Weekends are a perfect time to bond with your kids and get creative together. Whether you’re looking for something educational, fun, or simply a way to keep little hands busy, crafts are a fantastic way to spend quality time. Here are some of the best craft ideas to enjoy with your kids on the weekend:
1. Paper Plate Animals
One of the easiest and most fun crafts is making animals out of paper plates. This craft is perfect for younger kids as they can easily paint or color the paper plates and add googly eyes, cut-out ears, and noses. You can create anything from lions to fish, to owls! Plus, it’s a great way to teach kids about different animals and their features.
Materials Needed:
Paper plates
Paint, markers, or crayons
Googly eyes
Construction paper for ears, noses, and tails
Glue and scissors
Steps:
Paint or color the paper plate as a base.
Use construction paper to cut out shapes for ears, a nose, or a tail.
Glue on the googly eyes or other fun decorations.
Let your kids get creative by turning the animals into their own masterpieces.
2. Salt Dough Handprints
Salt dough is a versatile and easy-to-make craft material that you can shape into handprints or other keepsakes. It’s a perfect weekend activity to create lasting memories of your child's little hands.
Materials Needed:
1 cup of flour
1/2 cup of salt
1/4 cup of water
Rolling pin
Paint and brushes (optional)
Steps:
Mix the flour, salt, and water to make the dough. Knead it until smooth.
Roll out the dough into a flat circle and press your child’s hand into it to create a handprint.
Cut around the handprint and bake it in the oven at 250°F for 2-3 hours until hard.
Once cooled, you can paint and decorate the handprint to make it more personal.
3. DIY Bird Feeders
Making bird feeders not only keeps kids entertained but also connects them to nature. This craft is simple and involves items you probably already have at home. Plus, the end result helps support wildlife by attracting local birds to your yard.
Materials Needed:
Toilet paper rolls or pinecones
Peanut butter
Birdseed
String (optional)
Steps:
Spread a layer of peanut butter over the toilet paper roll or pinecone.
Roll it in birdseed until fully covered.
Hang the bird feeder outside on a tree or a post and watch the birds enjoy the treat!
4. Rock Painting
Rock painting is a wonderful weekend craft because it requires minimal supplies and can be done both indoors and outdoors. Plus, kids love the idea of collecting rocks and turning them into mini works of art.
Materials Needed:
Smooth rocks
Paint and paintbrushes
Markers
Clear varnish (optional)
Steps:
Find a variety of smooth, flat rocks.
Let your kids paint and decorate the rocks with their favorite designs, from flowers to animals to abstract art.
After the paint dries, you can even add a layer of clear varnish to make the designs last longer.
You can also hide the painted rocks around your neighborhood for other kids to find—a fun scavenger hunt for the whole family!
5. Paper Roll Binoculars
If you’re heading outdoors, these DIY binoculars are the perfect accessory for little explorers. They can create their own set of binoculars and use them for a fun nature walk or birdwatching in the backyard.
Materials Needed:
2 toilet paper rolls
String or yarn
Paint or markers
Glue and scissors
Steps:
Paint and decorate two toilet paper rolls however your child likes.
Glue the rolls together side by side.
Attach a string to the binoculars so they can wear them around their neck.
Let your child use their new binoculars to explore the world around them!
6. Tissue Paper Flowers
Brighten up your home with beautiful tissue paper flowers. This simple craft is perfect for all ages and can be used as decorations for the house, birthdays, or as gifts for family members.
Materials Needed:
Tissue paper (various colors)
Pipe cleaners or floral wire
Scissors
Steps:
Stack several pieces of tissue paper together and cut them into squares.
Accordion fold the stack and tie the center with a pipe cleaner.
Gently pull apart the layers of tissue paper to create a flower shape.
Arrange the flowers into bouquets or gift them to loved ones!
7. Pasta Necklaces
This classic craft is a great way for young kids to practice fine motor skills and make something they can wear proudly. Using colorful pasta, kids can create their own jewelry and even design patterns.
Materials Needed:
Uncooked pasta (penne, macaroni, or any pasta with holes)
String or yarn
Food coloring (optional)
Ziploc bag (optional)
Steps:
If you want colorful pasta, place the pasta in a Ziploc bag with a few drops of food coloring. Shake it up until the pasta is dyed.
Let the pasta dry before using it.
String the pasta onto yarn or string and tie it to make a necklace or bracelet.
Experiment with different patterns and colors!
8. Canvas Art with Nature Items
Get outside and collect nature items like leaves, flowers, twigs, and pebbles. You can then turn these into beautiful works of art by pressing them onto canvas.
Materials Needed:
Canvas or thick paper
Nature items (leaves, flowers, twigs)
Glue or Mod Podge
Paint (optional)
Steps:
Gather nature items from your yard or local park.
Arrange them in patterns or create a picture by gluing them onto the canvas.
Optionally, you can paint a background or add details around the nature items.
Let it dry and admire your eco-friendly art!
9. Bubble Wrap Printing
If you want a fun and mess-free craft, bubble wrap printing is perfect! This craft lets kids create prints using bubble wrap and paint, making it a sensory experience as well.
Materials Needed:
Bubble wrap
Paint and paintbrushes
Paper
Rolling pin or spoon
Steps:
Cut a piece of bubble wrap to fit the size of your paper.
Paint the bubble wrap with bright colors.
Place the painted side down on the paper and roll over it with a rolling pin or spoon to create an imprint.
Carefully peel the bubble wrap off to reveal a fun textured print.
Crafting with kids not only sparks their creativity but also offers an opportunity to make memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you're crafting animals from paper plates, making nature-inspired artwork, or creating fun jewelry, the possibilities are endless. So, this weekend, gather some supplies and get ready to craft up some fun with your little ones!