Winter Cardinal

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A quick and easy winter cardinal craft for the home or a study on winter birds with your students in the classroom.

winter cardinal craft on craft counter

During the winter, you don’t see many birds out and about, but you might spot a winter cardinal or two! This cute cardinal bird is easy to make whether you are an avid bird lover or you want a fun craft for the kids. A red cardinal symbolizes happiness and memories from loved ones. Use bird crafts like this as sweet gifts to friends and family all year long. It’s great for fine motor skills and learning some fun facts about winter birds. Continue reading to see how simple it is to make your own cardinal.

Did you know that the Northern Cardinal does not migrate during the winter like other types of birds? That’s why you see these pretty red birds in the snow. Their bright coloring makes them super easy to spot among all the white. They are fun to watch as they hunt for food and play during the wintertime. This is the perfect winter craft to try on your own or with kids.

winter cardinal bird made out of paper on blue background

How to Video:

Materials List for a Winter Cardinal

Here is what you will need for the winter cardinal. You most likely have these supplies lying around the house already, but if not, you can find them at the Dollar Store, Walmart, or local Michaels craft stores. I like to keep a pack of construction paper on hand for simple crafts like this.

  • FREE Winter Cardinal Template
  • Dark blue background paper (8 x 11)
  • Black, orange, red, black, and darker brown cardstock
  • White paint pen
  • Cotton balls
  • Small googly eye (1/4 inch)
  • Glue stick

I like to use the smaller googly eyes just so the bird doesn’t look bug-eyes, but feel free to use any size you would like! Use an orange or yellow beak on your bird, depending on your preference. You can also use snowflake stickers instead of a white paint pen to create the snow in the background.

How to Make a Paper Cardinal Craft

To create this craft, you just have to follow the cardinal shape using the template. Once you have cut out the pieces with your scissors, the rest is easy. Check it out:

  1. Cut out the FREE Winer Cardinal template pieces onto the corresponding cardstock.
  2. Add the tree and branch to the paper. Try to place the branch slightly below the middle, so the bird ends up being in the center.
  3. Cut out the bird pieces from your red paper and glue the bird on top of the branch.
  4. Add cotton balls to the bottom of the paper to look like snow.
  5. Glue some small pieces of cotton ball to the branches as well.
  6. Use the paint pen to add snow dots and snowflakes, and you’re done!

This craft is perfect for the winter season when kids can’t go outside for very long and when you are looking for something fun to do with them.

process to make paper cardinal

Fun Facts About Cardinals

If your kids love fun facts about topics they learn about, read this fascinating list to them. Let them conduct their own research on cardinals as well and see what they come up with. This is the perfect activity for classroom research or a fun project at home.

  • If you have a bird feeder in your yard, you will see cardinals first thing in the morning and later in the evening. They are typically the first to come and last to go during the day.
  • Cardinals are granivorous, meaning they eat mainly seeds. Their beak is designed to crack open seeds and shells on nuts.
  • The average lifespan of a cardinal is about 3 to 4 years.
  • The cardinal is a popular mascot for many team sports.
  • In the warmer months, cardinals are territorial, but in the winter, they flock together to find food and survive.
  • The cardinal is the state bird of Illinois, North Carolina, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia

Use this versatile bird craft for all sorts of projects. I hope you enjoy the adorable cardinal craft!

If you like this craft, you will also love these simple crafts for kids:

  • Paper Plate Bird Craft – Turn a paper plate into a silly bird using this fun craft.
  • Apple Bird Feeders – Let kids make their own bird feeder using a few simple materials. It’s a great spring activity as birds begin to come back to the colder climates.
  • Homemade Icicles – Make some glittery paper icicles following these easy steps for kids.

Winter Cardinal

Author Katie
Create an adorable Winter Cardinal using just a few basic craft supplies.

Supplies

  • FREE Winter Cardinal Template FOUND HERE
  • Dark blue background paper (8 x 11)
  • Black, orange, red, black, and darker brown cardstock
  • White paint pen
  • Cotton balls
  • Small googly eye (1/4 inch)
  • Glue stick

Instructions

  • Cut out your template pieces onto the corresponding cardstock.
  • Add the tree and branch to the paper. Try to place the branch slightly below the middle, so the bird ends up being in the center.
  • Cut out the bird pieces from your red paper and glue the bird on top of the branch.
  • Add cotton balls to the bottom of the paper to look like snow.
  • Glue some small pieces of cotton ball to the branches as well.
  • Use the paint pen to add snow dots and snowflakes, and you’re done!
Love this project?Follow @MadeToBeAMomma or tag #MadeToBeAMomma!

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