There is something to be said for the satisfaction of making your toys and gadgets. It’s empowering, it’s budget-friendly, and when you do it with your kids, they will have loads of fun while learning valuable life skills like problem solving and creativity. That makes DIY projects a win-win all around
But not everyone has the time or patience required to tackle complicated instructions from Pinterest or YouTube tutorials on how to make their homemade gear.
We have compiled a list of quick and easy DIY projects that are perfect for children (and parents!).
The Sticker Craze
Stickers are cool, no matter what your age. But for kids, stickers are a gateway to a whole world of creative expression.
All you need is some paper, some stickers, and a little imagination. To save some cash you can make waterproof stickers by using waterproof sticker paper and a regular printer.
Another option to elevate your sticker game is to create custom die-cut stickers, which can be shaped to match your child's favorite characters or objects, adding a unique dimension to their creations.
Make a personalized sticker book by scanning photos of your child and their friends, or favorite animals, and printing them out onto sticker paper.
Depending on where you intend to use them, these stickers can be permanent or temporary.
One way to use stickers is to make personalized cards for family and friends.
Cut out a piece of paper in any shape you like, and let your child go to town with the stickers. Another fun way to use stickers is to make “sticker books”.
This is simply a book made out of paper that your child can decorate with stickers however they please.
Building Block Towers
This classic childhood pastime is a great way to teach kids about balance and geometry. You will need a steady hand, some patience, and preferably a helper.
Start by finding a flat surface to build on and gather up a few hundred blocks in different shapes and colors. The taller the tower, the better!
Blocks can be made out of a variety of materials, so if you have some old toys or furniture lying around, use those instead of buying new blocks.
Have your child pick out two colors to start with and stack as many blocks of one color on top of the other as they can.
Once they’ve mastered that, move on to stacking blocks of different sizes. This is a great activity for rainy days or long car trips.
Make Your Toy Kitchen
Who doesn’t love playing house? With a little preparation, you can have your very own kitchen playset for your kids to use for hours of imaginative fun (and no more arguments over who gets to be the mommy or daddy).
All you need is a cardboard box, some paint, and some kitchen accessories like pots, pans, and utensils.
Cut the cardboard box so that it’s in the shape of a kitchen, then paint it any color your child desires.
Once the paint dries, glue on the kitchen accessories with hot glue. If you want to get creative, you can make your food out of felt or craft foam.
Waterproof Tents
Kids love playing outside, but sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate. Enter: the waterproof tent! This is a great project for parents and kids to do together. You will need some fabric (a waterproof material like vinyl or nylon works best), a sewing machine, and some stakes or poles to put the tent up.
Cut the fabric into two triangular shapes, then sew the edges together. Leave a hole at the top of each triangle for your child to climb in and out of. If you want, you can add a flap to the front of the tent for extra protection from the rain.
Once you have sewn all the seams, use stakes or poles to put up your tent.
Personalized Journals
Kids love personalized things, and what could be more personal than a journal with their name on it? All you need is some paper, a printer, and some stickers or washi tape. You can find printed journals at most stores, but they can be pretty pricey.
Instead, print out your child’s name onto some sticker paper or washi tape and add it to a journal they already have.
This is a great way to add some personality to an old journal, and it can be changed whenever they get bored of it.
Jungle Gym
If you have some spare wood lying around, you can build your jungle gym for your kids. This is a great project for parents and kids to do together. You will need some basic carpentry skills, a saw, screws, and a drill.
The design is up to you, but we recommend keeping it simple so that it’s easy to put together and take apart.
A jungle gym doesn't have to be just for the backyard - you can also build one for your child’s room.
Fun With Foam
Foam is another versatile material that can be used for a variety of kid-friendly DIY projects. It's soft, lightweight, and safe for kids to play with - making it the perfect crafting material for young children.
Plus, there are so many different types of foam available on the market, from colorful foam sheets to glow-in-the-dark foam. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Cut the foam into different shapes and use it as stampers for homemade ink pads.
- Glue foam onto a piece of cardboard and cut out fun shapes with a craft knife.
- Make a simple quilt by gluing pieces of foam together and then stitching them in place.
- Cut out letters or shapes from foam and stick them onto a window for a fun decoration.
- Cover a cardboard box with foam and use it as a play fort or castle.
The ideas in this article are sure to be a huge hit with your little ones. From making their toy kitchen to building an outdoor fort for hours of fun, there are plenty of projects to keep your kids entertained for hours on end. So get creative and have some fun with foam, stickers, and paint!
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