Crafting is a great way to keep kids entertained and an opportunity to nurture their creativity, boost cognitive skills, and promote overall development. We’ve compiled the ultimate list of crafts tailored to little ones’ ages, ensuring every child can enjoy a rewarding and age-appropriate crafting experience.
Toddlers (ages 2-3 years)
Toddlers are curious little explorers eager to engage in hands-on activities. Crafts should focus on sensory experiences and fine motor skill development. Here are a few craft ideas:
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Finger painting: Set up a large piece of paper and let your little ones dive into finger painting. Use non-toxic washable paints to create vibrant masterpieces that engage their senses. Get inspired by our Alphabet Friends as inspiration for their art!
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Collage making: Combine a large cardboard canvas with safe materials such as tissue paper, stickers, and buttons. Help toddlers glue items onto cardboard. This activity enhances their hand-eye coordination and introduces them to different textures.
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Watercoloring: Creating watercolor art is a fun way for kids to fully experience color. There is no right or wrong way to create art; it helps with their creative development and stimulates their brain. If you need a little inspiration, our Watercolor prints are the perfect place to start.
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Sensory bins: We are big fans of this activity - including one inspired by Mermaid Magic! Fill a shallow container with sensory materials like rice, sand, or water. Add scoops, cups, and small toys for exploration and sensory play. Here is another post with three great ideas!
Preschoolers (ages 4-5 years)
Preschoolers are eager to learn and explore, making this age group perfect for introducing intricate crafts. These projects help enhance their creativity, fine motor skills, and cognitive abilities. Consider the following craft ideas:
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Paper plate crafts: Turn simple paper plates into fun art pieces. Let children paint or color the plates and transform them into masks, animal faces, or decorative flowers. This craft encourages imagination and develops cutting skills.
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Pressed flower art: Show your kids how special mother nature is when you can appreciate her work longer. Pick flowers on a walk or in your garden, and press them. After a few days, create art with your findings! If you are growing a garden together, save something your child grew.
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DIY puppets: Help preschoolers create puppets using socks, paper bags, or craft sticks. Encourage them to use markers, yarn, and other materials to bring their puppets to life. This craft promotes storytelling ad imaginative play.
Elementary School Kids (ages 6-10 years)
Now that they’re in school, elementary school kids have developed better fine motor skills and a greater capacity for creativity. These crafts can be more complex. Here are a few craft ideas:
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Friendship bracelets: Teach kids how to make friendship bracelets using colorful embroidery floss or yarn. Check online for different knotting patterns that create unique designs. This craft encourages patience and fine motor skills.
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Paper mache projects: Introduce kids to paper mache. Mixing newspaper strips and glue can create masks, bowls, or even piñatas!
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Origami: Do you remember folding your notes into intricate shapes? Using colorful paper, use origami art to create various shapes, animals, and objects. Origami enhances concentration and critical thinking skills.
Crafting is the perfect solution for kids to explore their creativity, develop fine motor skills, and foster a sense of accomplishment. Whether it's finger painting, paper plate crafts, or friendship bracelets, the possibilities for crafting with kids are endless.
Looking for other ideas to craft with your kids while the weather is still nice? Here are a few ideas inspired by our prints! Try them out or share a favorite craft in the comments below.
