This list is a mega-collection of the crafts for kids ideas I found for kids of all ages from preschoolers to teens. Some of them will require a little help from adults, but older kids and teens won’t need as much help, if any at all. There’s a lot of overlap in this list, so the crafts that are listed for one age group could also be things that kid who are a little older or younger would like, so check all of the ideas out!
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What I didn’t include in this list, and why.
For this list I did NOT include anything digital, because it’s mainly a list for kids. When kids do digital art it tends to make them feel like everything has to be precise and “perfect,” and it makes them feel like things that they make by hand aren’t good enough. (There have been studies about this, I’m not making it up.) When kids do crafts, they should feel like they’re having fun and being creative for the fun of it, not to make something that’s perfect. In this case a little imprecision is good, so I’m only listing things that are done by hand, not with electronics.
Hands-on activities teach kids spatial skills and help them to learn creativity and problem-solving skills. It’s important to give children the opportunity to try different crafts, because you never know when one of them will spark an interest. Kids are going to be interested in different things, so giving them the chance to try different things out could give them a lifelong love of making things.
It’s also important to introduce kids to crafts and creativity at an early age so that they think that it’s normal. If kids have crafts as an activity that they can do when they want to, it’s going to give them alternatives to electronics, and it will make them more likely to pursue creative hobbies when they’re older.
Crafts that little kids (ages 3-6) can do with help from adults, or that older kids can do on their own:
These are crafts that would be cute for activities for preschool to 1st grade-aged kids. Some of them are going to carry over to older kids, and some of them are more for things that adults can do with younger kids. Don’t expect 3-4 year olds to spend much time with any of these, and they might even like doing basic coloring more than doing a more structured activity.
Paper suncatchers
Use black construction paper to make a frame by cutting out paper snowflake-style deigns, then use a glue stick to attach colored tissue paper in the holes.
Paper plate animals
Cut out pieces that can be used for eyes, noses and ears, and use a glue stick to help kids attach them toa paper plate. They can fill in details and color them using crayons or washable markers.
Paper airplanes
Best for the older age range of this group, but little kids can learn to fold paper airplanes, too. The science museum near us had a paper airplane section for kids to make them to learn about air flight, so kids of all ages can do this.
Paper bag puppets
Give kids some lunch-sized paper bags and let them decorate them with markers and crayons to make faces and mouths.
Making paper chains
All you need for this is glue sticks and strips of construction paper. Kids can make the loops and hang the chains in their room to decorate them, or do this around a holiday to make decorations.
Clay ghosts
This is fun for little, little kids…Have them make a ghost shape out of polymer clay or air dry clay (basically any shape that looks slightly like a ghost shape) them poke holes in it for eyes and a mouth. This could end up being very freeform if the kid is really young because they’ll basically squeeze it (see the ghost in the photo above.) Set them up in a group for a Halloween decoration.
Mask making
Use paper plates to draw faces, then cut out the eyes, punch holes in the sides and attach a string or elastic to make the mask.
Making finger puppets
Make a tube of paper that fits over the child’s finger, then glue details on the tube to make animal and people puppets.
Paper fans
Have the child decorate a piece of paper with crayons then fold and cut it so that you can make a fan shape.
Paper crowns
Cut out a crown shape from a piece of cardstock or construction paper, let the child decorate it with crayons or by gluing things onto it. Staple it to fit the child’s head and let them wear the crowns that they make.
Pinch pots
Using air-dry clay or polymer clay, have the child shape it into a bowl or pot shape by pinching it to create edges. You can let them dry or bake polymer slay to create a little ring dish or trinket bowl, and it can be painted when it’s dry.
Salt dough handprints
Make salt dough, or use a soft air-dry clay to make a disc that the child can press his or her hand into to make a print. Dry it or bake it to harden after you add the child’s name and age to it, or paint those on later.
Clay ornaments with cookie cutters
Make clay ornaments with cookie cutters, then cut out a hole in the top using a drinking straw. Bake or harden the clay, then let the child paint them or decorate them with markers.
Painted rocks
This is something that any kid can do, and it’s going to be the job of the adult supervising to let them do what they want! 3–4-year-olds might paint the whole thing one color, and that’s okay! Let them do whatever they want, then put the rocks in the garden where the kids can see them.
Painted tiles
You can get tiles on Amazon that can be painted or decoupaged to make coasters or trivets. Seal the paint with a clear sealer to make sure the artwork doesn’t chip off!
Painted ornaments with wood or ceramic blanks
Get wood or ceramic shapes that are sold in craft stores or online and let kids paint them. Use them as knick-knacks around the house, or if they’re ornaments, put them on the tree at Christmas. Marian of RM Blanks said that she did a blank-painting activity with her 4 1/2 year old grandson and he LOVED it. You can get some supplies from her website here: RMBlanks.co
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Painted frames
Let kids paint a frame, and maybe decorate it with beads or sequins and glue, then put a photo of the child inside to display it.
Suncatchers with upcycled drink lids
Use lids from plastic drink cups plus Mod Podge and tissue paper to make a transparent suncatcher that can be hung in a window.
Macaroni bracelets
This is a classic, and they will be even more lovely if you let the kids paint the macaroni with tempera paint before stringing them. Use an elastic string so that they’ll stretch. I’d avoid making necklaces for kids this young because they can be choking hazards, so stick with the bracelets!
Macaroni artwork
Let the kids glue macaroni onto a piece of cardboard in the shape of people and things, then let them paint the 3D artwork to finish it.
Simple kits for young kids
There are a lot of kits that are designed for little kids to do with adult help. This puffy paint charms kit is easy for kids to color, then puff up to make a larger piece. It’s a fun thing for little kids, and they’ll be excited to see how the colored pieces puff up when you add water to them.
Glued pony bead art on canvas
Get a canvas or a piece of cardboard that’s thick enough to hold the weight of the beads and glue. Let the child glue pony beads, which are large and easy to handle, onto the surface. For really little kids you can do the glue by spreading it onto the canvas, then let the kid put the beads wherever they want to. It’s going to be a mess for preschoolers, but they’ll end up with something that you display.
Pom pom art
Cute pom poms glued onto a piece of cardboard make a colorful piece of artwork that even the littlest kids can do. You can also draw an animal or something else, then add the pom poms to their drawing to jazz it up.
Wet felting acorns
This is something that kids on the older end of this age range can do, and it doesn’t involve any kind of sharp tools. They’ll need help with gluing the felt balls into the acorn caps, but it’s a cute craft that they’ll be proud of, and it’s not too hard to do.
Read about wet felting in this article.
Potato prints
This is another classic…You’ll have to cut the potatoes into shapes to use to print, but once you do that the kids can probably do most of the printing themselves. The really young kids are going to make a mess, but let them have at it even if it turns into fingerpainting!
Fingerpainting
Speaking of fingerpainting, this is a good activity for younger kids, but make sure that you’re using water-based and non-toxic paints that are meant for fingerpainting! Other kinds of paints won’t be the best choice because they might not wash out of clothing or off of skin. Make sure to do this in a controlled situation so that the mess is contained, because there will be a mess!
Tinfoil or waxed paper prints
Crumple pieces of tinfoil or waxed paper into textured balls, then let kids dip them into paint and press them onto paper to make prints of the textures. Use fingerpaints for this (see the section above.)
Handprint animals
Help kids make a clear print of their hands, then when they dry let them decorate them into turkeys and other animals. This is a classic Thanksgiving craft that kids can do to decorate for the event.
Drawing and coloring.
Not a super innovative idea, but it’s one that kids of all ages can do without help from grownups. If a kid is interested in drawing it helps them develop small motor skills, too!
Crafts that older kids (ages 7-10) can do with some adult help, or on their own.
These crafts take a little more dexterity, and some introduce things like sewing or embroidery needles. This age group has a wide range of variation in fine motor skills, so the adults will have to be the judge of which crafts are going to be fun instead of frustrating. I was a very crafty kid, and I could do most of these on my own by age 8, so give the kids the chance to try things out. Even if they don’t get the hang of it right away, it can help to teach them some skills that will help with other crafts later on.
Making paper snowflakes
This craft is basically an introduction to papercutting, which is an art that has roots in many cultures around the world. Making snowflakes will develop the child’s spatial awareness and the kids that are really interested in it might go on to do more intricate designs. Younger kids can do this is the paper isn’t folded too many times, and you can draw lines on them to help them see where to cut to get it to work. Older kids can do it freeform and make their own designs.
Decoupage on Mason jars
Use a Mason jar or a clean food jar and decoupage it with pieces of colored tissue paper. We used to do this with old salad dressing bottles in the early 70’s to make groovy candle holders. Use plastic bottles for the younger kids to prevent problems with breakage.
Paper collage
Collaging is a fun hobby that kids this age like. Give them old magazines or junk mail to cut out pictures and glue them into new arrangements. They can also draw on them to add color and backgrounds.
Pop-up cards
This is something that older kids in this age range can do once you show them how they work.
Making mini notebooks
Mini notebooks are pretty easy to make for kids in this age range if they have some help to start out, and they’ll have fun using them.
Read about mini notebooks here
Making paper flowers
Paper flowers made from construction paper or crepe paper can be a fun hobby for kids this age. They won’t be able to make botanically-correct flowers, but using paper and pipe cleaner stems will let them put together a cute “bouquet” of flowers that they can display or give to someone.
Paper bead making
Making paper beads can get really messy, so this is probably something that older kids will manage best. With a little help though, kids in this age group will be able to make some cute beads that they can use to make paper jewelry or other crafts.
Read about making paper beads here.
Making paper mosaics
Cut up a bunch of little pieces out of construction paper or scrapbooking paper, then let the kids glue them onto a piece of paper or a canvas to create a picture.
Scrapbooking
Older kids will enjoy putting their own scrapbook or photo album together, and they can decorate them with stickers or drawings.
Making paper stars
This is a simple origami-style paper folding technique, and there are a lot of different styles to try.
Paper pinwheels
This is something that kids on the younger end of this age range can do on their own once they learn how to cut the paper out and fold it to make the pinwheel shape.
Clay coasters
Kids can make round coasters using polymer clay and paint them after you bake the clay for them.
Paper lanterns
Kids can make paper lanterns with construction paper, and you can put a real LED tea candle in them to light them up.
Paper wings for costumes and dress-up play
This is something that you’ll need to help with because you’ll need to cut sections of the wings out. Once the holes are ready, you can put colored tissue paper or cellophane (it’s more sturdy) between the wing sections so that the child can wear them and make a colored shadow on a sunny day.
Making paper envelopes
Folding paper into envelopes is a simple paper craft that’s also useful. Kids can decorate them with drawings, just make sure that there’s a clear space for addresses if you’ll be using them to send in the mail.
Paper stamping
There are a lot of rubber stamp designs that are available for kids to create their own designs. Stamp them first, then color them in using colored pencils.
Coffee filter flowers
Coffee filters are a good material to make paper flowers, and they can be colored with markers or dyed with food coloring before making the petals.
Paper quilling
Paper quilling is probably better for older kids, but even the younger ones in this age group can make some patterns.
Read about paper quilling here.
Salt dough ornaments
Salt dough is a versatile medium that can be made to make ornaments or other decorations that can be given as gifts.
Watercolor paintings using markers
Take a piece of tinfoil and draw on it using water-based markers. Wet the color with a spray bottle, and then press a piece of paper on the paper and move it around a little. It will pick up the diluted ink and create a colorful print.
Painted eggs (real or plastic)
For Easter, painting eggs is a fun way to decorate. Using real eggs that have the white and egg yolks blown out is how we used to do it, but since there are so many egg-shaped plastic and Styrofoam forma available now, you can use those instead. Decorate them with paint, stickers, or decoupage.
Decorated Mason jars and bottles
Mason jars give you a wide range of options as far as crafting goes. Onc way to decorate them is to paint them with glass paint or paint pens, or to glue trim and decorations on them. This is something that’s probably better for the older age range in this group.
Magnets with photos or drawings
Get adhesive magnet material that you can cut into shapes and attach photos or drawings to.
Painted wooden crates for storage
Get some wooden storage crates and let the kids paint them to use as storage or organization in their bedrooms.
Felt coasters
Make some felt coasters with strips of felt and regular school glue.
See how to make this felt coaster here.
Button Mason jars
With adult help, use epoxy glue (make sure to wear gloves, this is better for older kids) to attach buttons to Mason jars to create a cute customized pencil jar.
Egg carton flower art
Cut the cups off of an egg carton and let kids color and decorate them like cupped flowers. Attach the flat edge to a piece of canvas or heavy paper, and create a floral design by drawing leaves and stems on it.
Egg carton caterpillars
Using the cups of egg cartons, string them together to make a caterpillar shape. Decorate the string with sticky eyes and pipe cleaner legs and antennae.
Popsicle stick frames
Attach popsicle sticks together with glue and decorate them with markers, paint, and stickers.
Mod Podge collage gift boxes
Get a gift box with a lid and decoupage it with Mod Podge and colored paper scraps. You can also get brown cardboard boxes in different shapes at the craft store to decorate.
Decoupage coasters
Use tile coasters to decoupage using Mod Podge and other paper or stickers to create coasters that you can give as gifts or use around the house. You can also display these instead of using them for coasters.
Flower crowns with artificial flowers
Weave the stems of artificial flowers together to make a crown that can be worn for a party or to play dress-up.
Toilet paper roll windsocks
Using toilet paper or paper towel cardboard rolls, decorate the roll with colored paper and add streamers to make a windsock-style decoration. Hand them up in the yard to blow in the wind.
Making beaded bracelets
Get loose beads and let kids string them on an elastic string to make stretchy bracelets.
Pressed flowers Mason jars
Use dried, pressed flowers to glue onto Mason jars to create a pretty vase.
Pressed flower greeting cards
Using cardstock, create folded greeting cards that kids can decorate with the pressed flowers. These can be sent in the mail with extra postage for a thick envelope.
Postage stamp Mason jars
Glue old postage stamps onto a Mason jar decoupage-style using Mod Podge to create a cute vintage-looking and colorful vase or pencil holder.
Decoupage birdhouses
Get a plain wooden birdhouse at the craft or hardware store and let kids decorate it using Mod Podge and colored paper. Get the waterproof Mod Podge that can go outside, or keep it inside as a decoration.
Decoupage recycled bottles
Use old soda bottles or old salad dressing bottles to decoupage with colored tissue paper. Use them to display a single stem of flowers, or cut the plastic bottle to use them for a pencil holder.
Oil and water bottles.
Fill an old soda bottle between halfway and 3/4 full of colored water, and fill the rest with vegetable oil or baby oil. Seal the lid with glue to keep the liquids in when you tighten the lid. This makes a bottle that will show how oil and water don’t mix, and the child can play with it to see how the water and oil behave together.
Papier mache bowls
Use a bowl that has plastic wrap over it and use papier mache to cover it. Do several layers to make it thicker, letting it dry in between layers. When it’s done, you can take the papier mache bowl off the regular bowl and remove the plastic wrap so that you have a papier mache bowl to paint or use as-is.
Papier mache balloons
Blow up balloons that you can papier mache over, leaving an open area at the tied end of the balloon. When they dry, pop the balloon to remove it. Make a little basket that hangs underneath it, and the child can decorate them like hot air balloons.
Woven potholders
Use a mini loom or a potholder kit to weave potholders that can be used in the kitchen or given as gifts. This is a pretty simple craft that kids ages 7 and up can do on their own once they have some help finishing off the edges a few times.
Decoupage clam shells
Use Mod Podge to add pretty tissue paper or paper napkins to the inside of large clam or oyster shells. These can be used as ring dishes or to hold small soaps in the bathroom.
Making dishtowels with a simple blanket stitch
Using an absorbent fabric like terrycloth (an old towel works well) cut a kitchen towel shape and let kids practice a blanket stitch to hen the edges.
Simple crewel embroidery
There are kits for simple crewel embroidery that kids this age, especially at the upper end of the age range, can do on their own. You can even buy blank canvas and let them draw their own picture to outline or fill in.
Simple decoupage coaster tiles
Use paper napkins or fabric to make simple decoupaged tile coasters. Kids in this age range should be able to do a one-piece paper decoupage, and probably multiple colors using tissue paper or torn napkins to layer on each other.
Mod Podge: https://geni.us/FR6jBk (affiliate link)
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Tissue paper:
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Latch hook rugs
This is a fun craft that can be made into wall hangings or pillows as well as small carpets.
Doll quilts
If the child has a special doll, they can make a blanket for the doll using cheater quilt fabric and tying the quilt instead of quilting it. This will probably take some assistance from an adult to get started, but it’s a good introduction to sewing and quilting, and it’s very do-able for kids in this age range.
Macrame
I was going to put this in the tweens section, but I remember doing macrame in the 70’s when I was under ten years old, so I know kids that age can do simple macrame! We used to make holders for plant pots, so have them try that first since it’s pretty easy with a little help.
Friendship bracelets
Weaving friendship bracelets is a very popular craft for this age range, especially the older kids. Learning how to do basic weaving stitches is a good thing for manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination, and the kids can wear the bracelets or give them to friends.
Ribbon flowers
Ribbon flowers can be pretty simple or really complicated, but they basically involve a lot of folding and stitching the ribbon in place. A kid ont he older end of this age range can probably handle it with some tips on handling sewing needles safely.
String art
This is another craft blast from the past, but it’s still popular. The hardest part is adding the nails into the board that will be decorated, but once that’s done the child can wind colored string around the nails to create patterns.
Gel plate printing
This is a type of monotype printing that’s easy to start, so kids could really get into it. The downside of this craft is that it can get really mesmerizing, and a kid who really likes it is going to go through a lot of paint and paper!
Read about gel plate printing here.
Beaded windchimes
String beads and small bells in different lengths and hang them from a small hoop or a piece of cardboard or plastic. Hand the finished piece on a front porch.
Suncatchers made from glue
Use regular Elmer’s glue in silicone molds to make discs that you can put glitter or colored paper or ink in. When they dry completely (this can take a few days) have an adult drill a hole in the shape and let the child add a string as a hanger.
Decorating a wreath
Get an artificial wreath and give kids flowers or other ornamental pieces that they can tie onto it to make a colorful decoration that you can hang on the front door.
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Crafts that tweens and teens can do on their own once they get some coaching.
By the time a kid is in the tween years, crafts can get more complicated, and they also tend to be more educational without the person even realizing it. A lot of these crafts develop your ability to look at things in three dimensions, and most of them involve math skills without being really obvious about it.
Fabric coasters
This involves using a sewing machine, but a plain zig zag should be all that you need to know how to do. This is a good introductory sewing project for beginners, and kids who are on the older side of this age range should be able to figure it out.
Read about how to make fabric coasters here.
Clay containers with lids
This is a more complicated clay project, so it’s better for kids who are at least ten or so. This involved making the base of the container and baking the clay, then fitting a lid for it, so it’s a little more complex as far as patterning it goes.
Polymer clay beadmaking
Making beads out of polymer clay is a fun, but slightly complicated activity. You have to make the beads with a hole in them and bake them so that the hole stays open. Once they’re baked, they can be painted and glazed, or left unglazed.
Clay jewelry
Making polymer clay or air-dry clay jewelry is a good activity for this age range.
Clay flowers
Modelling flowers out of air dry clay can be a fun craft for kids this age, because they can paint them after they dry and keep them in a vase in their room.
Decoupage plastic or Styrofoam eggs
This is a good craft for Easter, and older kids can do this on their own.
Mini clay frames
Younger kids can probably do this, but kids who are ten and up will be able to make molded polymer or air dry clay items that have more detail. Mini frames are fun because you can attach a small photo to them and give them as gifts, or make them into Christmas ornaments.
Read about how to make these frames here.
Painted furniture
If you have furniture that you’re not worried about, let the kids paint it! They can either do a solid color to match their bedroom decor, or add stenciled designs or hand painted patterns to it.
Making gloves from old sweaters
Making fingerless gloves from an old sweater is pretty easy, and you can do it just sewing the edges by hand.
Read about how to make these gloves here.
Vintage jewelry upcycling
There are a lot of things that older kids can make using old costume jewelry. This article goes over some ideas…Just make sure that they don’t get into your collection of real jewelry to get their supplies!
Read about vintage jewelry projects here
Wire wrapping
Wire-wrapped jewelry is a cool craft that’s very bohemian and will appeal to teens with a boho aesthetic. The materials for this are pretty inexpensive, and you can make some really cool designs that are unique.
Trinket bowl made from wired beads
Use paper or plastic beads to make bowls and containers with wire frameworks.
Read about how to make this bowl here.
Baskets made from fabric twine
Making fabric twine is easy, and you can use it for a variety of crafts, including making baskets. Use it like cord to make a woven basket or sew it with a machine for a sturdy fabric.
Beaded ornaments
Making bead and sequin Christmas ornaments is a fun craft during hte holidays or any time of year. Older kids can do this on their own, and the younger ones in this age group can do them on their own with a little help to get started.
Read about bead and sequin ornaments here.
Dollhouse remodeling
Working on decorating a dollhouse is a fun and satisfying hobby, and it involves a lot of craft skills. Older kids will be able to create their own patterns for dollhouse items, and the younger kids in this age range will be able to redo furniture and accessories.
Read about dollhouse remodeling here.
Miniature dollhouse rugs
Making little rugs for dollhouses can involve sewing and weaving, and can be a hobby in itself. You can also do needlepoint rugs in a mini scale.
Read about miniature dollhouse carpets here.
Knitting
I learned to knot when I was around 8 years old, and it’s still taught in some places at even younger ages. Kids in this age range should be able to do basic stitches, and if they develop their skills they’ll probably be able to read patterns and make some of their own clothes and accessories. Older teenagers should be able to develop proficient knitting skills if they’re interested.
Learn basic knitting stitches here.
Crochet
Same as knitting, crochet is a skill that you can pick up at a young age and develop as you get older. Teens and tweens are the perfect age to really learn how to do crochet and to make some things for themselves and other people.
Sewing potholders
Potholders are a simple beginning sewing project, and making them doesn’t take special skills. Learning how to do a basic straight stitch and some hemming is the basics of making potholders, and it’s also a good intro to how quilting works.
T-shirt yarn making
Making yarn out of old tshirts is a fun way to upcycle old shirts, and kids can easily DIY this themselves. You can use it to make potholders or trivets, or to knit with.
Fabric twine
Making fabric twine is pretty easy to do, and people use it for a lot of crafts. This is something that kids can learn how to do pretty easily, and then use it to make baskets, bookmarks, and other otems.
Rag rugs
Making rag rugs takes time, but it’s something that’s not tremendously hard to do once you get the hang of it. Kids this age can definitely learn how to do it, and it’s a fun way to use old sheets, clothing, and to make a unique piece of home decor.
Read about how to make a braided rag rug here.
Dollmaking
Making rag dolls or more complicated dolls with different types of movable arms and legs might be something that kids this age are interested in. Art dolls are popular, so let your kids go wild on the design.
Make a tree skirt for Christmas
Sewing a tree skirt, or making one from felt, is a craft that younger kids this age can do with some help. Older kids can definitely do this themselves
Linoleum prints
This is a fun printmaking craft, but since it involves using sharp carving implements kids on the younger side should do this with supervision. You might want to get a protective glove for them, too, since it will keep them from getting cut if the carving blade slips. I use one myself, and I’ve been glad to have it a few times when I’ve almost cut myself!
Beaded ornaments
Get a kit from Holidays Lane to make a bead and sequin ornament for your teen or tween. I got some of these for Christmas one year and everyone had a good time making them. Since they take a certain level of manual dexterity and precision, teens are the best age group for these, but younger kids can make them, too. They won’t be as straight or even, but they’ll still be pretty!
Click here to read an article about making these ornaments
Cyanotype prints
These are fun prints that you can definitely do with younger kids, but older kids will be able to make some interesting designs on their own. It doesn’t take much equipment, and it’s an interesting process.
Small quilt wall hangings
Making quilted wall hangings or blankets is something that a beginning sewist can definitely do, and for older teens it can be a way to make really creative and one-of-a-kind art quilts.
Sewing or upcycling clothing
If your teen likes sewing, they can learn to make their own clothing from scratch, and how to upcycle clothing into new items. Sewing is a valuable skill that most people don’t understand, so knowing how to do it will give them a way to make their own clothes, and to earn money doing hemming and repair work for people!
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