Looking for fun, simple ways to keep your kids busy without a lot of prep or fancy supplies? Paper crafts are the perfect solution! With just a few basic materials — like construction paper, scissors, and glue — your kids can create amazing projects that inspire creativity and imagination.
Whether you need a rainy-day activity, a boredom buster, or just something to keep little hands busy, these easy paper crafts are sure to provide hours of entertainment. Plus, they’re budget-friendly and mess-minimizing — a win for both kids and parents!
Ready to dive in? Let’s get crafting!
This post contains affiliate links.
What Can Kids Learn from Doing Paper Crafts?
Kids can learn a variety of skills from paper crafts, including:
- Fine Motor Skills – Cutting, folding, and gluing improve hand strength and coordination.
- Creativity & Imagination – Exploring colors, patterns, and designs sparks new ideas.
- Problem-Solving – Figuring out how pieces fit together builds critical thinking.
- Following Directions – Step-by-step crafting strengthens focus and listening.
- Math Concepts – Measuring, symmetry, and patterns introduce key math skills.
- Confidence – Completing a project gives kids a sense of pride.
- Emotional Regulation – Crafting can be calming and help kids manage emotions.
- Social Skills – Working with others encourages teamwork and communication.
No craft is too simple!
Easy Construction Paper Crafts for Kids
Construction paper is one of the simplest and most versatile craft supplies, making it perfect for fun, kid-friendly projects. These easy ideas are great for sparking creativity and keeping little hands busy!
Most of these can be done with construction paper, but some of them would be best swapped with cardstock.
Easy Paper Tulip Craft
This simple yet beautiful paper tulip craft is perfect for spring! With just a few folds, a straw, and some colorful paper, kids can create vibrant tulips. Use this free template.
Gnome Craft
Create adorable gnomes with this fun and easy craft! Using just paper, felt, or pom-poms, kids can design their own whimsical gnomes — perfect for seasonal displays or imaginative play. Get the printable, here.
Pot of Gold Craft
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this charming pot of gold craft (with free template). Kids will enjoy creating a colorful rainbow that leads to a shiny pot of gold, making it a festive decoration or a fun classroom activity.
Rocking Bird Craft by Arty Crafty Kids
This delightful rocking bird craft combines creativity with movement! Kids can decorate their own cheerful bird and watch it gently rock back and forth — a fun mix of art and play.
Easy Bat Headband
Perfect for Halloween or any time of the year, this easy bat headband is a spooky yet adorable craft! With simple cutouts and a comfortable headband design, kids can proudly wear their bat creation during costume parties or trick-or-treating. Download the free printable.
Witches Brew Cauldron
Stir up some Halloween fun with this bubbling witches’ brew cauldron craft! Using paper, markers, and a touch of imagination, kids can create a spooky cauldron filled with colorful potions and creepy crawlies.
Paper Bracelets from One Little Project
These fun and stylish paper bracelets are perfect for kids to design and wear! With endless color and pattern combinations, this simple craft encourages creativity and is ideal for playdates, parties, or just for fun.
Paper Pumpkin People
These playful paper pumpkin people are a fun fall craft that kids will love! With their wiggly arms and legs, these silly pumpkins make adorable decorations for Halloween or Thanksgiving. Get the free template, here.
Turkey Headband
This cute and easy turkey headband (free printable) is perfect for Thanksgiving festivities! Kids can create their own colorful turkey using paper feathers and proudly wear it during holiday gatherings or school parties.
Paper Lanterns by Inner Child Fun
These vibrant paper lanterns are a simple yet eye-catching craft that’s great for celebrations or seasonal décor. Kids can decorate them with patterns, stickers, or drawings to add their own creative touch.
Accordion Santa
This jolly accordion Santa craft is a festive way to decorate for Christmas! With his bouncy accordion arms and legs, Santa comes to life, making him a delightful addition to mantels, doors, or classroom displays. Download free template, here.
Easy 3D Paper Crafts by The Best Vinyl Cutters
These easy 3D paper crafts are perfect for adding dimension to your art projects! From animals to seasonal designs, these fun creations are simple to assemble and make great decorations or gifts.
Paper Chain
A classic craft with endless possibilities, paper chains are perfect for decorating during holidays, parties, or special events. Kids can mix and match colors to create vibrant garlands that brighten any space. You could also download this fun gratitude chain.
Paper Weaving Craft by Made with Happy
This colorful paper weaving craft is a fantastic way to develop fine motor skills while creating a beautiful design. Kids can experiment with different color patterns to create unique placemats, cards, or wall art.
Paper Reindeer
This charming paper reindeer craft is perfect for Christmas! With its sweet face and easy assembly, kids will love creating their own festive reindeer to display or give as a holiday keepsake. Download free printable, here.
Easy Tissue Paper Crafts for Kids List
Tissue paper is a colorful, affordable material that’s perfect for creating fun and vibrant crafts. These easy ideas are sure to keep kids engaged while encouraging creativity!
DIY Tissue Paper Piñata
This fun DIY tissue paper piñata is perfect for parties and celebrations! Kids can layer colorful tissue paper to create a festive piñata that’s just as fun to make as it is to break.
Tissue Paper Bookmarks by Darcy and Brian
These tissue paper bookmarks are a vibrant and creative way for kids to personalize their reading materials. With colorful layers and easy designs, they make wonderful gifts or keepsakes.
Apple Suncatcher
Brighten up your windows with this cheerful apple suncatcher craft! Using tissue paper and a simple outline, kids can create a colorful apple design that catches the sunlight beautifully. Download free template, here.
Tissue Paper Flowers by Kid Friendly Things to Do
These gorgeous tissue paper flowers are easy to make and perfect for adding a pop of color to any room. Kids can mix and match colors to create bright, cheerful bouquets for decorations or gifts.
Tissue Paper Rainbow
This vibrant tissue paper rainbow craft (free template) is a fun way for kids to explore colors while practicing their fine motor skills. It’s perfect for spring, St. Patrick’s Day, or simply adding some cheerful color to your space.
Tissue Paper Lanterns by The Craft Train
These tissue paper lanterns glow beautifully when lit from within! Kids will love layering colorful tissue paper to create unique designs that shine when illuminated with LED lights.
I Love You To Pieces Heart Craft
This heartfelt craft is perfect for Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day! Kids can glue colorful tissue paper pieces inside a heart outline, creating a sweet and meaningful keepsake. (Free Printable)
Tissue Paper Butterfly Mobile by Makes and Takes
This delicate tissue paper butterfly mobile adds a whimsical touch to any room. Kids can create colorful butterflies that gently sway in the breeze, making it a perfect spring or summer craft.
Heart Suncatchers
These tissue paper heart suncatchers are a lovely way to brighten windows for Valentine’s Day or anytime you want to spread a little love. With their vibrant colors and easy design, they make a fun craft for kids of all ages.
Tissue Paper Bleed by S&S Blog
The tissue paper bleed technique creates stunning watercolor-like designs using simple materials. Kids can place colorful tissue paper on paper, spray it with water, and watch the colors blend into a beautiful masterpiece.
Easy Paper Plate Crafts for Kids
Paper plates are a fantastic base for all kinds of creative crafts! These simple and fun ideas are perfect for kids of all ages and require minimal supplies.
Paper Plate Caterpillar
This adorable paper plate caterpillar craft is perfect for kids who love bugs and Storytime! By painting and cutting paper plate sections, kids can create their own colorful caterpillar to crawl across the table. Download the free template, here.
Paper Plate Donut Craft by In the Bag Kids Crafts
This sweet paper plate donut craft looks good enough to eat! Kids can decorate their “donut” with paint, sprinkles, and fun toppings to create a delicious-looking masterpiece.
Paper Plate Leprechaun
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this fun and festive paper plate leprechaun (free printable)! With a bright orange beard and a lucky hat, this craft is a great way to add some holiday cheer.
Paper Plate Frisbee by Crafts by Amanda
Turn a simple paper plate into a fun, lightweight frisbee! Kids can decorate their frisbees with colorful designs before tossing them around for some active indoor or outdoor play.
Paper Plate Spider Web
This spooky paper plate spider web is the perfect Halloween craft! Using yarn and a paper plate, kids can weave their own creepy web and add a little paper spider to complete the look.
Paper Plate Flower by The Resourceful Mama
Brighten up your space with a beautiful paper plate flower craft! Kids can paint and cut petals from a paper plate, adding a colorful center to create a cheerful decoration.
Paper Plate Owl by Made With Happy
This cute and easy paper plate owl craft is perfect for fall or woodland-themed activities. With big round eyes and colorful feathers, kids can create their own wise little owl to display.
Sponge Plate Turkey
This fun Thanksgiving craft uses a sponge painting technique to create a vibrant turkey! Kids can stamp colorful feathers onto a paper plate, making a festive and textured turkey to celebrate the season.
Paper Plate Jellyfish Craft by Kids Activity Zone
Create a floating jellyfish with this fun paper plate craft! With colorful paper tentacles and a wavy design, this sea creature craft is a great way to explore ocean life through art.
Easy Toilet Paper Roll Crafts for Kids
Don’t toss those empty toilet paper rolls — they’re perfect for fun and creative crafts! These easy ideas turn recycled rolls into adorable projects that kids will love.
Toilet Paper Butterfly
Transform an empty toilet paper roll into a colorful butterfly (with free printable) with wings made from paper, paint, or tissue paper. A fun and simple craft for kids to explore creativity!
Cardboard Tube Bird Feeder by Glitter on a Dime
Spread peanut butter on a cardboard tube, roll it in birdseed, and slide it onto a branch for an easy, eco-friendly bird feeder that little hands can help make.
Toilet Paper Binoculars by Happy Toddler Playtime
Create pretend play binoculars using two toilet paper rolls, tape, and string—perfect for little adventurers and indoor or outdoor exploration!
Easy Toilet Paper Stamps
Cut and shape toilet paper rolls into hearts, stars, or other fun designs, then dip them in paint to create unique stamped artwork.
DIY Kaleidoscope from Toilet Paper Rolls by Darcy and Brian
Craft a mesmerizing DIY kaleidoscope using a toilet paper roll, clear plastic, and colorful beads for a magical, hands-on science and art project.
Toilet Paper Windsock Craft by Crafting Chicks
Decorate a toilet paper roll and attach streamers to make a fun and breezy windsock, perfect for outdoor play and decoration.
Bouncy Paper Roll Flower
Use a toilet paper roll, pipe cleaners, and paper to craft a cute flower that bounces—great for a springtime craft!
Toilet Paper Roll Popsicles by Little Ladoo
Turn toilet paper rolls into colorful popsicles with paper, paint, and popsicle sticks for a fun pretend play or summer-themed craft.
Toilet Paper Roll Robots by Made to be a Mamma
Stack and decorate toilet paper rolls with foil, googly eyes, and buttons to create adorable mini robots with lots of personality!
Toilet Paper Roll Race Car by Thrifty Jinxy
Make a speedy race car by cutting and decorating a toilet paper roll, adding wheels, and letting kids zoom their creations across the floor.
More Easy Paper Crafts for Kids
Looking for more fun and simple paper crafts for kids? These easy projects use everyday materials like paper, cardboard, and toilet paper rolls to spark creativity and hands-on fun. Perfect for a quick afternoon activity or a rainy-day project!
BEE Mine Bookmark
This adorable bee-shaped bookmark (includes free template) is a fun and easy craft that makes reading extra sweet! Made with paper, markers, and glue, it’s perfect for Valentine’s Day or any book-loving kid.
Leprechaun Trap
Create a clever and colorful trap to catch a sneaky leprechaun using paper, cardboard, and craft supplies. A fun St. Patrick’s Day tradition that sparks creativity and imagination!
Paper Bag Bunny Puppet
Turn a simple paper bag into a cute bunny puppet with construction paper, markers, and glue. A great Easter craft that doubles as a fun storytelling prop!
Origami Paper Crafts by Artsy Craftsy Mom
Discover the magic of folding paper with easy origami projects for kids! From animals to fun shapes, these crafts are a great way to build fine motor skills and creativity.
Coffee Filter Turkey
Use coffee filters, markers, and water to create a colorful turkey craft (with free template) with a beautiful tie-dye effect. A perfect Thanksgiving project for little hands!
Coffee Filter Butterfly
Transform coffee filters into vibrant butterflies by adding color with markers and spritzing with water. A simple and beautiful craft that’s great for spring!
Paper Squishes
Create your own squishy toys using paper, stuffing, and tape! These fun, squeezable crafts can be customized with cute designs and are perfect for stress relief or pretend play.
Stackable Paper Turtle
Layer cut-out paper turtle shapes to create an adorable stackable turtle craft. Kids can mix and match colors and sizes for a fun, interactive project that builds fine motor skills!
Which easy paper craft from the list above are you going to try first with your kids?
With these 52 easy paper crafts, kids will have endless opportunities to get creative, have fun, and stay engaged for hours! Whether they’re making adorable animals, colorful decorations, or interactive crafts, these simple projects use everyday materials and spark big imaginations. So grab some paper, scissors, and glue, and let the crafting adventures begin!
Leave A Comment