DIY kids crafts are not only fun, but also beneficial for your child’s development. Many crafts improve fine motor skills and help kids cultivate a creative, problem-solving mindset according to Scholastic. Plus, bringing projects to life gives kids self-confidence in their abilities and talents. Although art supplies and classes can be expensive, there are cheap DIY crafts you can make at home, such as clay ornaments and friendship bracelets. If you’re on a budget, check out our list of affordable DIY kids crafts supplies below.
DIY Kids Crafts That Won’t Break the Bank
Bracelet Making Kit
Making friendship bracelets isn’t just a DIY kid’s craft—it’s a fun and relaxing hobby for teens and adults too. Thanks to Taylor Swift, many music fans exchange colorful bracelets at concerts and festivals. So the whole family will have a great time creating custom jewelry that they can keep or swap with others.
If you’re on a budget, check out this affordable bracelet-making kit from Dowsabel. It has everything you need to get started, including 4,500 clay beads, clasps, charms, scissors, string, and more.
Building and Painting Kit
Building and painting kits can help your child develop fine motor skills while cultivating their creativity. Putting together wooden models is a fun way for kids to improve their hand-eye coordination. Your child will also enjoy customizing their toy with colorful paint and stickers that express their personality. Plus, they’ll be able to play with it once they’re done crafting, providing hours of entertainment.
There are many different types of models, including race cars, dinosaurs, and even marine animals. So you’ll definitely be able to find a kit that matches your child’s interests. However, keep in mind that a model with small parts could be a choking hazard for younger kids.
Spirograph
Spirographs offer kids a window into a fascinating world where art and math collide. Spirographs are curved shapes that follow the basic principles of geometry. Kids can create them using a spirograph kit, which comes with plastic wheels and rings to help them draw intricate designs. The kit also contains colorful pens, sheets of drawing paper, and a guidebook with step-by-step instructions.
This DIY kid’s craft was popular in the 1960s and has stood the test of time. You might’ve even had a spirograph set when you were a child!
Air Dry Clay
Air-dry clay is ideal for DIY kid’s crafts because it hardens and holds its shape. Your child can use it to sculpt ornaments, small figurines, trinket dishes, fairy houses, and more. You can also find fun tutorials online, such as this dyed pasta mosaic that’s set in self-hardening clay.
The best way to get started is to purchase an affordable set of air-dry clay like this one from Fenmay. It comes with 36 different colors of clay and various sculpting tools, allowing your child to bring their vision to life.
Tape
Tape probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of DIY kid’s craft supplies. However, duct tape can be turned into many beautiful, practical objects, from wallets to bracelets to bow ties. Duck Brand has hundreds of craft ideas on its website, including cute holiday decorations like this Valentine’s Day wreath. Duck brand tape comes in adorable patterns like checker, leopard, and tie-dye, allowing your child to create a colorful work of art.
Kids can also play with painter’s tape and use it to make a racetrack for toy cars. Or try outlining a hopscotch court on the floor for hours of indoor entertainment on rainy days.
Dot Markers
Are your kids bored with regular drawing supplies like crayons and colored pencils? Check out these dot markers, which have a large, round sponge tip. The special dauber creates a big circle when pressed on the page, giving your child’s art a unique effect. The markers are even waterproof, making cleanup a breeze. There are lots of free dot activity printables and coloring sheets online, so this is an affordable DIY kids craft.
Pipe Cleaners
Last but not least, pipe cleaners are a great addition to your stash of DIY kid’s craft supplies. They’re easy for little hands to bend into a wide variety of shapes, such as flowers and hearts. The fuzzy texture also provides a pleasant sensory experience for kids of all ages. You can get a pack of 200 multicolor pipe cleaners for the price of a cup of coffee, so this activity won’t break the bank.
What are your favorite DIY kid’s crafts? Share your project ideas in the comments below!
Vicky Monroe is a freelance personal finance writer who enjoys learning about and discussing the psychology of money. In her free time, she loves to cook and tackle DIY projects.
