20+ Creative Crafts For Kids With Paper

Crafts For Kids With Paper are a fun and creative way for children to explore their imagination and develop fine motor skills.

Paper Plate Animals

I still remember the first time I handed a stack of plain paper plates to a bunch of kids and said, “Alright, let’s make animals.” Their faces lit up like I had just handed them gold. Honestly, the joy is in how simple this craft is. Give them some markers, a bit of paint, glue, and scraps of construction paper, and suddenly a plate turns into a lion, a bunny, or even a crazy-looking dragon if they feel like it. To be fair, half the fun is in how imperfect they turn out—sometimes a cat looks more like a porcupine, but the kids are so proud of it anyway.

What I’ve found is that this activity works wonders when you let go of control and just let their imaginations run wild. One little boy once glued five ears on his “dog” and insisted it was a superhero animal. And you know what? It was adorable. That’s the charm of paper plate animals—they don’t have to be right, they just have to be fun.

Paper Bag Puppets

Oh, paper bag puppets bring back so many memories. When I was younger, my mom would save every spare brown lunch bag, and we’d turn them into characters—clowns, monsters, princesses, you name it. Kids today still get the same thrill. In my opinion, it’s not just about making a puppet, it’s about the stories that follow. After the glue dries and the googly eyes stick, suddenly there’s a whole theater show happening in your living room. And honestly, those silly puppet voices kids come up with? Pure magic.

I’ve seen shy kids come out of their shell through this craft. One little girl I worked with made a puppet with pink yarn hair and called her “Miss Rainbow.” That puppet did all the talking while she giggled behind it. It’s more than crafting—it’s storytelling, role play, and creativity bundled together in one brown paper bag. Simple, but unforgettable.

Paper Roll Planters

Now this one might sound a bit odd at first—planters made out of toilet paper rolls. But hear me out. They’re genius for little hands and beginner gardeners. I’ve always thought it’s such a clever way to reuse something we’d usually toss. You cut the roll, fold in the bottom, and suddenly you’ve got a mini pot perfect for planting seeds. Kids love the idea that something so ordinary can actually grow into a flower or even a tomato plant if you’re patient enough.

To be fair, I’ve had my fair share of messy soil spills with this craft. Kids get really excited when they’re scooping dirt, and sometimes it ends up everywhere but inside the roll. But honestly, that’s half the fun. What I love most is watching their faces weeks later when they see the first little green sprout poke through. It’s like their craft has come alive. And that moment is priceless

Paper Cup Wind Spinners

Make colorful wind spinners from paper cups for a fun outdoor craft activity.

Materials Needed:

• Paper cups
• Markers/paints
• Pipe cleaners or straws
• Scissors

Steps:

1. Decorate the outside of a paper cup with colors or patterns.
2. Poke a hole in the bottom of the cup and insert a pipe cleaner or straw for spinning.
3. Hang it outside or near a fan to watch it spin.

Paper Star Garland

Create a beautiful garland of paper stars to decorate a room or a festive space.

Materials Needed:

• Colored paper
• Scissors
• String or yarn
• Glue or tape

Steps:

1. Cut out star shapes from colored paper.
2. Use glue or tape to attach the stars to a string or yarn.
3. Hang the garland in your room or for a special occasion.

Paper Snowflakes

Cut out intricate paper snowflakes for winter decoration.

Materials Needed:

• White paper
• Scissors
• Markers (optional for decorating)

Steps:

1. Fold a square piece of paper into a triangle.
2. Fold again to form a smaller triangle, then cut small shapes along the edges.
3. Unfold the paper to reveal your snowflake.

Paper Lanterns

These colorful paper lanterns are perfect for decorating for festivals or special occasions.

Materials Needed:

• Colored paper
• Scissors
• Glue or tape
• String (optional)

Steps:

1. Cut the paper into a strip, then cut fringe along one long side.
2. Roll the paper into a tube and glue the ends together.
3. Optional: Add a string to hang the lantern, or place a small LED light inside.

Paper Mâché Balloons

Make fun paper mâché projects with balloons as a base, perfect for party decorations.

Materials Needed:

• Balloons
• Newspaper strips
• Flour, water (for paste)
• Paint (optional)

Steps:

1. Inflate a balloon to the desired size.
2. Dip newspaper strips into a flour-water paste and layer them over the balloon.
3. Once dry, pop the balloon and decorate the paper mâché with paint or other supplies.

Paper Heart Flowers

Make heart-shaped flowers from paper to gift or decorate.

Materials Needed:

• Colored paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Sticks or straws for stems

Steps:

1. Cut out several heart shapes from paper.
2. Fold the hearts in half, then glue them in layers to form a flower shape.
3. Attach a stick or straw as the stem and your flower is ready!

Paper Boat

A classic paper boat that floats on water, perfect for playing in the bathtub or a small pool.

Materials Needed:

• A square piece of paper
• Water source (bathtub, pool)

Steps:

1. Fold the paper in half diagonally.
2. Fold the top corners down to meet at the center.
3. Open up the paper and fold up the bottom of the paper to form a boat.
4. Test the boat in water to see it float.

Origami Animals

Introduce kids to the art of origami with simple animal creations.

Materials Needed:

• Square sheets of paper

Steps:

1. Choose an animal design and follow an easy step-by-step origami guide.
2. Use folding techniques to form animals like cranes, frogs, or dogs.

Paper Butterfly

Make a colorful paper butterfly using a folding technique.

Materials Needed:

• Colored paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Pipe cleaner

Steps:

1. Cut the paper into a square shape.
2. Fold the paper in half both vertically and horizontally.
3. Cut the paper into a butterfly shape and fold the wings.
4. Twist a pipe cleaner to form an antenna and glue it to the center.

Paper Straw Stars

Create star-shaped decorations using paper straws for a patriotic or festive display.

Materials Needed:

• Paper straws
• Scissors
• Glue
• Glitter (optional)

Steps:

1. Cut the paper straws into different lengths.
2. Arrange them into a star shape and glue them together.
3. Decorate the star with glitter for a sparkly touch.

Paper Circle Garland

A simple yet colorful paper circle garland that adds charm to any space.

Materials Needed:

• Colored paper
• Scissors
• Glue or tape
• String or thread

Steps:

1. Cut the paper into small circles.
2. Glue the circles onto a string, spacing them evenly.
3. Hang the garland in your home or classroom.

Paper Fish Mobiles

Create a colorful mobile of paper fish for a beach or ocean-themed room.

Materials Needed:

• Colored paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Thread or string

Steps:

1. Cut out fish shapes from colored paper.
2. Attach the fish to strings or thread.
3. Hang the strings from a hanger or frame to create a mobile.

Paper Cookie Craft

Make pretend cookies using paper and enjoy a pretend baking session!

Materials Needed:

• Brown paper (for cookie base)
• Colored paper (for sprinkles or toppings)
• Scissors
• Glue

Steps:

1. Cut out circle shapes from brown paper to form cookie bases.
2. Cut small shapes from colored paper to create sprinkles or decorations.
3. Glue the decorations onto the cookies.

Paper Fish Art

Create a fun and vibrant fish using paper, perfect for an ocean theme.

Materials Needed:

• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Markers or crayons

Steps:

1. Cut a fish shape out of construction paper.
2. Use markers or crayons to add details like scales, fins, and eyes.
3. Decorate with extra paper elements, such as bubbles or seaweed.

Paper Caterpillar

A simple and cute craft that teaches counting as you create each body segment.

Materials Needed:

• Colored paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Googly eyes (optional)

Steps:

1. Cut colored paper into small circles.
2. Glue them together to form the caterpillar’s body.
3. Add googly eyes and a mouth for extra personality.

Paper Snowman

Create a fun snowman that can be hung as decoration during winter.

Materials Needed:

• White paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Construction paper (for scarf, hat, etc.)
• Markers

Steps:

1. Cut three circles of different sizes from white paper and stack them.
2. Decorate the snowman with a hat, scarf, and facial features.
3. Use markers to add arms or buttons.

Paper Rocket

Blast off into space with a fun paper rocket craft!

Materials Needed:

• Construction paper
• Glue
• Scissors
• Markers

Steps:

1. Roll a piece of construction paper into a cone shape to create the rocket body.
2. Cut out fins and glue them to the base of the rocket.
3. Decorate the rocket with colors and patterns using markers.

Paper Puzzle

Make a simple paper puzzle that can be solved and reassembled multiple times.

Materials Needed:

• Stiff paper or cardboard
• Scissors
• Markers or crayons

Steps:

1. Draw a picture or design on a stiff piece of paper.
2. Cut the paper into various puzzle pieces.
3. Scramble the pieces and put them back together like a traditional puzzle.

Paper Christmas Tree

Create a festive paper Christmas tree for holiday decoration.

Materials Needed:

• Green paper
• Scissors
• Glue or tape
• Decorative items (stickers, glitter, beads)

Steps:

1. Cut out triangles from green paper to form the layers of the tree.
2. Stack the layers from largest to smallest to create a tree shape.
3. Decorate the tree with glitter, stickers, or beads.

Paper Birds

Craft simple paper birds that can be hung or used in nature projects.

Materials Needed:

• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Markers or crayons

Steps:

1. Cut out a bird shape from construction paper.
2. Decorate the bird with features like feathers and a beak.
3. Use glue to add details, or hang the bird as a mobile.

Paper Crown

Design and wear your own paper crown for pretend play.

Materials Needed:

• Colored paper
• Scissors
• Glue or tape
• Decorative materials (stickers, jewels)

Steps:

1. Cut a strip of colored paper to fit around your head.
2. Decorate the crown with jewels, stickers, or drawings.
3. Glue the ends together to form a circular crown.

Paper Ice Cream Cone

Create an ice cream cone using paper, perfect for a pretend ice cream parlor.

Materials Needed:

• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Crayons or markers

Steps:

1. Cut a triangle from brown paper for the cone.
2. Cut a circle or oval for the ice cream scoop and decorate with fun colors.
3. Attach the scoop on top of the cone and add any desired toppings like sprinkles.

Paper Handprint Tree

A handprint tree is a beautiful craft where kids use their hands to make leaves.

Materials Needed:

• Colored paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Markers (optional)

Steps:

1. Trace your child’s hand on green paper, then cut out the handprints.
2. Arrange them as the tree’s leaves and glue them onto a brown tree trunk.
3. Add optional details like fruit or flowers using markers.

Paper Pinwheels

Make a colorful pinwheel that twirls in the wind.

Materials Needed:

• Square paper
• Scissors
• Push pin
• Stick or straw

Steps:

1. Cut the corners of the square paper towards the center, but don’t cut all the way.
2. Fold each corner to the center and secure with a push pin.
3. Attach the pinwheel to a stick or straw, and watch it spin in the wind

Tips for Success in Paper Crafts

Crafts For Kids With Paper is a fun and rewarding hobby that allows you to create everything from simple greeting cards to intricate scrapbooks and home decor pieces. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, the following tips will help you elevate your paper crafting skills and make your projects even more enjoyable.

1. Safety Tips When Using Scissors and Glue

• Use child-safe scissors if you’re crafting with children or if you’re new to using cutting tools.
• Always cut away from your body and keep your fingers away from the blade to avoid accidental cuts.
• For precision cutting, use craft knives or scissors with pointed tips, but always cut on a cutting mat to protect your work surface.
• When using glue, opt for a fine-tip glue bottle to prevent excess glue from spilling onto your paper. Also, always use glue in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling fumes from strong adhesives.
• Store all sharp objects, like scissors and knives, safely out of reach of children or pets.

2. Encouraging Creativity and Personalization in Projects

• Don’t be afraid to experiment with different materials. Beyond paper, try adding embellishments such as buttons, ribbons, or fabric to give your projects a unique touch.
• Personalize your paper crafts by incorporating your favorite colors, patterns, or themes that reflect your personality and style.
• Use stamps, stencils, and die cuts to create custom designs and add flair to your projects. You can even design your own stamps or stencils if you’re feeling adventurous.
• Incorporate your own hand lettering or drawings. This adds a special, one-of-a-kind element to any card, scrapbook page, or decorative piece.

3. How to Turn Mistakes into Opportunities for Improvement

• Embrace imperfections: Mistakes can add character to your project. For example, a smudge or slight tear can be incorporated into the design as a creative feature.
• Adapt and cover mistakes: If you cut a piece of paper wrong or make a glue mess, don’t worry. Consider covering the mistake with a decorative embellishment, such as a flower, sticker, or a stamped image.
• Repurpose and rethink: If something doesn’t go as planned, think about how you can adjust your design. A miscut edge could become part of a distressed or vintage look, and excess glue can be wiped off before it sets.
• Learn from your mistakes: Every mistake offers a chance to improve. Take note of what went wrong, so you can refine your techniques and make fewer errors in the future.

By following these tips, you’ll not only improve your paper crafting skills but also make the process more enjoyable and creative. Whether you’re crafting for fun or creating personalized gifts, let your imagination run wild, and remember, every project is a learning opportunity!