These 29 beginner craft projects for young kids are perfect for the non crafty. This list includes easy activities to do with toddlers or young kids.

I am not crafty.

I have had a sewing machine for about five years and have yet to use it for anything more than a few items on a quiet book.

My best attempt at painting took place at a Cheers Pablo with an instructor right there to tell me what to do step by step.

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I am much more into checklists, calendars, and outdoor time, but when you have a three year old who seriously enjoys coloring and crafting, you have to step up your game.

Thank goodness Zoey does not judge me on my artistic skills. Our craft time really just turns into making a mess time while we chat. I am not sure which she enjoys doing more.

This list of 29 beginner craft projects for young kids are all ones I have done with Zoey that were successful. We have definitely done a few more than this, but these are the activities that she actually enjoyed for more than five minutes.

William is not quite into the crafting thing yet, but he will sit there and figure out how to put the top back on the markers for a little while before wandering off to play with something else.

As you delve into the world of crafting with your kids, please know that a piece of paper and various crayons, markers, and stickers can work just fine. Crafting with paint used to make me really exhausted until I started to just embrace the mess and not make it a big deal in my head if some paint got on clothes or took an extra towel wipe to get off the table. 

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Before diving into these craft activities, and any young child related activity, if you have not invested in a laminator yet, I highly recommend it. We bought this one two years ago to set up a preschool board for Zoey and have never looked back. It comes in handy all the time both for work and activities with the kids.

A few essential items that you will use over and over again for these 29 beginner crafts for young kids are:

• This Laminator
• Laminator Sheets
• Popsicle Sticks
• Construction Paper – I realize this is expensive, but it will last you a really long time.
• Big Roll of Paper
• Child Friendly Scissors
• Toilet Paper Rolls – start collecting them now!
• Sequins 
• Glue Sticks
• Confetti 
• Stickers. All the stickers.
• Markers 
• Washable Paint 
• Crayons
• Sponges
• Dry Erase Boards
• Dry Erase Markers
• Chalk
• Canvases
• Coloring Book – We like this one and this one.
• Contact Paper
• Googly Eyes
• Ink Stamps
• Painter’s Tape

Craft

Picture Frame. Whether you buy one or make your own with popsicle sticks, decorate your picture frame however you please. Then, let your child choose which picture they want inside.

Construction Paper with Stickers. Keep it simple! Throw in some markers and crayons as well. I highly recommend you invest in a giant book of stickers. It will last you such a long time, cut down on waste, and you can use it for a huge variety of activities.

Big Roll of Paper Coloring. If you do not have a giant roll of paper, invest in one. Lay it out and spread out markers or crayons.

Wow Water Book. One of our favorites as both an on the go and at home activity. We like the added search and find component to bring in some conversation. The pages dry pretty quickly too!

Unicorn Sticker Book. Zoey got this one for Christmas and has been enjoying putting unicorn stickers on all the pages (and on us) then telling a story about them.

Sticker Line. So simple and so engaging! Draw a line straight, zig zag, curly (your choice) and have your child follow it with stickers.

Q Tip Dot Painting. Draw some dots on a paper in shapes or lines. Have your child dip a Q tip into paint and paint the dots.

Sponge Painting. Instead of paint brushes, use sponges to paint. You could cut the paper into shapes to make it more interesting. Think geometric and go with triangles, squares, and circles.

Canvas Tape Painting. Grab a few inexpensive canvases, put some tape lines across, and let your child paint all over it. Pull off the paint once it dries for a creative piece of work.

Coloring Book. Our three year old has been known to spend at least an hour completely entertained with a standard coloring book. Big, simple animals are always a win. As are princesses.

Cutting Lines. This activity helps with cutting skills. Draw some lines on a piece of paper either straight, curved, or zigzagged and have your child cut along that line.

Mosaics. This super simple activity kept Zoey entertained for a very long time and was her number one requested craft for a while. Simply cut, or rip up, pieces of construction paper and then glue them onto another piece of paper.

Cut Magazine Pages. When Zoey first started learning to use scissors she just adored cutting up magazines with wild abandon.

Sun Catcher. Cut out a shape with an open middle. Lay it on a laminator sheet and fill it with confetti, crepe paper, or sequins. Run it through the laminator, cut it out, and tape it to the window.

Chalk Trace. Have your child lay on the ground and trace them with chalk. Then, color them in with clothes, hair, and an object in their hand. You can do this on a large sheet of paper with markers as well.

Dry Erase Boards. Rob cut a paper sized dry erase board in half and Zoey adores using it for preschool as a student or as the teacher. 

Placemats. Have your child fill one side of a laminator sheet with stickers, sequins, confetti, and then run it through the laminator. Use it as a placemat for the next meal or snack!

Sticky Board. Grab some contact paper, tape it to the floor or window, and put out some cut construction paper, feathers, googly eyes, and sequins to stick to it.

Ink Stamps. I prefer ink stamps, but you can always make your own. Stamp all the things! Paper, letters, paper towels. The options are endless.

Bag Painting. Put a piece of paper and some drops of paint inside a plastic bag. Seal it and tape it shut. Then, let your little one go to town squishing the paint all around. It is both sensory and creative.

Design Cups. Have some paper or plastic cups laying around? Grab some stickers and let your child decorate a few. Use them at your next meal.

Finger Paint. Always a win whether it is free form or structured fingerprints to make leaves on a tree.

Toilet Paper Roll Fireworks. Cut one end of a toilet paper roll, fan it out, dip in paint, and use it like a stamp.

Paper Mache. This is super messy, but a ton of fun. You could paper mache balloons into bowls or balls, or cover a strainer with paper mache to make a bowl. A second craft comes after it dries and you paint it!

Trace Objects. Pick random objects like dolls, toy cars, cups, and trace them. Then, color them in.

Paint Letters. Get some wooden letters and have your child paint them! Zoey loved this activity and I am excited to try it with her now that she can actually recognize her letters. You can then use the letters for other preschool activities.

Cutting “Hair.” Cut strips of paper partway down for your child to trim. Draw lines on the “hair” for your child to follow to add to their scissor skills. You can also cut toilet paper rolls in the same way you did for the fireworks craft.

Butterflies. Cut foam board, felt, or paper into a butterfly shape. Glue a popsicle stick to the middle for the body. Have your child color the wings and glue on sequins, feathers, and googly eyes.

Paint. Standard paint brushes, paints, and paper. It might surprise you how long they can be entertained doing this!

With all these 29 beginner craft projects for young kids, it is easier to fake being a crafty mom. The most important thing when it comes to doing crafts with your child is to keep it fun, let your child be as creative as they want, and enjoy a little conversation with them as they paint, color, glue, and draw.

Looking for more ideas to do with your toddler or young child? Check these out:

• 10 Easy No Screen Activities to Keep Kids Busy For An Hour
• 16 Activities To Do With Toddlers During A Staycation
• Easy Activities To Keep You Busy All Summer
• 8 Activities To Keep Your Toddler Busy When You Are Sick

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