Here are some of our favorite crafts for kids! All of these projects are self-contained–there’s no other supplies needed. One kit and your activity for the afternoon is set!
We continually update this post to include the tried-and-true crafts that our own children have loved! They’re perfect for those lazy Sundays, vacation days, or the week your child is home sick.
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It’s different than play-dough because their creations can last. And mom has full carte blanche to throw out the scraps when they’re done after hours of creating.
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This all inclusive kit has everything kids need to get started creating a marble effect piece of art.
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A classic that’s always exciting to start again. The stencils make it really fun to create.
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If you have a puzzle lover, check out this 3D puzzle dollhouse or this smaller version. After assembling the 100+ piece puzzle, there’s bonus busy time playing with the assembled play set.
These 3D animal puzzles are adorable for younger children.
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You loved it as a kid, and they will too. Shrinky Dinks are a neat craft (grab some colored pencils) that will keep your kids busy for a while. Then, they’ll love to see them shrink! Make sure to add the keychains before shrinking.
These small embroidery projects are the perfect size. Because they’re not overwhelmingly big, kids actual complete them!
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Hours of creative fun. Pair it with this set of ink pads and some blank paper and watch your kids come up with fun and funny scenes using their fingers and a single black marker. Bonus idea: check out this adorable craft project that uses fingerprint art!
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Perler beads might be an oldie, but an idea book (there are a few different books, including one with summer-themed Perler projects) has some great projects to try. It helps them get excited about this simple craft all over again.
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If your kids already love Perler beads, these glow in the dark beads and these striped and pearlized beads are a serious upgrade. For major Perler projects, check out this set of square pegboards that can be locked together into one giant board!
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The more convenient version of Perler beads using water instead of the iron.
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String art is a creative activity with minimal mess. Kids use a stencil to stick in the plastic push pins (make sure to remove the stencil before stringing). Then, they string away, choosing whatever pattern they like. We found that younger children only need help tying the string and knotting it at the end. If you like, you can also have the kids decorate their string art with stickers.
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It’s always a kids dream day when mom let’s them paint. See this post for keeping the mess under control!
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Younger kids absolutely love dot markers. It’s a fun change from regular coloring!
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Can’t decide on one project? This kit has 15 projects so every child can choose something that appeals to them.
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Remember the adult coloring book crazy? Coloring never does get old. Try a new spin on coloring with this giant poster. Try the one below or this Zooland version. Fun for kids of all ages!
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It’s fun to paint sun-catchers. There’s less room for error and it’s satisfying to see the paint flow into the space. It’s also suitable for a nice range of ages.
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There are few things as exciting as a fresh batch of play-dough, especially when it comes with so many colors!
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And it’s extra fun when that Play-Dough comes along with those fun shaping tools.
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Pop beads are a super fun way for your child to make jewelry. They’re also suitable for younger kids. Your child will have a blast creating and re-creating necklaces, bracelets, headbands and more! Unlike the other crafts which will soon be tossed after they’re completed, this one is a keeper.
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When it comes to diamond painting, we’ve found that kids lose patience when it comes time to complete the larger paintings that take a long time. This kit is absolutely perfect. The pictures are small and adorable, and kids of all ages will have fun completing each one. Plus, it comes with so many, they can keep going and going.
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This one will get you hooked! Create a bunch and you will have what looks like a collection of Swarovski figurines! Beware! They are more challenging than they seem. Available in many different designs! See a full selection here.
These projects are suitable for older children who have patience and good fine motor skills.
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This is not for the faint of heart. This takes A LOT of patience and fine motor skills but the results are remarkable. Just saying, this was my hobby in 7th grade…
These projects are suitable for older children who have patience and good fine motor skills.
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These are great!! I’m really excited to try the foil art and string art -those are new for us!
Wanted to mention you can order a large 3D Bais Hamikdosh puzzle on amazon for just $30, so appropriate for the day.
Kinetic sand and tools are another option that can keep kids busy for hours, off brands give you much more sand for your buck. (With a disposable tablecloth and each kid playing in a bin or disposable pan the mess is easily contained.)
Also a really fun option -they sell science kits or boxes on amazon with everything you need for multiple experiments. Just read through options carefully to make sure its age appropriate & not too messy for your taste!
Also the following sites have many of the typical crafts but Jewish themed. Diamond art, dot art books, those painting coloring books u just need water for, reusable sticker scenes, sticker puzzles, learn to draw books and more! Chazakkinder and kinderblast. I don’t have any stakes in these sites just love bringing Jewish themed crafts into the house! (Some of kinderblast items can only be ordered in bulk, but plenty can be ordered alone. Chazak kinder doesn’t have this limit at all.)
Have fun!!!
May we celebrate Tisha B’av this year in the Beis Hamikdosh with the coming of Moshiach speedily!
thanks so much for this awesome post!! pro tip, if you ever visit israel, head into one of the shekel stores (there’s one on every corner in the geula/romema area) and stock up on sticker puzzles! and prizes for the matter! can’t be beat at 1 shekel apiece…
also, moms who let painting, and black magic, and other not-as-neat stuff, you’re awesome!! can you tell me how you handle the mess? I find myself always gravitating toward ‘clean’ projects (they can make the messy stuff in school *Hiding face emoji*) but I feel like i’m depriving my kids. Tips???
Put out a plastic tablecloth and everyone wears a smock. Cleanup is quick and easy.
BUT: they need constant adult supervision, as in mommy sits at the table with them the whole time. It’s a special activity. I think of it like a trip– we don’t do it every day, but when we do it’s special time and I’m there doing it with them. I would not attempt to walk away for a minute while they are painting or making slime, but since we do it together it makes it much more exciting.
An easy hack for making Shrinky dinks: use the plastic cover for foil pans. Color with permanent marker, cut out and bake for 2 min.
Thanks for this post!
I got the plaster painting shapes a while ago. They are pretty small and hard for kids to paint with brushes. I ended up getting paint markers and it works really well.
Loom bands/rubber band jewelry-making kits are also great.
https://amzn.to/3PIpGRa
And if you live in E”Y, you can buy small packages for a shekel. (Or 2 shekel if you buy a bigger package or multi-colored bands.)
Thank you for the amazing ideas!
You didn’t mention this amazing options for kids ages 8+
paper quilling activity set
My kids are hooked! I thought you guys would like it too!