55+ Best Creative Crafts to Keep Your Kids Busy

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Fall is around the corner and that means one thing – more rainy days, miserable weather and indoor time.

If you’re one of those parents who don’t want their little one spending every free moment watching tv or playing with gadgets, here is a list you need to bookmark: 50+ crafts, DIYs and activities that will keep those little hands busy.

Crafts are not just a great way to pass time, but they have also multiple developmental benefits – did you know that simple activities like drawing, cutting out and coloring can improve bilateral coordination?

That means kids learn to use both of their hands at the same time, which is important in later life and help them with learning to write and tie their shoe laces for examples.

Other developmental benefits of crafts include improving fine motor coordination, learn patience and self-control and boost their self esteem.

If that’s not enough reasons, here is another one – they are simply too cute to miss these! So what do you say, which one will you start with?

Simple, But Creative Crafts

Keeping kids entertained and engaged can be challenging, especially during school breaks or long weekends.

Creative crafts are a fantastic way to harness your children’s creativity while keeping them busy.

DIY Paper Masks

One of the easiest and most enjoyable crafts for kids is making their own paper masks.

This activity allows children to explore their creativity and can be tailored to fit various themes such as animals, superheroes, or even their favorite cartoon characters.

Materials Needed:

• Construction paper or cardstock
• Scissors
• Glue
• Markers, crayons, or paints
• Elastic string
• Decorative items (glitter, stickers, feathers)

Instructions:

1. Start by drawing the outline of a mask on a piece of construction paper or cardstock. This could be a simple oval shape or something more elaborate like an animal face.
2. Let your kids color and decorate their masks using markers, crayons, or paints. Encourage them to add creative touches with glitter, stickers, and feathers.
3. Once the masks are decorated and dry, make small holes on each side and thread an elastic string through them. Adjust the length so the mask fits comfortably on your child’s face.

Painted Rocks

Painted rocks are a delightful craft that combines a bit of nature with artistic expression. Kids love the process of selecting their rocks and transforming them into colorful pieces of art.

Materials Needed:

• Smooth, flat rocks
• Acrylic paints
• Paintbrushes
• Sealer (optional)

Instructions:

1. Go on a nature walk to collect smooth, flat rocks. Clean them thoroughly and let them dry.
2. Before painting, have your kids decide what they want to paint on their rocks. This could be anything from simple patterns to detailed images.
3. Using acrylic paints, let the kids paint their designs on the rocks. Multiple coats may be needed for bright, vibrant colors.
4. Once the paint is dry, apply a clear sealer to protect the artwork, especially if the rocks will be placed outside.

Homemade Playdough

Making playdough at home is a fun and educational activity that kids enjoy. Not only do they get to play with the dough, but they also learn about measurements and mixing.

Materials Needed:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cups water
• Food coloring

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, mix the flour, salt, and cream of tartar.
2. Add the vegetable oil, water, and food coloring to the dry mixture.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the dough begins to form and pull away from the sides of the pot.
4. Remove the dough from the pot and let it cool slightly. Knead it until smooth and store it in an airtight container.

55+ Best Crafts to Keep your Kids Busy

1. Bookmarks

Let your kids pick a motive or animal they like the most and then make these crafts together.

2. 3D Paper Planets

These crafts require a bit of skill and help from mom and dad, but they make a great addition to kids’ rooms!

3. Paper Chain Snake Crafts

Easy diy toy even for the smallest fingers!

4. DIY Football Table Crafts

Brilliant home made football table to entertain both kids and adults.

5. Bird Houses Crafts

These look like they have been cut out straight from a Harry Potter movie!

6. Princess Bookmarks Crafts

Cute bookmarks for little girls.

7. Pom Pom Pens

Dress up their pens and pencils with some pom poms.

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8. DIY Masks

These crafts are not just for Halloween!

9. Paper Garland

Decorate their room with this simple and cheerful garland.

10. Moving Fish

This one doesn’t need any water.

11. Plate Spiders

Paper plates strike again!

12. Milk Carton Village

Bit of paper, glue, milk cartons and voila – a whole village is ready for play.

13. Paper Dinosaurs

Reuse your spare paper plates and make a whole family of dinosaurs!

14. Paper Dragon

Minimum effort, maximum enjoyment.

15. Balloon Dart Painting

For those little artists.

16. Pineapple Painting

Get those little fingers dirty!

17. Popsicle Craft

Great craft to remember fun summer days.

18. Squirt Gun Paint

If its still warm outside, why not try this one!

19. Fireworks Painting with Toilet Rolls

Reuse toilet rolls to make this simple art.

20. Paint Splash

Kids love to make mess, so while they’re at it, why not create art same time?

21. Glue & Paint Fireworks

Another firework project to get their hands dirty.

22. Spin Painting

For preschoolers, but equally fun for mom and dad to do.

23. Tic Tac Toe

Collect some rocks from the garden or beach and turn them into a never ending round of fun.

24. Minion Stones

Three colors, rocks and so much fun!

25. DIY Car Track from Stones

This is on top of my list, my little guy will love this one!

26. Ladybug Stones

Got some rocks left still? What about these cute ladybugs?

27. Stone Puzzle

Why play puzzle with paper when you can use cool rocks?

28. Rock Monster Magnets

Awww… I can see these on my fridge!

29. Rock Kitchen Food

Have you got mud kitchen in your backyard? This one is a must have then!

30. Hand Painted Cactus

Pinterest is roaring with these and I can see why!

31. Pen Holders

Used bottles make pretty pen holders, all you need is scissors and a bit of paint.

32. Toilet Roll Animals

Toilet rolls are one of the most popular craft supplies on Pinterest, these little animals are one of the best examples I’ve found.

33. Marshmallow Play Dough

Did you know you can make a play dough from marshmallows?

34. Lego Cups

Cute little faces to brighten up your day.

35. Hand Print Fish Puppets

Cut the shape and let them decorate their own puppets.

36. Jelly Fish

Great craft that can be used as a decoration for kids’ room.

37. Bee Hive

Kinder Surprise eggs turn into a bunch of cute bees that are finding their way into the bee hive.

38. Superhero Masks

Who doesn’t love a superhero, even without a Halloween party!

39. Funny Face Flip Book

One for older kids.

40. Toilet Roll Dolls

Make her favorite princess or a movie character.

41. Cork Sailboats

Great company for bath time.

42. Cars from Toilet Rolls

Let them race with their customized cars made out of toilet rolls.

43. Floating Dino

My favorite Dinosaur decoration from Pinterest, so simple to make and so cute!

44. Spider

Get them ready ahead of Halloween!

45. Grasshopper

Don’t just pull out the cocktail glass!

46. Chick Finger Puppet

All it needs is two little fingers!

47. Napkin Paper Ballerinas

The most beautiful art from napkin paper I’ve seen, what do you think?

48. Dragonfly

Pretty dragonflies with some basic diy supplies.

49. Flying Dragons

Let them decorate their own dragon cutouts and watch them fly.

50. Popsicle Ballerinas

Dancing ballerinas made from Popsicle sticks and cupcake paper.

51. Paper Spinner

Fun for adults to make and for kids to use!

52. Popsicle Chalk

53. Newspaper Roses

54. Cereal Box Bookmarks

55. Flying Butterflies

56. Bird Feeders

Engaging your kids in creative crafts is not only a great way to keep them occupied but also an excellent method to foster their creativity, enhance their fine motor skills, and provide a productive outlet for their boundless energy.

From simple paper crafts to more elaborate DIY projects, the 55+ craft ideas we’ve explored offer a diverse range of activities suitable for various age groups and interests.

Remember, the goal is not perfection but the joy and learning that come from creating something with their own hands!

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