Are you looking for a way to spark your child’s creativity while keeping them entertained? Dive into the world of DIY fun with these 15 easy and fun crafts for kids to make! From bubble wrap stamp art to salt dough dinosaur fossils, these projects are perfect for children of all ages.
Get ready to explore your child’s artistic side and have a blast creating together. I’ve gathered the best guides for each activity to help you get started! So, find your favorites and gather your materials. Let the crafting begin!
1. Bubble Wrap Stamp Art
Bubble wrap stamp art is a fun and creative activity that uses bubble wrap to create unique patterns and textures in your artwork. Here’s a simple guide to get you started from Toddler at Play.
2. Salt Painting
Another exciting craft to try with your kids is salt painting. This simple yet captivating activity involves using glue, salt, and watercolor paint to create beautiful textured artwork. Your child can experiment with different colors and designs to make their own unique masterpieces. Learn how from Little Bins for Little Hands.
3. Cardboard Playhouses
Cardboard playhouses are a fantastic way to encourage imaginative play and creativity in kids. By using cardboard boxes, tape, and markers, your little ones can transform simple materials into elaborate structures like castles, forts, or even spaceships. They can decorate the playhouses with drawings, stickers, or glitter to make them uniquely their own. Here is a super easy tutorial for the basics from She Knows.
4. Edible Jewelry
Another fun and interactive crafting idea for kids is making edible jewelry. Using a variety of food items such as cereal, candy, and pretzels, children can create colorful and delicious necklaces and bracelets. This hands-on activity not only allows them to flex their creativity but also provides a fun and tasty treat to enjoy afterward. See some great tips The Inspired Home.
5. Nature Faces
Another fun and creative way for kids to engage with nature is by making nature faces. Have them start with gathering leaves, sticks, rocks, and other natural materials. They can then arrange them on paper to create unique and whimsical faces. This activity encourages kids to explore the outdoors and use their imagination to craft one-of-a-kind creations. Find some awesome tips at Happy Hooligans.
6. Paper Circuit Boards
This interactive project combines art and science as children create their own circuit boards using paper, copper tape, LED lights, and batteries. It’s a hands-on way for kids to learn about electricity and circuits while also flexing their creative muscles. Get started with this tutorial from Science Kiddo.
7. Galaxy Slime
For a gooey and mesmerizing sensory experience, kids can explore the wonders of galaxy slime. Galaxy slime is a great way for kids to engage in hands-on exploration and tap into their imagination. Learn how from Kimspired DIY.
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8. Salt Dough Dinosaur Fossils
Kids can get their hands dirty by making salt dough dinosaur fossils. This activity allows children to explore their creativity as they shape the dough into unique fossils and imprint them with dinosaur figurines or leaves to mimic authentic ancient artifacts. After the fossils have dried and hardened, kids can paint them to bring out the intricate details and showcase their paleontological skills. Learn how from Made to Be a Momma.
9. Egg Carton Bugs
Egg carton bugs are another engaging and simple craft for kids to enjoy. By reusing empty egg cartons, children can transform them into colorful and quirky bugs. This project encourages kids to let their imaginations run wild as they paint and decorate each bug with googly eyes, pipe cleaners, and pom poms. After the bugs come to life, kids can set them up for a bug race or create a bug-themed story for added fun. Check out some tips and how-to’s from Gingersnapcrafts.
10. Homemade Bouncy Balls
Next, let’s bounce into making homemade bouncy balls for an exciting playtime activity. Kids can create their own bouncy balls using simple household ingredients. This hands-on craft not only provides a fun and interactive way for children to explore the properties of different materials but also allows them to experiment with colors and sizes. As they mix and mold the ingredients together, kids can personalize their bouncy balls by adding glitter or small beads for extra flair. Find the ingredients and tutorial at Life’s Carousel.
11. Coffee Filter Butterflies
Using simple materials like coffee filters, markers, and pipe cleaners, children can create beautiful and colorful butterflies that can be hung up as decorations or used for imaginative play. By coloring the coffee filters with vibrant hues and folding them into butterfly shapes, kids can let their creativity soar. Once the coffee filter butterflies are complete, kids can display them proudly. Learn how from One Little Project.
12. Marble Painting
For a creative and messy art project that kids will love, marble painting is the perfect activity to dive into. By using marbles, paint, paper and a box, children can create stunning and unique designs. This hands-on activity allows kids to experiment with colors, patterns, and textures, resulting in beautiful abstract art pieces that they can proudly display. See the tutorial and tips from Artful Parent.
13. DIY Glow in the Dark Jars
To make DIY glow in the dark jars, start by collecting empty glass jars with lids and glow in the dark paint. Have kids paint the the jars with their own unique designs. Once your kid’s jars are complete, the jars will emit a soft, ethereal glow that will delight kids in and make for a magical nighttime experience. Learn how from Living Green and Frugally.
14. Felt Monster Dolls
Let kids brainstorm their monster designs, from the number of eyes to the shape of the body. Cut out the felt pieces according to the design, then stitch or glue them together. These cute and cuddly monsters can be the perfect companions for imaginative play and storytelling. See the full tutorial from One Little Project. She includes free patterns for you to create.
15. Painted Seashell Animals
Kids can expand their crafting skills by making painted seashell animals, a fun and creative activity that allows them to bring a touch of the ocean into their art projects. Encourage kids to let their imagination run wild as they transform each seashell into a unique animal creation. From colorful fish to whimsical crabs, the possibilities are endless. I’ve included a video tutorial from Crayola to get you started.
I hope you and your kiddos enjoy these DIY crafts! They are sure to provide hours of entertainment and fun for the whole family. So don’t wait! Gather your supplies, roll up your sleeves, and let the creativity flow with your little ones. Let them unleash their inner artist and create memories that will last a lifetime. Happy crafting!
