12 original crafts ideas for 5 year olds and under
Share Me
1. Wand
Materials:
- Wooden dowel or popsicle stick
- Ribbons or streamers
- Glue or tape
- Glitter or stickers
- Construction paper (for a star or other topper)
Instructions:
- Decorate the wooden dowel with paint, glitter, or stickers.
- Cut out a star or other shape from construction paper and glue it to the top.
- Attach ribbons or streamers to the base of the star.
- Let dry and wave your magical wand!
Why It’s Fun:
Kids will love creating their own magical wand for pretend play and storytelling!
2. Popsicle stick rainbows
Materials Needed:
- Paper plate.
- Markers of paint depending on how you want to color in the paper plate.
- Several colors of tissue paper.
- Glue or sticky tape.
- Scissors.
Step-by-step Instructions:
- Color or paint the paper plate to your desired color.
- If you are creating the cloud rainbow, cut out the shape of a cloud.
- Use the markers to create simple facial features (think smiley face).
- Cut tissue paper into strips of your desired length. If you don’t want to use tissue paper you could always cut strips of regular paper that has been colored in. If you want to upgrade your design you could use color ribbons.
- Attach the top of the colored strips with glue or sticky tape to the back of the plate.
- If using glue let it dry.
3. Paper Mosaic Art
Materials Needed:
- Colored paper
- Glue
- Cardstock
- Pencil
- Printer
- Paper
Step-by-step Instructions:
- Print out a simple coloring page for your child to decorate.
- Cut the colored paper into small squares.
- Glue the squares onto a template to create a mosaic pattern or picture.
To make the craft a biblical teaching moment, you can print out coloring pages of biblical scenes ready to decorate.
4. Handprint and Footprint Art
Materials:
- Non-toxic paint
- White cardstock or construction paper
- Paintbrushes
- Wet wipes for easy cleanup
Instructions:
- Paint the child’s hand or foot with their favorite color.
- Press it onto the paper to create a print.
- Once dry, turn the print into an animal, tree, or other creative shape by adding drawings.
- Display or frame the artwork!
Why It’s Fun:
This is a perfect keepsake craft that parents will cherish for years. Plus, kids love getting messy in a controlled way!
5. Tissue Paper Collage
Materials:
- Tissue paper in various colors
- Crepe streamers (optional)
- White cardstock
- Glue stick or diluted liquid glue
- Paintbrush
Instructions:
- Tear or cut tissue paper into small pieces.
- Spread glue on the cardstock.
- Stick the tissue paper and streamers onto the glue in different patterns and designs.
- Let it dry before displaying.
Why It’s Fun:
Tearing and gluing tissue paper helps develop fine motor skills while letting kids experiment with colors and textures.
6. Pom-Pom Caterpillars
Materials:
- Pom-poms in various colors
- Craft glue
- Popsicle sticks
- Googly eyes
- Pipe cleaners
Instructions:
- Glue pom-poms onto a popsicle stick to create a caterpillar body.
- Attach googly eyes to the front pom-pom.
- Twist pipe cleaners to form antennae and glue them on.
- Let it dry and enjoy the adorable caterpillar!
Why It’s Fun:
This craft introduces kids to patterns and sequencing as they choose pom-pom colors and shapes.
7. Pasta Or pony bead Necklaces
Materials:
- Dried pasta (penne, rigatoni, or macaroni) or pony beads
- String or yarn
- Washable paint or markers
- A large blunt needle (optional for threading ease)
Instructions:
- If you are using pasta for your necklace, color the pasta using paint or markers.
- Let it dry completely.
- String the pasta or the pony beads onto yarn to create a necklace.
- Tie the ends together and wear!
Why It’s Fun:
This activity improves hand-eye coordination and strengthens small finger muscles.
8. Cotton Ball Sheep
Materials:
- Cotton balls
- Black construction paper
- White cardstock
- Glue stick
- Googly eyes
Instructions:
- Cut a sheep shape from white cardstock or alternatively print one on paper.
- Glue cotton balls all over the body.
- Cut a head and legs from black construction paper and attach.
- Add googly eyes and let dry.
Why It’s Fun:
Soft, fluffy cotton balls make this craft an enjoyable sensory activity.
Alternatives:
For a Christmas theme you could craft a face of Santa and add cotton balls as the beard.
For Easter, you could color in a cute little bunny rabbit and put on a cotton ball fluffy tail.
Other animals you could use this activity for are poodles, labradoodles, and caterpillars.
9. Sponge Painting
Materials:
- Kitchen sponges
- Scissors
- Washable paint
- White paper
Instructions:
- Cut sponges into fun shapes like stars, hearts, or animals.
- Dip them into washable paint.
- Press onto white paper to make fun patterns.
Why It’s Fun:
A great way for kids to experiment with shapes and colors while improving motor skills.
10. Cupcake Liner Flowers
Materials:
- Cupcake liners (various colors and sizes)
- Pipe cleaners or straws
- Glue stick
- Scissors
- Buttons or pom-poms (optional)
Instructions:
- Flatten a cupcake liner to create the flower petals.
- Stack multiple liners in different sizes for a layered effect.
- Glue a button or pom-pom in the center as the flower’s center.
- Attach a pipe cleaner or straw as the stem.
- Let dry and arrange in a paper vase or give as gifts.
Why It’s Fun:
This simple craft helps children practice layering and gluing while creating colorful flowers to display or gift.
11. Paper Chain Snakes
Materials:
- Colored construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick or tape
- Googly eyes
- Markers
Instructions:
- Cut construction paper into equal strips.
- Form the first strip into a loop and secure with glue or tape.
- Thread the next strip through the first loop and secure.
- Continue the pattern to create a long chain.
- Add googly eyes and draw a forked tongue at the front.
Why It’s Fun:
Kids will love making their own wiggly snake while practicing their fine motor skills!
12. Cupcake Ballerinas
Materials:
- Popsicle sticks
- Cupcake liners
- Markers
- Glue
Instructions:
- Place your popsicle on a flat serface.
- Draw a face and ballerina slippers on your popsicle stick.
- Fold the cupcake liner in half and glue it to the popsicle stick forming the shape of a tu tu.
Which craft do you think you will try first? Let us know in the comments below!
Vanessa Rooney – LDS Mum
