Looking for creative ways to keep your kids entertained?

These 20 fun and easy kids crafts are perfect for sparking imagination and providing hours of engaging activities.

From colorful paper projects to nature-inspired creations, each craft is designed to be simple enough for little hands while still offering a sense of accomplishment. Get ready to unleash your child’s creativity with these delightful DIY projects!

1. Rainbow Paper Plate Craft

Transform ordinary paper plates into stunning rainbow art pieces!

With just some colorful paints, a paintbrush, and a little imagination, kids can create their own rainbow masterpiece. Start by painting the plate in sections with different colors, then add cotton balls for clouds at each end. This craft not only nurtures artistic skills but also teaches kids about color mixing and blending, making it a fun and educational activity.

Plus, they can proudly display their art around the house!

Product Recommendations:
• acrylic paint set for kids
• paintbrush set for kids
• cotton balls bulk pack

2. Nature Collage Art

Bring the beauty of the outdoors inside with a nature collage!

Gather leaves, flowers, and twigs during a nature walk, and let kids arrange them on a piece of cardstock. They can use glue to secure their findings and create beautiful landscapes or abstract art. This activity encourages exploration and appreciation for nature while honing fine motor skills.

It’s an excellent way for kids to express their creativity using natural materials.

Product Recommendations:
• Nature-themed craft kits
• glue sticks for kids
• assorted cardstock packs

3. DIY Friendship Bracelets

What better way to teach kids about friendship than by making their own bracelets?

Using colorful embroidery threads, kids can learn simple knotting techniques to create beautiful, personalized friendship bracelets. This craft promotes fine motor skills and patience, as they can choose colors that represent their friends or themselves. Plus, it’s a wonderful way for them to express their feelings and create meaningful gifts for others.

Not only will they enjoy wearing their creations, but they’ll also love sharing them with friends!

Product Recommendations:
• Colorful embroidery thread set
• Kids’ safety scissors
• Friendship bracelet making kit

4. DIY Painted Rocks

Turn ordinary rocks into colorful masterpieces!

Kids can collect smooth stones and use acrylic paints to create unique designs—think animals, flowers, or even inspirational messages! This craft is not only fun but also promotes outdoor exploration. Once painted, these rocks can be used as garden decorations, paperweights, or gifts.

It’s a great way to teach kids about recycling and repurposing everyday items, all while letting their imaginations run wild.

Product Recommendations:
• Acrylic paint set for kids
• Smooth river stones for painting
• Paintbrushes for kids crafts

5. Balloon Stamped Art

Get creative with balloons and paint for a fun and messy art session!

Inflate some balloons and dip them in different colors of paint. Kids can then stamp them onto paper to create unique patterns and textures. This activity is perfect for sensory exploration and allows children to experiment with shapes and color combinations.

Plus, the process is entertaining and engaging, making cleanup a breeze with just a little water!

Product Recommendations:
• washable non-toxic paint
• large drawing paper pads

6. Easy Origami Animals

Introduce your little ones to the art of origami with simple animal designs!

Using colorful origami paper, children can fold their way to creating delightful creatures like frogs, cranes, and dogs. This craft encourages patience and precision while improving fine motor skills. It’s a great way to teach them about following instructions and spatial awareness, all while having fun with folding!

They can even set up an origami zoo to showcase their creations!

Product Recommendations:
• Origami Paper Variety Pack
• Origami Instruction Book for Kids
• Kid-Friendly Scissors for Crafting

7. Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars

Turn empty toilet paper rolls into adventurous binoculars!

Kids can decorate the rolls with paint, markers, or stickers, then attach them together with string. This craft encourages imaginative play and exploration, as they can use their binoculars for outdoor adventures or pretend play.

It’s a simple, fun project that teaches kids about recycling materials while fueling their curiosity about the world around them.

Product Recommendations:
• Kids art supplies kit
• Washable markers set
• Craft stickers for kids

8. DIY Foam Shapes

Bring a sensory experience to crafting with colorful foam shapes!

Kids can cut out various shapes from sheets of foam, then glue them onto a larger piece of cardboard to create fun scenes or abstract art. This craft is perfect for little hands to practice cutting and gluing, and they can even create themed projects like underwater scenes or forest adventures.

It’s an engaging way to develop creativity while honing motor skills!

Product Recommendations:
• Foam sheets
• washable glue sticks

9. DIY Sun Catchers

Let the sunshine in with beautiful DIY sun catchers!

Using translucent plastic sheets or wax paper, kids can create vibrant designs using markers, tissue paper, or paints. Once they’re done, hang them in the windows to create a colorful display when the sunlight shines through. This craft teaches color theory and the science of light, all while providing a stunning visual effect in your home.

It’s a delightful way to brighten up any room!

Product Recommendations:
• tissue paper assortment
• washable markers

10. DIY Nature Paintbrushes

Get creative with nature by making unique paintbrushes!

Kids can gather sticks, leaves, and flowers to create their own paintbrushes. Simply tie the natural elements to the end of a stick and dip them in paint to create beautiful, textured art. This craft encourages outdoor exploration and teaches kids about natural materials while allowing them to experiment with different painting techniques.

It’s a wonderful way to combine nature and art!

Product Recommendations:
• Natural paint set
• kid-friendly scissors
• eco-friendly craft glue

11. DIY Glitter Jars

Create calming glitter jars that mesmerize and soothe!

Using jars filled with water, glitter, and food coloring, kids can shake up their glitter jars to create a beautiful display. This craft is not only fun but also serves as a sensory tool for relaxation. Kids can watch the glitter settle while practicing mindfulness and calming techniques.

It’s a simple project that combines science and art while teaching valuable emotional skills.

Product Recommendations:
• glitter jars kit
• food coloring set
• mason jars with lids

12. Egg Carton Caterpillars

Turn empty egg cartons into adorable caterpillars!

Kids can cut the carton into segments, paint them in bright colors, and add googly eyes for personality. This craft develops creativity and fine motor skills while allowing kids to learn about insects. They can even create a whole bug family!

It’s a great way to recycle materials while engaging in imaginative play.

Product Recommendations:
• Egg carton craft kit
• washable kid-friendly paints
• googly eyes assortment

13. Paper Mache Creations

Unleash creativity with the classic art of paper mache!

Using strips of newspaper and a simple glue mixture, kids can create 3D sculptures of their favorite animals or objects. This craft is not only fun but also helps with patience and perseverance. Once dried, they can paint and decorate their creations, turning them into beautiful art pieces.

It’s a messy but rewarding project that results in unique handmade treasures!

Product Recommendations:
• Paper mache glue
• colorful acrylic paint set
• newspaper crafting kit

14. DIY Magic Wands

Let your child’s imagination soar with DIY magic wands!

Using craft sticks, ribbons, and beads, kids can create their own enchanting wands. They can decorate them with paint or glitter, adding personal touches like their names or special designs. This craft promotes creative play and storytelling, as they can use their wands for pretend play or magical adventures.

It’s a fun way to inspire creativity and play!

Product Recommendations:
• Craft sticks
• colorful ribbons
• glitter glue
• beads assortment
• paint set for kids

15. DIY Recycled Crayons

Turn broken crayons into colorful new ones with a simple melting process!

Gather all those broken crayon pieces, sort by color, and melt them in muffin tins or silicone molds. Once cooled, kids will have uniquely shaped and multicolored crayons ready for their next masterpiece. This craft teaches kids about recycling and the importance of reducing waste, all while providing them with fun new art supplies.

It’s a delightful way to breathe new life into old materials!

Product Recommendations:
• Silicone muffin pan
• Crayon melting kit

16. DIY Photo Frames

Craft personalized photo frames to display cherished memories!

Using cardboard or popsicle sticks, kids can create custom frames, decorating them with paint, stickers, or natural elements like leaves. This craft not only encourages creativity but also provides a wonderful opportunity to talk about favorite memories and moments. Once completed, they can add a special photo and gift it to a loved one.

It’s a heartfelt project that teaches them the value of memories and sentiment.

Product Recommendations:
• Cardboard craft sheets
• colorful paint set
• sticker assortment for kids

17. DIY Holiday Ornaments

Celebrate the seasons by making homemade ornaments!

Whether it’s for Christmas, Halloween, or any other holiday, kids can create ornaments using salt dough, paper, or even recycled materials. They can paint and decorate their ornaments to add a personal touch, making each piece unique. This craft encourages family bonding as they can hang their creations on the tree or around the house.

It’s a festive way to express creativity and celebrate traditions!

Product Recommendations:
• Salt dough recipe kit
• kid-friendly paint set
• holiday-themed ornament decorating supplies.

18. DIY Watercolor Resist Art

Create stunning watercolor art using the resist technique!

Kids can use crayons or oil pastels to draw designs on watercolor paper, then paint over it with watercolors. The waxy crayons will resist the paint, revealing beautiful patterns and colors underneath. This craft encourages artistic expression and teaches kids about color mixing and layering.

It’s a captivating way to create art that surprises and delights!

Product Recommendations:
• Crayola Crayons
• Prang Watercolors
• Strathmore Watercolor Paper

19. DIY Shadow Boxes

Bring stories to life with creative shadow boxes!

Kids can use shoeboxes or small containers to create dioramas of their favorite stories or scenes from their imagination. They can decorate the box and add figures made from paper or clay to bring their stories to life. This craft encourages narrative thinking and creativity while improving spatial awareness and design skills.

It’s a fantastic way to make storytelling interactive and visual!

Product Recommendations:
• Miniature figurines
• colorful construction paper
• non-toxic craft glue

20. DIY Tie-Dye T-Shirts

Unleash your creativity with vibrant tie-dye t-shirts!

Using plain white shirts and colorful fabric dye, kids can create unique patterns by folding and tying the fabric in different ways before applying the dye. This craft is not only fun but also teaches kids about color theory and design. Once completed, they can wear their masterpieces proudly.

It’s a fantastic way to combine art and fashion while creating lasting memories!

Product Recommendations:
• Tie-Dye Kit for Kids
• Plain White Cotton T-Shirts
• Fabric Gloves for Dyeing

Conclusion

These 20 fun and easy kids crafts are sure to keep your little ones engaged and entertained for hours!

Whether you’re looking for indoor activities or outdoor adventures, each craft offers a unique way for kids to express themselves creatively. Encourage them to explore these ideas, and watch as their imaginations flourish!