Keep little hands busy both indoors and out with our favorite cold-weather projects for kids.

On chilly days, slip kids' hands into mittens you've decorated to look like ferocious beasts.

A felt board can be both a warm addition to a young child's room and an educational tool.

Surely the snowman gets cold out there -- but winter's chill is rarely shown on his face. Kids can give a rosy glow to their frosty friends by mixing five drops of red food coloring with a cup of water, then using a spray bottle to spritz the cheeks with a fine mist.

Deck the doorknobs with jolly kid-made bells. It's a great activity for days when it's too wet or chilly to play outside, and -- between your craft bin and the refrigerator -- you probably have all the supplies on hand.

Making a felt ball is incredibly easy and a great snow-day activity; simply wind wisps of wool into a blob, dip it in hot, soapy water, and gently roll it into shape with your hands. Colors and patterns can be added to make the results resemble marbles or Super Balls. Smaller versions can be used to make necklaces and barrettes.

This easy-to-make pillow -- cleverly embellished with buttons and felt letters -- provides a perfect way to help toddlers develop their motor skills and learn how to spell their names.

Days of winter weather can make kids stir crazy. When cabin fever strikes, clear some floor space and roll out an indoor hopscotch mat.

With a little imagination, pom-poms can be transformed into surprisingly realistic, delightful little creatures.

Invite young friends to gather around a table made of snow. Tightly pack snow (wet snow works better than the powdery kind) into two large galvanized tubs, and leave it overnight to harden. Overturn one tub, unmold the snow, and then overturn the second tub on top. (To ease the way, set the frozen tubs inside a garage or a shed for a half hour to warm the snow.) For a seat, use the same trick and a 5-gallon bucket.

Kids can happily occupy themselves cutting out dozens of paper snowflakes, which can be used to decorate your home this season.

Kids love to play with modeling clay -- whether they're sculpting it, pounding it, or throwing it. Replenish their supply this winter with colorful clay that's perfect for a snow day.

Homemade globes let you create a wintry scene straight out of your own imagination.

A muffler with sewn-up compartments offers all kinds of possibilities. Objects can be stockpiled, cleverly hidden, or simply toted along for a very warm ride.

The rare snowball caterpillar is native to chilly climes. Its larger-than-life body is easy to spot -- and to create if you use a snowball maker, a tool that forms perfect spheres of snow.

These adorable soaps make great gifts and are also a fun anytime craft.

Have your child draw helpful refrigerator reminders, a Christmas tree and ornaments, or a menorah and candles. Print onto magnet sheets and cut out. To give magnets as gifts, affix them to a greeting card with double-sided tape.

Kids can turn candy into lively decorations on a cold winter day. Set up a table with bowls of candy, and let kids bring the colorful treats to life.

Kids can make handmade envelopes from magazine pages or leftover wrapping paper from the holidays.

Unfold a regular envelope to use as a template. Choose patterned paper larger than the envelope (or stick mismatched pieces together with glue). Trace the envelope onto the paper, cut out along lines, fold (using the envelope as a guide), and secure with glue stick. If mailing, add a label.

Using several household items, kids can create a snowy scene to depict their favorite things about winter.

Let kids create a no-sew decoration this winter by cutting hearts from pink and red felt based on the size of the shirt's buttons (ours are cut from 1-inch squares).

Fold each in half horizontally, and cut a vertical slit, or buttonhole, about the same size as the button. To wear, button up shirt, and then slip hearts over buttons.

With a festive, no-sew apron, kids can cook without the mess on their clothing this winter.

Have young crafters attach designs made of washable felt and rickrack to kid-size canvas aprons with fabric glue. An ornament doubles as a pocket (glue bottom and sides), the perfect place to stash a cookie for on-the-job nibbling.

When things get stuffy, a felt hankie holder will come in handy. With felt, glue, and a needle and thread, young sewers can make this simple tissue pouch.

Cut a 6 1/4-by-4 3/4-inch rectangle of felt with pinking shears; fold in edges to meet at center. Sew ends with a running stitch. Backstitch an initial on a cutout heart; apply with fabric glue.

Kids can help create this wintry wreath made from a paper plate and a bowl of popcorn.

Made with only pipe cleaners and felt, these little creatures can keep kids company while nature is hibernating during winter months.