Bookmark this page for a year-round reference guide to keeping your five-year-olds engaged as they transition from tactile exploration to more structured creative play. It’s essential to have a stash of fun and varied projects at your fingertips. That’s why I’m excited to share thirty-one crafts specifically designed for five-year-olds, from imaginative play to science-inspired activities, these projects cater to diverse interests and skill levels.
What sets them apart is their accessibility: each one uses common home goods, objects, or tools, making them budget-friendly and easy to customize. And the best part, many can be upcycled from items you might otherwise throw away, promoting sustainability and reducing waste. Whether you’re looking for a quick after-school activity or a special treat for your little ones, I hope this collection of crafts brings joy to both children and adults alike.
Paper Ring
Curiosity gets the better of five-year-olds, and they start to notice even the smallest details. If your little one has a fascination with jewelry, why not create some DIY paper rings together? Gather a variety of papers that you or your child loves, and let their creativity shine by customizing each ring with gemstones, glitter, and other embellishments. The eclectic mix should have something to appeal to every young creative’s taste.
DIY Microphones
Ditch the makeshift microphones and get creative with DIY glittery ones. With just a few simple materials, including a toilet paper or paper towel roll, you can create your own fun and functional mic. Simply decorate it to your heart’s content, and you’re ready to rock.
Painting With Salt
For the adventurous and driven artist, painting with salt can be a captivating experience. To achieve this unique effect, it’s essential to have everything at the ready. The foundation of this process lies in two crucial steps: applying glue and sprinkling salt. These actions are intertwined, making it vital to complete them simultaneously when it comes to selecting paints, watercolors are an ideal choice.
Their fluid nature allows them to move freely through a liquid, resulting in unpredictable and intriguing patterns.
Toy Binoculars
Elevate your child’s sense of adventure with these versatile toy binoculars. To get started, simply apply a small amount of TP glue and let their creativity shine by decorating them as they see fit. For an added touch of practicality, punch two small holes on either side of the binoculars to attach a yarn or string strap, allowing your little explorer to wear their newfound gear with ease.
Paper Squishies
Transforming your child’s beloved squishes into adorable tabletop companions is a wonderful way to encourage creativity and bonding. Start by having an open conversation with your little one about bringing their favorite squish to life in miniature form. Ask them if they’d prefer to take on the design entirely themselves or use a template for guidance. This thoughtful approach will ensure the final product turns out as sweet as can be.
To make it even more special, consider crafting not one, but two miniature squishes so your child’s Squishie BFF can have its very own companion.
Paper Chains
A timeless classic that never fails to bring joy to children, this versatile decoration is perfect for birthday celebrations, holiday decor, or as a creative addition to other craft projects. Its adaptability knows no bounds; by sticking to one color scheme or opting for a multi-hued design, young crafters get to hone their scissor skills and develop their artistic flair.
Dinosaur Toilet Paper Roll Craft
The humble toilet paper roll has been elevated from its mundane purpose to become a canvas for creativity. With this versatile tube, the possibilities are endless – from crafting a cute long-necked creature to bringing a prehistoric dinosaur to life. The beauty of these DIY projects lies in their flexibility, allowing you to put your own unique spin on them. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and get creative. In fact, we encourage it, and who knows.
Your child might just have a blast with this fun craft, making it one of the most enjoyable activities for boys (and girls) to engage in.
Coffee Filter Flowers
For a thoughtful and budget-friendly gift that kids can make for their loved ones, consider creating a stunning bouquet of coffee filter flowers. While the process may seem intricate, the most time-consuming aspect is actually waiting for the filters to dry – a small price to pay for the end result. To ensure you have all the materials you need, grab a pack of coffee filters and stock up (you’ll never need to buy more for craft projects again).
Q-Tip Painted Dragonfly
For kids looking to hone their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, this Q-Tip painted dragonfly craft is an engaging way to do so. By using Q-Tips as a painting tool, children are forced to adapt to a new brush size, intentionally holding it while creating. To keep the dots on the dragonfly clean, have multiple Q-Tips in various color pots readily available.
Handprint Bookmarks
For readers who love getting lost in a good story, oversized handprint bookmarks offer a practical solution for keeping their place. Unlike smaller bookmarks that are prone to vanishing, these larger-than-life markers are less likely to go missing. To add an extra layer of security and support, consider pairing them with a sturdy popsicle stick. This clever combination will keep their page marked and their book safe from accidental dog-earing.
Pop-Up Rainbow Card
For a thoughtful and colorful gesture, consider having kids create a pop-up rainbow card for loved ones. The accordion fold design is easy to execute, featuring adorable glued rainbows that can be personalized with hues matching specific holidays or seasons. This versatile card is perfect for expressing appreciation towards friends, family members, or others who bring joy into their lives.
DIY Play Dough
While traditional Play-Doh is a timeless favorite among children, its cost can add up rapidly. However, this presents an opportunity to customize a child’s play dough collection to their individual preferences. By adjusting the colors, quantities, and fragrances used, you can create a unique and personalized stash that fosters creativity and imagination.
Apple and Pumpkin Fine Motor Activity
Want to take your kids’ learning experience to the next level? Try incorporating a fun and engaging fine motor activity that’s perfect for the fall season. This project may require some finesse, as the delicacy of the materials can make it more challenging. For instance, the type of paper you choose to use will impact the overall difficulty level.
Beaded Wind Chime
For children who adore the great outdoors, creating a beaded wind chime is an enjoyable activity that’s not just limited to indoor use. In fact, take your kids on a nature walk beforehand to see if they’d like to incorporate any natural treasures into their project while assembling it.
Salt Dough
Salt dough offers a unique combination of play and creativity, making it an excellent alternative to traditional modeling materials. While similar to play dough, salt dough has a more pliable texture, similar to clay, which makes it perfect for sculptors in the making. Its versatility allows it to be used to create a wide range of decorative items, from holiday ornaments to figurines and beyond. With some basic guidance, you can unlock the full potential of this creative medium.
For a step-by-step guide on how to get started with DIY salt dough projects, refer to my previous post for detailed instructions.
Apple Paper Plate Lacing Activity
When it comes to honing hand-eye coordination skills, this apple paper plate lacing activity is an excellent choice. To make it even more engaging and accessible for young learners, consider pre-piercing or punching holes into the plate beforehand. This will enable kids to dive straight in and practice their fine motor skills as they attempt to string together the plate’s various components.
Jellyfish Craft
This delightful jellyfish craft is a surefire hit with kids, requiring only basic materials and an open-ended approach to decoration. With its simplicity and adaptability, it’s the perfect activity for families or classrooms looking to spark creativity and imagination. And, if you’re feeling adventurous, why not try your hand at our DIY paper spider craft? Another fun and engaging project that’s sure to delight young minds.
Handprint Paper Plate Sun
Take your creativity to new heights by crafting a radiant handprint paper plate sun that’s sure to brighten up any room. To streamline the process, simply use one or two kids’ hands as templates and repeat the design for a cohesive look. For an added pop of brightness, stick to a single shade of yellow or incorporate a few complementary hues. Make things even easier: grab a batch of yellow paper plates and let the sunshine in.
Paper Plate Hot Air Balloon
Hot air balloons are an ideal subject for a children’s craft project, especially when combined with a versatile medium like a paper plate. The beauty of this activity lies in its uniqueness, as each balloon is distinct due to the creative freedom given to the young artists. By allowing them to decorate their own plates, you’ll end up with a diverse collection of colorful and imaginative hot air balloons that reflect the individuality of each child.
Paper Mache
Paper mache, often closely tied to piñatas, offers a world of creative possibilities beyond its festive associations. With some planning and inspiration from online tutorials or DIY guides, you can bring a wide range of imaginative projects to life – whether it’s crafting a prehistoric dinosaur, creating custom letters or symbols, or conceiving innovative shapes, the medium is surprisingly versatile.
To get started, begin with simple, accessible projects that allow you to develop your skills and build confidence as you gain experience and master the basics; you’ll be well-equipped to tackle more complex and ambitious creations that will delight children and adults alike.
Marshmallow Squish Art
While these bagged art sensory activities may be a dream come true for adults, who no longer have to worry about messes and cleanups, kids can still thoroughly enjoy the squishy texture without any of the hassle. The addition of marshmallows takes the experience to a whole new level, as they interact with the paint and other additives in a unique and engaging way.
Earth Day Activity
Introducing young children to the concept of the world can be a daunting task; however, incorporating a globe activity into their learning experience can bridge the gap between abstract ideas and tangible understanding. This hands-on approach allows kids to visualize the Earth’s surface, decipher color-coded territories, and identify their own location on the map.
Alternatively, this engaging craft can serve as a delightful break from the usual routine, offering an opportunity for creativity and self-expression.
Toilet Paper Roll Bracelet
These customizable bracelets offer endless creative possibilities for children. Some kids wore them as superhero cuffs, while others used them to add a stylish touch to their outfits. The versatility of these DIY accessories lies in their adjustable design, allowing the wearer to choose from a range of wrist sizes by cutting them to fit perfectly. With this simple yet ingenious hack, you can transform humble toilet paper tubes into functional and fashionable treasures.
Unicorn Paper Plate Craft
For an engaging and fun experience, consider using paper plates as the base for your kid’s art project. This unicorn craft is incredibly easy to execute yet still yields a charming result. It’s perfect for party gatherings, sleepovers, or group activities. Once complete, the finished unicorns can come together to create a delightful display.
Ice Painting
Get your kids excited about art with the fun process of ice painting. Start by preparing an ice cube tray by filling each compartment with a combination of water and a different color (watercolor paints work particularly well). Next, insert popsicle sticks into each square and place the tray in the freezer until it’s frozen solid. Once you’ve removed the icy masterpieces from the freezer, let your little ones’ creativity shine as they decorate and manipulate the frozen art pieces.
Ice Cream Handprint
As the seasons transition from cooler to warmer, or on days when a sweet treat becomes an irresistible indulgence, it’s time to pull out this delightful craft. These adorable ice cream handprint art pieces are sure to bring joy to all, with each person able to choose their favorite flavor by selecting a matching paper color. This fun and easy activity is perfect for warm-weather gatherings or anytime a cool treat is in order.
Paper Bag Dog Puppet
Classic paper bag puppets are a timeless and adorable creative endeavor that can be tailored to any theme. For our project, we’re going to create an endearing little pup that can be easily customized to resemble a family or favorite dog. If the kids have a special affinity for their own canine companion, feel free to modify the design to include distinctive features. Adding a ball or beloved toy to the foreground will add an extra layer of charm to this delightful creation.
To get started, grab a pack of paper bags – and with this great deal, you’ll be all set to unleash your creativity.
Crayon Name Craft
Embracing the joys of letter recognition, this delightful crayon name craft is a versatile activity suitable for any time of the year. By making it an interactive process, you’re helping to alleviate any anxiety associated with learning this essential skill. To add an element of challenge and fun, shuffle the letters before presenting them to the child, allowing them to piece together their own name.
As they work on assembling their creation, be sure to emphasize the importance of proofreading before adding the final touch – a dollop of glue.
Turtle Paper Plate Craft
With their shells and slow pace, turtles have captivated many hearts. Making your own turtle is an excellent DIY project that’s not only fun but also easy to customize with various materials. One of the simplest ways to create this aquatic creature is by using a humble paper plate. Simply gather a few different sizes of these plates to craft a whole family of turtles, each one unique and full of character.
Paper Bag Jellyfish
The charming paper bag jellyfish have won my heart, with their vibrant colors and simplicity. To make the most of this craft, I recommend choosing a light-colored bag that will provide a clean canvas for your artistic endeavors. When it comes to decorating these adorable creatures, be sure to leave the tentacles intact until the paint or color is fully dry. This approach ensures a tidy cutting process once everything has set, preventing any potential mess with the scissors.
Beaded Snakes
As we conclude this blog post, let’s take a look at the adorable beaded snakes that bring everything together. The combination of pipe cleaners and beads is always a recipe for creative success, yielding an endless array of possibilities. The versatility of these beads lies in their ability to be used with a single color or a vibrant rainbow palette – either way, the results are sure to be stunning.