10 Creative and Easy DIY Crafts for Kids at Home

As a mom who juggles homeschooling and running a home-based business, I know how challenging it can be to keep kids busy—especially on rainy days or during those long afternoons. Over the years, I’ve learned that DIY crafts for kids are a lifesaver. They’re not just fun; they’re also amazing tools for learning, bonding, and nurturing creativity.

In this post, I’m sharing 10 creative and easy crafts that your kids can do at home with simple materials you likely already have. Whether you're a fellow homeschooling parent or just looking for fresh kids activities at home, these ideas are perfect for all ages and require minimal prep.

1. Paper Plate Animals

Supplies: Paper plates, markers, glue, construction paper, scissors, googly eyes (optional)
Best for Ages: 3–8

Let your child turn ordinary paper plates into lions, pandas, or even unicorns! Start by choosing the animal, then decorate the plate as the face. Use construction paper for ears and features, and markers or crayons for coloring. This is a great craft for learning about animals and habitats while strengthening fine motor skills.

Tip: You can turn this into an educational activity by reading a book about the animal afterward!

2. Pasta Necklaces

Supplies: Uncooked pasta (like penne or rigatoni), string or yarn, food coloring, ziplock bags
Best for Ages: 4–9

Color the pasta using food coloring and a little vinegar inside ziplock bags—just shake and dry overnight. Once dry, kids can thread the pasta onto yarn to create bright and fun jewelry pieces.

Learning tie-in: Teach patterns and counting while they string the noodles.

3. DIY Sensory Bottles

Supplies: Empty plastic bottles, glitter, baby oil or clear glue, small beads or buttons, water
Best for Ages: 2–7

Fill clear bottles with water, glitter, and tiny trinkets or beads. Add a bit of glue or baby oil to slow the movement. Secure the lid tightly (use hot glue or tape if needed). These bottles are calming, especially for toddlers and young kids.

Bonus idea: Create themed sensory bottles (e.g., ocean, rainbow, space) to match your current homeschool theme.

4. Tissue Paper Stained Glass

Supplies: Wax paper, tissue paper, glue stick or clear glue, black construction paper
Best for Ages: 5–10

Cut out a simple shape (like a heart or star) from black construction paper to make a frame. Then stick bits of colorful tissue paper inside the frame using a glue stick on wax paper. Hang it in a sunny window to create a beautiful stained-glass effect.

Why I love this: It’s mess-free and perfect for teaching about light and color.

5. Painted Rock Animals or Story Stones

Supplies: Clean rocks, acrylic paint, paintbrushes, sharpies or markers
Best for Ages: 5+

Let your child paint animals, faces, or symbols on rocks. You can turn them into story stones and encourage storytelling afterward! This builds creativity and communication skills.

Educational twist: Have your child write a story using the rocks as inspiration or characters.

6. Handprint Art Projects

Supplies: Paint, paper, baby wipes (for easy cleanup!)
Best for Ages: 2–7

Handprint art is timeless. Try making handprint flowers, butterflies, or even family trees. It’s not just cute—it's a keepsake that you’ll treasure.

My favorite: A handprint tree where each finger is a “branch” representing a different family member.

7. Paper Roll Binoculars

Supplies: Toilet paper rolls, string, tape or glue, markers or stickers
Best for Ages: 3–8

Tape two toilet paper rolls together and let your child decorate them. Attach yarn to make a strap. Go on an indoor scavenger hunt or nature walk afterward using their new DIY binoculars.

Learning fun: Create a scavenger hunt list of things they need to find—shapes, colors, letters, or nature items.

8. DIY Puffy Paint Art

Supplies: Shaving cream, white glue, food coloring, ziplock bags or bowls
Best for Ages: 4–10

Mix equal parts shaving cream and white glue. Add a few drops of food coloring to create “paint.” Use cotton swabs or fingers to paint fluffy masterpieces.

Sensory benefit: This activity is great for tactile learners and helps with sensory exploration.

9. Salt Dough Creations

Supplies: 1 cup flour, ½ cup salt, ½ cup water, cookie cutters, oven
Best for Ages: 5–12

Mix flour, salt, and water to create a simple dough. Roll it out and use cookie cutters or freehand shapes. Bake at 200°F for 2-3 hours until hard, then paint them.

Perfect for: Making Christmas ornaments, gift tags, or personalized keepsakes.

10. DIY Mini Booklets

Supplies: Paper, stapler or hole punch with yarn, markers, stickers
Best for Ages: 6+

Let your child fold paper into a mini booklet and create their own storybook or comic strip. It’s a wonderful way to encourage early writing and storytelling.

Homeschool bonus: Use this craft for writing prompts, journal entries, or even science reports in a fun way.

Final Thoughts

Crafting isn’t just a way to pass time—it’s a meaningful and enriching experience for kids (and parents!). These DIY crafts for kids are perfect for creating memories, encouraging learning, and keeping those little hands busy.

I hope these easy crafts bring joy to your home like they have to ours. Most of them require materials you already have around the house, and they’re flexible enough to adapt to different ages.

Don’t forget to take photos and display their work—it builds confidence and reminds them that their creativity matters.

If you loved these kids activities at home, I invite you to check out more homeschool and craft inspiration right here on the blog. And if you try any of these, tag me on social—I’d love to see your little ones’ creations!

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