Creative DIY Crafts for the Whole Family
Crafting together as a family is a fantastic way to spend quality time, get creative, and bond over a shared activity. Whether you're looking for something simple, fun, or challenging, there are endless DIY craft ideas that will appeal to all ages. Here are some creative and easy crafts to try with the whole family.
1. Painted Rock Animals
What You’ll Need:
- Smooth rocks
- Paint (acrylic works best)
- Brushes
- Markers for details
How to Do It:
Start by gathering some smooth rocks from the garden or a local park. Paint them to resemble your favorite animals — whether it’s a ladybug, a lion, or a penguin! Once dry, use markers to add little details, like eyes, fur, or feathers. These cute painted rocks make great paperweights, garden decorations, or little gifts for family and friends.
Why We Love It:
This project is easy for kids but also allows adults to get creative with designs. Plus, it's an eco-friendly craft that uses natural materials.
2. Family Handprint Tree
What You’ll Need:
- Large sheet of paper or canvas
- Paint (various colors)
- Brushes
How to Do It:
Using different colored paints, have each family member dip their hands into the paint and leave their handprint on the canvas or paper. Arrange the handprints to form the branches of a tree, with the "trunk" of the tree created using a paintbrush. You can even add leaves or flowers to personalize it. The end result is a beautiful, sentimental family tree that you can hang on the wall.
Why We Love It:
This is a great keepsake craft that celebrates the family bond. Plus, it’s an easy project for toddlers, kids, and adults alike.
3. DIY Bird Feeders
What You’ll Need:
- Toilet paper rolls
- Peanut butter (or vegetable shortening for nut-free)
- Birdseed
- String (optional)
How to Do It:
Take a toilet paper roll and spread peanut butter (or vegetable shortening) all over it. Roll the coated tube in birdseed until it’s well covered. For added flair, you can tie a string around the tube to hang it from a tree. Place the bird feeder outside and watch the birds come to enjoy their treat!
Why We Love It:
This is a fun, hands-on way to engage children with nature while crafting. Plus, it’s super easy and mess-free, making it perfect for younger children.
4. Paper Plate Masks
What You’ll Need:
- Paper plates
- Scissors
- Paint, markers, or crayons
- Yarn or string
- Glue and glue gun
- Decorations (sequins, feathers, buttons, etc.)
How to Do It:
Cut eye holes in the paper plate and let the kids decorate them to create their own animal or character mask. You can paint, color, or add embellishments such as feathers, glitter, or googly eyes. Use yarn or string to tie the mask around the back of your head.
Why We Love It:
This craft is great for imaginative play, and each mask will be unique. Plus, the decorating possibilities are endless!
5. DIY Salt Dough Ornaments
What You’ll Need:
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1/4 cup water
- Cookie cutters
- Rolling pin
- Ribbon or string (for hanging)
- Paint
How to Do It:
Mix the flour, salt, and water together to make salt dough. Roll it out and use cookie cutters to create different shapes — stars, hearts, or animals. Make a hole at the top of each ornament so you can thread a ribbon through later. Bake the shapes in the oven at 250°F (120°C) for about 2 hours, or until they’re hard. Once cooled, paint and decorate them for a festive touch!
Why We Love It:
These homemade ornaments are perfect for the holiday season but can be made and used any time of year. They also make fantastic gifts or keepsakes.
6. Upcycled Tin Can Planters
What You’ll Need:
- Empty tin cans
- Paint
- Soil
- Small plants or seeds
- Paintbrushes and markers
How to Do It:
Clean the tin cans and let the kids paint them however they like. You can make designs, faces, or even use stencils. After the paint has dried, fill the cans with soil and plant seeds or small plants inside. These planters can be placed on windowsills, desks, or even in the garden.
Why We Love It:
This project teaches kids about upcycling and gardening, and it’s a great way to brighten up the house or balcony with personal, handmade planters.
7. DIY Fairy or Dinosaur Gardens
What You’ll Need:
- A shallow container (tray, wooden box, etc.)
- Potting soil
- Small plants (succulents, flowers, or moss)
- Decorative items (small fairies, dinosaurs, pebbles, tiny furniture)
How to Do It:
Create a miniature fairy or dinosaur garden by filling a shallow container with potting soil and arranging plants inside. Use tiny decorations like fairies, dinosaurs, or tiny furniture to create a magical or prehistoric scene. This is a creative way to combine gardening with imaginative play, and it’s fun for both kids and adults.
Why We Love It:
It’s a fun, ongoing project that allows children to engage with nature and use their imagination to create a world of their own.
8. DIY T-Shirt Designs
What You’ll Need:
- Plain t-shirts
- Fabric markers or paint
- Stencils or masking tape (optional)
How to Do It:
Take a plain t-shirt and let everyone in the family design their own unique shirt. You can use fabric markers or fabric paint to draw designs, quotes, or patterns. For added fun, try using stencils or masking tape to create crisp lines or geometric patterns. Once the shirts are dry, wear them with pride!
Why We Love It:
This is a wearable craft that allows each person to show off their personal style. It’s great for family reunions, vacations, or just for a fun day of crafting.
9. DIY Family Portraits
What You’ll Need:
- Paper or canvas
- Colored pencils, markers, or crayons
- Family photos (for reference)
How to Do It:
Sit down with the family and have each person draw a portrait of themselves or the whole family. You can use family photos as references or let everyone’s imagination run wild. The result will be a fun and quirky representation of the family.
Why We Love It:
Family portraits make for a lovely keepsake that everyone can cherish. It’s a wonderful way to capture the spirit and creativity of your family.
10. Colorful Paper Lanterns
What You’ll Need:
- Colorful construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick or tape
- String or ribbon (optional)
How to Do It:
Cut a piece of colorful construction paper into strips, leaving a small edge at the top. Then, roll the paper into a cylinder and glue or tape the edges together. Gently fan out the strips to create a lantern shape. Add a string or ribbon for hanging. You can also decorate your lanterns with markers or glitter.
Why We Love It:
These bright paper lanterns are fun to make, and they create a lovely, festive atmosphere when hung around the house or garden.