5 Winter Crafts and Activities For School Counselors

Looking for interactive and engaging activities for winter? I’ve got you covered with ideas from grief to CBT!

CBT Snow Storm

Have leftover bags of fake snow? I always grab a couple when they go on clearance and this year I’m using them for a CBT snowstorm sort.

How it works:

Fill a small tray (I use a plastic container with a lid) will the fake snow. I added some digging tools from the Target dollar spot.

Use my thought, feeling, and action activity set to have students dig in the snow for a fun CBT activity. There are 8 different ways to use the cards:

Give students a situation card and ask them to “dig up” the thoughts, feelings, and actions they might have if this situation happened to them.
Have them dig them up and then sort them into helpful or unhelpful thoughts.
Ask them to “dig” up the feelings they have or would have about that situation card.
Ask them to “dig up” the thoughts, feelings, and actions they might have if this situation happened to them.
Ask them to sort the cards they dug up into the following categories: thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Have the student dig them up and sort into situations that are in or out of their control.
Play fan, pick, answer respond

Mindful munching with peppermint

Got a few peppermints or lifesavers? Then you’ve got a mindful moment!

Ask students to feel the peppermint and smell it after they take it out of the wrapper. Then ask them to slowly place it on their tongue and take a deep breath. Does it smell or taste different?

Use my activity pack to walk them through a calming mindful moment.

Bonus: ” Some small studies show it can lessen the pain of migraine headaches. It may also reduce other symptoms like light sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting. Menthol can also make you feel that you can breathe more easily. Plus, experts aren’t quite sure what happens in your body when you smell peppermint oil, but it may help ease sleepiness during waking hours.” (WebMd).

Colorful Ornaments To Remember A Loved One

Have students create an ornament in memory of a loved one they have lost. They can use a color or colors that remind them of their loved one, express how they feel about their loss, or perhaps even the favorite color of their loved one.

Materials:

Clear plastic ornaments (I get mine on clearance at Hobby Lobby)
Variety of nail polish
Tissues for spills and drips
Plastic bags just in case

Pull off the top of the ornament and then pour a few drops of nail polish into the ornament. You don’t need much and you can use clear to spread it even farther. It’s extra fun if you have a sparkle or silver nail polish to mix in.

Put the top back on and roll around the ornament to spread the nail polish. Tip: to prevent spills but the ornament in a plastic bag and really shake it up! The longer they roll it, the more the colors spread.

I Spy Winter Jar

This mindful jar helps calmly engage the PFC and is lots of fun to make.

Materials:

Clear plastic bottles (I use old water bottles)
Fake snow
Minatures
String
Hole punch
Index card

Have students fill up their jars with a little snow, then add the little minutes of their choice and top off with more snow. After sealing the jar (you can wrap duct tape around the lid for extra precaution) have them write down what they hid in the jar on an index card. Hole punch the card and tie the list around the top.

When kids need a moment to calm down, have them find the minutes on the list that are hidden inside (like “Where’s Waldo?”

Create a wish tree

A few years ago I got a small tree at a yard sale and put it in my classroom along with several other decorations to help celebrate holidays around the world. Then I read “The Wish Tree” and this tree had a whole new purpose.

The “Wish Tree” is a story of optimism, hope, and perseverance. After reading this adorable story, each student wrote down their own wish to hang on our tree. It was incredible to see the thoughtful and funny wishes they have.