I love the winter season! Holiday-themed food, celebrations, and spending time with family are some of my favorite activities during this time. But for a good number of us, winter can also be quite hectic. While keeping up with the holidays and seasonal traditions are important, it’s just as important to make sure we take some me-time to ourselves and take care of our mental health. That’s why I’ll show you 5 Enchanting yet comforting winter art therapy activities you can try now to help re-energize your mind and keep your mental health prepared and stress-free this winter season!
A. 5 Magical Drawing Winter Art Therapy Activities
What better way to get into the winter mood by drawing a snowflake doodle!
It’s super easy, quick, and relaxing. All you need is a piece of paper and something to draw with.
1. Snowflake Doodle Drawing
Let’s get started with this easy snowflake doodle tutorial:
Snowflake Doodle Drawing Tutorial
- Start by drawing a short straight vertical line. This will be our snowflake’s middle line.
- Draw a diagonal line through the center of the middle line.
- Draw another diagonal line on the opposite side.
- Now, add a straight horizontal line through the middle of your snowflake doodle. And you’re done!
- You can add more detail to your snowflake by drawing little “V’s” on each snowflake branch. Start by drawing a small “V” on the top line.
- You can continue drawing more “V’s” on the rest of the snowflake’s branches, varying the sizes to make it look even more interesting.
What’s great about this winter art therapy activity is that once you get the hang of drawing snowflakes, you can try drawing your own designs like I did at the bottom of the above image!
Why This Art therapy Activity is Relaxing
- Drawing snowflakes involves drawing patterns, like Zen doodling or zen patterns, which are focused on creating calming patterns that use repetition & focus to bring you into the present, away from racing thoughts
- Finishing a simple drawing gives you a sense of accomplishment, helping build up your self-esteem, contributing to more satisfaction with yourself & a more overall positive feeling
- There’s absolutely no pressure on you to make a perfect drawing – just have fun with it & use whatever materials & colors that make you happy!
- Allows you to concentrate on the present moment
2. ‘Winter Activity’ Snowman Doodling
For this next winter art therapy activity, you can try doodling a ‘winter activity’ snowman.
I love this doodle because it reminds me of all the fun things I enjoy doing and experiencing during winter time.
All you need to do is draw a snowman but make sure his body is big enough to draw or write something in it.
You can fancy him up with a couple clothing items like a hat or scarf and a fun expression. I drew a smile on him because whenever I think of winter, I get very excited.
How do you feel when you think about the winter season?
Once you’ve drawn your snowman, think of at least 3-5 activities you love doing during the winter.
Then, draw or write them inside the snowman’s tummy!
I drew an ornament, cookie, envelope, and lights because I enjoy decorating the Christmas tree, eating winter-themed foods, sending out holiday cards, and looking at all the wonderful decoration and lights. It makes me so joyful and truly feels like a winter wonderland when I think of those activities!
You can even frame or hang up your drawing as a reminder of things to do during this cozy season.
Why This Art therapy Activity is Relaxing
- You’re constantly reminded of the things that bring you joy, which improves your overall mood
- Doing things that you enjoy helps give you energy & re-energizes you, especially wen you feel drained, overwhelmed, anxious, or stressed
- It’s fun with no pressure to make something perfect
- Allows you to reflect on what makes you unique
- Allows you to connect with yourself on a deeper level
3. Christmas Family Tree
This next winter art therapy exercise is to draw a Christmas ‘family’ tree.
What’s great about this activity is that it’s a gratefulness exercise to help remind us of all the wonderful people and things we have in our lives.
It’s a fantastic grounding exercise for us to help remind ourselves of the people and things that are going right for us, instead of focusing on the negative things we may or may not have.
To start this activity, draw an outline of a Christmas tree. You can use whatever colors you’d like!
Then, draw ornaments and lights all over the tree. Just make sure that the ornaments and lights are big enough to write something in them.
Next, write in the names of your family, pets included!
You can also write in who and what you’re grateful for, or even what activities you love doing.
If you’d like, you can even color in your drawing. Feel free to frame or hang it up on your wall as a wonderful reminder of all the amazing people and things you do have.
Why This Art therapy Activity is Relaxing
- It’s a gratefulness exercise
- Helps you know your emotional support circle – especially during difficult times
- Builds your self-esteem
- Gives you confidence
4. Coloring Winter Patterns and Ornaments
For this next activity, let’s try drawing colorful holiday and winter patterns and ornaments!
You can’t have winter without some winter-themed patterns and designs.
Not only is this super easy and fun but you have plenty of freedom to draw what you’d like.
Grab your favorite colors and start drawing circle outlines or whatever shapes you’d like. Just remember to keep the shapes as outlines so you can draw the patterns inside.
I drew circle outlines because they’re the most common type of ornament shape to draw.
Then, start drawing patterns inside your ornament shapes. They can be anything from polka dots to stripes, even Christmas sweater designs!
If you have trouble thinking of what designs and patterns to draw, check out these inspirational winter-themed patterns & ornament designs on Shutterstock.
And don’t forget to color in your ornaments!
Coloring helps relax your mind through repetitive yet conscious movements that help expend your physical energy. This helps release pent up tension, even physically releasing muscle tension due to stress and anxiety.
Why This Art therapy Activity is Relaxing
- Relaxation exercise that uses your physical energy to release stress and muscle tension
- Gives you something satisfying to look at, positively stimulating your mind
- Gets you out of your thoughts and into the present
- Gives you something relaxing to look at when feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed
6. Snowman Emoji
This last winter drawing activity is to draw a snowman emoji.
What’s great about this winter drawing idea is that you can express how you feel through a snow man.
All you need to do is just draw a snowman.
It can be as simple or detailed as you like.
I drew a cap and scarf on mine because I love wearing those accessories during the winter – I really need them or else I’ll get sick!
Then draw the expression of how you are feeling, on the snowman’s face.
It can be anything from happy to sad, stressed, or even anger.
What’s most important is that you honestly acknowledge your feelings and don’t feel ashamed for feeling that way. However you’re feeling is completely valid, there’s no wrong answer here.
Also, write a little line underneath your snowman drawing stating how you’re feeling today. You can even date it if you’d like, to keep a record of how you were feeling on a specific day. This helps in recognizing your feelings and emotional patterns.
You got this!
Why This Art therapy Activity is Relaxing
- Helps you draw out your feelings into something physical you can look at instead of it being bottled up in your head
- Helps you slow your mind down and take time to reflect on how & why you’re feeling a certain way
- Can help you understand certain patterns in your mood
- Can help identify triggers for specific moods
- Gets you out of your thoughts and into the present
- Is very cute and fun to do
B. What Are Winter Art Therapy Activities?
Winter art therapy activities are winter and holiday-themed art exercises that anyone can do regardless of age or skill level.
They help process and/or ground one’s emotions and thoughts into a creative productive outlet helping that individual manage their mental health through relaxation and regaining their energy while helping them overcome the stress, anxiety, and overwhelming nature of the holiday and winter season.
These art activities include:
- Making Abstract Art
- Drawing
- Painting
- Art Journaling
- Making an Art Collage
- Doodling
- Sculpting
- Sewing / Crocheting
C. Benefits of Art Therapy Activities During Winter
- Improved Mood
- Improved Sleep
- Helps you stayed focused & not overwhelmed during the holiday season
- Helps you prep & focus on your goals for the new year
- Keeps your mind in a mentally healthy state
- Re-energizes you by helping you reflect on the things going on in your life
- Helps you take time time to yourself and collect yourself/thoughts
- Provides a creative outlet to be your authentic self
- Provides a safe space to express yourself and feelings
- Helps you be honest with yourself about your feelings and thoughts
- Helps you mentally grow as an individual
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Which of these winter art therapy activities do you want to try doing?
Do you have any activities that you’d like to add to this list?
I hope you enjoyed this post and see you in the next one!
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