Craft sessions with the kids are brilliant fun, but they can also leave you with a pile of fabric offcuts that seem too small to use for anything. Don’t bin them! With a little imagination, those leftover scraps can become something genuinely lovely to keep, wear or give away. Here are 10 fun fabric scrap crafts and activities for kids that make the most of what you’ve already got in the craft box.
A needle and thread will come in handy for several of these projects. If your child is new to sewing, start with a thicker thread and a larger needle to make the stitching easier to see and manage. A few of the ideas also call for stuffing, which you’ll find in most craft shops or online — or simply recycle the filling from an old cushion or pillow.
Best of all, none of it needs to go to waste. Grab your fabric scraps, gather the kids around the table, and see what you can create together.
You May Also Enjoy 10 Super Easy Sewing Projects for Kids to Do
Fabric Scrap Crafts for Beginners
#1. Jellyfish
To make your own jellyfish, like this one from A Few Shortcuts, sew two smaller scraps of fabric together with stuffing in between to create a disk-shaped body.
Then use lengths of ribbon or lace attached to the bottom of the body to form the tentacles. Finish with a loop of string at the top so it can be hung up as a decoration.
You May Also Enjoy 10 Cool Crafts That Even Your Teen Will Want To Do
#2. Stitched Up Heart
A small heart cushion is a lovely fabric craft, but a single plain colour can look a bit flat. Instead, mix your fabric scraps together to create a patchwork heart.
Cut two hearts of the same size from your assorted scraps, sew them together, and add stuffing for shape. Big, visible stitches around the edge add character and are easier for little hands to manage.
You May Also Enjoy 15 Easy Paper Flowers Crafts For Toddlers, Preschoolers and Bigger Kids
#3. Monster Dolls
These monster dolls are a favourite in our house! They’re practically no-sew thanks to fabric glue, so they’re a great option if you’re short on sewing supplies or patience. You’ll find full instructions and step-by-step photos at Make Your Mark.
You May Also Enjoy 50 Brilliant Art & Craft Ideas for Kids that are Worth the Mess
#4. Homemade Cards
There are always occasions to make cards for — birthdays, holidays, thank-yous. Fabric scraps make gorgeous card decorations.
Cut out shapes, strips or letters from your scraps and glue them onto the card front. The result is a handmade keepsake that means so much more than a shop-bought card.
You May Also Enjoy 12 Fun & Easy Homemade Bookmarks That Kids Can Make
#5. Fabric Letters
Along the same lines, fabric scraps can be used to cover letters cut from cardboard. Simply cut out the letter shapes, then let your child glue on pieces of fabric until the letter is fully covered.
These letters can spell out names or messages on a bedroom wall — a lovely, inexpensive way to personalise your child’s space.
You May Also Enjoy 101 Fun Activities For Kids That Don’t Involve Screen Time
#6. Fabric Flowers
This craft looks impressive but is genuinely simple to make. Start with the main flower by rolling and securing a strip of fabric. Then fold other scraps to create leaves and add them around the base.
The more fabric you use, the bigger and fuller your bouquet becomes — a great way to use up all those odd little pieces.
You May Also Enjoy Quick Craft Projects for Kids: How to Make a Pom Pom
#7. Paper Dolls with Crazy Hair
One of the simplest fabric scrap crafts on this list, and perfect for younger children.
Cut a human shape from card stock or cardboard, then let your child decorate the face and other details. Finally, use fabric scraps to add hair — straight strips for sleek styles, or bunched-up fabric for curls.
You May Also Enjoy 6 Easy Knitting Projects for Kids and Beginners
#8. Patchwork Pillow Friends
Just as with the stitched heart, start by cutting two mirror-image copies of the same shape. On the front piece, add details like buttons or pom-poms for eyes and other features.
Sew the two pieces together, leaving a gap to add plenty of stuffing before closing it up completely — the more stuffing, the more huggable your new pillow friend will be.
You May Also Enjoy Get Creative! 12 Funky Crafts for Kids Aged 8-12 yrs
#9. Doll Clothes
The doll’s body is made mostly from rolled and folded fabric, with no need for fine details like a face. Once the body is formed, use extra fabric scraps to create simple outfits for your dolls.
You May Also Enjoy 10 No-glue Crafts for Preschoolers
#10. Hair Scrunchies
If you’ve got a child with long hair, you’ll know there’s no such thing as too many hair ties! Dress up plain hair ties with a fabric bow, or make a full scrunchie like this one from The Spruce Crafts.
You May Also Enjoy Crafty Kids: 12 MORE Funky Crafts for Kids Aged 8-12 Years
Frequently Asked Questions
What age group are fabric scrap crafts suitable for?
Most of these projects work well for a wide age range. Simpler ideas like the paper dolls with fabric hair or the homemade cards suit younger children, while sewn projects like the jellyfish or patchwork pillow are better for older kids who can manage a needle and thread with supervision.
Do I need to know how to sew?
Not necessarily. A few of these crafts, like the no-sew monster dolls, use fabric glue instead of stitching. For the sewn projects, simple straight or oversized stitches are all you need — they’re a lovely way to introduce basic sewing skills.
Where can I get fabric scraps if I don’t have any at home?
Old clothes, worn-out bedding, and offcuts from previous sewing projects are all great sources. Many fabric shops also sell remnant bags cheaply, and friends or family who sew are often happy to pass on their leftovers.
What other supplies do I need besides fabric scraps?
Depending on the project, you may need a needle and thread, fabric glue, stuffing, scissors, and basics like cardboard or card stock for backing. Most of these are things you’ll already have around the house.
Related Articles
Looking for more ways to keep little hands busy? You might also like:
- 10 Super Easy Sewing Projects for Kids to Do
- 50 Brilliant Art & Craft Ideas for Kids that are Worth the Mess
- Get Creative! 12 Funky Crafts for Kids Aged 8-12 yrs
- 10 No-glue Crafts for Preschoolers
Save This for Your Next Rainy Day
No printable this time, but these crafts are perfect to bookmark or pin for the next rainy afternoon. Save this page or add it to your craft ideas board so it’s ready whenever you need a screen-free activity.
Don’t Miss Our Best Ideas
Want more fun, family-friendly craft ideas delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free newsletter for weekly activity ideas, recipes, parenting tips and great competitions.
