Bookmark this page for a year-round reference point for keeping your little ones engaged. As a parent, you’re probably looking for ways to channel your five-year-old’s natural curiosity and enthusiasm into structured creative activities. With thirty-one fun crafts to explore, you’ve come to the right place! While five-year-olds may not be as hands-on as younger toddlers, they still thrive on sensory experiences and hands-on projects.
The challenge lies in finding a diverse range of ideas that cater to their unique interests. From making jewelry to creating dinosaurs, microphones, and binoculars, we’ve got you covered with a project for every little one between the toddler phase and independent play. Our crafts are designed to be adaptable to different skill levels, from simple to more complex, yet remain easily customizable. The best part?
They’re budget-friendly and often incorporate common household items, making them perfect for upcycling and reducing waste. As an added bonus, many of these projects have staying power – my kids still ask to do some of these crafts post-five! So sit back, relax, and get ready to unleash your child’s creativity with our collection of thirty-one five-year-old-friendly crafts.
Paper Ring
For kids as young as five years old, the world can be a fascinating place to explore. One way to tap into their curiosity is by engaging in creative activities together. Consider making paper rings with your little one if they have a fascination with jewelry. To make it even more enjoyable, you can customize each ring with gemstones, glitter, and other embellishments that resonate with them.
The ‘pack of paper’ I’m referring to is a unique and eclectic mix that’s sure to appeal to everyone’s interests.
DIY Microphones
Ditch the makeshift microphones made from old hairbrushes and opt for a more creative, sparkly solution. With just a toilet paper or paper towel roll as your base, you can easily transform it into a unique and functional DIY microphone. Simply add some glittery flair to give it a personalized touch.
Painting With Salt
When embarking on a painting project with salt, it’s essential to be prepared and have a grasp of the necessary techniques involved. This process requires a bit of finesse, so make sure you have everything at your disposal before beginning.
The foundation of this artistic endeavor lies in the initial two steps: applying glue and incorporating the salt. These actions are interconnected, making it crucial to complete them in tandem.
For optimal results, watercolors prove to be an excellent choice, as they flow through the liquid more independently.
Toy Binoculars
Transforming toy binoculars into a fun and functional accessory for young explorers is a breeze. TP rolls provide the perfect canvas for creative expression, simply apply some glue and let their imagination run wild. To take it to the next level, punch two holes on either side of the binoculars and attach a yarn or string strap, creating a comfortable and stylish way for little ones to wear their new favorite accessory.
Paper Squishies
Why not bring your child’s love for squishies to life by creating mini tabletop versions? Start by having an open conversation with them about bringing their favorite plush toys to the small scale. You could either let them fully take the reins in crafting the design or provide a template for them to work from. Whichever path you choose, this adorable craft is sure to turn out simply delightful.
To make it even more special, consider making two so their Squishie can have a friend to snuggle up with.
Paper Chains
A timeless choice that’s sure to delight children, the humble paper chain is a versatile decoration that shines in various settings. Whether it’s a birthday party, holiday celebration, or incorporated into another craft project, this classic design never goes out of style. One-color or multi-colored, the possibilities are endless! Kids can have fun practicing their scissor skills and creativity while crafting these colorful chains.
Dinosaur Toilet Paper Roll Craft
The humble toilet paper roll has proven itself to be an incredibly versatile crafting material. Its simple shape lends itself to a wide range of creative interpretations, from a cute giraffe or long-necked animal to a fearsome dinosaur. The beauty of this craft lies in its malleability – the construction may vary depending on your chosen design, but that’s all part of the fun!
This project is particularly well-suited for boys, as it allows them to let their imagination run wild and get creative with materials they might not typically associate with crafting.
Coffee Filter Flowers
If you’re seeking a thoughtful, budget-friendly, and simple gift to create for someone special from a young person in their life, consider crafting a stunning bouquet using coffee filter flowers. While the drying time of the filters might require some patience, the end result is well worth the wait. To ensure you never run out of these versatile materials again, grab a pack of high-quality coffee filters that can be used for various craft projects.
Q-Tip Painted Dragonfly
For kids looking to hone their hand-eye coordination or fine motor skills, try this engaging Q-Tip painted dragonfly craft. The unique size and shape of Q-Tips offer an alternative painting tool that requires children to intentionally adjust their grip while creating. To ensure a seamless experience, have a variety of Q-Tips in distinct color pots readily available, allowing kids to easily switch between colors and maintain dot cleanliness on the dragonfly’s body.
Handprint Bookmarks
For bookworms, oversized handprint bookmarks are a game-changer. Unlike smaller markers that often go missing, these larger-than-life bookmarks stay put, thanks in part to their chunky size. To take things to the next level, consider adding a popsicle stick or similar anchor to prevent them from slipping out of place and getting lost within the book’s pages.
Pop-Up Rainbow Card
When it comes to creating a thoughtful gift for a friend, family member, or loved one, kids can’t go wrong with a pop-up rainbow card. This adorable and easy-to-make project is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a birthday, holiday, or just because. To create the card, start by having the child glue cute rainbows onto the front of the card. Then, add an accordion fold to give the card some extra dimension and visual interest.
If you’re making this card during a specific time of year, consider having the child color the rainbows with a solid or corresponding color for that holiday or season. For example, if it’s Valentine’s Day, they could use pink or red shades, while Easter might call for pastel colors like yellow and blue.
DIY Play Dough
While Play-Doh is undoubtedly a timeless favorite among kids, its original form can be quite expensive. However, this doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. A major advantage of homemade or store-bought alternatives is that they offer unparalleled customization options – from tailoring the color palette to matching your child’s preferences, to adjusting the amount and even infusing unique scents, all without sacrificing the tactile experience and creative freedom.
Apple and Pumpkin Fine Motor Activity
When seeking ways to engage kids in creative pursuits or introduce new skills, consider incorporating a delicate fall-themed fine motor activity into your next project. The intricacy of this task can be adjusted according to the type of paper used, making it an excellent way to challenge and develop young hands.
Beaded Wind Chime
For children who adore the great outdoors, crafting a beaded wind chime is an activity that’s sure to spark their creativity. While it’s entirely possible to keep this indoor project indoors, why not start with a nature walk before assembling? It could just inspire your little ones to collect some unique finds they’d like to incorporate into their masterpiece.
Salt Dough
While traditional play dough offers a tactile experience, salt dough provides a more pliable and moldable medium, making it an ideal option for those with a penchant for sculpting. This versatile material can be used to create a wide range of decorative items and figurines, from holiday ornaments to custom decorations. For step-by-step guidance on crafting your own salt dough creations, refer to my post ‘DIY Salt Dough’.
Apple Paper Plate Lacing Activity
For an engaging and interactive way to develop hand-eye coordination skills, consider introducing your little ones to the world of lacing with this innovative apple paper plate project. To set things up, simply prick or punch holes into the plate, allowing kids to dive right in and get creative with threading the plate. This activity offers a fun and accessible means for young minds to hone their fine motor skills and coordination abilities.
Jellyfish Craft
Jellyfish are a fascinating aquatic creature that captivate the imagination of children, making them an ideal subject for creative projects like this paper jellyfish craft. What’s more, it’s an incredibly accessible activity that can be completed with readily available materials and personalized to your child’s unique style. As an added bonus, kids will likely enjoy exploring other DIY projects like this fun and easy paper spider craft.
Handprint Paper Plate Sun
Elevate your craft project with this creative handprint paper plate sun! Instead of starting from scratch, use your little ones’ hands as templates to save time and effort. Simply trace one or two hands and utilize those shapes to create the sun’s radiant center. For an added pop of brightness, opt for a single tone of yellow or a few different shades to give it an extra boost. To get started quickly, grab some yellow paper plates and let your creativity shine!
Paper Plate Hot Air Balloon
Hot air balloons are a charming and creative activity for kids’ crafts. The use of paper plates adds an exciting three-dimensionality to the project. What makes these crafts truly unique is the opportunity for children to personalize their creations through decoration, resulting in each balloon being one-of-a-kind.
Paper Mache
While paper mache is often linked with piñatas, its creative potential knows no bounds! With some basic planning and inspiration from online tutorials, you can bring your wildest creations to life. Whether it’s a prehistoric dinosaur or a thoughtful letter, this versatile medium allows for endless possibilities. To get started, begin with small projects that help you master the technique, and then scale up if your little ones fall in love with the process.
Marshmallow Squish Art
Imagine the delight on children’s faces when presented with bagged art sensory activities that are not only fun to play with, but also effortless to clean up! The tactile experience is further elevated by the addition of marshmallows, which interact with the paint and other mix-ins in a way that’s just as engaging for kids as it is appealing to adults. These activities truly offer something for everyone, making them an excellent choice for sensory play.
Earth Day Activity
Introducing the concept of the world to children can be a complex task, but utilizing interactive tools like globe activities can greatly simplify the process. By employing this approach, educators can effectively convey the significance of colors, geographical locations, and one’s own position on the planet.
Moreover, such hands-on exercises provide an entertaining and engaging way for young learners to develop their understanding of the world, making it a valuable addition to any educational experience.
Toilet Paper Roll Bracelet
These playful bracelets offer endless customization options, allowing each child to put their unique spin on things. Some kids wore them as superhero cuffs, while others used them to add a pop of color to their outfit. The adjustable cut allows for a comfortable fit across most wrists, giving the designer creative freedom to shape it however they like.
With this easy and fun project, you’ll be amazed at how something as simple as a toilet paper tube can become a valuable tool in your crafty arsenal!
Unicorn Paper Plate Craft
When it comes to crafting with kids, paper plates provide an ideal base for creative expression. This DIY unicorn project, perfect for parties, sleepovers, or group activities, is a delightful and easy-to-create endeavor that allows little artists to unleash their imagination. The best part? Once completed, the unicorns can come together in harmony, making it an excellent activity for fostering social skills and teamwork.
Ice Painting
Unleash the creativity of kids by introducing them to the unique art form of ice painting! Begin by preparing an ice cube tray by filling each compartment with a mixture of water and a different hue of color (watercolor paint is ideal). Next, insert popsicle sticks into each square, making sure they’re securely seated. Once the mixture has frozen solid, it’s time to unleash their imagination.
Remove the trays from the freezer and let the kids create by manipulating the popsicle sticks and colors, watching as their artistry takes shape.
Ice Cream Handprint
As the mercury rises with the approaching warmer seasons, or on any day when the sweet tooth cravings kick in, it’s high time to bust out this delightful craft! The charm of these ice cream handprints lies not only in their adorable appearance but also in the personalized touch that comes with choosing a favorite flavor through the color of the paper. Simply put, this craft is sure to be a hit among both kids and adults alike.
Paper Bag Dog Puppet
When crafting paper bag puppets, you can create a lovable little character that can be tailored to fit a child’s favorite family dog. If you’re looking to pay homage to a beloved pet, expect the assembly process to take a bit more time as you add extra details. Consider adding a small ball or toy to the forefront of your puppet for an adorable touch. For this project, grab a pack of paper bags – they often come in bulk at a great value.
Crayon Name Craft
Transform learning into a fun and engaging experience with this delightful crayon name craft, perfect for any time of the year. By incorporating letter recognition skills, this activity becomes an excellent way to build confidence in children who may be struggling with reading and writing. To add an extra layer of challenge and excitement, simply shuffle the letters before presenting them to the child, allowing them to piece together their name.
As they work, remind them that a final check is necessary before applying glue, fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment as they proudly display their finished creation.
Turtle Paper Plate Craft
Crafting turtles can be a fun and engaging activity for both kids and adults alike. One of the simplest ways to create these lovable creatures is by utilizing paper plates as the base material. To create an entire family of turtles, gather various sizes of paper plates, allowing you to customize each turtle’s unique features. This creative project is perfect for sparking imagination and fostering creativity while also being a great way to reuse and recycle everyday materials.
Paper Bag Jellyfish
There’s something undeniably charming about paper bag jellyfish – their bright colors and playful appearance make them a joy to work with. For optimal decoration, choose bags with a lighter hue, making it simpler to add vibrant touches. When it comes time to trim the tentacles, wait until everything has dried completely. This ensures a clean cut, preventing any mess or gunking up of scissors.
Beaded Snakes
The culmination of this creative endeavour is brought forth by the adorable beaded serpents, crafted using pipe cleaners and beads – a timeless combination yielding an abundance of possibilities. At the heart of these slithery creations are the versatile beads themselves, which can be chosen in a single hue or a vibrant spectrum, ultimately resulting in a series of outstanding specimens.
