20+ Penguin Art for Kids That's Perfect for Winter Days

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Looking for penguin art for kids that actually works on long winter days? This collection is made for those moments when kids want to create something fun, and you want an activity that holds their attention without a lot of back-and-forth.

These projects let kids explore paint, paper, and texture while following clear steps and making choices along the way. Most take about 20–30 minutes and use familiar supplies like paper, paint, glue, and scissors. The result is artwork they are excited to show, hang up, or carry home.

Whether you are setting up a winter theme in the classroom or filling a cozy afternoon at home, you will find plenty of ideas here for preschool through early elementary. And if your kids cannot get enough, our penguin activities for kids are a natural next step for keeping the winter fun going a little longer.

Variety of penguin-themed crafts for children, including painted penguins, collages with googly eyes, cotton ball snow, and colorful mixed-media designs.

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Penguin Art Activities

Puffy Paint Penguin

A mix of shaving cream and glue turns into puffy paint for this penguin activity, giving the penguin a fun, fluffy texture. Kids assemble a simple paper penguin (using a printable template for the body) and then dab on the homemade puffy paint to make the penguin's belly nice and puffy.

The paint dries raised and squishy, which kids find really neat – it makes their penguin look like it has soft, fluffy feathers!

artsymomma.com

Penguin Ink Blot Symmetry

Kids fold a paint-splattered paper in half to create this penguin, resulting in two matching sides that form a mirror image. The inkblot technique turns blobs of black and white paint into a penguin shape once the page unfolds, which feels like discovering a surprise picture.

It might get a little messy, but children love seeing the “magic” of their folded painting turning into a cute penguin – and it's a clever way to learn about symmetry through art.

Related: Penguin Color By Numbers

funhandprintartblog.com

Footprint Penguin Canvas Keepsake

For this special keepsake, your child turns their painted footprint into a penguin on a canvas. Little ones often giggle as their foot gets coated in paint, and then they stamp it down to make the penguin's body shape.

It ends up as a sweet piece of winter décor or a heartfelt gift, because it captures your child's tiny footprint in a fun penguin design.

Also try: Penguin Tracing Worksheets

playtolearnpreschool.us

Paper Penguin Process Art

Penguin process art encourages kids to explore materials freely and create their own unique penguin picture. Preschoolers use black, white, and orange paper to form a penguin, but they can tear, cut, and glue the pieces however they like, rather than following a strict pattern.

The open-ended approach builds fine motor skills and creativity, and each child's penguin turns out delightfully one-of-a-kind.

Related: Penguin Activity Sheets

happytoddlerplaytime.com

Sponge Painted Penguin

Instead of paintbrushes, kids use sponges to make these penguins, which creates cool textures and a fun stamping experience. They dip a sponge (cut into a circle shape) in black paint and stamp it onto paper for the penguin's round body, then glue on a white belly, an orange beak, and feet, and maybe a pair of googly eyes to bring the penguin to life.

The activity gets delightfully messy, and dabbing on a few white paint “snowflakes” at the end gives each penguin a perfect winter finish.

Also try: Penguin Do A Dots

Torn Paper Penguin

Kids get to rip up colored paper and glue the pieces onto a penguin template, creating a textured penguin collage. For supplies, all you need are some construction paper, glue, and a printable penguin outline – no scissors required.

Tearing and sticking paper is a fun sensory exercise and great fine motor practice, and the result is an adorable penguin made from your child's own handiwork.

inspirationlaboratories.com

Penguin Painting for Toddlers

Even the youngest artists can create a penguin masterpiece with this simple painting idea. Toddlers dab or “pounce” a paint-filled brush on paper to make a snowy background, then use their finger to smear some white paint for the penguin's belly shape.

This easy, hands-on activity helps develop fine motor skills and allows young children to create their own winter artwork proudly.

Related: Penguin Paper Strip Craft

www.fantasticfunandlearning.com

Whimsical Winter Newspaper Penguin

Recycled newspaper becomes the primary material for this penguin art, lending each penguin a quirky black-and-white pattern. Kids trace and cut out a penguin body and flippers from old newspaper, then glue them onto a background and add a bright orange beak, googly eyes, and other fun details.

Using newspaper instead of plain paper makes each penguin extra interesting to look at and also teaches kids about the importance of reusing materials in art.

Also try: Penguin Math Worksheets

thepinterestedparent.com

Mixed Media Penguin Art

Kids get to paint and collage in one project, creating a cute penguin scene with lots of texture. They start by painting a wintry background with watercolors, then build a penguin on top by cutting out pieces of newspaper and construction paper for the penguin's body and details.

Mixing different supplies such as paint, printed newspaper, and colored paper makes the artwork really eye-catching, and children love seeing their penguin come together step by step.

Related: Penguin Handprint Craft

www.artycraftykids.com

Tape Resist Penguin Painting

Kids make a penguin shape “magically” appear by painting over taped-off areas and then peeling the tape away. They first stick pieces of tape on paper in the shape of a penguin, paint all over the paper with their favorite colors, and let it dry.

Peel off the tape to reveal a perfect penguin design underneath—an exciting surprise that makes this art project fun for kids of all ages.

Also try: Moving Penguin Paper Plate Craft

Penguin Tissue Paper

Kids glue bits of tissue paper to fill in a penguin template, creating a fun, crinkly texture. They layer on small tissue paper squares for the penguin's body and belly, which is excellent fine motor practice and gives the penguin a cool, textured look.

You only need a few supplies for this art, and kids will feel proud showing off the finished penguin with its lovely, tactile look.

emmaowl.com

Footprint Penguin Christmas

Transform your child's footprint into an adorable penguin Christmas card to share with family or display as a cherished keepsake. Kids paint the bottom of one foot (usually black for the penguin's body) and stamp it onto a folded card.

Then, they add details like eyes, a white belly, an orange beak, and little feet to complete the penguin. You can even decorate the penguin with a tiny paper Santa hat or scarf to make it extra festive, and the result is a sweet homemade holiday greeting that doubles as a precious memory of your child's footprint.

Related: Yarn Penguin Craft

happytoddlerplaytime.com

Paint Splat Penguin

Children will get a thrill from squishing paint to make this penguin picture. They drop a couple of paint blobs onto a sheet of paper and press another sheet on top (or fold the paper in half), then peel it open to reveal a cool penguin-like shape made by the symmetrical paint splat.

The process is messy in the best way and full of surprises, making it a massive hit with little ones who love hands-on fun.

Also try: Hatching Penguin Craft

www.projectswithkids.com

Wood Slice DIY Penguin Ornaments

Kids can turn simple wood slices into adorable penguin ornaments to hang on the Christmas tree. They paint a penguin onto each round wood slice, using black and white for the body and a touch of orange for the beak and feet, then add a ribbon or string at the top for hanging.

Making these ornaments feels like creating a special homemade gift, and each one has a rustic charm that will look great on the tree year after year.

Related: Torn Paper Penguin Craft

www.thebestideasforkids.com

Penguin Footprint

All you need is some paint and your child's foot to create this adorable penguin art. You paint the bottom of their foot (often black with a bit of white) and press it onto paper to make the penguin's body shape.

Then, help your child add eyes, a beak, and little flippers or feet using paint or paper cutouts. The result is an adorable keepsake that parents love, and kids get a kick out of seeing their own footprint turned into a cute penguin character.

Also try: Penguin Photo Craft

www.messylittlemonster.com

Potato Print Penguin

Using a potato as a stamp, kids can easily make a cute, round penguin for this project. They dip a halved potato in black paint and press it on paper to print the penguin's body, then add a white belly, googly eyes, and an orange beak to bring the penguin to life (you can paint on little wings or feet, too).

This stamping method is a bit silly but a lot of fun, and you can even have kids add a frosty blue background with snowflakes to set a wintery scene around their penguin.

Related: Tacky The Penguin Craft

www.artycraftykids.com

Scrape Painted Penguin Winter Art

Kids drag paint across the paper with a scraper or old card to create a beautiful streaky sky behind their penguin. The colorful background ends up looking like a glowing aurora in the night sky, which makes the simple penguin on top really stand out.

The scraping technique is easy and so satisfying, and it gives this winter art project a vibrant, magical touch.

Also try: Paper Cup Penguin Craft

thecrafttrain.com

3D Penguin Pattern Art

With a handy printable template, kids can make a penguin picture that literally pops off the page in 3D. They cut out the penguin pieces (often decorated with fun patterns) and use small folded paper strips or foam tape to attach them, so the belly, wings, or head stick out from the background.

The layered effect is truly eye-catching and adds extra dimension to the artwork, making it more engaging than a regular flat drawing.

Related: Penguin Shape Craft

www.fantasticfunandlearning.com

Torn Paper Penguin

Kids tear up pieces of paper and glue them together in the shape of a penguin, which gives their project a cool frayed-edge look. This torn-paper technique is an excellent way to develop fine motor skills (no scissors needed) and allows kids to be creative with how they place each piece.

Every penguin turns out a little different, so children feel proud making an artwork that's truly their own.

Also try: Penguin Dot To Dot

www.craftsonsea.co.uk

Bubble Wrap Penguin

All the parts of this penguin come from a free printable template, making it extremely simple to assemble. Kids can color in the template pieces and cut them out (with a bit of help if needed). Then, they can glue the pieces together like a puzzle to assemble their penguin.

With the template to guide them, it's a no-stress winter activity that comes together easily and looks great every time.

Related: Penguin Name Craft

frogsandsnailsandpuppydogtail.com

Penguin Snow Globe

Kids cut out a large circle from blue paper for the world and a black paper base, then used their fingerprints, dipped in paint, to create the tiny penguins and a snowy sky inside.

After adding small details with markers—such as eyes, beaks, and even colorful earmuffs—paint a few white snowflakes to complete the scene. Then, prop it up or hang it as an adorable holiday decoration.

Also try: Penguin Card Craft

More Fun Kid’s Ideas

19 Fun Snowman Activities For Kids
25+ Winter Animal Activities for Kids to Learn and Play
41 Adorable Winter Animal Crafts For Kids

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photograph of found of Simple Everyday Mom, Sam

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Sam is the crafter and founder of Simple Everyday Mom. She has been featured in Oprah Mag, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Crafts, Country Living, The Bump, and more.

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