Why crafting is great for your toddler's development

Even if you're not the most crafty mom, making paper bag penguins and suncatchers with your little is a great way to kill time—and spend some quality time together doing something they enjoy. And yes, it's okay if the finished product isn't perfect!

"Children develop important physical and fine motor skills when they work with art supplies like scissors, markers, glue, and stickers," says Sally Macaluso, Special Education Preschool Teacher and Educational Blogger at Tenderhearted Teacher. "Using their hands and fingers to manipulate these small objects can help them down the line when it comes to future writing and even self-care skills." Plus, they're learning to follow simple, multi-step directions and problem-solve as they create their mini works of art. According to Macaluso, crafting also teaches toddlers early literacy and math concepts as they engage with new vocabulary, various colors, shapes, materials, and patterns.

What types of crafts are best for toddlers?

The easier, the better (for you and them!). "Simple craft activities with only a few steps are best for this age," advises Macaluso. "You don't want to choose something too complex because that can make the child feel frustrated or overwhelmed. Instead, you want something they can realistically do without much help." Not only will this boost your toddler's confidence and encourage their creativity and love of art, but it'll also ensure you aren't just doing the entire craft for them, which really defeats the purpose.

Don't get rid of all those empty cardboard boxes or toilet paper (and power towel) rolls yet! Instead, reuse what you've got to create these upcycled, easy craft ideas for toddlers.

A "Crafts-Man" Style Playhouse

Get it!? "Flip" that giant cardboard box (that won't fit in your recycling bin anyway) into the ultimate playhouse for your kiddos. Keep it simple by cutting out a couple windows and a door, then let them go to town decorating the inside and outside with paint, stickers, pom-pom balls, or whatever materials you have lying around.

Colorful Cardboard Rainmakers

Make some noise and make it rain! Next time you're stuck inside, grab an empty paper towel roll and rice (plus some other easy-to-find materials around the house) and create this colorful rainmaker they'll love turning upside down—over and over again. Get the complete tutorial here. 

A Takeout Container Treasure Box

So easy! A sushi box or clamshell container works best for this craft. Simply clean it out, and then let your toddler do their thing decorating. This is a great time to get rid of random beads, gems, pom-poms, googly eyes, or whatever else you have lying around. If your little one is more into jewelry, have them create a jewelry box for all their necklaces and bracelets. Other suggested materials are glue, paint, and markers.

For more upcycled styles, try a cardboard lion or egg carton flowers, perfect for spring crafts.  

As a teacher, Macaluso loves using crafts to teach children about appreciation and gift-giving. "I like to do projects with little ones that are meant to be given away to someone else to say thank you." Here are some sweet ideas your toddler can create for family, friends or loved ones.

Handprint Flower Thank You Cards

Because is there anything grandparents love more than flowers, homemade cards and handprints? "Simple thank you cards—using a child's handprint and/or stickers on sturdy construction paper—are a sweet way to let someone know you're thinking of them," says Macaluso. Then, add some stems and leaves to turn those tiny handprints into a beautiful bouquet of flowers for Mother's Day or Grandparent's Day.

DIY Friendship Bracelets

The perfect prezzie for all their little preschool friends and, who are we kidding, themselves too. All you need to get started is some string (or pipe cleaners) and pony beads. "Just make sure that the child is supervised during an activity like this because beads can be a choking hazard," warns Macaluso. If you're feeling extra crafty, snag some small tubed pasta (your "beads") from the store, and create magical rainbow-colored bracelets. Get the full how-to here.  

For more friendship bracelet ideas check out our fabric scrap bracelet DIY and beaded rainbow bracelet DIY.

Suncatcher Keepsakes

Whether you have a rainbow lover or a dino dude at home, you can tailor this colorful keepsake craft to whatever your toddler is into. First, you'll need some contact paper, tissue paper, and construction paper cut out into whatever shape they choose (butterfly, sun, heart, etc.). "Now, lay out your frame and place contact paper inside that matches the shape of the frame," says Macaluso. "Have the child rip small pieces of colored tissue paper and place those pieces on top of the contact paper. Lastly, add a final layer of contact paper on top, so it stays together when you hang it up, and you're good to go!"

Express yourself! Let children explore and experiment—and create mini masterpieces to hang at home—with these easy toddler craft ideas that are perfect for your little Picasso.  

Salad Spinner Art

If you have a salad spinner at home, you can also try salad spinner art! "Just cut a piece of paper to fit inside the bottom of your salad spinner, and have your child squirt a few drops of washable, non-toxic paint onto the paper," tells Klein. Now spin, and prepare to be wowed!

Marble Painting

To create your own firework-inspired process art, child development expert and founder of Rose & Rex, Allison Klein, suggests trying marble painting. Start by placing black or white paper in the bottom of a cardboard box. "Then dip several marbles in different-colored paint and place them onto the paper. Next, put your hands on each side of the box and tilt the box in different directions to make the marbles roll!"

This same "action painting" idea can be used with lots of things you may have around the house like toy cars.

A Wrapping Paper Nature Scene

Little one been begging to go camping? Turn your living room into the ultimate campsite with this cool craft you can do together. If you don't have a large roll of craft paper, Klein recommends using the backside of wrapping paper to paint a nature scene (think trees, animals, etc.) together—then use some tape to hang it up indoors. "Extension activities include creating a homemade tent with a large sheet, making s'mores in the oven, and enjoying a playlist of nature sounds."

A geometric masterpiece

We love this easy idea from Klein! All you need is some toddler-friendly paint, masking tape, and the large side of a box for a flat cardboard workspace. "Stretch long pieces of masking tape or painter's tape across the cardboard in interesting patterns, like criss-crossing diagonal lines or stripes of all sizes. Then, paint the entire piece of cardboard, even on top of the tape," she says. "When you're finished painting—and before the paint dries—gently pull up each piece of tape! This process will reveal an entirely new work of art."

So good they'll want to eat them…and they can! Dig into these delicious crafts for toddlers that call for candy and other common food items you likely already have in your pantry. The best part is that kids can make the mess "disappear" when done.

Marshmallow Snowman

If they love Olaf, they'll love this adorable and delish snowman craft, courtesy of chef Cricket Azima, founder of Cricket's Candy Creations, the Creative Kitchen, and Kids Food Festival. To get started, you'll need one ice cream cake coke, a large marshmallow, white frosting, pretzel sticks, and candy—such as mini chocolate chips or m&ms and something orange for the nose, like a Mike and Ike or candy corn. "Place the marshmallow inside the cake cone and stand the cone upside down to create a shape similar to a snowman's body," she instructs. Next, spread frosting onto the cake cone and marshmallow, and then add your edible decorations to create the snowman's eyes, nose, arms, and buttons

Chocolate Tacos

Taco Tuesday, anyone? If you're tired of decorating cookies with your toddlers, switch things up and DIY your own chocolate tacos. For this craft, Azima says you'll need a flour tortilla, marshmallow cream, strawberry jam, chocolate cookie crumbles, and some M&M's and sprinkles to serve as your toppings. "Spread your marshmallow cream to look like sour cream, then sprinkle the chocolate cookie crumbles on as your taco meat. Next, add orange and red M&M's (your cheese and tomatoes) and green sprinkles for your shredded lettuce. Finally, top it off with some strawberry jam as your pico de gallo." Then enjoy!

Rainbow Bagels or Bread

Taste the rainbow with this delicious craft! Then, when they get tired of painting paper, grab a paintbrush, plus some bagels or bread out of the pantry, and let them go to town. Some gel food coloring and granulated sugar are the only ingredients needed to create your edible "paint." Check out the full recipe and tutorial here.  

So adorable! From paper plate dinosaurs to sock caterpillars, these animal crafts for toddlers are the perfect way to beat the boredom. Plus, they'll pretend play with their creations long after the actual crafting is over!

Nature Paper Tube Fish

Just keep swimming, keep swimming! Make a whole sea of fish with this fun, nature-themed paper tube craft that only takes a few minutes. Before you start, head out on a nature walk with your mini to collect all the flowers and foliage they'll need to bring their little fishies to life. Get the full tutorial here. 

Sock Caterpillars

Cutest caterpillars we've ever seen, TBH. If you've got some old socks and a pillow (that's seen better days), then you're halfway to creating these crafty lil caterpillars that are so easy most toddlers can DIY 'em all by themselves. View the complete supply list and tutorial here. 

Paper Plate Dinosaurs

This is a dino-mite idea for your little Jurassic World lover! Plus, you likely have everything you need to o DIY this little guy at home: a paper plate, paint, googly eyes, bubble wrap, a paper towel roll, some scissors, glue, and construction paper. Of course, you can create whatever dino your toddler digs, but follow this tutorial from i heart arts n crafts to make a Brachiosaurus.

We love a good pre-curated craft kit as much as the next mom! All the materials are organized and ready to go, so you don't have to spend a ton of time setting it all up, which is a win in our book. Check out these easy craft ideas for toddlers that parents will appreciate too.

The Dough Project Make Your Own Playdough Kit, 29.99 

Because toddlers and playdough go together like peanut butter and jelly. Make things simpler for everyone with this DIY playdough kit from The Dough Project, featuring all-natural, food-grade ingredients. It comes with three boxes of dry mix and step-by-step instructions to create three fresh playdough batches at home. You'll just need to help out with the stove part!

Unicorn Decoupage Animal, $22 

You can sit back and relax while your toddler decoupages this ceramic unicorn all by themselves. It comes with two large sheets of pretty, patterned tissue paper for kids to cut out. Then, use the decoupage glaze and brush to adhere the sheets to the unicorn. Instructions included!

Ooly Creatibles DIY Window Cling Art Kit, $17.99 

Drink that cup of hot coffee (finally!) while they create their window cling art. This kit comes with 14 different designs to choose from, making it great to share with siblings or do a few a day. You can also invent your designs using the blank reusable films if your toddler has a favorite motif they want to bring to life. After 24 hours of drying, they're ready to decorate your windows.