halloween, making potion bottles is a fun project to do with the family or at a Halloween party. The Harry Potter-inspired bottles can be crafted into spooky (or not- . . .

Read more

Art with Alyssa: Skull Craft for Dia de los Muertos

Art with Alyssa: Skull Craft for Dia de los Muertos

Create a beautiful calavera (skull, in English) to celebrate Mexico’s Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Traditionally, skulls are created out of sugar or clay, elaborately decorated and place . . .

Read more

Art with Alyssa: Skeleton Craft for Día de los Muertos

Art with Alyssa: Skeleton Craft for Día de los Muertos

Skeletons (or calacas) seen during Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) often represent the happy afterlife of loved ones who have passed away. The skeletons are whimsical, fun and are usually show . . .

Read more

Día de los Muertos Door Decoration for Families

Día de los Muertos Door Decoration for Families

Whether decorating at home or for your child’s classroom, our Día de los Muertos door decoration is sure to make your guests (or students) feel welcome. Click here for instructions on how . . .

Read more

Funny Halloween Cones Decor

Funny Halloween Cones Decor

Kids can express their creativity making this fun, easy Halloween decoration. A search of the cupboards or a trip to the dollar store will supply everything needed to create these creepy cones for H . . .

Read more

Be Family Informed – Sign up for our Newsletters below!

Subscribe