15 Fun Activities That Let Kids Get Crafty Without Destroying Your House

Griffin Wynne
·9 min read
Scratch paper and invisible watercolor.

In winter with lots of time inside to kill, your kids might be hungry for indoor activities. And although projects like baking cookies or doing science experiments are fun, they can also be time-consuming, requiring a variety of materials, complicated set-up, careful adult supervision throughout the activity and, of course, lengthy clean-up.

For single parents, working families or anyone with less energy when it’s cold out, winter can be a daunting time to keep little ones occupied and the house some flavor of “clean.” So to help you fill up time this winter without needing even more energy after the activity is done, we’ve rounded up the best no-mess creative kids’ kits and games.

Every item listed comes with all the supplies you’ll need and along with a glowing review from a busy parent about its low-maintenance, easy clean-up status. These are activities your little one can likely do independently, so you don’t have to constantly help with cutting or gluing. (Unless otherwise noted, each craft is suitable for kids ages three and up.) Best of all, none of these materials will end up on your walls or carpets.

BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. All products were independently selected by editors, and the prices were accurate and items in stock at the time of publication.

Rainbow scratch paper

Create colorful art without markers or paint with this set of rainbow scratch paper. It comes with five wooden styluses as well as plastic stencils to make tracings and free draw.Promising review:

A spill-proof paint set

This semi-solid paint set won’t drip or spill and washes cleanly from skin and clothes. It comes with a paintbrush and 20 activity pages, though you can use the paints on any type of paper. Promising review:

An invisible watercolor painting set

Crayola's invisible watercolor set comes with six paints, 18 sheets of magic paper and a light-up paintbrush connected to the pallet. It only works on magic paper and won't leave color on fabric, furniture, skin or anything else. Promising review:

A reusable doodle book

This reusable doodle book is eight inches square closed and comes with 14 reusable pages and 12 watercolor pens that wash off easily with water and a rag. It's easy to pack up to use in the car or on the go and help little ones learning numbers and letters. Promising review:

A burlap kid's sewing kit

Get your little one into the sewing groove with this needle set for kids. It comes with an embroidery hoop, two pieces of burlap, four colors of yarn and a plastic needle. Say goodbye to glue, paint, little pieces of paper or tiny craft items you'll find under the couch in a year. Promising review:

A dry erase table with four chairs

Leave your little one to color and don't stress about getting your furniture ruined with this dry erase drawing board table with four chairs. Promising review:

A foam make-your-own-purse kit

With pre-cut foam pieces, pre-measured yarn and kids' plastic needles, this purse set contain enough materials to make five small purges and bags. Your little one will love having an item they made and you'll love that they don't need scissors or glue. It’s best suited for kids ages 5 and up.Promising review:

A wooden beading kit

With larger, thicker beads that won't get stuck in your carpet, Melissa & Doug's beading kit is a great way to build fine motor skills and make some gorgeous jewelry and key chains. It comes with a wooden box to keep everything together as well as 220 beads and eight cords. It’s best for kids ages four and up.Promising review:

A lace-up shape set

A perfect early

Magnetic Picasso tiles

Keep your little one entertained for hours with this set of colorful magnetic Picasso tiles. Build towers, forts, buildings, flowers and more. And when you're all done, throw it all in a basket. Promising review:

A two-sided reusable drawing board

With a wipe-off surface on one side and a sealed-in gel side for finger painting, this kid's tablet by Crayola will be in your daily rotation. Use washable crayons on the white side or hands on the gel for hours of creative play. This is safe for kids ages two and up.Promising review:

A sticker coloring book

Color without coloring with this set of 500 easy-to-peel stickers. The set comes with four double-sided canvases, making eight pieces of art, and encourages young ones to

An old school pot holder loom

It seems like every generation makes these loom pot holders and for good reason. Projects are easy to clean, will keep little ones busy and create a useful craft that looks good in any color. It’s best for kids ages six and up.Promising review:

Mess-free markers

Finally, a set of markers you won't see on your walls, floors or anywhere else. These mess-free markers only show up on special mess-free paper, so you don't have to worry about little ones coloring on themselves or your house. Note the markers and paper are sold separately. Promising review:

Air-dry clay

Get your little one into the art of sculpting with this set of air-dry clay. The clay is lightweight, unscented and gluten-free and comes in 14 different colors including glow-in-the-dark. This set comes with googley eyes and three tools for sculpting. Promising review:

More on this