43 Fun and Easy Craft Ideas for Little Kids

No one loves doing crafts more than little kids. My grandkids call it "doing projects," and I haven't found a project they weren't thrilled to try. I'm always looking for new DIY ideas and spend a lot of time searching for the best kid-friendly crafts. Here is a list of over forty projects you can use for inspiration—I hope you try them out!

Use Mod Podge or slightly-thinned white glue to make comic balls! Although the finished surface is perfectly smooth in this project, the less-than-perfect ones that kids are likely to make are sure to have a beauty of their own. Favecrafts shares the instructions to make these little keepsakes.

I love this tulip idea. The little ones will discover that a plastic-fork-turned-paintbrush can be a great deal of fun. Visit Kids Play Box for the tutorial.

It's fun making things out of felt, and this pencil-topper project will keep the kids busy for a long time. Education shares the tutorial for you to try this playful craft.

Ask the kids to pronounce this huge word, or just tell them it's a T. rex. Either way, they'll find it easy to understand the directions laid out by Easy Preschool Craft.

I think these cute pencil holders are something kids will love making. Follow Somewhat Simple's instructions to make these silly containers. You could even have the kids paint the cans first for a personalized twist.

Luntiks has the directions to put this crumpled paper chick together. It's "cheep" to put together and a whole lot of fun!

This DIY is super easy and ideal for engaging little kids. You'll need to use disposable plastic trays to make the fish.

I think that besides making a craft, kids truly enjoy seeing their craft displayed. Making Merry Memories shares the steps for this delightful suncatcher that kids will love hanging on the window!

Captain Crafty shares a mask template along with fun ideas to decorate them. Kids enjoy making, wearing, and playing with these masks, so this project would be a great activity for a group of kids.

This lacing project teaches kids how to do basic stitches. Enjoy doing this with the kids and let them color in the birds for an extra dose of creativity!

Moms will love this framed picture of their sweet children. Learn how to make it at Busy Bee Kids Crafts.

I love the idea of using shoe boxes for this craft. I'm sure the kids will concoct fantastic stories when their paper doll play yard is complete!

Easy Preschool Craft provides a simple guide you can follow to make this inexpensive tree with your little ones.

Little kids love interacting with projects that possess moving parts. The tutorial provides step-by-step directions to make this engaging fish.

Just think, you and the kids have the entire winter season to make penguins! See how to make this cute little penguin at Kolcraft.

For St. Patrick's Day, make coins like the ones shown in the picture for a festive touch. For spring, make paper raindrops and hang them from the clouds. Learn how to make this with 4 Crazy Kings.

This is a Japanese koinobori (flying carp) project. The Japanese celebrate a boy's day by flying carp windsocks, as each fish represents a son in the household. Girls get a day of their own in March. Make these fish at Squirrelly Minds.

The kids will flex their creative muscles as they make these personalized pencils that are great to use or to give as gifts. Find the instructions at DIY Candy.

Imagine putting this bookworm together and writing "I Love Books" or "Bookworms Are Smart" on the back! Find out how to make this little worm at All Kids Network.

The little ones will be able to practice fishing with this magnetic rod. Positively Splendid shares the instructions you can follow to make this exciting game.

Purchase clay or make your own salt clay dough to make this fish frame dreamed up by Krokotac. This lovely project can help encourage kids to use their imagination and make a one-of-a-kind gift.

I think this is a great project for even the littlest kids. They love to draw pictures and talk about themselves, and this is an excellent tool to get the conversation started as you do the craft. Find the instructions for this project at Learn Create Love.

Any project that uses bright colors is a great idea you can keep in your craft arsenal. Kids will love making dragonflies using Craft 'n Home's instructions.

If your kids are too young to do this tree-weaving project to the fullest extent, adjust the concept and simplify it for them. Using a variety of yarn colors will make any weaving beautiful.

This kid's craft is simple and a classic one in my book. You'll find the instructions and pictures of this craft at Preschool Crafts for Kids.

I think this project is a great one to reference because the snowman template can be used for other projects. Find the list of supplies and steps you need at Craft 'n' Home.

See the steps for this cute spring or Easter project over at Housing A Forest. They also include ways to embellish your little chicks.

You can use almost any kind of cardboard box to make this aquarium, and kids will have a blast playing with it after they're done. MollyMoo shares the instructions to put this clever project together.

Use a large cereal box to make this outstanding Mad Hatter's hat. You can find the instructions at Dizzily Dreaming.

This little giraffe is just too cute for words! Wouldn't you love to display it on your refrigerator? Learn how to create one at Busy Bee Kids Crafts.

These adorable Christmas characters are made using paper plates. Make a few different people or animals using this method and put them around the house for a holiday-ready home!

Not only is this project sweet, it is also a lesson about shapes!

Pony beads and pipe cleaners are inexpensive supplies, so it'd be a fun idea to let the kids make enough beaded-wreath ornaments to fill a Christmas tree.

This is an easy game that little kids will love to make and try! Favecrafts has the steps for you to make this tic-tac-toe game.

Make bugs with plastic spoons and pipe cleaners! This DIY will keep the little ones busy for a long time, and you can find the steps at Paging Fun Mums.

Kids will be able to use their motor skills with this owl project because it involves cutting, gluing, and using brads. Another exciting element is that the brads make the owl's wings movable!

How many times have you wished for an easy and inexpensive way to package a gift? See the tutorial at It's Always Autumn and gather the kids to make these packages in mass!

Whenever making ornaments, plan on the kids making more than just one type nor design. Crafts-For-All-Seasons tells you how to put these ornaments together.

This craft will keep little ones occupied for a while, which is perfect on a rainy day when they have to stay indoors. Use finger paints, magazine pages, scissors, and glue sticks. While waiting for paint to dry, the kids will have plenty of time to cut out shapes and paper strips for their artwork. Go to Cassie Stephens to see her method for this project, and then make any necessary adjustments for your kids.

All kinds of fun activities are involved in this project. Painting and glue dots? Hooray! Ecoscrapbook has the steps for these bunnies made of toilet-paper rolls.

These snowmen are darling and simple to make. I'm sure you and the kids will love making them! Preschool Crafts for Kids shares the instructions for you to use. Enjoy!