Winter Art Lessons for Kids | Free YouTube Art Tutorials for Home & Classroom
Winter art lessons for kids using free YouTube drawing tutorials. Snowmen, penguins, winter animals, and cozy art ideas for classrooms and homeschool.
Winter is one of my favorite seasons to teach art.
The pace naturally slows, the themes feel cozy and familiar, and students are often more open to quiet creativity — whether they’re learning in a classroom or at the kitchen table. Winter art doesn’t need complicated setups or elaborate supplies to be meaningful. Some of the most successful winter lessons are simple, guided, and confidence-building.
That’s exactly why I love using free YouTube art tutorials during winter months. They allow kids to follow along step by step, reduce teacher prep, and make art accessible anywhere — at school, at home, or even on snow days.
Below you’ll find a collection of my favorite winter art lessons from the Ms Artastic YouTube Channel, along with picture book pairings and art medium suggestions to help you plan ahead with ease.
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You can find all of my favorite classroom-tested art supplies here:
👉 CHECK OUT MY FAVORITE ART SUPPLIES YOU CAN GRAB FOR THIS LESSON
Snowman Drawing Lessons (Perfect for All Ages)
🎥 How to Draw a Snowman (Classic Winter Style)
https://youtu.be/frr2BUcnrPI
🎥 How to Draw a Snowman with a Hat (More Cartoony)
https://youtu.be/iubN_S3UR3U
🎥 How to Draw a Snowman for Preschool
https://youtu.be/E5a-Tj5jgXs
Snowmen are one of the most approachable winter art subjects, especially for younger learners and mixed-age groups. These snowman lessons range from preschool-friendly shapes to more expressive, cartoony designs, making them easy to differentiate.
Why teachers and homeschoolers love these:
- Simple shapes = instant confidence
- Great for early finishers or calm winter days
- Easy to adapt with different art materials
Winter picture books to pair with snowman art:
Suggested art mediums:
- Crayons and markers (primary grades)
- Oil pastels on blue paper
- Watercolor paint with black marker outlines
You can find art supplies and classroom favorites here:
👉 CHECK OUT MY FAVORITE ART SUPPLIES YOU CAN GRAB FOR THIS LESSON
Penguin Art Lessons (Directed Drawing + Art Concepts)
🎥 How to Draw a Penguin
https://youtu.be/5zgWjcDuXxc
🎥 How to Draw a Penguin – Element of Art: Line
https://youtu.be/GolKGETYSR0
Penguins are always a hit in winter — and they’re fantastic for teaching shape, line, and pattern. One lesson focuses on a classic directed drawing, while the other intentionally connects to the Element of Art: Line, making it perfect for classroom instruction.
Why these lessons work so well:
- Clear steps reduce frustration
- Easy to connect to art vocabulary
- Works beautifully for K–6
Winter picture books to pair with penguin art:
- Tacky the Penguin
- Penguins Love Colors (perfect for teaching colors or connecting to art!)
Suggested art mediums:
- Black markers + watercolor
- Chalk pastels for soft winter textures
- Tempera paint on light blue paper
Browse my favorite penguin-friendly supplies here:
👉 CHECK OUT MY FAVORITE ART SUPPLIES YOU CAN GRAB FOR THIS LESSON
Winter Character Art (Engaging & Familiar)
🎥 How to Draw Olaf from Frozen
https://youtu.be/nevdW6DOL1k
🎥 How to Draw Crazy Ice Cream (Winter Twist)
https://youtu.be/pXEuC5FMTs4
These lessons are fantastic for engagement — especially when students need a boost during long winter weeks. Olaf is familiar and comforting, while the “crazy ice cream” lesson adds humor and imagination.
Why kids connect with these lessons:
- Familiar characters lower the fear of “doing it wrong”
- Great for reluctant artists
- Perfect for indoor recess or snow days
Winter picture books to pair with character art:
Suggested art mediums:
- Markers and colored pencils
- Watercolor for backgrounds
- Mixed media (markers + crayons + paint)
You can explore all my go-to classroom supplies here:
👉 CHECK OUT MY FAVORITE ART SUPPLIES YOU CAN GRAB FOR THIS LESSON
Soft Pastel Winter Art (Calm & Cozy)
🎥 Winter Art Lesson: Kitty in the Snow (Soft Pastels)
https://youtu.be/ienZJ3e80_0
This lesson is ideal for upper elementary and middle school, or for homeschool families wanting a more relaxed, sensory art experience. Soft pastels are incredibly effective for winter scenes and encourage blending, observation, and patience.
Why this lesson shines in winter:
- Calming and mindful
- Encourages slower, focused work
- Beautiful finished results
Winter picture books to pair with pastel art:
Suggested art mediums:
- Soft pastels
- Toned paper
- Baby wipes or blending tools
Find pastels and winter art tools here:
👉 CHECK OUT MY FAVORITE ART SUPPLIES YOU CAN GRAB FOR THIS LESSON
Why Winter Art with YouTube Works So Well
Using YouTube art lessons during winter:
- Reduces prep for teachers
- Builds independence for students
- Makes art accessible at home
- Creates consistency across classroom and homeschool learning
Whether you use one lesson or plan a full winter art week, these videos give you flexibility without sacrificing quality.
If you’d like even more winter art support, including K–12 art ideas, sketchbook prompts, teaching tips, and printable activities, you can grab my January Art Guide here:
👉GRAB MY JANUARY ART GUIDE HERE
Winter art doesn’t have to be complicated — it just needs to be welcoming, creative, and doable.
Happy winter creating ❄️🎨
Ms Artastic
