Smart parents know the best way to deal with the most common complaint every kid has – “I’m bored” – is by keeping a few fun arts and crafts ideas for kids up their sleeves. What magic power do arts and crafts for kids have? How does it always manage to banish boredom? It’s because all types of crafts for kids allow children to be as creative as possible. Channeling their creativity to make fun crafts keeps both their brains and their hands engaged. This leaves no space for boredom.
Now before you get bored of reading about boredom vs creativity, let’s make sure you’re one of the smart parents by diving right into some awesome crafts for kids to do at home!
Ice Cream Pen Stand
You scream, I scream, we all scream… and then stop screaming because we’re busy making our ice cream pen stands. This is one of those easy crafts for kids projects that children of all ages can have fun making. Watch the step-by-step DIY video and follow along or read the instructions below.
What you need:
Card Stock
Scissors
Glue
Ruler
Pencil
How to make an Ice Cream Pen Stand – DIY for kids:
Before you start making your pen stand, make sure you ask everyone what their favorite ice cream flavor is. This is what most arts and crafts for kids miss out on – the fun you can have before even starting. You can even spend some time making up cool and creative flavors like bubblegum-candy-floss-peanut butter, which sounds gross, but tastes…okay, it tastes gross too, but is super delightful to think about.
Now, for the ice cream pen stand. First things first, you need to make the base box. This will be the actual stand where you will store your pens. To make the base box, measure and mark a sheet of card paper as shown in the video. While this is definitely one of those easy art projects for kids, you may need to step in to get the measurements just right. You may also need to help with the next step which involves cutting across the specific markings and lines. Often DIY for kids turns into DIY with kids, so make sure you can be around to supervise and help. Next, glue edges together as shown to make the box, and ta-da! All done!
Next, it’s time to make the amazing ice cream in a cup that will be seen from the front of the pen stand. This part is where all the awesome lies as any kid who is into fun crafts will tell you. Start with tracing the shape of a cup on another sheet of stock paper. Cut out the cup. Next, make a handle. You can experiment with fun handle shapes if you like. Don’t forget that the cup and handle should ideally be the same color. However, this is your ice cream pen stand and you can make it any color you like. There are no strict rules when it comes to crafts for kids at home. Oh wait, there is: any DIY with kids needs to be fun!
Now that we have that settled, back to our pen stand. Once you’ve traced and cut out the cup and handle, time for the contents: that yummy ice cream! Choose a color you like that will best represent your flavor. If it’s an imaginary flavor, you can even paint on the card paper to make it a unique shade. In fact, painting their own imaginary ice cream colors is one of those endlessly inspiring painting ideas for kids you can try at any other time too! Trace out a shape that follows the cup, but fits inside so you can still see a border on the left, right, and bottom. Glue the ice cream base to the cup, so the cup looks like it is full of ice cream. Next, you need to make the top of your ice cream – the part that shows you got a generous helping of ice cream you can’t wait to dig into. Make a semicircle with rounded edges like a cloud to show swirls of whipped cream. Use the glue to stick it at the very top, overlapping both the cup and the ice cream base. Almost done! What’s the best part of any ice cream (and also the best part of any art and crafts for kids)? The toppings or decorations! Cut out little bits of different cardstock to make the toppings and decorations. Get as creative as you like here. Don’t forget to also trace out and cut a straw – how else can anyone enjoy your amazing ice cream creation?! Once all your ice cream cup pieces are glued together, set aside to dry. It’s probably a good idea to take a quick snack break after thinking about all those yummy flavors and tasty toppings.
Back from your snack and all set to finish your DIY with kids project? Good idea! Use a pencil to add outlines and details to your ice cream and cup to give it a nice finish. Adding details to any project that involves papercrafts for kids is the ideal way to take it from sloppy to spectacular.
Last step. Are you ready? Glue your ice cream cup to your base box. Once it’s dry, keep all your favorite pens or pencils in your new stand. Make sure to place it proudly on your kid’s worktable or anywhere you keep your writing supplies. *chef’s kiss*
Feather Wall Art
Who doesn’t want a pretty feather to hang on their wall? This feather wall art is even more special because not only is it a perfect example of crafts for kids to do at home but it also makes use of all any old newspapers you may have lying around. In fact, if you’re looking for art and craft ideas for kids and need to rustle up something on the spur of the moment, this is one of the best craft ideas for kids. And the end result? It’s so awesome! Learn how to make newspapers into this amazing feather wall art by following along with this video.
What you need:
Paintbrush
Acrylic Paint
Wire
Cardboard
Scissors
Pliers
Glue
Newspaper
How to make Feather Wall Art – Fun Crafts for Kids
To begin to make your feather wall art you need to first print out a large template of a feather shape. Then, you need to trace the outline of the feather printout onto the cardboard. While this is supposed to be DIY crafts for kids, some parts may need a little grown-up help. For example, if you’re unable to take a large printout for the kids, you may have to step in and do some DIY with kids. If you don’t have a printout, you can draw a freehand feather shape onto the cardboard. However you manage to get the feather shape on the cardboard, it shall form the base of your feather wall art. Crafts for kids can be so much fun for adults too!
Next, you need to cut out your feather base from the cardboard as shown in the video. Then you and the kid(s) have to paint the base. A dark solid color is a good idea. Just painting different shapes cut out from cardboard is also a great art idea for kids, especially if they’re very young. Once you have your base painted, it’s time to start rolling up the newspaper. But first, you need to prepare your wire. You’d be surprised at how many craft ideas for kids require the help of a wire.
For this project, which is focused on easy crafts for kids, you’ll only need one length of wire. The wire will help you make sure each roll is equal in width. Use the plier to cut a wire as long as at least half the longest part of the feather, from tip to base. Then wrap different strips of paper around the wire to make newspaper rolls. Remove the wire from the roll after each roll is formed. Repeat until you have a large number of rolls. Once you have enough rolls – you can always make more later if you need, adapting is one of the best things about DIY crafts with kids – you can start to stick them to the base. Cut rolls or join rolls to fill in the base shape in a feather design. Next, paint over all the rolls with glue. Like wire, glue features heavily in most art and craft ideas for kids. The glue will help the newspaper rolls stay in place even when your feather wall art is hanging from a wall. Once the glue dries, it’s time to paint!
Painting the feather wall art may seem like canvas painting for kids since you will be using acrylic paints. It’s a good starting practice for kids who are interested in art. Paint the feather wall art in the colors shown in the video. You can even have some fun and choose any colors you like, but just make sure that the colors don’t clash with each other too much. Kids’ art can be fun, but you may want to spare a thought for your home decor too. After painting, set your feather wall art aside to dry. Give it at least 24 hours to dry completely. Once the waiting period is done, arguably one of the most un-fun times while making crafts for kids at home, your feather art can be framed and hung up on your wall.
Looking for more fun crafts for kids? Or simply want some more kids’ art activities?
Check out the Craft Corner on DIY.org. We also post live challenges every single day. These challenges include art and crafts ideas for kids as well a whole host of other fun things like dancing, science, and video games.