• 84 ideas
  • Checked October 2026

Arts and Crafts Ideas for Kids

Press the button for three crafts to make, each with its materials and the help it needs.

Arts and Crafts Ideas for Kids

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  1. A photo cube with a picture on every faceCardstock, a ruler, six small prints, glue. Rule a cross of six squares with tabs, fold, glue. Help: ruling the net.
  2. A racing board game drawn on an opened-out cereal box, with a spinnerA cereal box opened flat, markers, a paper arrow, a brad, buttons to move. Draw the track, number it. Help: the brad.
  3. A slider card with a snail on a pull tabCardstock, scissors, tape, a paper strip. Cut a slot across the front, tape the snail to a strip behind. Help: the slot.

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Paper and cardboard 14

  • A code wheel of two cardboard circles joined by a brad Two cardboard circles, a brad, a pen. Letter the alphabet around both rims, turn one to set the code. Help: the brad.
  • A jigsaw made by cutting up your own collage Thin cardboard, magazine pictures, glue, scissors. Glue the collage down, dry it, cut wavy pieces. Help: none.
  • A lunch-bag scrapbook with a pocket on every page Three paper lunch bags, a stapler, pens, tickets, photos. Stack, fold in half, staple the fold. Help: stapling.
  • A maze in a box lid with drinking-straw walls A box lid, paper straws, glue, a dried bean. Glue straw walls, leave gaps, tilt the bean through. Help: none.
  • A paper bird with a pleated wing slotted through its body Paper, scissors, crayons. Cut out a bird, pleat a small sheet like a fan, slide it through a slit. Help: the slit.
  • A paper football to flick through a friend's finger goalposts One paper strip. Fold a corner over and over into a tight triangle, tuck in the end, flick it with a finger. Help: none.
  • A racing board game drawn on an opened-out cereal box, with a spinner A cereal box opened flat, markers, a paper arrow, a brad, buttons to move. Draw the track, number it. Help: the brad.
  • A reading worm that gains a paper circle for each book Paper circles, tape, a marker. Write a title on each circle, tape it to the tail along a wall. Help: none.
  • A shoebox castle with a drawbridge on strings A shoebox, cardboard tubes, string, tape. Cut the door on three sides, tie strings to lower it. Help: cutting the door.
  • A spinning disc that blends two pictures into one A cardboard circle, two strings, pens. A bird on one face, a cage on the other, twirl the strings. Help: the holes.
  • A spinning top from a cardboard circle and a short pencil Cardboard, a short pencil, markers. Color rings on the circle, push the pencil through the middle. Help: the hole.
  • A stand-up zoo of folded cardstock animals Cardstock, scissors, markers. Fold in half, cut legs through both layers, add a slotted head. Help: cutting.
  • A talking-mouth puppet folded from one sheet of paper Paper, crayons. Fold in thirds the long way, then into a W, fingers in the end pockets. Help: none.
  • An owl rolled from one paper strip, its top edge pressed into two ears A wide paper strip, a glue stick, a marker. Glue it into a tube, press the top down in the middle, add eyes. Help: none.

Yarn, string and beads 14

  • A belt woven on five drinking straws Five straws, yarn, tape. Thread a strand through each straw, weave over and under, slide the weave down. Help: starting.
  • A bookmark with a braided yarn tail Cardstock, a hole punch, yarn, markers. Decorate the strip, punch the top, loop three strands, braid them. Help: none.
  • A bracelet braided on a notched cardboard disc A cardboard disc with eight notches and a middle hole, seven strands. Move the third strand to the gap. Help: the hole.
  • A braided yarn wristband with a single wooden bead at the center Yarn in three colors, one bead, tape. Braid halfway, slide the bead on, braid on, knot. Help: tying it on.
  • A button buzzer that hums on a loop of string One large two-hole button, string. Thread both holes, knot a loop, wind it up, pull in and out. Help: none.
  • A cardboard sneaker with a real lace to tie Cardboard, a hole punch, a shoelace, markers. Draw a shoe, punch two rows of holes, lace it, tie a bow. Help: punching.
  • A catch toy with a wooden bead swung into a paper cup A paper cup, string, a large wooden bead, tape. Knot the bead on, tape the string in the cup, swing. Help: the knot.
  • A jump rope braided from old T-shirt strips Old T-shirts, scissors, tape. Cut long strips, knot three together, braid, knot, tape the handles. Help: cutting.
  • A necklace of tube pasta colored with markers Dry tube pasta, washable markers, yarn, tape. Color the pasta, tape one yarn end as a needle, thread. Help: none.
  • A picture stitched in yarn on burlap Burlap, a plastic needle, yarn, chalk. Chalk a simple shape, stitch along the line in and out. Help: threading.
  • A pipe-cleaner bangle threaded in a two-color rhythm A pipe cleaner, pony beads. Thread a pattern, twist the ends together, tuck the tips under a bead. Help: none.
  • A yarn doll tied at the neck, waist and wrists Yarn, a book, scissors. Wind, tie the top, cut the loops, tie off a head, arms and waist. Help: cutting loops.
  • A yarn web woven around three crossed craft sticks Three craft sticks, glue, yarn. Glue the sticks in a star, wrap once around each arm, go around. Help: gluing the star.
  • Four nested arches of cardboard, each bound in a different yarn Cardboard arcs in four sizes, yarn, glue. Wrap each arc in one color, glue them inside each other. Help: cutting arcs.

From the recycling bin 14

  • A boat cut from a juice carton with a paper sail A clean carton, a straw, paper, tape. Lay the carton on its side, cut the top face off, tape in the mast. Help: cutting.
  • A bottle piggy bank with cardboard-tube legs A plastic bottle, a cardboard tube, paper, glue. Cover the bottle, glue on four tube rings. Help: an adult cuts a slot.
  • A bowling set of six numbered tubes and a rolled-sock ball Six cardboard tubes, paper, markers, a rolled sock. Number each tube, set them in a triangle, bowl. Help: none.
  • A bunch of tulips snipped from an egg carton on paper-straw stalks An egg carton, paper straws, markers, tape. Cut the cups apart, snip petals, color, tape to a stem. Help: cutting cups.
  • A cereal-box mailbox for notes at a bedroom door A cereal box, paper, glue, tape, a paper flag on a brad. Cut a slot in the front, cover, hang. Help: slot and brad.
  • A desk tidy of cardboard tubes on a box lid Tubes cut to three heights, a box lid, glue, paper. Cover each tube, glue them standing in the lid. Help: none.
  • A juice-carton bird feeder with a stick perch A clean carton, a stick, string, birdseed. Windows on two sides, the stick pushed through below. Help: cutting.
  • A milk-jug watering can with holes in the lid A clean plastic jug with its lid, stickers. Decorate the jug, fill, tip to sprinkle. Help: an adult pokes the holes.
  • A paper-bag kite that trails streamers A paper lunch bag, string, a hole punch, crepe streamers, tape. Punch the open end, tie on, run. Help: none.
  • A parachute for a toy from a plastic bag A plastic bag, string, tape, a small toy. Cut a square, tape a string to each corner, tie to the toy. Help: none.
  • A puppet theater cut from a cereal box, with a curtain on each side A cereal box, paper, tape, markers. Cut a window in the front, tape a curtain to each side. Help: the window.
  • A strummable box guitar with a cardboard-tube neck A cereal box, a cardboard tube, rubber bands, tape. Cut a round hole, stretch the bands across. Help: cutting the hole.
  • A tabletop soccer game in a shoebox A shoebox, two thin dowels, clothespins, a pom-pom ball. Rods through holes, players clipped on. Help: the holes.
  • Two yogurt cups on a taut string to talk through Two clean cups, long string. Thread through both bases, knot inside, pull tight to talk. Help: an adult pokes the holes.

Nature finds 14

  • A bookmark of flattened garden blossoms sealed to cardstock Small flowers pressed in a book, cardstock, wide clear tape. Lay them out, tape over. Help: none.
  • A curl of bark rigged with a leaf to float in a puddle A curl of bark, a twig, a big leaf. Push the twig through the leaf twice for a sail, wedge it in the bark. Help: none.
  • A doll-size hut of bark, moss and stones under a tree Bark, twigs, moss, stones, leaves. Lean bark walls together, roof with leaves, lay a stone path. Help: none.
  • A dragonfly with maple-seed wings on a twig A twig, four winged maple seeds, glue. Glue two wings on each side near one end of the twig. Help: none.
  • A leaf crown stapled onto a paper band A paper strip, a stapler, fresh leaves. Fit the band to your head, staple leaves pointing up all around. Help: stapling.
  • A loom made from a Y-shaped branch, threaded with grasses A Y-shaped stick, yarn, grasses, feathers, leaves. Wind yarn between the arms, weave the finds through. Help: none.
  • A petal window hanging between clear sheets Clear self-adhesive film, petals and leaves, scissors. Peel one sheet, arrange, seal with the other. Help: peeling.
  • A raft of sticks tied with string Ten sticks of one length, two cross sticks, string. Lay the row, weave string over and under at each end. Help: knots.
  • A seed mosaic on a cardboard tile Cardboard, glue, dried beans and seeds in three colors. Draw a simple shape, fill one area at a time. Help: none.
  • A star lashed from five straight twigs Five straight twigs, string. Lay them as a star, tie each point, weave the last twig over and under. Help: knots.
  • A walk bracelet of tape worn sticky side out Wide masking tape. Wrap it loosely around the wrist sticky side out, press on petals and leaves. Help: none.
  • Dandelions joined stalk into stalk to make a garland Daisies or dandelions with long stems. Slit each stem with a thumbnail, thread the next one through. Help: none.
  • Four twigs lashed into a square around a drawing Four twigs, string, a drawing, tape. Cross the twigs, tie each corner in an X, tape the picture behind. Help: knots.
  • Seashells strung in five lines that clink below a branch Shells with holes, string, a stick. Tie shells along five strings so they touch, tie the strings on. Help: knots.

To wear and for your room 14

  • A bed for a small toy with a scrap blanket A small box, fabric scraps, cotton balls, glue, paper. Pad the box, cut a blanket, add a paper headboard. Help: none.
  • A bedroom for small dolls built in a shoe box with gift-wrap walls A shoebox, gift wrap, fabric scraps, small boxes, glue. Wallpaper it, lay a rug, build a bed and table. Help: none.
  • A cardboard shield with a foil crest and a tape handle A big cardboard circle, foil, glue, duct tape. Glue on a foil crest, tape a loop on the back for an arm. Help: cutting.
  • A doorknob hanger with your name in stickers Craft foam, scissors, letter stickers. Cut a long tag with a round hole near the top, spell the name. Help: the hole.
  • A felt pennant on a stick for a bedroom wall Felt in two colors, fabric glue, a stick. Cut a long triangle, glue on letters, roll the wide end on. Help: none.
  • A mobile of paper planets on a coat hanger A hanger, thread, paper circles in many sizes, tape. Color both faces, hang at different heights. Help: tying.
  • A no-sew cape made from a grown-up's worn-out shirt A large T-shirt, scissors. Cut off the front and sleeves, keep the neck band as the collar. Help: cutting.
  • A paper watch with a strap that slides shut Paper strips, a paper circle, markers, tape. Draw the face, cut a slit in one strap end, a tab in the other. Help: none.
  • A sock creature with felt eyes An odd sock, stuffing, a rubber band, felt, fabric glue. Stuff it, band off a head, glue on the face. Help: none.
  • A square of eight glued craft sticks that frames a snapshot Eight craft sticks, glue, a photo, ribbon, stickers. Glue two layers in a square, tape the photo behind. Help: none.
  • A treasure box with a secret false bottom A shoebox, cardboard, paper, a ribbon tab. Cut a floor that fits inside, rest it on four folded stands. Help: none.
  • A winner's medal of pressed foil over a metal lid A jar lid, foil, ribbon, tape, a blunt pencil. Wrap the lid, press a number into the foil, tape on ribbon. Help: none.
  • An animal-ears headband stapled from paper A paper strip, cardstock ears, a stapler, crayons. Fit the band, staple on two ears, color them. Help: stapling.
  • Cardboard wings on elastic straps A big box, scissors, paper scraps, glue, elastic. Cut two joined wings, layer on paper feathers. Help: cutting.

Cards and gifts 14

  • A birthday greeting cut as a wedge of layer cake Cardstock, scissors, markers, paper scraps. Fold, draw a wedge with the fold as its back, cut, add icing. Help: none.
  • A card with a garden of cupcake-liner flowers A folded card, paper cupcake liners, a glue stick, a green marker. Flatten the liners, glue, draw stems. Help: none.
  • A fabric bookmark with zigzag edges Felt or stiff fabric, pinking shears, fabric glue, a ribbon. Cut a strip, glue on shapes, add the ribbon. Help: none.
  • A fold-and-snip greeting that opens into a ring of four hearts A paper square, scissors. Fold in quarters, then folded edges together, cut half a heart, folds joined. Help: the cut.
  • A gatefold card whose two front flaps swing apart like doors Cardstock, a ruler, markers, a sticker. Fold both ends in to meet in the middle, draw doors, add a sticker. Help: none.
  • A gift pen wrapped in tape and topped with a crepe bloom A pen, washi tape, crepe paper, green tape. Wrap the pen, gather a paper flower, tape it to the end. Help: none.
  • A greeting with loose paper dots that rattle under a clear panel Cardstock, clear packaging plastic, foam tape, paper dots. Tape the window over a foam-tape well. Help: cutting.
  • A photo cube with a picture on every face Cardstock, a ruler, six small prints, glue. Rule a cross of six squares with tabs, fold, glue. Help: ruling the net.
  • A set of note cards tied with yarn Blank cards, paper scraps, a glue stick, yarn. One torn-paper picture on each card, stack them, tie a bow. Help: none.
  • A slider card with a snail on a pull tab Cardstock, scissors, tape, a paper strip. Cut a slot across the front, tape the snail to a strip behind. Help: the slot.
  • A trophy built on two paper cups Two paper cups, foil, tape, paper handles, a label. Tape the cups base to base, wrap in foil, add handles. Help: none.
  • An award rosette pleated from paper with two ribbon tails A paper strip, a paper circle, glue, ribbon. Pleat the strip, fan it into a ring, glue the circle on top. Help: none.
  • An envelope folded to fit your card and closed with a sticker Paper, a glue stick, a sticker. Set the card on the paper like a diamond, fold in three corners, glue. Help: none.
  • Numbered tickets for your own puppet theater Paper strips, a stapler, markers. Number each ticket, add the day and time, staple a stub edge. Help: stapling.

How it works

These arts and crafts ideas for kids are things to cut, fold, glue and build for ages 5 to 12, sorted by what they are made from. Each lists its materials, the method and the help it needs.

Read the full guide

Creative art and craft ideas for kids, by material

These home art and craft ideas are made from paper and cardboard, yarn and beads, the recycling bin or finds from outdoors. To wear and for your room and Cards and gifts sort the rest by where they end up.

Arts & crafts ideas for 9-11 year olds

Open More filters and choose Ages 9 to 12 for projects with more steps: a belt woven on five drinking straws, a tabletop soccer game in a shoebox, a photo cube with a picture on every face. Ages 5 to 8 holds the rest. The ages are our own sorting, not a rule.

Questions and answers

What are some cute art and craft ideas?

Choose Cute. It holds a stand-up zoo of folded cardstock animals, a dragonfly with maple-seed wings on a twig, a sock creature with felt eyes and a bed for a small toy with a scrap blanket.

What are some dollar store arts and crafts ideas?

Choose Few supplies. Those projects need a short list of everyday things, such as one paper strip for a paper football, or a pipe cleaner and pony beads for a bangle.

What are good art project ideas for tweens?

Under More filters, Ages 9 to 12 holds projects with more steps and smaller knots: a bracelet braided on a notched cardboard disc, a shoebox castle with a drawbridge on strings, a code wheel of two cardboard circles joined by a brad.

How much adult help do these crafts need?

Each line ends with the help needed. Many say none, some ask for help with cutting or knots, and a few give an adult one step, such as poking holes or cutting a slot. No project uses a craft knife.

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