If you’re a parent or teacher, you know the challenge of keeping little ones busy without relying on screens or expensive toys. Preschool crafts are one of the best solutions. They’re fun, low-cost, and help kids learn while they play.
The best part is you don’t need to run to the store for special supplies. With some paper, glue, and recyclables, you can create hours of entertainment. Below, I’ll walk you through 12 easy projects you can start today.
Why Crafts Work So Well with Preschoolers
Crafts give young children a chance to learn by doing. They use their hands, eyes, and imagination all at once, which helps build important early skills.
When kids cut, glue, or color, they’re improving coordination and focus. Choosing colors or deciding what to make teaches independence and problem-solving. Sharing their finished work helps them build confidence and pride.
Craft time also encourages conversation. Kids talk about what they’re making, ask questions, and learn new words. It’s a simple way to combine creativity with communication and learning all through play.
12 Preschool Crafts to Try
Preschool crafts are more than just fun activities. They give kids a chance to explore, learn, and create using simple materials you already have. Whether you’re a parent at home or a teacher in the classroom, these projects are easy to set up and always a hit with little ones.
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Paper Plate Animals
This classic craft is perfect for sparking creativity and fine motor skills. Kids can turn paper plates into lions, cats, or owls using crayons, glue, and colored paper. Cut out ears, whiskers, or feathers and help them glue everything in place.
Once their animal is complete, ask, “What sound does your animal make?” This small activity adds imagination and helps with sound recognition.
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Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars
Don’t throw away those cardboard rolls. Turn them into binoculars. Tape or glue two rolls side by side, punch small holes, and tie a piece of yarn for a neck strap. Once decorated, kids can use them to explore the world around them.
Take them outdoors for a “mini safari” or an indoor treasure hunt to build observation and storytelling skills.
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Handprint Flowers
Handprint crafts are always a favorite. Trace or paint children’s hands on colored paper, cut out the shapes, and use them as petals around a paper or straw stem.
Add a circle in the middle for the flower’s center. Kids love seeing their handprints become part of something bigger. Ask them what flowers need to grow to add a quick science lesson about sunlight and water.
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Egg Carton Caterpillars
This project teaches creativity and recycling in one go. Cut a strip from an egg carton, then let kids paint each section in bright colors.
Once dry, add googly eyes and pipe cleaners for antennae. Talk about how caterpillars turn into butterflies, or pair the craft with a read-aloud of The Very Hungry Caterpillar to connect art and literacy.
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Popsicle Stick Puppets
These simple puppets open up endless storytelling opportunities. Have kids glue paper cutouts, yarn, or fabric scraps to popsicle sticks to create people, animals, or imaginary creatures.
Once the characters are ready, encourage them to perform a short puppet show. This helps boost communication skills, confidence, and creativity.
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Coffee Filter Butterflies
Colorful and quick to make, these butterflies double as a mini science experiment. Kids color coffee filters with markers, spray them lightly with water, and watch the colors blend. Pinch the center with a clothespin to form wings.
Once dry, they can flutter their butterflies around the room while learning about color mixing and symmetry.
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Homemade Shakers
Turn empty water bottles into music makers. Fill each one with rice, pasta, or beans, seal them tightly, and decorate with tape or stickers. Play a song and let kids shake along to the beat. This craft introduces rhythm, coordination, and sound awareness in a fun, active way.
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Sock Puppets
Old socks easily transform into new characters. Give kids buttons, yarn, and scraps of fabric to bring their puppets to life. They can make people, animals, or silly creatures, then invent stories for them. This project builds creativity, social interaction, and confidence as kids act out their puppet’s adventures.
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Nature Collage
Take craft time outside. Go for a short walk and collect leaves, flowers, and twigs. Once back inside, help kids glue their finds onto paper to make a nature collage.
Each piece turns out different, and it’s a great way to talk about colors, textures, and the changing seasons while promoting sensory learning.
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Paper Bag Masks
Give each child a paper lunch bag, cut out eye holes, and provide crayons, feathers, or yarn for decorating. Kids can create animals, superheroes, or funny faces.
Once everyone is done, hold a mini mask parade or role-playing game. This simple project encourages expression and helps kids understand emotions and identity.
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Button Sorting Pictures
This craft mixes art with early math. Draw simple outlines—trees, balloons, fish—and give children buttons of different sizes and colors. Have them glue the buttons inside the shapes, sorting as they go.
They’ll practice pattern recognition, counting, and color matching while creating something they can proudly display.
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Bubble Wrap Prints
Turn leftover bubble wrap into art tools. Brush washable paint onto a sheet of bubble wrap, press a piece of paper over it, then lift to reveal a bumpy, colorful print.
It’s messy but exciting, and kids love experimenting with color combinations. You can even cut the prints into shapes for extra projects later.
A Few Tips Before You Start
Before you dive into these preschool crafts, take a few minutes to prepare. A little organization goes a long way in keeping things fun, safe, and stress-free for everyone.
- Keep a “craft box” stocked with basics: scissors, glue, tape, markers, and paper scraps.
- Choose washable, non-toxic materials that are safe for small hands.
- Cover tables with old newspapers or plastic sheets to make cleanup easier.
- Pre-cut shapes or tricky parts for younger children to keep frustration low.
- Let kids lead the process and make creative choices, even if the result looks messy.
- Incorporate a book, song, or short story to connect the craft to a learning theme.
- Display finished crafts on a wall or shelf to show kids their work matters.
- Take photos of projects for a craft journal—kids love looking back at what they made.
- Keep extra wipes or paper towels nearby for quick cleanup.
- End each craft by asking questions like, “What did you like making most?” to encourage reflection and conversation.
Want more hands-on ideas to keep your little ones engaged all year long? Check out our blog, The Ultimate Guide to Seasonal Preschool Activities, for fresh, themed projects every season.
Wrapping Up
Preschool crafts don’t need to be complicated or expensive. These 12 ideas show how much you can do with simple supplies you already have at home or in the classroom.
So, what will you try first with your kids or students?
Looking for more ways to support your child’s creativity and learning? Visit Quality Interactive Montessori Preschool to discover programs that inspire curiosity, confidence, and hands-on growth every day.
