Looking for craft ideas that are simple enough for younger kids to enjoy, but fun enough to keep them entertained for a good while? From popsicle stick flowers to colourful wind catchers, here are 8 simple craft ideas for kids that will amuse preschoolers. Most of these need a bit of grown-up help and supervision, but by the end you’ll have some colourful finished crafts to treasure — or give away as a homemade gift.
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1. Polka Dot Tulips
Spring is a lovely time to bring some colourful flower crafts into playtime, and it helps little ones notice the season changing around them.
These easy-to-follow instructions from Toddler Approved for making Polka Dot Tulips will keep preschoolers entertained for ages, using simple dabbing and painting techniques that are perfect for small hands.
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2. Watercolour Coffee Filter Flowers
Sticking with the flower theme, here are some flowers made simply from coffee filters that are painted or dyed.
Hands On As We Grow explains how they made theirs with plenty of hands-on help from the kids — so you can expect the same at your kitchen table. Little ones will love watching the colours bleed and spread, and the finished flowers make a lovely homemade present for mum, granny, an auntie or a teacher.
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3. Craftstick Flowers
See What We Did Today share these easy-to-make popsicle stick flowers.
It’s worth keeping a bag of craft sticks at home for projects like this one — or, if you’re out, save the sticks from a few ice pops instead. You don’t need many, and with just some paint and glue, you can turn a handful of sticks into cheerful little flowers.
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4. Rainbow Crayon
This is a fun one, and it works for a range of ages depending on how big — or how many — you make.
The simple tutorial from Not Just a Housewife walks you through each step, including a nice bit of colour sorting and matching for younger kids to practise. Once it’s finished, they can use it themselves or give it away as a gift to a friend.
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5. Rainbow Wind Catchers
Staying with the rainbow theme, here’s a colourful idea from A Pretty Cool Life.
Using crepe paper, paper plates and a little paint, these pretty wind catchers are fun to make and add a splash of colour wherever you hang them. They’re also a nice, gentle way to talk your child through the colours of the rainbow.
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6. Spelling Balloon Game
Little Family Fun has this great idea for combining crafts with early learning, so it’s a win-win for you and your child.
Simply trace and cut out 26 circles — or 52 if you want capital and lowercase letters — and write a letter of the alphabet on each. Using different coloured paper makes it more fun, and you can use the finished set to help your child learn the ABC or start spelling short words.
7. Handprint Lambs
If your child has spotted lambs in the fields this spring, they’ll enjoy recreating one at home using packing peanuts and their own handprint.
The instructions from Mama’s Little Muse are easy to follow — you just need some packing peanuts (cotton wool balls work well too), paper, paint, glue and, of course, your child’s hand.
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8. Paper Plate Lion
Danielle’s Place of Crafts and Activities has this great idea for making a lion from paper plates, paper, paint, pipe cleaners and glue.
Your child can join in with the painting, tracing and gluing on the “fur” — it’s a fun project that’s also a lovely chance to chat about animals and practise a good, loud roar.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What age group are these crafts suitable for?
These are designed with preschoolers in mind, roughly ages 2-5, though most can be adapted for younger toddlers with more help, or made a little more detailed for older kids working independently.
Do I need special craft supplies?
No — everything here uses everyday materials like paper plates, craft sticks, coffee filters, paint and glue. A few, like the packing peanuts for the lambs, can be swapped for something you already have at home, such as cotton wool balls.
How long do these crafts take?
Most can be done in under 30 minutes, making them ideal for a rainy afternoon or a short activity slot between other things.
Can these crafts be made without adult supervision?
Preschoolers will need supervision throughout, particularly for anything involving scissors, paint or small parts like pipe cleaners.
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Save These Ideas For Later
Loved a few of these? Bookmark this page or pin it to your craft board so you’ve got them ready the next time you need an easy preschooler activity.
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