31 Arts and Crafts for Kids to Make at Home
By: Highlights Editorial![Three pompom ice cream treats.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/3_2_x_large_630x420_/public/2022-07/parenting0001_001.jpg?itok=Qb05MOj-)
Break out your scissors, glue sticks and googly eyes! Here’s a list of 31 arts and crafts for kids to make with just a little help from you.
1. Pompom Ice Pops
Make these fuzzy and fun pompom ice pops for a colorful play-pretend treat!
![Three pompom ice cream treats.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/parenting0001_001.jpg?itok=EizjWpTA)
2. Homemade Clay
Make your own clay with four simple ingredients. It’s that easy—and that fun!
![Funny creatures made of clay.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/parenting0001_002.jpg?itok=tq5nS8cB)
3. Dinosaur Feet
Be the first to roam the earth—or the first to roam the house in the morning—wearing these three-toed dinosaur feet!
![Dinosaur feet made from craft foam.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/parenting0001_003.jpg?itok=InM24_PY)
4. Flower Pens
Take an ordinary pen and transform it into something beautiful—a bouquet of flowers!
![Ballpoint pens with sunflower embellishments.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/parenting0001_004.jpg?itok=eGjHXEke)
5. Ooey Gluey Suncatchers
Who knew you could make such cool crafts for kids with just glue and paint!
![Framed sun catcher art.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/parenting0001_005.jpg?itok=xtxMA2Ef)
6. Mail a Hug
Download these free printable patterns so your little one can mail a hug to someone special!
![Foldable cards that look like sloths holding hearts.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/parenting0001_006.jpg?itok=EYAs0EGK)
7. Goofy Robots
Kids can sharpen their fine motor skills by transforming rectangular boxes into rootin’-tootin’ robots.
![Robot toys made from small cardboard boxes.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/parenting0001_007.jpg?itok=Aj4yPFnF)
8. Homemade Finger Paint
Mix up a batch of finger paint with ingredients you already have at home.
![Homemade finger paints in small containers.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/parenting0001_008.jpg?itok=9Je_W9RH)
9. Water Microscope
Get crafty and build a DIY microscope out of recycled materials!
![A disposable cup turned into a magnifier.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/parenting0001_009.jpg?itok=XQmM41OU)
10. Create a Castle
Use this free printable to create your own desktop castle, complete with two dragon friends.
![A printable castle and dragon characters to play with.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/parenting0001_010.jpg?itok=JL2S58fH)
11. Cardboard Tube Telescope
Look up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! This play-pretend telescope will help your kids look at things in a whole new way!
![A play telescope made from decorated cardboard tubes.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/parenting0001_011.jpg?itok=MpWf6sH2)
12. Recycled Guitar
Upcycle an empty shoebox and watch your little ones explore making music with their very own homemade guitar!
![A child playing a guitar made from a box and rubber bands.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/parenting0001_012.jpg?itok=hsio6iOG)
13. Paint with Bubbles
Take art time outside and make bubble-paint masterpieces.
![Splatter art made with bubbles colored with food coloring.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/parenting0001_013.jpg?itok=rTO48wgH)
14. Paper Plate Spin Art
Spinning a plate to make art? Yes! It’s one of the easiest (and most fun!) crafts for kids.
![A painted paper plate and bottles of paint.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/parenting0001_014.jpg?itok=HgDqMtHt)
15. Easy Sidewalk Paint
When paper isn’t big enough for your little artist, move to the sidewalk.
![A child painting with homemade sidewalk paint on the pavement.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/parenting0001_015.jpg?itok=MwXObPVF)
16. Decorate a Time Capsule
Can’t save time in a bottle? The next best thing is to save some of your family’s memories today to enjoy in the future.
![A neat box holding keepsakes.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/Parenting0001_016.jpg?itok=HXI1tpTT)
17. String Puppet Plane
Help your kid take off with this plane marionette craft.
![Two airplane marionettes.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/Parenting0001_017.jpg?itok=5uTjcfCB)
18. Make Your Own Block Prints
These easy-to-make prints produce a beautiful, finished product.
![An art print made from shapes cut out of foam trays.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/Parenting0001_018.jpg?itok=c5CA_t2V)
19. Colorful Butterflies
When children make little butterflies, it’s a fine-motor-skills celebration, packaged as pretty play.
![Butterflies made from painted watercolor paper and chenille stems.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/Parenting0001_019.jpg?itok=XRaYYzxR)
20. Toy Camera
This toy camera is perfect for little ones who are not quite ready for the real thing.
![Toy cameras made from cardboard boxes.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/Parenting0001_020.jpg?itok=ONo2DGUs)
21. Paper Filter Flowers
Encourage your kids to experiment with different combinations of colors in this classic craft.
![Large paper flowers made from coffee filters.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/Parenting0001_021.jpg?itok=UpKlH9Pa)
22. Make Your Own Sidewalk Chalk
Who knew that making chalk was so easy?
![Homemade sidewalk chalk.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/Parenting0001_022.jpg?itok=9rlrzEV1)
23. Monster Puppets
Maybe the monster under your child’s bed is just an old sock waiting to become a star in monster theater!
![Hand puppets made from socks and old gloves.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/Parenting0001_023.jpg?itok=HnB1ll6O)
24. Beachy Creature Feet
Make funky flip-flops to match your favorite beach creature.
![Flip-flops with foam add-ons that look like creature feet.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/Parenting0001_024.jpg?itok=nLseGARc)
25. Green Gobbler
Your kids will learn about joints and hinges by putting together this make-it-yourself green gobbler craft.
![A hinged grabber toy made from cardboard and metal paper fasteners.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/Parenting0001_025.jpg?itok=1FjUDZQx)
26. DIY Building Blocks
These interlocking cards are simple to craft and have lots of construction possibilities!
![Interlocking cards made from cardboard with slots cut in the sides.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/Parenting0001_026.jpg?itok=_IoJ6SdS)
27. Bubbles and Bubble Wands
Make a soapy mix and wands from items you have around the house, then head outside and blow!
![A jar of homemade soap bubbles and homemade wands.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/Parenting0001_027.jpg?itok=HoYxw3g4)
28. Make a Mailbox
Use this mailbox to send your kids reminders and cheerful messages!
![A cardboard mail box.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/Parenting0001_028.jpg?itok=g-T2VI90)
29. Paper Bag Village
Download our free printable pages and tape them to bags to build a tiny town your little ones can call their own!
![Paper bags with printed shop fronts glued to them.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/Parenting0001_029.jpg?itok=fi4-QF2Z)
30. Paint Up a Storm
Here is a fun way for kids to ride out a rainy or gloomy day: let your little artists paint up a storm!
![A child peeling washi tape from a watercolor painting.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/Parenting0001_030.jpg?itok=WO_P62R2)
31. Pool-Noodle Village
What kind of village do the kids want to create? Just use your noodle!
Can't get enough crafts? Find 500+ more activities for your kids to discover, explore, and create in our Highlights Book of Things to Do!
![A preschooler playing with buildings made from pool noodles.](http://parents.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/public/styles/large/public/2022-07/Parenting0001_031.jpg?itok=vi2J7zs3)