Kids Crafts

National Geographic's Planet Possible Family Challenge consists of DIY projects, prompts and activities, and kid-friendly tips on how to protect the planet.

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Every year, there’s a toy (or two) that enters the “impossible to find” holiday shopping hall of fame. You know them: Tickle Me Elmo, Furby, Hatchimals. In a few short weeks, you’ll know what toys have emerged as the hottest of 2017 because, well, you won’t be able to find them anywhere. But that all seems a bit backwards, if you ask me.

One of the greatest intersections of design happens when function and taste meet. Even more so is finding the sweet spot between functional kid-friendly toys and tasteful decor. In an age full of plastic, heavily-branded games, and now fidget spinners and glitter slime, it’s hard to imagine a world where toys and games can double as home decor. Unless, that is, you purchase an expensive artisanal alternative, or make your own.

Are you in the mood for a fresh baked pizza pie? If the answer is yes, then this DIY craft project is up your alley. Grab some felt and prep the ingredients for this dish you can have every night of the week. A “crust”, some “tomato sauce”, “pepperoni”, “shredded cheese” and “peppers” is all you need for this project; no trip to the grocery store required. For kids, every day will become a pizza party after you finish this project.

I think the planet Earth reached consensus and all humans think sloths are the cutest, sweetest, and most chill creatures on the face of the planet. Agreed? Celebrate your inner sloth this summer with one of these fun projects! Shown above: Nearly Crafty broke out the Shrinky Dinks to make this plastic sloth to wrap around a metal chain and wear as a necklace. You’ve heard of sock monkeys but have you seen the sock sloth?

Maybe you have small children in the house hell-bent on destroying everything in sight. Maybe you have a dog that’s brave against the mailman, but freakishly scared of loud noises. Or maybe, just maybe, you find yourself (literally) burned out from the last Independence Day party and still waiting for your eyebrows to grow back in.

The art of paper folding has been around since the 1700s, is a simple process involving a piece of paper and patience (no batteries required!) and is an enjoyable way to pass the time when you just need to step away from technology for a while. While learning this process won’t actually grant you the title of Boatbuilder, it’s a great party trick to have in your back pocket-especially at pool parties! 1. Start by laying an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper horizontally on a flat surface. 2.

Along with being allowed to write in pen, chew bubblegum, and walk home from school alone, being able to construct your very own airplane is a sort of rite of passage when you’re a kid. If it’s been a while since you’ve made one, brush up on your skills and share it with your favorite niece, nephew, or young friend. The basic dart is one of the simplest airplanes to make.

Sometimes it’s just more fun to let a little piece of paper make a decision for us, be it paint color, vacation spot, or dinner delivery. You might remember these paper fortune tellers (also known as cootie catchers, chatterboxes, salt cellars, or whirlybirds) from your grade school days, made to pass time and bring a laugh or three. They’re great to play around with for nostalgia sake, or when you just can’t make that really “difficult” decision on your own.

You never know when you’re going to need a slime recipe- and this one’s a good one- so pin it, bookmark it, copy it, do whatever you have to do to get it in your craft armory. The oozy green gunk will bounce, blow bubbles, drip, and splat with the perfect combination of gross and awesome. The most important part: it uses three simple ingredients and will be ready for play in mere minutes.

Maybe you’ve wondered, as you flipped through tours of impossibly uncluttered, impossibly small spaces on sites like ours: where is all the stuff? Do these people really not own anything? And if not, where does it all go? Of course, there are all kinds of different answers: extreme minimalism. Clever storage solutions. A little bit of cheating (aka mini storage).

I’m not Irish, but I grew up blocks from Chicago’s massive South Side Irish Parade and I’m currently living with two descendants of the Emerald Isle— I’ve baked a lot of Irish soda bread is what I’m saying. Here are 20 piñatas, planters, and projects for the luckiest possible St. Patrick’s Day. FIRST ROW: St. Patrick’s Day Wreath by Oh Happy Day Leprechaun Hat Mini Piñata by Jacks & Kate St.

What do you do with those treat vehicles, post-Easter? Transform the ubiquitous plastic eggs into geodes, jockeys, minions, monsters and so many other adorable creations and awesome critters. Here’s hoping the bunny brings me plenty! FIRST ROW: 1. Mini Bullet Planters by Apartment Therapy 2. Crystal Egg Geodes by Martha Stewart 3. Easter Egg Birdseed Ornaments by Redeem Your Ground 4. Easter Egg Maracas by Kiwi Crate 5. Skull Treat Boxes by Martha Stewart SECOND ROW: 6.

Decorating Easter eggs is one of those holiday activities that the kid in all of us loves (second only to dressing up on Halloween). With our master list of DIY decorating ideas for all skill levels, you can indulge your inner kid and still end up with some seriously grown up results. 1. Fruity French Easter Eggs, from The Alison Show. 2. Calligraphy Eggs, from Oh Happy Day. 3. Metal Leaf and Washi Tape Eggs, from Miss Renaissance. 4. Neon Dip Dyed Eggs, from Oh Joy. 5.

I don’t know about you, but Halloween kind of snuck up on me this year. We’ve done some of the requisite Fall activities — apple picking, Fall festivals, and corn mazes, but we haven’t gotten really in the Halloween spirit around our house. But don’t worry, there’s still time! Here are fifteen of my favorite late-minute Halloween crafts, activities, and printables from around the web: 1. Easy Honeycomb Ball Halloween Decorations: A Lovely Lark 2.

Here’s everything, and we mean EVERYTHING you need to get inspired for Halloween. It’s a collection of some of our greatest holiday ideas and finds for decorations, costumes, parties and crafts — all in one place. Check it out and make this October 31st your best one yet!

This Halloween, skip the party supply store. Instead, make decorations using things you already have hanging around the house. They’re cheaper, and are a great activity to do with family and friends around the holiday. Here are 30 favorites: Cut out the sides and turn a carton into a lantern, as you can see over on Parties for Pennies. Little Lovely made a little haunted village by wrapping some in recycled paper and adding windows and doors.

Maybe you’ve started to think about Halloween. Maybe your kids are begging you to make some elaborate costume for them and you can’t image how you could possibly have time. But it doesn’t have to be incredibly complicated. Maker John Gleeson Connoly has been making cardboard costumes for his kids for years, and he shares some of his strategies in the video below. Plus, find ideas for lots of other fun crafts to make with your kids.

Save money, save the Earth and entertain your kids simultaneously — sounds like winners all around to me! If there’s one thing I hear frequently from my four-year-old it’s that she doesn’t have anything to do, despite our toy cupboard, bookshelves, and craft basket all seem to be brimming with possibilities. But if I give her some recycling, scissors, and tape, she can entertain herself for an eternity.

Everyone loves a long weekend. That extra day gives you plenty of time to enjoy the sunshine, spend time with family — and maybe start a project or two. We’ve rounded up some projects from our video archives that would be lots of fun to create with kids, with friends, or just on your own. And the best thing is, these are all quick projects, so you’ll definitely be able to finish them before Monday night.

It’s time for strawberries, in more ways than one. If you have a party to plan for August, or just want an easy and leisurely activity this summer, take a look at these ten great ideas and projects. Each one is cuter and sweeter than the last. FIRST ROW: 1. A festive accordian party decoration from The House That Lars Built. 2. Purl Bee gives a pattern for sewing these oversized strawberry pillows. 3. More adorable pom poms from Mr. Printables. 4.

Have you ever been to Build a Bear Workshop? Have you SEEN the accessories each bear can sport? From bedding and boots to sashes and socks, there are a ton of options to choose from. But if you don’t want to drop a small fortune on accessorizing your child’s toy, you can easily make some fun pieces at home. Check out a few tutorials we’ve rounded up. 1. Sleeping Bags, at Flossie Teacakes.

It’s that time of year. The world is in bloom, and flowers are everywhere: in window boxes, in your garden, growing wild by the side of the road. You could grab some of those beauties and pop them in a vase to enjoy them in your home — or you could take it a step further with one of these simple summer crafts using flowers. These would be fun weekend crafts to make with your kids, or with a few friends if you haven’t got any kids.

Flowers are beginning to populate the landscape. Afternoons stretch just that much longer. Let your summer paintbrushes be as extravagant as the horizon! In today’s video, Ben Gould shows us how. Flowers begin to populate the landscape. Afternoons stretch just that much longer. Let your summer paintbrushes be as extravagant as the horizon! In today’s video, Ben Gould shows us how. Summer is the time to experiment and develop your own sense of design.

If you like to decorate your Easter eggs close to the holiday like we do, then you probably haven’t gotten around to it yet. And while the PAAS kits are ubiquitous and remind me of my childhood, there are lots of great ideas out there for unique egg designs. Check these out to see if you want to attempt a new style with your kids this year. 1. Spray Watercolor Eggs at For the Love of…. 2. LEGO Eggs at It’s Always Autumn. 3. Temporary Tattoo Eggs at Uncommon Designs. 4.

My birds are back! Last year, I got all up in nature’s business and bought a bunch of bird feeders. I have a Nyjer feeder for my goldfinch flock, several standard mixed feeders and, of course, a hummingbird feeder. It’s incredibly relaxing to sit in the yard and watch the birds go about their daily routines. If you’re interested in bringing the kids in on the action, here are 10 great DIY bird feeders that kids can help make.

These simple and sweet Easter baskets, made from sugar and string, are a great DIY project for the upcoming holiday. Reader Krys shows you how her grandmother used to make them when she was growing up. Read on to learn to make them yourself: 3 cups sugar Acrylic spray Lace or ribbon (optional) 1 spool crochet thread (350 yards) 3-9 inch balloon Approx.

I recently came across these cheery fruit templates from Mr Printables. Designed for children’s play kitchens and grocery stands, they would also make colorful decorations in a kid’s rooms (think mobiles and garland). I also imagine these sweet fruits as fun centerpieces for outdoor summer parties. Templates include: apple, pear, banana, pineapple, kiwi, lemon, watermelon, strawberry, raspberry and blueberry. You can find them here.

Spring has (finally) sprung! I don’t know about you, but I felt like that polar vortex was going to go on forever. But all things must come to an end, and we just enjoyed our first weekend full of sunshine. All of that Vitamin D has made me realize that I need to get cracking if I’m going to have the Easter baskets and spring projects completed before summer rolls around.

Want to make an arts and crafts station for your kids, but don’t know where to start? How about an empty box, and our handy Ultimate Arts and Crafts Checklist? Here are forty of the most common, popular items used in kids’ craft projects, almost half of which you probably have lying around the house already.

Allow me to confess: even if I know I should be doing something, I have a hard time actually doing it unless I get myself jazzed about doing it. So while I should shred most of my mail to protect my privacy, I won’t actually do it… unless I think about how much I want to make, say, a DIY shredded paper bowl! Here are some of our favorite projects made from shredded paper. TOP ROW: 1. Build a Bowl: paper mache bowl by Splish Splash Splatter 2.

Bubble wrap really is uncannily fascinating, isn’t it? I don’t know that I’ve ever met anyone who doesn’t like popping all those little bubbles. Now Vicky at Mess for Less has come up with a brilliant activity for kids that involves painting, stomping, and bubble wrap. It’s a kidtastic trifecta. The concept is simple: attach some bubble wrap to your child’s feet, dip them in paint, and let them stomp all over some big paper.

Winter is the perfect time for crafting, but it is not the perfect time to go traipsing from store to store searching for craft supplies, your brain too frozen to remember what you were looking for in the first place. So stay home, order the essentials, and get cozy and crafty… Here are some of our favorite online resources for craft supplies. 1. Save-On-Crafts: I’m warning you — it’s addictive.

I’m an accessory junkie, it’s true. I like to make, buy and hunt for new accessories and it’s very hard for me to part with old ones. This simple DIY project is a great way to organize some of your trinkets, and also a great use for all those old doilies floating around in the universe. Whether they’re from your local thrift shop or passed down from your family, this project is a great way to give doilies a new fresh life.

Everyone needs to stock up on food for the holidays. If you want to get your kids in on the act, you might want to DIY yourself some amazing play food. And while we’ve seen lots of felt food tutorials out there, there are many other super creative ideas using other supplies. Read on for a collection of homemade play food that doesn’t require felt! 1. Use small wooden shapes to create these cute mini donuts (Ikat bag). 2.

Simple, pretty, and inexpensive to make — what’s not to like about the paper snowflakes of our youth? Whether you decide to use old packaging paper, cupcake liners, doilies, or even junk mail, check out these 10 crafty ideas to get you started on your holiday decorating. 1. Doily Snowflake Garland, DIY from Design Sponge: cut snowflakes from paper doilies, and string them together with clear fishing line to make winter wonderland garland. 2.

In today’s video, Maxwell brings us a bright idea (thought up by the lovely Giverny Petitmermet) on how to make a lamp that is almost as magical as a real jar of fireflies. In today’s video, Maxwell brings us a bright idea (thought up by the lovely Giverny Petitmermet) on how to make a lamp that is almost as magical as a real jar of fireflies. • The Star: Giverny Petitmermet grew up in San Diego, California.

It’s a story as old as Halloween itself. The day after trick or treating, the candy’s flying and the wrappers are everywhere. Gather them up and you have the base materials for countless DIY projects. These could easily veer into Tackytown, but with a restrained hand, you can make fun and creative things, especially for the kiddos and for decorations. Here are ten favorites. TOP ROW: 1.

Now that I’ve taken the year off of work to stay home with my girls, I’ve been on the hunt for fun activities to entertain my preschooler while I’m otherwise occupied with my baby. I usually try to involve her in whatever I’m doing – she loves to help with the dishes, vacuum, and assist with diaper changes, and we seriously have the best tea parties, but when I’m nursing a distractible five-month-old I need to bring out the big guns – arts and crafts.

I have to admit that I still have a weakness for dolls. When I was a kid I had countless Barbies and Japanese fashion dolls with bright hair and jointed limbs, but there was never any really good doll furniture. My dolls’ dream house was hot pink and plastic and, while it was certainly fun, it lacked a certain elegance. Enter Lene Dragon’s modern doll furniture.

Storytelling is a part of the learning process. Kids can express emotions through storytelling, they learn new vocabulary, and learn to listen as well. Story Stones are an interesting tool for boosting their creativity. Story Stones can be used by parents, educators, or other adults to guide a story along. Kids ask questions, contribute to the story, make up different stories with the same characters – all the while increasing their thinking capacities.

As much as we’d all love to sew an heirloom quilt for our kid, sometimes it’s the quickest projects that are the most satisfying – because they actually get done. My niece has entered the crafty phase of her young life, and tissue butterflies, art projects, and drawings are starting to pour in. I needed a quick and easy way to temporarily display her creations. Enter shrink plastic and mini clothespins.

Do you have a fairy garden in your yard? If you haven’t considered it before, you might be swayed by looking at these inspirational gardens we’ve found around the interwebs. Which one is your favorite? 1. The Magic Onions:  2. The Mini Garden Guru: 3. Organized Clutter: 4. Flowers and Weeds: 5. Hedges and Hares:6. Play Create Explore: We love the aquarium rocks as a pool and the stick teepee.7.

Earlier this week we showed you fifteen of my favorite washi tape project ideas for kids. I came across so many great ideas during my search that I decided to write a second post! Here are fifteen more washi tape project ideas for your little ones:Row One:1. Washi Tape Wall: Ann Kelle2. Cross-Stitch Mural with Washi Tape: Becoming Gezellig3. Masking Tape Gems: Objects & Use4. Washi Tape Letter: S.A.S. Interiors5.

If you’re looking for an easy, inexpensive way to add a little color and whimsy to your little one’s room, look no further. Washi tape is exploding in popularity, and with it a whole host of DIY ideas for kids’ decor. From wall murals and decorations to hopscotches and race tracks, the ideas are limitless. Here are a few of my favorites: Row One: 1. Washi Tape Tree: BoligLiv 2. Washi Tape Wall Art: Ninainvorm via Apartment Therapy 3. Washi Tape Bookshelf Art: Poppinette 4.

For Christmas one year, the very stylish Suki gave her daughter a renovated vintage dollhouse. First off, the dollhouse itself is amazing, with what looks like real plaster walls and a brick chimney. Suki tore out some of the old materials, repainted, wallpapered and re-filled the house with tiny furniture and fixtures.The after is so charming, colorful and full of fun details. I would move in tomorrow if I could.  So amazing Suki!

I don’t know about you, but my daughter and I start to go a little stir crazy at this time of year. We try to get out as much as possible, but sometimes with these short, cold days we can’t be out for long. I’ve been keeping my eye out for inexpensive do-it-yourself ways to have a little fun indoors. Here are some fun and budget-friendly cardboard creations that are sure to keep your little ones entertained during those final weeks of Winter: Row One: 1.

Cynics like to say that Valentine’s Day is just another commercial holiday to get everyone to go out and spend more money. I like to think of it as a day to celebrate loving one another, and there are plenty of ways to make the day both festive and budget-friendly. Here are twenty of my favorite do-it-yourself projects that will make Valentine’s Day special for the whole family without breaking the bank:Row One:1. Giant Geometric Wall Heart: Oleander and Palm2.

The internet is full of fascinating things. While doing a little research for my roundup of modern nativity scenes, I came across this nativity scene made of LEGO and just had to share it with you.Leo, a member of the science faculty at the University of Amsterdam, created these figures back in 2000.

Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday, but I usually channel all my energy into making a costume versus decorating my home. That might change this year, because some of these crafty projects are just too good to ignore. (I mean, come on, look at that little pumpkin with fangs!) Whether you’re having a party, or just entertaining yourself at home, these are a fun and festive way to enjoy the holiday. FIRST ROW: 1. Halloween Hang Ups from Martha Stewart 2.

Over 150 patterns and tutorials to make your own, adorable felt food.