Easy Winter Craft + Arctic Animals Homeschool Activity
Looking for a simple winter craft that doubles as an educational activity? This Toilet Roll Arctic Animals Craft is a hands-on way for toddlers and preschoolers to explore Arctic animals through creative play. Using recycled toilet paper rolls, kids can create adorable polar bears and penguins while building fine motor skills and learning about animals that live in cold climates.
This low-prep craft fits perfectly into Arctic Animals themed learning, making it an ideal activity for winter homeschooling, classroom centers, or cozy indoor afternoons.
How-to video showing a kids craft using toilet paper rolls to make a polar bear and penguin. The video demonstrates painting the rolls, cutting and gluing paper shapes, and assembling the Arctic animals step by step.
Materials
Black pom poms or small paper dots
Yellow/orange paper (for penguin beak and feet)
Glue
Scissors
Optional: markers or crayons
How to Make Toilet Roll Arctic Animals
Polar Bear
Wrap or paint the toilet roll white and allow it to dry.
Glue googly eyes onto the front.
Add a small black pom pom for the nose.
Pull apart cotton balls and glue them around the top, sides, and bottom to create fluffy fur and paws.
Add small black dots to the cotton for paw details.
Penguin
Cover or paint the toilet roll black and let dry.
Cut an oval from white paper and glue it to the front for the penguin’s belly.
Add googly eyes.
Cut a small triangle from yellow/orange paper for the beak and glue below the eyes.
Cut flippers and feet from black and yellow paper and attach.
Opportunities to Make This a Learning Moment
While crafting, invite conversation and curiosity with questions like:
Where do polar bears and penguins live?
What do Arctic animals need to survive cold weather?
How is a penguin different from a polar bear?
Why do some animals have fur and others have feathers?
This turns a simple craft into educational sensory play for toddlers and preschoolers.
Vocabulary Words to Weave In
Arctic
Polar
Habitat
Mammal
Feathers
Fur
Cold climate
Ice
Snow
Make your own arctic week!
This craft is featured in the GoodnightFox Homeschool Planner – January Week 3: Arctic Animals Theme.
During this week, children explore:
Arctic habitats
Animal characteristics
Cold weather adaptations
Fine motor and creative expression
This toilet roll craft pairs beautifully with Arctic-themed books, animal flashcards, and sensory play trays included in your January learning flow.
Learning Extensions
Extend the activity with these GoodnightFox Arctic Animals resources:
Arctic Animals Flashcards – perfect for vocabulary building and animal recognition
Arctic Animals Printables – matching, tracing, and early learning activities
Winter & Arctic Sensory Play Ideas – pair the craft with cotton “snow,” white pom poms, or icy blue sensory fillers
These materials help reinforce learning through play while keeping your homeschool days simple and cohesive.
Why We Love This Craft
✔ Uses recycled materials
✔ Budget-friendly and low prep
✔ Supports fine motor skills
✔ Encourages creative expression
✔ Fits seamlessly into homeschool planning
If you’re building a winter homeschool routine filled with easy sensory play setups, educational crafts, and themed learning, this Toilet Roll Arctic Animals Craft is a must-add to your January plans.
Want more Arctic Animals activities? Explore the full GoodnightFox Arctic collection and homeschool planner for done-for-you learning that feels fun, not overwhelming ❄️🐧🐻❄️
Arctic Week Reading List
If you’re following along in the Homeschool Planner, don’t forget to check out these great Arctic Themed Books.