Fun, creative activities to keep little (and not-so-little) hands busy!
Crafting is a brilliant way to bring everyone together — whether you have a toddler who just wants to splodge glue or a tween who’s already dreaming of opening their own Etsy shop. These five craft ideas are adaptable for different age groups, easy to set up with minimal mess (mostly!), and guaranteed to spark creativity on rainy afternoons or slow weekends.
✂️ 1. DIY Painted Plant Pots
Great for ages: 3+
What you need:
- Terracotta pots or recycled yoghurt pots
- Acrylic paints or paint pens
- Brushes, sponges, masking tape (for designs)
- Soil and easy-to-grow seeds or plants
How to:
Let little ones go wild with splodgy colours, while older kids can try patterns, geometric designs, or even paint faces and turn their pot into a character. Add a name tag and plant some cress or sunflowers inside for a craft that keeps on growing.
Why it works:
It’s sensory fun for toddlers, artsy for older kids, and doubles as a mini science experiment.
💌 2. Handmade Cards with Nature Prints
Great for ages: 2–12
What you need:
- Thick paper or blank cards
- Leaves, flowers, twigs
- Paints and a roller or brush
- Washi tape, stickers, glitter (optional)
How to:
Collect natural materials from a walk, then paint and press them onto the card to make prints. Younger kids can slap on paint and stick leaves directly; older ones can layer, design, or even stencil messages.
Why it works:
Combines nature, sensory play, and creativity. Plus, you end up with cards for birthdays, thank-yous, or “just because” notes.
🧵 3. No-Sew Sock Puppets
Great for ages: 4–10
What you need:
- Clean mismatched socks
- Googly eyes, felt scraps, buttons, wool, glue
- A box to turn into a puppet theatre (optional!)
How to:
Stuff the sock with soft scrap fabric or just use as-is, then decorate. Glue on eyes, a felt tongue, and some woolly hair. Encourage each child to name their puppet and act out silly stories.
Why it works:
It’s storytelling, crafting, and giggling all rolled into one.
🎭 4. Paper Plate Masks
Great for ages: 2–8 (with help)
What you need:
- Paper plates
- Paints, crayons, or markers
- String or elastic
- Feathers, stickers, tissue paper, glitter glue
How to:
Cut out eye holes (grown-up job!), then let the kids transform their plate into an animal, superhero, or mythical creature. Attach string or glue it to a craft stick as a handheld mask.
Why it works:
Simple and imaginative. Younger kids can scribble and stick, older ones can go wild with detailed designs.
📸 5. Scrapbook Journaling
Great for ages: 6+
What you need:
- Notebook or scrapbook
- Printed photos, magazine clippings
- Stickers, washi tape, pens, glue
How to:
Encourage kids to document their week, a holiday, or just “a day in my life.” Add photos, drawings, notes, and decorations. For younger ones, you can create themed pages like “My Favourite Things.”
Why it works:
It encourages memory-making, self-expression, and creativity — and you’ll love looking back on them years from now.
Final Thoughts
Crafting together doesn’t need to be complicated. These simple but meaningful projects offer connection, calm, and creativity for all ages — and can often be done with items you already have at home. Whether your child is 3 or 13, there’s something about making with your hands that brings out imagination (and often a bit of mess).
Got a go-to craft your kids love? Share it below — the glitter-happy community thanks you in advance! 🌈
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