Easy DIY Crafts for Kids: Year-Round Projects From Boxes, Jars and Paper

The easiest DIY crafts for kids start with things you would otherwise recycle: cardboard boxes, paper tubes, egg cartons, jars and scrap paper. Add a few basic supplies such as washable glue, tape and markers, and you can make cars, puppets, binoculars and pencil holders in under an hour. Below are projects by age and a starter-kit checklist you can build once and refill slowly. For December, see Christmas ornaments kids can make at home.

Build a low-cost starter kit first

A small box or bin of basics means a craft session never needs a store run. Buy the basics once and let the recycling bin supply the rest.

Buy once

• Washable markers and crayons
• Washable school glue and glue sticks
• Child-safe scissors
• Masking tape and clear tape
• Construction paper and a pad of plain paper
• Washable paint and a few brushes
• Pipe cleaners and a ball of yarn
• Stickers

Save from the recycling and junk drawer

• Cereal and shoe boxes
• Paper towel and wrapping paper tubes
• Egg cartons
• Clean glass or plastic jars with the labels soaked off
• Newspaper, junk mail and magazines
• Scrap fabric, old buttons and bottle caps (for older children only)

Craft supplies can be a safety issue. For art materials made for children, look for labels that say non-toxic and mention ASTM D4236, the art-material labeling standard. Beads, buttons and bottle caps are choking hazards for children under 3, and the AAP’s choking prevention guidance explains what to keep out of reach. Adults should handle glass, cut can edges and use hot glue.

Projects for ages 2 to 3 (with an adult)

• Box car or tunnel. Cut a large box into a car. Kids color it with crayons, and an adult adds paper plate wheels.
• Torn-paper collage. Tear colored paper and glue it onto a sheet. Tearing is great for small hands.
• Sponge painting. Dip a clean kitchen sponge in washable paint and press it onto paper.

Projects for ages 4 to 6

1. Tube binoculars. Tape two paper towel tubes side by side, decorate with markers and stickers. Skip any neck strap, since cords around the neck are a strangulation risk.
2. Egg-carton caterpillar. Cut an egg carton in half lengthwise, paint it green and add pipe-cleaner antennae. Draw eyes with a marker.
3. Paper-bag puppets. Draw a face on a lunch bag so the fold is the mouth. Glue on paper ears and yarn hair.
4. Jar pencil holder. Brush glue on the outside of a clean plastic or glass jar and cover it with torn tissue paper. Adults should handle glass jars.
5. Cereal-box journal. Cut a cereal box flat, fold it for a cover and staple scrap paper inside. An adult handles the stapler.

Projects for ages 7 to 10

1. Cardboard marble run. Tape tubes and strips of cardboard onto a box lid at an angle so a marble rolls from top to bottom. Use a marble only with children old enough to keep it out of their mouths.
2. Woven paper mats. Cut slits in a sheet of paper, then weave in strips of a different color.
3. Shoebox theater. Cut a window in a shoebox, make paper puppets on craft sticks and put on a play.
4. Cardboard city. Cut tiny buildings from cereal boxes, color them and tape them to a large piece of cardboard.
5. Paper-mache bowl. Mix flour and water into a thin paste, layer strips of newspaper over an upside-down bowl lined with plastic wrap and let it dry for a couple of days. Paint it once dry.

Projects for ages 10 and up

• No-sew tote. Cut an old T-shirt into a bag by knotting the cut fringe at the bottom. An adult helps with scissors.
• Plant markers. Paint craft sticks or old jar lids with plant names for a small garden.
• Room sign. Make a door sign from cardboard. Our painted message canvas is a good next step for a more polished piece.

What to make for each occasion

Making crafts happen with less stress

• Set a start and stop time. Forty minutes is plenty for most children.
• Protect the table. Use a plastic tablecloth, old newspaper or a large flattened box.
• Offer limited choices. Two or three options keep children from feeling overwhelmed.
• Clean up together. Make a short cleanup song or race part of the routine.
• Display the work. A string with clothespins makes an instant gallery. Rotate pieces monthly so the wall stays fresh.

For seasonal projects, see our guide to Christmas crafts for kids. If you are looking for more ways to fill a stuck afternoon, try the ideas in rainy day activities for kids, or look at the screen-free activities by age for a broader mix.

Bottom line

You do not need a big craft budget. Build a basic kit, save boxes, tubes and jars, and choose projects by age. Check labels on art supplies, keep small parts away from children under 3 and let adults handle glass, hot glue and sharp edges.

FAQ

What crafts can toddlers do?

Sponge painting, torn-paper collage and crayon decorating on a box are easy, with an adult close by. Keep small pieces such as buttons and beads away.

How do I store finished crafts?

Photograph the pieces you love, display a few and keep one folder or box per child. Recycle the rest on a schedule so clutter does not build up.

Which glue is best for kids?

Washable school glue and glue sticks work for paper projects. For heavier cardboard, tape is often easier. Adults should handle hot glue.

How do I keep a craft session from taking over the house?

Pick one table, set a timer and limit supplies to one project at a time. A cardboard box lid can serve as a tray that holds wet pieces.