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    Home » Crafts

    30+ Fun and Creative Crafts Projects for Kids & Teens

    Updated: Apr 2, 2022 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 1 Comment

    collage image of craft projects in post.

    Looking for fun crafts for kids or teens to do? We’ve rounded up 30 of our favorite craft projects just for you! Each one of these projects provides a simple & creative way to spend a summer day. Many of these DIY kids’ crafts use supplies that you might already have on hand!

    collage image of craft projects in post.

    My kids are grown up now; over the 25+ years that I spent as a “mom of kids,” I managed to learn a thing or two.

    I have found myself over the years trying to entertain loads of kids and teens on rainy days, snow days, and days when it’s just too hot to go outside. Last year my son ended up moving out a few months after the rest of his friends and siblings, and we found ourselves looking for ways to help him stay active during that time.

    Why Should you Craft with your Kids & Teens?

    Suppose you feel like you find yourself with what seems like endless hours in the day trying to keep yourself and your kids upbeat and engaged. I want to try to help.

    First of all, you don’t need to be crafty to do this. It’s easy DIY stuff. It’s fun. The odds are that you are crafty, and you didn’t even know it.

    I have found over the years that doing a cool DIY project with my kids has helped me bond with them. Each one of my teens went through a rough patch. We found that during those times, creating really helped to ease some of their worries.

    Keeping their hands busy and their minds engaged helped them to relax and keep things in perspective. We were lucky enough that our high schools offered great arts and crafts classes. Our kids made sure to take one art class a year. They found that class period to be a welcome “break” during their high school years.

    Plus you can’t beat that “wow, I made that feeling!”.

    More than 30 Creative, Fun and Simple Craft Projects for Kids & Teens

    I went through the blog archives and found 30 projects that I think can help you out. While searching, I tried to pick tutorials that did not require many specialized materials, were not expensive, did not cost a ton of money, and could be made with stuff you probably already have on hand. I didn’t want you to have to always run out to the store to buy things. Most of these art projects and craft ideas have links to purchasing the supplies online if necessary.

    Disclaimer: Just because these are fun for kids and teens super easy, it DOES NOT mean you should let them do any of them unsupervised. Supervise all activities and make sure that all safety protocols are followed.

    From tie dyed tees to hydro dipped shoes, and a few fun mason jar crafts, here are more than 30 DIY projects for teens and tweens, perfect for summer camp, or just a lazy summer day at home.

    Fun and Creative Kid and Teen Craft Projects

    Are you looking for some fun and simple craft projects for kids and teens? We've scoured our archives of 2000+ tutorials and rounded up a list of some of the most popular craft tutorials on our site.

    Each one of these can be made inexpensively and many do not require any specialized materials.

    For more information about each project, just click the "continue reading" button at the bottom of each post. It will take you to a detailed tutorial for that project.

    1

    How to Hydro Dip Vans to Create Unique Custom Shoes

    Last summer, my kids were hydro dipping shoes left and right. This project requires plain white shoes and spray paint. Can't make it to the store? You can use what you have on hand to come up with some fun and unique color combinations. Includes a video tutorial.

    2

    DIY Animal Necklaces 

    We created these fun animal necklaces several years ago to celebrate the Kentucky Derby. They are simple to make, and you could easily make them from any plastic toys or animals you have around. This project does use sharp objects, so make sure supervision is proper.

    3

    How to Make a Felt Rainbow Bookmark

    These colorful bookmarks make learning fun! They are great to use for DIY planners and school books! The best thing, you only need small scraps of felt! (hint, you can use a headband elastic to attach it to the book if you don't have sewing elastic).

    4

    How to Use Freezer Paper to Create Custom Stencils

    We did this for a Disney party several years ago, and it was a bit hit! All you need is some freezer paper and a craft knife. If you have an e-cutter such as a Cricut machine, it will make it go even faster. You can paint on fabric with acrylic paint or with fabric paint.

    Use the stencils to decorate tote bags, pillowcases & t-shirts.

    5

    How to make Adorable Felt Flowers

    These felt flowers are a great project for a quiet afternoon in front of the tv. They are hand glued and sewn together and are beautiful when finished.

    6

    How to Monogram Your Converse Sneakers Using a Cricut Machine

    Have an old pair of shoes that need a new life? Use a bit of freezer paper to monogram your shoes!

    7

    How to Customize your Converse with Fabric

    We stitched fabric onto our converse tennis shoes, and I love how they turned out.

    8

    DIY Beaded Tassel Necklace Tutorial

    This fun necklace is made using some simple beads and a fabric-covered button. You can make it in a variety of colors and styles, it's also a great way to use up fabric scraps.

    9

    How to Make Book Page Wreath

    This wreath is made from paper and old books.

    Kids and teens would enjoy this project with paper made from some of their favorite prints and colors. Our example features more subtle colors, but it would be equally cute in bright colors.

    10

    Heart Fabric Rag Wreath Tutorial

    This wreath is made with a styrofoam wreath form. However, you can use a pool noodle or wire hanger in a pinch. It's no-sew and a great way to use up a bin of fabric scraps.

    11

    Fabric Covered Button Necklace Tutorial

    I have always loved covered button necklaces! This tutorial walks you through how to make one step by step.

    12

    How to Cover Paper Mache Boxes with Fabric

    We used paper mache boxes for these DIY decorative bins, but you could also use potato chip canisters or mailing tubes in a pinch!

    13

    How to make a Paper Prize Ribbon

    Celebrate a birthday or other special day by creating some fun prize ribbons! Stick them to someone's door to brighten their day.

    14

    DIY Hogwarts Inspired House Notebooks; Harry Potter Craft Idea

    Give school a whole new meaning by pretending you're actually at Hogwarts with these cute notebooks. Simply print off the covers and attach them to purchased composition notebooks.

    15

    DIY Painted Seashell Accessories

    Have a box of seashells lying around? Dig out that old box of nail polish and decorate them to create fun hair accessories.

    16

    How to make Paper Pinwheels

    These paper pinwheels are perfect for Spring & Summer! How cute would a bouquet of them be on the kitchen table?

    17

    Felt Ball Necklace Tutorial

    Fun and stylish, these necklaces are made from simple felt balls. All you need is a needle and thread.

    18

    Kids Journal Ideas & Free Printable

    Cover a composition notebook with a map and create a journal for future adventures! I've included a free printable for the title too! (updated printable does not include the date so that you can use it anytime).

    19

    DIY Coke® Can Succulent Planter

    Upcycle your soda cans into this fun planter! Succulents are easy to grow (trust me, I don't have a green thumb!)

    20

    Coke® Bottle DIY Outdoor Bowling Game

    Save some of those used Coke bottles (aluminum ones) and fill them with beans to make a fun outdoor bowling game for kids!

    21

    Printable Pom Pom Polka Dot Party Hats

    Celebrating but can't make it to the store? Print off these party hats at home; just cut out and tape them together.

    22

    DIY Polka Dot Shoes

    All you need is an eraser and some paint to make these fun shoes.

    23

    Cute DIY Polka Dot Envelopes

    Send some love to those far away! Who wouldn't love to get some good old-fashioned mail! Decorate the envelopes to make them extra fun.

    24

    DIY Gold Polka Dot Hat Boxes

    Create a set of hat boxes that are oh so cute and useful for storage with this tutorial. It uses a simple stencil, but you could also use the tip of a pencil eraser.

    25

    DIY Spring Polka Dot Planters

    Welcome Spring to your home with these fun planters. Jazz up some simple pots with a bit of paint for a whole new look.

    26

    Polka-Dotted Trinket Dishes

    These trinket trays are made from terracotta planter bases. What a fun way to use materials you might already have on hand.

    27

    How to Make Stamped Leather Conversation Hearts

    Get out some of your frustrations while you hammer away on a piece of leather. These conversation hearts are fun and cute and can be personalized a million ways (post includes a link to purchase the hearts)

    28

    DIY Washi Tape Letters

    Give new life to a set of paper mache letters with Washi tape. Create fun patterns with all of the different colors of tape that you have on hand.

    29

    Pom Pom Zipper Pull Tutorial

    Use a bit of yarn and a lobster clasp to make a fun pom attach to a zipper bag or purse!

    30

    How to Tie Dye T-Shirts

    This is an older post on the blog, but one of our families "go tos" when we are looking to entertain older kids and teens. It's fun, simple, and a great one to do on a sunny day outdoors.

    Let the kids go crazy mixing colors and patterns on their shirts. You can even use t-shirts and sweatshirts that you already own, just make sure that they are a light color so the dye will show.

    Here are a few other kids craft projects from some of our favorite blogs:

    Paper Bag Scrapbook Journal at Crazy Little Projects

    Summer Activities Board at Lil Luna

    Recycled Tin Can Windsocks at Happiness is Homemade

    More Projects You'll Love!

    • Upcycled mason and food jar craft ideas at Lolly Jane
      5 Cute DIY Projects Perfect for Spring!
    • Cute pineapple quilt project by A Quilting Life - would make such a fun summer quilt project
      5 fun Summer Sewing Projects You Can Tackle in a Weekend!
    • collage image with cricut halloween crafts and overlay text
      31 Frightfully Fun Cricut Halloween Crafts to Make
    • Patchwork Paddock Pattern by Melissa Mortenson featuring Derby Day Fabrics
      Fun Weekend Sewing Projects & Creative Inspiration
    • The best sewing and DIY projects of 2016 - so many cute ideas and free tutorials!
      Top 16 Projects of 2016
    • collage image with handmade ornaments and text
      30 Handmade Christmas Ornament Tutorials & Patterns
    « Finish it Friday; Kids Duffle Bag
    RBD Block Challenge Block 13; Dizzy Pinwheel Quilt Block Pattern »

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    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

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    Comments

    1. Jenjo Games says

      February 12, 2021 at 4:56 am

      These are some really interesting and fun craft ideas for kids. It would also allow them to explore their creative side. Thanks for sharing, we will definitely try them out with our kids/

      Reply

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    I’m also a Mom and a Maker. I am like most of you, just trying to do my best every day. Some days I succeed, many days I fail.  I find joy in creating, if you do too, then I hope that you find something here bring a little “happy” to your life.  Find out more about me here.

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