Making Crafts with Kids
Updated July 28, 2007
Kids can do almost any crafts that adults can do. Just give them the supplies and the time (and perhaps a bit of instruction), and let them amaze you with their creations.
Visit the Arts and Crafts for more project ideas and guide.
Paper Mache and Decoupage Projects
Decoupage is a decorative technique that can be done on just about any item. It simply involves pasting pieces of decorative material onto a structure. The decorative material may include natural items (e.g. flowers, leaves, grass, etc.), scraps of paper, scraps of fabric, metal foils, and cutouts from printed material (e.g. magazines, books, wrapping paper, old greeting cards, etc.).
Paper mache is a much thicker form of decoupage in which the paper itself becomes the structure as well as the decoration.
- Pencil holders
- Trash can
- Treasure box
Jewelry Projects
- Macaroni jewelry
- Beading
- Wire jewelry
- Jewelry made from natural items (sticks, pine cones, seeds, flowers, grass, etc.)
- Crochet jewelry
- Braided jewelry
- Knotted jewelry (e.g. traditional friendship bracelets)
Mosaics, Tiling, and Mini-Masonry
- Birdbath
- Fountain
- Flower pots
- Picture frames
Painting
- Flower pots
- Painting fabric (e.g. clothes, pillows, bags, etc.)
- Stamping and stenciling with paint
- Painted glass bottles and vases
- Painted cups and plates
- Mirror painting
- Painted rock paper weights
Gardening
- Bonsai gardens
- Terrariums
- Herb garden
- Snack garden
- Pizza garden
- Bean sprout jar
Woodworking
Woodworking can also include building things with craft sticks i.e. sticks left over from ice cream bars and freezer pops) and small twigs and sticks from the yard. Such projects usually only require some non-toxic glue and a pair of strong scissors (no power tools necessary).
- Birdhouse
- Birdfeeder
- Doll furniture
- Picture frames
- Toy boat
- Treasure box
- Doll house
- Toy car
Card Making
Cards are a perfect craft because they can do so much: provide an outlet for creativity, create opportunities for problem solving and using math, encouraging writing, encouraging communication with family and friends, and providing a treasured gift that loved ones are sure to keep through the years.
- Paper making (make your own paper for cards)
- Ink making (make your own ink for cards)
- Pressed flower and leaf cards
- 3D / Pop-up cards
- Stamped and stenciled cards
- Personalized bookmarks
- Paper doll cards
- Puppet cards
- Sticker cards
- Accordion cards (i.e. cut out like a chain of paper dolls)
- Silhouette cards
- See-through window cards (i.e. using clear materials to make windows in the front of the card)
- Collage cards (any materials will work)
- Photo album card
Paper Folding
Like card making, paper folding helps develop math skills.
- Gift boxes
- Gift bags
- Envelopes
Clay Sculpting
Don't use your clay sculptures for eating (such as plates or bowls) unless the clay you use is approved for creating eating surfaces.
- Baskets
- Bowls
- Refrigerator magnets
- Doll furniture and accessories
- Toy tea set
- Miniature toy animals
- Miniature toy dolls
- Beads
- Treasure boxes
- Candle holders
Sewing, Knitting, Crochet, Embroidery
- Pillows
- Dolls
- Stuffed animals
- Hair ties and bows
- Placemats
- Potholders
- Scarves
- Hats
- Bean bags
- Doll clothes
- Doll house accessories (e.g. curtains, blankets, pillows, etc.)
- Pet bed accessories (e.g. special pet pillows)
- Quilting squares
Games
- Fishing game (catch fish with paperclip hooks tied to string and held with a stick pole)
- Board games
- Miniature sport fields
- Pick-up sticks
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