21 Easy Craft Ideas for Kids with Paper You’ll Want to Make Too!

When it comes to kid’s paper crafts, it’s likely the first thing that comes to mind is construction paper and glue sticks. The truth is there are a lot of pretty interesting paper crafts out there for kids that are fun, beautiful, and easy to adapt for adults.

This list contains a mix of everything. You’ll find fun kid-themed crafts that you can make together as well as projects that can be made more sophisticated by simply using different colors and materials.

For some of these projects, swapping beautiful textured paper for paper bags or using watercolors and metallic markers instead of crayons creates a totally different look.

One great thing about these projects is you don’t need a lot of materials or supplies. While some are a little more involved, you may be able to complete the rest using things you already have at home.

If you’re looking for a fun, creative way to spend time with your kids, this is the list for you. There’s such a variety here that we’re pretty sure you’ll find something that you and your kids will want to get started making right away.

Paper Plate Flying Dragons

These paper plate flying dragons from Pink Stripey Socks is a fun, simple craft that only requires a few materials. All you need are paper plates, a pencil, scissors, and a stapler to build the dragon.

Once assembled, you can decorate it however you want! You can keep it simple and use markers, crayons, or watercolors to a color or if you want to go all out you can embellish with glitter, feathers, or gems.

Crumpled Watercolor Art

If you’re looking for a great project to do with younger kids, try this great idea from Chelsey on the Buggy and Buddy site. All you need is white construction paper, watercolors, a paintbrush, and scissors.

The great thing about this project is that every single piece looks different. This is a great one to frame and hang as a series in the playroom or even your family room. It’s a simple project that looks really awesome when you’re finished.

Harvest Herb Paper

When it comes to projects that adults will love as much as kids, you can’t go wrong with this paper making project that Ana came up with at Babble Dabble Do. The best thing about this project is that once you know how to make paper, you can modify it and do your own thing.

This project requires more supplies than a lot of the others but paper making is educational and fun. Once you know how to do it, you’ll use most of the materials over and over again so it really is a small upfront investment.

Paper Mushrooms

Follow the link to Easy Peasy and Fun to see Andreja’s adorable paper mushroom paper craft. This is a great project for older kids but can be easily adapted for preschoolers. All you need is red, white, and green construction paper, scissors, glues, and something circular to trace.

The result of this project is an adorable 3D mushroom that makes a really cute decoration. You can deviate from red and white for the mushroom top, too, or even paint white construction paper for one-of-a-kind designs.

Modular Origami Bracelets

This is a great idea from Chrissy over at Paper Kawaii and is reminiscent of the bubble gum wrapper bracelets you may have made as a child. The difference is these are much prettier to look at!

Origami crafts are a great option because they hardly require any supplies. All you need for this project is your favorite origami paper and a pair of scissors and you end up with awesome, wearable art.

Water Gun Painting

Melissa has the details on this water gun painting craft on her site FireFlies and Mudpies, which is honestly one of the most fun projects we found. It’s easy enough for kids of all ages and really creates some amazing looking art.

All you need are squirt guns, water, watercolors, paper, and an easel or somewhere to hang the paper where your kids can take their best shot. Then, let them at it. Everyone’s end product will be different which is part of the fun.

 

Paper Bag Piñata

For a simple craft that packs a lot of punch, check out this paper bag piñata over at The Spruce. It’s a great project for any day but is a cool thing for kids to make at a party as a treat bag filled with goodies to take home.

A great thing about this project is that you can decorate it however you want which makes it a perfect choice for large group crafts.

Transforming Ninja Stars

This one might be a little complicated for smaller hands but, as Erica explains on her fun site What We Do All Day, it’s a great math art project to do with older kids that gives you a fun way to spend some one-on-one time together.

The best part is you only need one thing: origami paper. Choose your favorite colors and patterns to make it extra fun then follow the instructions in the link. The end result is pretty impressive, you’ll probably want to make more than one.

Tape Painting

The best thing about this fun tape painting project from The Whoot is that you can make it as simple or as complicated as you want which makes it a perfect craft for kids of all ages and their parents.

Use painter’s tape to lay out a design on canvas or paper. Then, paint your design over the tape being sure to cover all the edges. Let the paint dry and remove the tape to reveal the final product.

Paper Doll Chain Ballerinas

You’ll find instructions for these gorgeous paper dolls at the Crafty Crow if you follow the link. This is a simple twist on the classic paper doll craft that any little girl who likes to dance is sure to love.

All you need is a large piece of craft paper, pastels, crepe paper, scissors, and the template the Crafty Crow provides. It’s an easy craft that looks gorgeous and there’s even a children’s book reference worked in.

Leaf Lanterns

A great project to do in the fall is to make these leaf lanterns. Click through the link to River Bliss to see the process that Susan used to put together this gorgeous craft. The best part is it uses materials that you gather in nature to make a stunning decoration for your home.

This one is a little more involved and is better for older kids but you can get the little ones involved by having them join in a nature walk to find the perfect leaves to decorate the lantern.

Artsy Paper Bag Stars

Kids of all ages will love this paper bag star project, another great idea from Pink Stripey Socks. The best thing about this project is that you can decorate the bags any way you want which means anyone can do it.

When the stars are assembled, they make great party decorations. You can also hang them up in your kid’s bedroom or playroom all year round or make holiday-themed versions and change it up throughout the year.

 

Paper Bag Book

Not only is this a great craft in and of itself, but this fun idea from Premeditated Leftovers also allows kids to use their creativity to fill the pages of the book however they want. They can write a story, draw pictures, or make a keepsake chronicling a special vacation or what they did over the summer.

You don’t need many supplies for this one. A few paper bags, a hole punch, twine, tape, scissors, and white paper, most of which you may already have at home. Then, give your kids the crayons and markers and let them start telling their story.

Bright Cat Garland

This garland project that Victoria spells out over at A Subtle Revelry is a fun, adorable craft that can also be used to brighten up a child’s bedroom or playroom. Choose colors that best match your style and get started!

You’ll need large colorful cardstock, scissors, string, a black marker, and glue. There’s a template available if you follow the link but you can scale it up or down as needed to make bigger or smaller cats.

Tissue Paper Dinosaur

Jeanette over at Mom Unleashed has this awesome tissue paper dinosaur craft that can easily be modified into different animals, flowers, or abstract designs just by cutting different shapes out of the cardboard before you begin.

Grab some tissue paper, cover the surface of the cardboard with glue, and fill in your design. Your little one can make a brontosaurus with bright green paper while you cover a star shape in white and silver tissue paper. Both make great wall hangings when you’re finished.

Paper Bag Fireplace

This paper bag fireplace is a nice idea for warm, winter days when you want to make a craft that isn’t holiday themed. As Amanda explains on her site (Crafts by Amanda), you can use it as an adorable addition to a dollhouse or fill it with hot cocoa mix and marshmallows for a great cold-weather gift.

All you need are brown paper lunch bags, a red crayon, glue, a ruler, black marker, and construction paper in red, yellow, and orange. You can also easily make this a Christmas themed craft, too, by adding a mantle with construction paper stockings.

Paper Towel Tube Rockets

These paper towel tube rockets from Sweet Paul are a great example of a craft that’s meant for kids but can be changed slightly to be a great adult craft. You can all follow the same instructions but the difference really lies in the materials you choose.

While the little ones create colorful rockets for imaginary space adventures, you can make monochrome versions out of silver or white. Make them in a variety of sizes and create a cool art deco inspired arrangement on your mantle.

Button Cards

Leave it to Martha Stewart to come up with a craft that’s kid-friendly and absolutely beautiful. All you need is some cardstock, buttons, glue, and a little imagination and you and your kids can create greeting card keepsakes that family members will love receiving.

Make snowmen or wreathes for the winter holidays, daisies for spring, and acorns or pumpkins for fall. This is a perfect gift for grandparents, aunts, and uncles for any special occasion or just to say hello.

Giant Paper Airplanes

Click through to see this amazing giant paper airplane project over at Fireflies and Mudpies. Not only is this a great project to do with older kids, but it also gets everyone outside together to see the planes in action when you’re done.

You only need a few things: a large piece of posterboard, clear packing tape, and decorations. Try stickers, paint, glitter, or markers. Once dry, take them outside and see whose creation can go the farthest.

Fine Lines Art

Another really simple project that makes a big visual impact, this one requires a large sheet of paper and some brightly colored markers. This project from Parents.com is better suited for older kids but can be easily modified for little ones with a little help from you.

You can easily give this project a more adult look by using metallic markers to make the lines or embellishing with a fine point marker to make small detailed flowers or shapes.

Newspaper Sun Hats

Over at the Honorable Mention Preschool Blog, we found this fun method for making newspaper sun hats. A bonus is that you use a ton of leftover newspapers so this is a great recycling project, too.

Make wide-brimmed hats with flowers or make some easy alterations and turn them into fire hats so there’s something for everyone. You can use flowers you collect from outside, get faux flowers from the craft store, or create your own using crepe paper.

Be Creative Together

We have given you a lot to think about with this list! There are so many great projects out there that you and your kids can do together that everyone will enjoy. Most importantly, it gives you a chance to do something creative together.

Check out all of the ideas on our list and pick the ones that work best for you and your little ones. With a little bit of paper and glue and a lot of imagination, you never know what you’ll end up with.