Is your tween telling you they’re bored, or do you feel like they’re glued to a screen more than you’d like? You’re not alone — and we’ve got just the thing to help.
Following on from our popular 33 Fun Projects for Kids Aged 8-12 Years, here are 21 more fun projects for kids aged 8-12 to spark their imagination and give them things to tackle themselves.
You may also enjoy: 50 Fantastic Free Things to do with Kids Aged 8-12 Years
More Fun Projects for Tweens
Tweens spend a lot of time on screens these days, so anything that gets them interested and active in other projects is a good thing. Some of these ideas do involve a bit of online time, but most can be done without a laptop or device in sight.
Here’s a short video with a few more ideas to get you started:
#1. Enter a Contest
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Do you have a budding artist, photographer, writer, dancer, baker, flower arranger, crafter or scientist at home? Encourage them to enter a contest and show the world their talent.
#2. Learn a New Sport
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It’s so important to keep kids active as they leave the tween years behind and head into the teenage years. Trying out new sports during the tween years might just help your child discover one they love and keep up for years to come.
#3. Learn to Cook
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It’s a great idea to get your tween helping out in the kitchen and teaching them a few simple recipes they can use for life. Here are 25 Tasty Ideas for Cooking with Kids, and visit our food and recipes section for everything from breakfast recipe ideas to snacks, dinners and sweet treats.
#4. Go Fishing
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Organise a fishing expedition for your tween to have a go at fishing in your local lake, river or the sea. If they catch something worth eating, they can even learn how to prepare it for dinner too!
You may also enjoy: 50 Best Boredom Busting Fun Activities for Teens
#5. Interview Grandparents
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Grandparents are full of wise advice and stories from the past. Make up a questionnaire and interview them on video — ask about family history, old remedies or tales they have to share. Filming it will make a lovely memory for years to come.
#6. Learn to Play an Instrument
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There are so many instruments to choose from, from the tin whistle to the guitar. You can self-teach with books or online tuition, or arrange a few taster lessons with a music teacher before investing in an instrument.
Learning an instrument also opens up a whole new social world as your child grows.
You may also enjoy: 9 Things to Consider Before Your Child Starts Music Lessons
Give their LEGO creativity a boost: explore step-by-step LEGO instructions and how-to videos that are sure to turn your tween into a Master Builder.
#7. Make a Mini Robot
How fun do these little guys look? This idea comes from Red Ted Art and makes a brilliant project for tweens. There are a few tricky steps involved, so your child may need a hand with this one.
#8. Learn About Your City or Town
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A bit like a treasure hunt, help your child discover things about their own city or town they may not know. Many towns have plaques, poetry trails or historic buildings with stories behind them.
Start with your local museum or library, or ask longstanding local shops if they can help with the research. It’s a fun project for kids and adults alike.
You may also enjoy: Geocaching – A Modern Day Treasure Hunt
#9. Learn to Knit
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Whether your child is a boy or girl, getting to grips with knitting is a fun learning experience, and they can create funky gifts for friends and family. We have some fun knitting projects to get your child started.
#10. Learn Some Survival Skills
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Look locally for bushcraft or survival skills camps and classes — a great way for your child to meet new people and make friends while learning skills that are fun and genuinely useful.
You may also enjoy: 30 Essential Life Skills Every Kid Should Learn
#11. Make Your Own Play Dough or Bubble Mix
Your tween might dismiss playdough or bubbles as too babyish, but making your own play dough or bubble mix at home is really a fun science project. If they don’t have a younger sibling to enjoy the results, suggest they make a batch for neighbours, cousins, or a local crèche or playschool. All you need is a few simple ingredients.
#12. Start a Diary or Journal
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If your child hasn’t kept a diary or journal, why not encourage them to start one? It’s such fun to look back on in years to come.
And for parents — how about keeping a journal of your child’s milestones and achievements to give them on a big birthday down the line? You’ll be surprised how much you forget as they grow, and it makes a truly special gift.
#13. Have a Yard Sale
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Gather up old toys, games and bric-a-brac and have your tween organise a yard sale. They could bake and sell some treats too, then use whatever they earn to buy something they really want.
You may also enjoy: 12 More Funky Crafts for Kids Aged 8-12 Years
#14. Visit the Shops on Their Own
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Depending on your child’s age, it’s good to build a sense of independence. Start by asking them to pick up a few items in the local shop. You can wait outside if they’re too young to go alone, but let them choose the items and pay for them themselves.
#15. Give Their Bedroom or Playroom a Makeover
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This may need some help from you, financially or practically, but if you set a budget and let your child do the research, it can be a really fun project that gives them a real sense of pride — and you might just discover a future interior designer on your hands.
#16. Create a Cardboard Box Maze
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Using old cardboard boxes to build a fun maze is such a great idea — it can be as big or as small as you like, and the whole family will probably want a go too.
You may also enjoy: Cute Cardboard Box Craft Ideas for Kids
#17. Build an Electro-Magnetic Train
This fun project comes from Frugal Fun For Boys. Using copper wire, magnets and a battery, your tween can build a little train that moves through the wire on its own.
#18. Create a Mural
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If you have an outside wall or fence, painting a mural is a great summer project for older kids.
If you’re not ready for their own designs, sketch one out for them to paint in, or let them stick to a single colour. Chalk is another good option since it washes off easily — just remember to snap a photo before it disappears!
#19. Perform a Show for Friends and Family
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Putting together and performing a show is a real confidence boost. They could learn some jokes, songs, magic tricks or card tricks to impress family and friends. Record it so you can look back on it in years to come!
You may also enjoy: 10 Easy Magic Tricks for Kids to Master
#20. Grow Something to Eat or Gift
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Giving your child a bit of space in the garden is a lovely project for learning where food comes from, and for taking pride in planting, nurturing and using what they grow. If vegetables aren’t for them, try fruit or flowers instead.
#21. Learn About 3D Printing
3D printing continues to grow in popularity. There are free apps that let your child design in 3D on a phone or tablet, with the option to send designs off for printing and delivery. Try the free app Tinkercad, which needs no experience to get started.
You may also enjoy: These are the Handiest Apps for Stop Motion Animation
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are good screen-free projects for an 8-12 year old?
Cooking, growing plants, knitting, learning an instrument, or putting on a show for family are all great options. The best projects are ones your child can mostly do themselves, with just a little help getting started.
How do I get my tween to try something new without a fight?
Offer choice rather than instruction. Let them pick two or three ideas from a list like this one, and try to fit the project around something they already enjoy — food, art, sport or performing.
Do these projects need much adult supervision?
Some, like the mini robot or electro-magnetic train, may need a bit of hands-on help. Others, like starting a journal, learning to knit or visiting the shops independently, are designed to build your child’s confidence on their own.
How can I keep my tween off screens during school holidays?
Having a few project ideas ready to suggest — rather than a blanket screen ban — tends to work better. Rotating through a mix of active, creative and independence-building projects like the ones above helps keep boredom at bay.
Related Articles
- 33 Fun Projects for Kids Aged 8-12 Years
- 50 Fantastic Free Things to do with Kids Aged 8-12 Years
- 12 More Funky Crafts for Kids Aged 8-12 Years
- 9 Things to Consider Before Your Child Starts Music Lessons
- 30 Essential Life Skills Every Kid Should Learn
Save These Ideas for Later
Not ready to tackle all 21 projects this week? Bookmark this page or save it to your parenting folder so you’ve got a ready-made list of ideas the next time your tween says they’re bored.
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