Want to keep preschoolers busy but dread the thoughts of having glue and the inevitable sticky mess all over your table, walls, chairs, etc? We hear you! Mess-free fun is guaranteed with these no-glue crafts for preschoolers.

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When your toddler says “I want to make something” but you want to avoid the glue scenario then you need some other options. We’ve found some fun no-glue crafts that are perfect for smallies!

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No-Glue Crafts for Preschoolers

#1. Colourful Pom Poms

Pom poms are really fun and easy to make. You can make them all one colour or go for multi colours. You can watch our easy how-to video, then use your rainbow of pom poms for everything from craft projects to home decor.

#2. Finger Frog Puppet

Let your fingers be the hands (or legs) of this simple paper puppet. Cut out your frog body plus 2 legs. On the body cut out two circles for the fingers and then stick the legs on with some Sellotape. Using this idea, you could also make the entire cast of a nursery rhyme or fairy tale in just a few minutes, and then put on your own puppet show!

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#3. Wool Octopus

Image: Craft Bits

There is no glue involved in this fun wool octopus from Craft Bits. A few simple ingredients, and a little help from parents, and your preschoolers will have hours of fun playing with their new toy!

You will need:

• 1 x 5oz ball of bulky wool, the bulkier the better
• 1 x3″ styrofoam ball
• 2-3 yards of ribbon
• Face pieces
• Scissors

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#4. Handprint Craft

Image: 3 Kids and a Gluestick

Make a handprint of your child using Plaster of Paris. You can hang this cute decoration on the wall and is wonderful to look back on when they have grown a few years older! Get the step-by-step guide here from 3 Kids and a Gluestick.

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#5. Spiral Snake

Image: Arty Crafty Kids

This simple cute snake craft from Arty Crafty Kids is a great two-for-one activity. First, decorate the snake with colouring or finger painting, then cut out the snake and hang it to bounce and spin.

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#6. Pine Cone Bird Feeder

Care for our feathered friends and also provide entertainment for the kids, by making a pine cone bird feeder.

You will need

• A large, open pine cone
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, lard or suet
• 2 and 1/2 cups uncooked oats or cornmeal
• 1/2 cup seeds e.g. sunflower/millet
• Chopped dried fruit/nuts (optional)
• A few feet of string

Method:

• Tie a few feet of string to a pine cone.
• Mix your chosen fat with the oats/cornmeal and add the fruit or nuts if using until blended together.
• Cover the pine cone with the food mixture.
• Roll the pinecone in birdseed and then suspend it from a tree branch outside.

We also have another Bird Feeder idea here.

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#7. Salt Dough

Keeping the kids occupied with crafts and activities can often be an expensive process, so having a few budget-friendly options in mind is essential. If you’ve never made salt dough you’re definitely missing out! Here’s our recipe to make salt dough for quick, easy and fun crafts with kids – let their imagination run wild!

You can even make scented salt dough using spices like cinnamon, ginger or vanilla that will make your home smell amazing!

#8. Make a Marble Run!

With a few simple household items you can use marbles to teach your child about simple science concepts like gravity, speed, weight, and balance. Learn how to make a Marble Run here.

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#9. Make Your Own Bunny Mask

Image: First Palette

First Palette has six free printable bunny masks, including a black-and-white mask to colour in yourself, a grey bunny mask, and some pastel-coloured masks that are great to make and wear for Easter and other bunny-themed activities.

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#10. No Glue Paper Chains

Image: Free Kids Crafts

These no glue paper chains, from Free Kids Crafts allow kids to create a lot of different shapes and have them all connect together without messy glue. Sounds perfect!

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