Crafting with Kids: Fun DIY Projects That Moms and Kids Can Do Together

Crafting is not only a creative outlet but also a fantastic way to bond with your kids. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or just looking for fun, simple projects to do together, crafting can be a great way to spend quality time as a family. Plus, it encourages kids to use their imagination, develop fine motor skills, and gain a sense of accomplishment.

In this post, we’ll explore some fun and easy DIY projects that moms and kids can enjoy together—perfect for lazy afternoons, weekends, or rainy days. Best of all, these projects use materials you probably already have at home!

1. DIY Paper Plate Animals

One of the easiest and most fun projects for little ones is making paper plate animals. The simplicity of using paper plates as the base makes this craft ideal for kids of all ages. With a few basic materials, you can create a zoo full of animals right at your kitchen table.

Materials Needed:

• Paper plates
• Construction paper
• Glue
• Scissors
• Markers, crayons, or paint
• Googly eyes (optional)

How to Make It:

1. Start by deciding which animal you want to make. Lions, bears, or even fish are great choices.
2. Use the paper plate as the face or body of the animal.
3. Cut out shapes from construction paper to make ears, noses, fins, or other animal features, and glue them onto the plate.
4. Let your kids decorate their animals with markers, crayons, or paint. Add googly eyes for an extra touch of fun!

Tip: Encourage your kids to create their favorite animals or invent new ones by mixing up the colors and shapes. This project is great for letting their creativity run wild!

2. Handprint Art

Handprint art is a classic craft that never goes out of style, especially when you’re crafting with little ones. Kids love the sensory experience of dipping their hands in paint, and you’ll have a keepsake to cherish forever. You can turn those little handprints into fun designs like flowers, animals, or even holiday-themed art.

Materials Needed:

• Washable paint
• Paper or canvas
• Paintbrushes (optional)
• Markers

How to Make It:

1. Pour some washable paint onto a paper plate or tray. You can use multiple colors if you want to get fancy.
2. Help your child dip their hands into the paint, making sure to cover their palms evenly.
3. Press their hand firmly onto the paper or canvas to make a handprint.
4. Once the handprint dries, use markers or more paint to add details. For example, turn a handprint into a tree by painting a trunk under the fingers or create animals like turkeys or reindeer for seasonal crafts.

Tip: For a long-lasting keepsake, use a canvas or frame the artwork once it’s dry. This is especially cute for grandparents or family gifts!

3. No-Sew Sock Puppets

Transforming old socks into playful puppets is an easy, no-sew project that your kids will love. These sock puppets are perfect for pretend play after the crafting is done, giving the project an extra layer of fun.

Materials Needed:

• Old socks (clean!)
• Glue (fabric glue or hot glue, with adult supervision)
• Buttons, felt, yarn, or googly eyes
• Scissors
• Markers

How to Make It:

1. Start by picking out a sock—long or short ones work well.
2. Help your child glue on googly eyes or buttons for the puppet’s eyes. Yarn can be used for hair, and felt pieces can be cut to make ears, a nose, or a mouth.
3. Once everything is glued on and dry, your puppet is ready to go! You can make different characters by changing up the colors and accessories.

Tip: Create a set of sock puppets and put on a puppet show together! This will keep the kids entertained long after the craft is done.

4. DIY Painted Rocks

Painted rocks are a simple but creative way to spend an afternoon outdoors with your kids. Whether you’re decorating your garden or hiding them around the neighborhood for others to find, this project is all about creativity and fun.

Materials Needed:

• Smooth rocks (from your yard or a local park)
• Acrylic paint or paint pens
• Paintbrushes
• Sealant spray (optional)

How to Make It:

1. Start by collecting some smooth, flat rocks. Wash them off and let them dry.
2. Use acrylic paints or paint pens to decorate the rocks. Your kids can paint flowers, animals, or create fun patterns—whatever their hearts desire!
3. Let the rocks dry completely. If you plan to leave the rocks outside, you can spray them with a sealant to protect the paint from the weather.

Tip: Create themed rock sets, like colorful bugs, inspirational messages, or cartoon characters. You can even turn this into a community activity by hiding the rocks in your local park for others to find.

5. Homemade Slime

Slime-making is one of those kid-friendly crafts that never seems to go out of style. It’s messy, squishy, and fun! This is a great project for older kids, but younger ones can also get involved with supervision.

Materials Needed:

• 1/2 cup of school glue (clear or white)
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tablespoon contact lens solution
• Food coloring or glitter (optional)

How to Make It:

1. In a bowl, mix the glue and water until combined.
2. Stir in the baking soda.
3. Slowly add the contact lens solution while stirring continuously. The slime will begin to form.
4. Once it starts to stick together, use your hands to knead the slime until it’s smooth and stretchy.
5. Add food coloring or glitter if you want to give your slime a fun look!

Tip: Store the slime in an airtight container, and it’ll last for a few days of gooey fun.

6. Tissue Paper Flowers

Tissue paper flowers are a beautiful craft that’s surprisingly easy to make. You can use them to decorate the house, or make a bouquet to give as a gift. This is a great craft for older kids who can handle some folding and cutting, but younger ones can help fluff out the flowers too.

Materials Needed:

• Colorful tissue paper
• Scissors
• Pipe cleaners or floral wire

How to Make It:

1. Stack 6–8 sheets of tissue paper on top of each other.
2. Fold the tissue paper accordion-style, about an inch wide per fold.
3. Once fully folded, twist a pipe cleaner or piece of floral wire around the center of the folded tissue paper to secure it.
4. Use scissors to trim the edges of the tissue paper into a rounded or pointed shape, depending on the look you want.
5. Carefully fan out the tissue paper layers, pulling them apart to create the flower petals.
6. Fluff the petals until your flower looks full and beautiful!

Tip: Use different colors of tissue paper to create multi-colored flowers, or use glittery paper for a special touch.

Final Thoughts

Crafting with your kids is not only a fun way to spend time together but also a fantastic opportunity to teach them new skills and encourage their creativity. These DIY projects are simple enough for even the youngest crafters but offer enough room for creativity to keep older kids engaged, too. Whether you’re making keepsakes, decorations, or fun toys, the most important thing is enjoying the process and creating memories together.