As kids, many of us grew up sewing — making simple clothes and accessories for our toys, or even stitching cuddly toys from scraps of material. If you’re looking for simple sewing ideas for kids, or a fun way to pass your own sewing skills on to the next generation, here are 10 super easy sewing projects for kids to try.
Sewing is one of those handy life skills — there will always be a loose button or a hem that needs a stitch. But buttons and hems can be a dull place to start, so we’ve pulled together 10 delightful sewing projects to inspire your child instead.
Don’t miss our best content straight to your inbox! Sign up now for our FREE newsletter packed with fun ideas and things to do with the kids, family-friendly recipes, expert advice, parenting tips and great competitions.
Easy Sewing Projects For Kids
#1. Cute Cloth Doll
Your child may need a little help with this cute cloth doll from Crazy Little Projects, but the finished doll is well worth the effort.
Image courtesy of Crazy Little Projects
You might also enjoy 12 Funky Crafts for Kids Aged 8-12 yrs
#2. Scented Sachets
These make a simple sewing project and a lovely present — for Grandma, or for Mother’s Day. We love this idea from Martha Stewart. All you need to do is stitch two squares of fabric together and stuff them with lavender.
Image courtesy of Martha Stewart
You may also enjoy 15 Easy Pipe Cleaner Crafts That Kids Love
#3. Hand Sewn Felt Owls
These cute hand sewn felt owls come from Favecrafts. They’re simple to make and a great way to use up old scraps of material.
Image courtesy of Favecrafts
You may also enjoy 50 Brilliant Art & Craft Ideas for Kids
#4. Felt Robot
This felt robot makes a great project for kids. We found it on the Gathered How blog, where you’ll find a free downloadable pattern.
You may also enjoy 10 Cool Crafts That Even Your Teen Will Like
#5. Fabric Flowers
These cute fabric flowers come from Red Ted Art. They’re simple to create and can be used to decorate clothes, or added to accessories, bags, pillowcases and more for an individual look. This handy video walks through the steps:
You may also enjoy 15 Simple Summer Crafts for Kids
#6. Snake Charmers
Download the free pattern for these snake charmers from Shiny Happy World and create a fun present for family and friends.
Image courtesy of Shiny Happy World
You may also enjoy 11 Easy Craft Ideas for Kids That Are Perfect for Parties
#7. Canvas Tote Bag
We love this canvas tote bag with a front pocket from The Sewing Loft Blog. It’s easier with a sewing machine, but hand sewing works too.
Image courtesy of The Sewing Loft
#8. Emoji Keyrings
Your child could turn their favourite emoji into a felt keyring. You’ll find the instructions on the Always Arty website.
Image courtesy of Always Arty
You might also enjoy Adorable Mother’s Day Crafts
#9. Reversible Keep Cup Cosy
This is a nice project for an older child or teen — a reversible keep cup cosy like this one from Crafty Staci. Ideal if they’re at the tea or coffee-drinking stage, or as a handmade present for Mum or Dad.
#10. Pleated Hair Band
The tutorial for these cute pleated hair bands is on Craftiness Is Not Optional. Decorate them with buttons or beads for an extra special touch.
Image courtesy of Craftiness Is Not Optional
Over to you now — have you tried any of these easy sewing projects for kids? Let us know in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age can kids start sewing?
Many children can start with simple hand-sewing projects from around age 6 or 7, with an adult helping to thread needles and guide the first few stitches. Younger children can join in by stuffing, gluing or decorating pieces while an adult does the stitching.
Do you need a sewing machine for these projects?
No — most of the projects above, like the scented sachets, felt owls and snake charmers, are designed for hand sewing. A sewing machine can speed things up for projects like the canvas tote bag, but it isn’t essential.
What basic sewing supplies do I need to get started?
A few fat quarters or fabric scraps, embroidery thread or regular sewing thread, a blunt-tipped needle for younger children, fabric scissors, pins and some stuffing (like polyester filling) will cover most of these projects.
Are these projects safe for young children to do alone?
Younger children should sew with adult supervision, particularly around needles, scissors and small buttons or beads, which can be a choking hazard for little ones. Older children and teens can manage most of these projects more independently once they’ve learned the basics.
More Craft Ideas To Try
Looking for more ways to keep little hands busy? Check out our related craft collections, including funky crafts for older kids, pipe cleaner projects, party craft ideas and Mother’s Day makes — all linked throughout this article.
Save This For Later
Not ready to start your sewing pile just yet? Bookmark this page or pin it to your crafts board so you can come back to it next rainy afternoon. And if you’d like more easy craft and activity ideas delivered to your inbox each week, sign up to our newsletter above — it’s a handy way to keep a stock of ideas ready to go.
