Fun for the whole family, especially the little ones!
Craft time has been a part of family life for as long as crafts have been around which - when you think about it - has been forever!
Bringing your children to the craft table at an early age is known to sprout creativity and help lead to a lifelong passion for art. It helps build intelligence, fosters problem-solving skills, and unlocks the imagination in a way that will lead to a fulfilling life later on.
Whenever parents have the opportunity to create with their children, it’s a chance to bond through a common pursuit. If you’re looking for a way to bond with your child while building all the above attributes, read on!
Kids Love Crafts, Plain and Simple
Getting into a creative flow - that moment when you’re completely present and focused at the task at hand - is something children are practically born for.
Children will fingerpaint, draw, manipulate whatever they can. In a big way, creation is how kids explore their own abilities in a way iPads and television can never hope to achieve. Crafts, by proxy, are the perfect way to let children bring something of their own into the world.
But we all know that crafts take time. That’s why I’ve written this article - to offer you a range of options for DIY crafts for kids that won’t break the bank, and won’t derail your schedule.
See below a whopping 20 ideas for building projects, paper projects, and paint projects for kids. For whichever you choose, you’ll notice immediately the benefits of bringing creativity and children together - better moods, a desire to create more, and it keeps them busy!
Below I’ve embedded helpful videos which walk you through the steps, and the materials you’ll need to embark on this creative journey with your little ones. Enjoy!
Mini Paper Umbrellas
What You’ll Need:
- Three pieces of 15 cm by 15 cm construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
DIY Lava Lamp
What You’ll Need:
- Cooking Oil
- Water
- An empty jar
- Food Coloring
- Alka Seltzer
- Tablets
- A spoon
DIY Paper Bee
What You’ll Need:
- A ruler
- One large piece of black construction paper
- One large piece of yellow construction paper
- One large piece of blue construction paper
- Three assorted pieces of construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
Paper Caterpillar
What You’ll Need:
- Three pieces of colored construction paper
- Scissors
- A marker, pencil, or crayon
- A ruler
- A pack of wooden skewers (like the ones you use for barbecue!)
- One glue stick
Simple Paper Origami Birds
What You’ll Need:
- One piece of colored construction paper
DIY Paper Peacock
What You’ll Need:
- A stapler
- Two pieces of different-colored construction paper
- A glue stick
- A few colored jewels per peacock
DIY Paper Flower
What You’ll Need:
- Cupcake liner
- Elmer’s Glue
- One popsicle stick per flower
- Green paint
- Paintbrush
- Sharpie, pen, pencil, or colored pencil
Moving Paper Fish
What You’ll Need:
- Scissors
- Four pieces of different-colored construction paper
- A glue stick
Black Paper Bat
Great for Halloween!
What You’ll Need:
- One piece of black colored paper
- Scissors
- One glue stick
- One pencil
- Glitter, string, or other decorations for the eyes
Paper Pinwheels
What You’ll Need:
- One piece of colored paper
- Glue
- A plastic straw
- A sewing needle
- Scissors
DIY Pasta Ornaments
What You’ll Need:
- Any type of macaroni pasta
- Hot glue gun (or Elmer’s glue if you’re dealing with smaller children)
- Spray paint (or regular potted paint if you’re creating with smaller children)
- Twine
- Scissors
Bobblehead Paper Unicorn
What You’ll Need:
- A ruler
- White construction paper
- One glue stick
- Scissors
- Colored pencils
DIY Easter Egg Basket
What You’ll Need:
- Five different-colored pieces of construction paper
- Scissors
- One glue stick
- Googly eyes
- One black sharpie
DIY Paper Decorative Easter Eggs
Better for older children
What You’ll Need:
- An Exacto Knife (or, any off-brand will do)
- One glue stick
- Several pieces of different-colored construction paper
DIY Paper Snails
What You’ll Need:
- Several pieces of different-colored construction paper
- One glue stick
- Scissors
- Plastic can top (for measuring a perfect circle)
- Colored pencils
- Markers
DIY Paper Gun
What You’ll Need:
- A few pieces of different-colored construction paper
- Scissors
- A rubber band
- A glue stick
- Three or four small pieces of crumpled paper
DIY Paper Fly
What You’ll Need:
- Four pieces of different-colored construction paper
- Googly eyes
- One glue stick
- Scissors
DIY Lantern
What You’ll Need:
- One plastic
- Dixie cup
- Twine
- Colored markers
- Single hole punch
- One electric candle per lantern
Paper Butterfly Origami
What You’ll Need:
- Colored construction paper
- Scissors
- One glue stick
DIY Panda Bear Plate
What You’ll Need:
- Paper or styrofoam plates
- Black construction paper
- One black marker
- One glue stick
- Googly eyes
If you have made one of these crafts with your kids, leave a comment below and tell the rest of us about your experience! Happy crafting!