Fun DIY Crafts for Kids: Easy and Affordable Ideas

Mitchell David
3 min readDec 10, 2023

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Introduction

Are you looking for fun and engaging activities to keep your kids entertained? Look no further! DIY crafts are a fantastic way to unleash your child’s creativity and keep them occupied for hours. Not only are these crafts easy to make, but they are also affordable and can be made using materials readily available at home. In this article, we will explore some exciting DIY craft ideas that your kids will love. So, let’s dive in!

1. Paper Plate Animals

Paper plate animals are a classic DIY craft that kids of all ages enjoy making. All you need are some paper plates, markers, glue, and a few craft materials like construction paper, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners.

To start, let your child choose an animal they want to create. They can draw and color the animal’s face on the paper plate or cut out the desired shape from construction paper and glue it onto the plate. Then, they can add details like googly eyes, a nose, and ears using the available craft materials. Finally, attach pipe cleaners to the bottom of the plate as legs or tails. Voila! Your child has made their own paper plate animal.

2. Homemade Play Dough

Play dough is a versatile and incredibly fun craft for kids. Instead of buying play dough from the store, encourage your child to make their own. The process is simple, and you only need a few ingredients like flour, salt, water, oil, and food coloring.

Mix two cups of flour, one cup of salt, one cup of water, two tablespoons of oil, and a few drops of food coloring in a bowl. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and pliable. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour; if it’s too dry, add a bit more water. Once the dough is ready, let your child unleash their imagination by shaping it into various objects and characters.

3. Friendship Bracelets

Friendship bracelets are a fantastic craft for older kids who enjoy making wearable accessories. All you need is some colorful embroidery floss, scissors, and a tapestry needle.

Start by cutting six strands of embroidery floss, each measuring around 24 inches long. Tie a knot at one end and secure it to a stationary object like a doorknob or safety pin. Divide the strands into three pairs and start braiding them, crossing the outer strands over the middle one. Continue braiding until you reach the desired length, and then tie a knot at the other end.

Your child can experiment with different patterns and color combinations to create unique and personalized friendship bracelets. These bracelets can also be given as gifts to friends and family.

4. Egg Carton Art

Egg carton art is a great way to transform ordinary egg cartons into beautiful and imaginative creations. You will need empty egg cartons, acrylic paint, paintbrushes, scissors, and any additional decorative materials like sequins or glitter.

Start by cutting out individual cups from the egg carton. Let your child’s creativity shine as they paint the cups in different colors. Once the paint is dry, they can add additional decorations using glue and sequins or glitter. These decorated cups can be used as flower petals, bugs, or any other imaginative creation your child can come up with.

5. Button Art

Button art is a simple yet engaging craft that allows your child to explore different shapes and patterns. Gather a variety of colorful buttons, glue, and a piece of cardboard or canvas.

Start by drawing a simple outline of an object or shape on the cardboard or canvas. Then, let your child arrange and glue the buttons within the outlined shape. They can experiment with different button sizes, colors, and patterns to create a visually appealing piece of art. Button art not only enhances fine motor skills but also encourages creativity and spatial awareness.

Conclusion

Engaging your kids in fun and creative activities is essential for their overall development. DIY crafts provide an excellent opportunity for children to unleash their creativity while having a great time. The crafts mentioned in this article, including paper plate animals, homemade play dough, friendship bracelets, egg carton art, and button art, are easy to make and require minimal supplies. So, gather the materials, set up a crafting station, and let your child’s imagination run wild!

For more inspiration on DIY crafts and other creative hobbies, check out this article here.

If you’re interested in exploring the pros and cons of video games as another form of entertainment and technology, check out this insightful blog post here.

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