Polar Bear Winter Craft for Kids

During this time of year, winter is beginning to get long and drawn out, so as a mom I rely on some fun winter crafts that are engaging to make and charming to look at for keeping the kids content while we're waiting for the warmer weather. Here's a craft I came across from a mom at my church to accomplish that goal. It's a fun winter craft made to look like a polar bear. It turned out so cute, I put it on my list of to do crafts when the kids are complaining about nothing to do.

Supplies
2 liter plastic soda bottle
Gesso (a liquid substance that helps paint to adhere to surfaces)
White acrylic craft paint
Pebbles, or rice for weight
Paint brush
Red construction paper
Pink crayon
Black permanent marker
Scissors
Glue

Directions

First, remove all the labels and glue from your 2 liter bottle and allow it to dry thoroughly. Then add whatever heavy items you chose to keep the bottle weighted, either rice, small pebbles, or even sand will work well.

Next, paint the bottle with 1 coat of the gesso. Allow that to dry and follow it up with another coat of the white acrylic paint. Allow to dry completely.

Using your black marker, draw a festive face on the front of your polar bear making him look cheerful and happy. Follow that up with your pink crayon to draw cheeks on each side of the polar bear's face.

With your red construction paper, draw an outline of a small pair of mittens and cut them out. You can then have the kids decorate the polar bear's mittens with markers or crayons, creating a brightly colored pattern. Have the kids glue them anywhere they think would look good on the polar bear. Allow to dry.

You can't have winter crafts without polar bears, and once I looked at some other crafts involving polar bears, I could see how popular these animals are to make with kids. This winter craft for kids will not only keep them busy, it will help them gain a sense of appreciation for one of winter's warmest, (in a cuddly sort of way) winter animals.