Make Reading Fun With These Adorable DIY Bookmarks for Kids
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Crafting is one of the best ways to boost a child's creativity. Whether you're looking for spring crafts or summer crafts, there's a DIY project that'll keep them entertained for hours. We're thinking toilet paper frogs, yogurt animal cups, craft stick airplanes, cardboard suns and much more! Since it may be difficult to find the right project from the endless list of ideas online, browse this fun roundup of easy crafts for kids below.
Every age group can benefit from an amazing day of crafting — working with their hands can help preschoolers and toddlers develop fine motor skills and increase their confidence with sensory activities like making hand drums and filling bottles with colorful glitter. They can paint to their heart's content, crayon and draw smiling faces on their craft stick octopuses, animal bookmarks and pom-pom monsters (one of the Halloween-inspired crafts on the list). Many of our ideas are also straightforward enough for little ones to try with supervision. However, some projects, such as the rainbow clutch, paper flower boxes and craft stick Ferris wheel, may require more hands-on assistance. You can find most of the supplies (buttons, glue, tissue paper, coffee filters and paper plates, for instance) right in your craft box or scattered around the house ready to be put to use.
In order to help narrow down your search, see the selections of kid-friendly crafts below. We've rounded up some of the best options from popular DIY blogs, including Crafts by Amanda, Studio DIY, The House That Lars Built and The Best Ideas for Kids. We even have some holiday-specific crafts, including options for Earth Day and Father's Day. And since it's never too early to plan, you'll even spot some winter crafts for the holidays; Thanksgiving and Christmas are perfect times for kids to get crafty. What's more, we've included some useful craft ideas for adults that won't break the bank. Say goodbye to boredom!
Embellished Bow
Here's a quick way to take a basic straw basket to the next level! Kids can embellish bows with iron-on patches and stenciled monograms. Help them create their own bows using a 3" wired ribbon or purchase a large one to design. Then, use fabric glue to attach the decorative patches.
Carrot Treat Cones
Easter may have passed, but that doesn't mean this carrot treat cone craft should too! To make, you'll need to print out our carrot template. Then gather the essentials: coffee filters, orange paper, double stick tape, green craft paint, twine, a clothespin, a wire hanger, paper towel and scissors.
Steps:
Mix a few drops of green craft paint with water until it reaches the consistency of milk. Soak coffee filters in the paint mixture until fully saturated (you can do this simultaneously).
Squeeze out excess paint and lay the filters flat to dry on paper towels or hang them from a hanger with a clip or clothespin. Download our template and trace it onto orange paper.
Cut out and roll the template into a cone shape, adhering the sides with double stick tape. Cut out the center of the painted coffee filters.
Attach the remaining paper to the inside edge of the cone with double-stick tape. Fill the “carrot” cone with small treats and tie twine around the top to close.
Paint Marker Candles
Grab some paint markers (or acrylic paint) and watch them draw flowers, swirls and all sorts of cool shapes and designs on taper candles. Use a clean cloth with rubbing alcohol to remove any lint and debris before starting.
Painted Baskets
It doesn't get more simple than this: Kids can spend time outdoors painting the wood strips of plain wooden baskets to carry their toys in and out of the house.
Bunny Bags
Use our bunny-ear template to DIY these bunny bags. They'll have to trace the outer ear onto white felt and the inner ear onto colorful or patterned fabric. Show them how to attach the ears to the top of a canvas bag with hot glue. Then, hot glue on a pom pom nose and pipe cleaner whiskers to complete the bunny bag's look.
Craft Stick Airplane
They'll love zooming around the house or backyard with their craft stick airplanes. Paint the craft sticks (or use pre-colored ones) before gluing them together to make these aircrafts.
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things to Do »
Glow-in-the-Dark Flip-Flops
Purchase glow-in-the-dark paint and watch them decorate their flip-flops in all sorts of colors and looks. Plus, they can wear them outside (or use them as house shoes) once dry.
Get the tutorial at Crazy Little Projects »
Animal Bookmarks
They'll have such a fun time making adorable animal bookmarks, from blue bunnies and orange chicks to purple sheep and yellow rabbits. Blogger Thena recommends this craft for kids of all ages and used this printable to start.
Get the tutorial at Hello Wonderful »
Cereal Rainbow
Preschoolers can practice color matching with this rainbow craft. Use Froot Loops or any other colorful cereal brand, like fruity Cheerios. Use glue to draw the rainbow lines, then help them stick their loops on top. And if you prefer to save your cereal for breakfast, use buttons instead.
Get the tutorial at Hands On As We Grow »
Paper Plate Hats
Transform paper plates into all sorts of silly hats — donuts, pizza, hearts, cake and more! For younger kids, draw out the shape and cut it out (older ones will find this easy). Then, let their imagination take the lead.
Get the tutorial at Hands On As We Grow »
Paper Bag Kite
Spring is the perfect time to fly a kite. Luckily, kids can make their own with paper lunch bags. Let them embellish the bags with stickers, washi tape, paint and any other accessories. Then, work on attaching the yarn and streamers so the kite will be ready to fly.
Get the tutorial at Typically Simple »
Paper Flowers
They'll enjoy making these colorful paper flowers to decorate their bedrooms. They'll first fold dyed cupcake liners in half and cut out petal and fringe shapes. Have them fold a piece of floral wire in half and twist it around the faux flower stamen. Poke the wire through the center of three to four paper liners. Finish it off by wrapping floral tape around the base of the liners and bringing it all the way down the stem.
Water Bottle Flowers
They'll need pom poms, construction paper and straws to turn their discarded water bottles into vibrant flowers.
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things To Do »
Cardboard Suns
Here's an eco-friendly craft that requires lots of cardboard and creativity. Help your little ones cut, paint and design large and mini cardboard suns to scatter around the backyard.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built »
Tissue Paper Suncatcher
Purchase or gather discarded tissue paper for them to make into suncatchers. They'll also need laminating sheets, tape and an Earth-shaped template.
Get the tutorial and template at The Best Ideas for Kids »
Clay Crab Necklace
If your kids are obsessed with sea creatures, they'll love making and wearing their very own crab necklaces. Plus, the craft only requires clay, twine and an eye hook.
Get the tutorial at Hello Wonderful »
Toilet Paper Frog
You're sure to have these supplies in your kid's craft box. Grab those discarded toilet paper rolls for kids to paint and turn into frogs. Then, have them transform paper plates into lily pads.
Get the tutorial at The Best Ideas for Kids »
Monster Windsocks
This is a great group project for the kids, especially if Halloween is their favorite holiday. Luckily, monsters aren't seasonal, so let the kids cut, fold and draw on cardstock to create wide-eyed monster windsocks for the backyard.
Get the tutorial at Crafts by Amanda »
Aliens in Space Scene
Kids six-years-old and up can DIY a space scene using paint pad sheets, acrylic paint, construction paper and colorful markers.
Aliens in Space Scene
$1.00
michaels.com
CreatologyDinosaur Nightlife Terrarium
Transform mason jars into terrariums fit for mini plastic dinosaurs. It also makes a creative nightlight for kids who are still scared of the dark.
Get the tutorial at Crafts by Amanda »
Craft Stick Ferris Wheel
Bring a popular amusement park attraction to their room (or a mini version of it) using craft sticks and wooden blocks. It's a project worth cherishing and displaying for friends to see.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY »
Monster Tissue Papper Pom Poms
Grab some tissue paper and floral wire and have them DIY googly-eyed monsters to hang on walls. It should be easy to show the kids how to make them. Simply fold tissue paper using accordion-style folding, tie the center with wire, then fluff up the pieces for a spiky look.
Get the tutorial at Persia Lou »
Heart Collage
Other than needing cardboard, scissors and glue, kids can make their own heart collages using any materials you have in your art bin (from glitter hearts and felt to buttons, beads and ribbons).
Get the tutorial at No Time for Flashcards »
Paper Plate Ice Cream
Is ice cream their favorite dessert? If so, DIYing their own with paper plates might just satisfy their sugar cravings. Plus, they can make as many scoops as they like.
Get the tutorial at The Simple Parent »
Coffee Filter Butterfly
Coffee filters are great for crafts because you're sure to have some around the house. Plus, they can be used for an array of DIYs —including turning them into wings for a clothespin butterfly.
Get the tutorial at The Simple Parent »
Mini Cork Love Bugs
They'll enjoy every step of this craft, from gluing on the googly eyes to coloring the corks. And we can't forget about punching out heart shapes for the wings.
Get the tutorial at No Time for Flashcards »
Mini Lid Banjos
It can take less than 10 minutes to make these mini banjos (easily DIY'ed using lids, washi tape and loom bands). While the sound won't be as loud as they hope, the process and result is still adorably creative.
Get the tutorial at The Craft Train »
Pool Noodle Boats
After making these eye-catching boats, have your kids set them afloat in the tub or swimming pool. It's a fun craft to recycle any old pool noodles and paper straws.
Get the tutorial at The Best Ideas for Kids »
Milk Carton Birdhouse
Before throwing away your milk carton, use tissue paper to turn it into a birdhouse and feeder. Let kids coat the carton with glue before applying tissue paper squares in their desired arrangement.
Get the tutorial at Happiness is Homemade »
Matisse Felt Board
Use colorful felt pieces to make a Matisse-inspired masterpiece for their room. Blogger Brittany shares a few colorful cut-out templates if you're lacking inspiration.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built »
Glitter Sensory Bottles
Most kids love glitter. After making these sensory bottles, filled with hot water and glitter, they'll be mesmerized by the sparkling display that happens when the bottle is moved.
Get the tutorial at See Vanessa Craft »
Heart-Shaped Salt Dough Hangers
Use cookie cutters to make heart shapes with salt dough. Then layer on Mod Podge and add glitter for a complete look. Once done, hang these sparkly creations on doorknobs or attach them to keychains, bookbags and lunchboxes.
Get the tutorial at Emma Owl »
Cactus Handprints
Trace their hands on green cardstock to make the cacti. Use brown cardstock for the pots, add googly eyes and draw on a cute smile.
Get the tutorial at The Best Ideas for Kids »
Rainbow Clutch
This clutch is perfect to make and use for spring and summer. It'll hold all their go-to essentials (pens and pencils included). It's also a great craft to teach the kids how to sew or use a sewing machine.
Get the tutorial at Club Crafted »
Glue Blob Decorations
The variety of things you can do with glue is unbelievable. Need proof? These decorations are made using dried glue, pipe cleaners and beads.
Get the tutorial at Hands On As We Grow »
Beaded Butterfly Art
Michaels provides step-by-step instructions to make beaded butterflies to display on the tables. Plus, they share all the materials you'll need to buy, like a white poster board, pipe cleaners and acrylic paint.
Beaded Butterfly Art
$1.00
michaels.com
CreatologyDIY Hand Drum
This DIY hand drum is a great sensory activity and will teach them to love music at a young age. What's more, they'll enjoy sprucing up their drum with washi tape, beads and yarn.
Get the tutorial at Hands On As We Grow »
Felt Flower Hair Ties
Forget the tantrums that come when you try styling your daughter's hair in the morning. She can DIY her very own felt hair tie to add personality to a basic ponytail.
Get the tutorial at See Vanessa Craft »
Robot
These robots are made using cardboard, tissue paper rolls, canisters and containers. Add these materials to a pile and have the kids pick out their preferred robot parts.
Get the tutorial at My Mommy Style »
Yogurt Cup Animals
Don't throw away their yogurt cups just yet! Kids can easily turn them into their favorite zoo animals (from elephants and monkeys to giraffes and bears).
Get the tutorial at Craft Project Ideas »
Paper Woven Turtles
Kids six-years-old and up can enjoy making woven turtles from paper. You'll have to download a template before cutting out the turtle's shape and adding the slits.
Paper Woven Turtles
$3.99
michaels.com
CreatologyRecycled Windmill
This might be one of your kid's favorite crafts, especially since the sails of the windmill actually turn. All it takes: egg cartons, paper cups, toothpicks and paint — materials you may already have scattered around the house.
Get the tutorial at Emma Owl »
Paper Flower Boxes
This treat box is topped with a three-dimensional flower. They may find it difficult cutting and assembling the flowers together, but with a little bit of help from you, they'll create the cutest boxes to store their favorite treats.
Get the tutorial at Persia Lou »
Rainbow Fish
This craft is preschooler-friendly and requires mini cupcake liners and a paper plate. The cupcake liners will be the fishes scales, so choose vibrant colors that'll make their aquatic creature stand out.
Get the tutorial at The Simple Parent »
Toilet Paper Crayons
These toilet paper crayons make adorable pencil and pen holders. Displaying them in their study room might motivate them to focus on work.
Get the tutorial at The Best Ideas for Kids »
Crunchy Slime
Slime is almost every kid's favorite thing to play with. You'll be amazed by how many hours they'll spend pulling and squeezing this crunchy one.
Get the tutorial at A Sparkle of Genius »
Cardboard Star Wand
While they'll enjoy decorating and painting their cardboard wands, younger kids may need help sticking everything together, including the buttons.
Get the tutorial at Emma Owl »
Fairy Garden
Make a mini magical garden with your kids and watch their imaginations soar. After filling their pots with dirt, have them embellish them with rocks, pebbles and any other creative objects they find. Then, sprinkle on some fairy dust (aka glitter) so the fairies know it's time to play!
Craft Stick Octopus
Only a few materials, including craft sticks for the tentacles and foam for the faces, are needed to make these cute octopi.
Get the tutorial at Craft Project Ideas »
Clay Mandrake
Calling all Harry Potter fans. Have them mush and mold clay into baby mandrakes. Use toothpicks to sculpt the faces.
Get the tutorial at See Vanessa Craft »
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