31 Cheap Crafts for Kids Under Five Dollars

Doing crafts for your kids doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are 31 different cheap crafts for kids under five dollars.

Cheap Crafts

Who doesn’t love cheap? Most of the time doing a craft with kids is super simple and cheap. They are easy to please, and it doesn’t take much to have fun. Here is what I recommend having in your kid’s craft box. With these items, you can easily have a craft handy. A lot of these crafts (listed below) can be made with those items.

Let’s be honest, most of us don’t have Pinterest-worthy crafts, enough time in the day, or the money to support a huge craft hobby, but it really can be easy and simple. All these crafts are super cheap, and can be done pretty easily, even with kids. Maybe you’ll even be able to put some of your pictures on Pinterest. (haha).

My kids and I have done a lot of these, and they loved them. They are 3 and 6. AND most of the supplies I had on hand in our craft box, or I was able to pick up at the dollar store.

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31 Cheap Crafts for Kids Under Five Dollars

Paper heart wreath

With this paper heart wreath, all you need is paper, ribbon and glue. And you can use your left over scrap paper too! So, this is a great activity if you have a lot of scraps from your other projects.

Paper Pinwheel

Some paper and straws make these super simple Paper Pinwheels that are super cute.

Rock Painting

One of the cheapest crafts around is painting the outdoors around you. Find some rocks in your yard, on a nature trail, or in a river bed, clean them off and start painting. It may not sound very fun, but it is. I was super skeptical at first, but after doing it, I couldn’t wait to try it again. Here are some great ideas and tips for beginners.

Frozen Flowers

A cute flower craft that is also a good activity for toddlers, Frozen Flowers.

Paint By Number

Paint by Number is not only fun, it is also a learning craft. If you’d like some easy alphabet paint by number for your toddler, check out my shop.

DIY Spinner

This cute paper spinner is great for adults. I want to make one for me. This tutorial is super simple, and all you need is some yarn and paper.

Yarn Pom Poms

Use some of your leftover yarn from your spinner to make some cute yarn pom poms. These can go with just about any home decor, and would like great hung in your kid’s room.

Homemade Bubbles

With some household ingredients, make some homemade bubbles, and they work really well.

Paper Lanterns

Check out these cute paper lanterns. All you need is paper, scissors, and a stapler. You could probably get away with glue if you don’t have a stapler. They are super cute and would be great to hang up for decorations for a party.

Paper Weaving

This is a fun craft that is also good hand coordination skills, paper weaving. Again, all you need is paper.

Q-tip Painting

Print off these super cute Q-tip Painting sheets, get some q-tips and you have yourself an awesome craft that is popular with all the kids. Get them for free by signing up below:

Felt Finger puppets

Felt is like the cheapest thing you can buy. I think you can get them for like 27 cents at JoAnns. These are super cute Felt Finger Puppets. This is a craft that the kids will be able to keep playing with.

Folded paper bracelets

This is another great craft for older kids learning a new skill and some eye-hand coordination, Folded Paper Bracelets. These would be great to give us gifts to friends.

Paper Mache Balloons

A super easy craft, but can get somewhat messy. My kids had a blast doing it. After doing the paper mache, you can paint them into whatever you want. You just need a little Mod Podge, paper scraps, and balloons.

Baby Turtles

These are the cutest little baby turtles you’ve ever seen. Just need some yarn and popsicle sticks.

DIY Rain Sticks

Save your paper towel rolls to make these awesome Rain Sticks. Put in some aluminum foil, paper, and rice. It’s pretty cool.

Airplane Popsicle Stick Craft

Use popsicle sticks and some hot glue to make this cute airplane craft.

Paper Plate Fish Aquarium

With a paper plate and some paper, you can make a super cute Fish Aquarium. This makes a great preschool craft, and a good way to teach kids about the ocean and fish.

Straw Painting

Using only straw and paint, you can create some awesome works of art with straw painting.

Kaleidoscope Kids Crafts

Keep saving those paper towel rolls to make this awesome Kaleidoscope craft. Add some translucent beads, and you’re good to go!

Popsicle Stick Bracelet

Make these cute Popscile bracelets with popsicle sticks and some decorative paper.

Egg Carton Bugs

Collect some of your egg cartons and use them for this simple Egg Carton Bug Craft.

Octopus Craft

All you need is some paper to make this cute octopus. 

Tissue Paper Stained Glass

The kids can use their creativity to make these cute stained glass paper. It’s mostly made of tissue paper, which is super cheap.

Homemade Stamps for Kids

Save up all your paper towel and toilet paper rolls to make these easy Homemade Stamps. They are super easy, and the kids have a lot of fun with them.

Toilet paper racing car craft

Save the toilet paper rolls and the tops to those apple sauce pouches, and you’ll be able to make these cute Race Cars.

3D Paper whale

All you need is some cute paper to make these awesome 3D Whales. They are so cute, they’ll want to play with them all day.

T-shirt Bracelets

If you have an old t-shirt that you don’t mind getting rid of or cutting up, this is a great craft. Make these cute T-shirt bracelets. Another great way to make a gift for a friend.

Skittles Experiment

Buy a small package of Skittles and do an easy science experiment. It is super cool to watch, and it’s a treat!

Paper heart penguin

Who doesn’t love a cute penguin? Make this Heart Penguin with some paper and googly eyes.

Foaming Bubbles for Kids

Use some kid’s bubbles solution and food coloring to make this fun activity, foaming bubbles. My kids had a blast doing it.

I hope you find this post useful and are able to do these crafts with your kids. If you have a craft not listed here, let me know, I’d be happy to add it.

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