15 Fun and Easy Preschool Crafts Using Supplies You Probably Already Have at Home
Toddlers can transform lunch bags, paper rolls, and egg cartons into masterpieces.
By 
Whether you’re homeschooling little kids or just looking for a weekend activity, preschool crafts projects are a slam dunk. They’re fun (and keep little hands busy), provide practice with fine motor skills, and even make charming decorations or gifts for loved ones. Here, we rounded up several easy crafts toddlers can do with a little guidance from adults.
Bonus: Many of these use ordinary or upcycled items you probably already have around the house. So gather up those basic supplies, throw down a drop cloth, and get that creativity flowing with these 15 preschool crafts to inspire makers of all ages.
Paper Bag Monster Puppets
Preschoolers transform ordinary brown lunch bags into personality-packed monsters in this project. First they give the bags a coat of paint in their choice of color. After it dries, they’ll add the finishing touches with card stock. Think horns, tongues, ears, and fangs.
Get the tutorial at I Heart Crafty Things.
Pop Bottle Firefly
Glow sticks inside upcycled bottles make for dreamy backyard fun. Preschoolers can help assemble the cheerful little firefly bodies using foam wings, pipe cleaner legs and antennae, and a pair of googly eyes.
Get the tutorial at One Little Project.
Jellyfish Salt Painting Activity
Create a jellyfish — or any other shape you choose — with white glue on a sheet of card stock. Then, work with your preschooler to cover it with salt. Once dry, shake off the excess salt. Use food coloring or liquid watercolors to create a colorful masterpiece rich with texture.
Get the tutorial at I Heart Arts N Crafts.
Paper Plate Fish Craft
Kids paint a paper plate to use as the base of their fish project. Once dry, they will attach folded craft paper circles to serve as colorful scales. Glitter and googly eyes finish the look.
Get the tutorial at Natural Beach Living.
Egg Carton Critters
Preschoolers can easily upcycle egg cartons into insects and animals like turtles, caterpillars, and frogs. They’ll paint the cartons, then add details like googly eyes, pom poms for turtle heads, pipe cleaners for caterpillar antennas, or green craft foam for frog legs.
Get the tutorial at Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls.
Washi Tape Paper Plates
Kids (and adults!) of any age can get in on the fun of this project. Younger preschoolers can just cover the plates with washi tape in any way they like. Older kids can create more intricate looks by curating colors and patterns. Cover with Mod Podge to create a finished tray or wallhanging.
Get the tutorial at Art Bar.
Paper Plate Rainbow
Using a paper plate for the base, kids can make a rainbow by arranging scraps of colorful scrap paper. Cotton ball clouds finish this charming and simple project.
Get the tutorial at The Best Ideas for Kids.
Paper Towel Butterflies
All you need for a bunch of butterflies is some ordinary white paper towels, food coloring, and pipe cleaners. Fold the towel over and over until you have a small square. Dip sections into bowls with food coloring, spread open to dry, and cinch with pipe cleaner antennas.
Get the tutorial at Make It & Love It.
Clothespin Dragonflies
Gather some clothespins. Let kids paint stripes on each pin, which will comprise the dragonfly’s body. Dot glue on the front and and affix googly eyes. Bend edges of pipe cleaners to the middle and twist to make colorful wings.
Get the tutorial at Crafty Morning.
Pom Pom Flower Craft
Preschoolers will love glueing the pom poms on this cheerful flower craft. Affix a magnet to the back to display them on the fridge. Add a picture of the kiddo in the center for a perfect keepsake.
Get the tutorial at The Best Ideas for Kids.
Paper Roll Dragon Craft
Pom poms, googly eyes, and colorful construction paper transform paper rolls into dragon faces with major personality. Add strips of colored tissue paper to create a fire-breathing look.
Get the tutorial at One Little Project.
Mason Jar Banks
It’s never too early to start teaching kids about money — what it means to work, spend, save, and share. Use this bank project as a fun teaching tool. All you need is mason jars, coin slot lids, and any embellishments you have on hand.
Get the tutorial at Make and Takes.
Tie Dye Art With Baby Wipes
If you think tie dying is a project involving major mess and stained hands, think again! This version comes together with paper towels, rubber bands, washable markers or liquid water colors, and baby wipes… which you definitely have on hand. The best part? It’s all totally washable.
Get the tutorial at I Can Teach My Child.
Melted Bead Sun Catchers
Use cake or muffin pans to arrange beads in a single layer. Melt them in the toaster or outdoor grill to create sun catchers that last and last (unlike versions make from paper).
Get the tutorial at Artful Parent.
Craft Stick Octopus
Arrange craft sticks into an asterisk-like shape, gluing into place. Top with craft paper and googly eyes for the face. Add beads along each stick to represent suckers on arms. Make a few and glue to a blue background, representing an undersea habitat for your octopi.
Get the tutorial at Craft Project Ideas.
Alesandra is a digital travel and lifestyle journalist based in Los Angeles whose work has appeared in Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Prevention, Insider, Glamour, Shondaland, AFAR, Parents, TODAY and countless other online and print outlets. Alesandra has a masters degree in journalism with an emphasis on cultural reporting and criticism from NYU, and a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley. An avid traveler, she trots the globe with her husband and their twins.
20 Creative First Day of School Signs
Best Toddler Backpacks for School and Daycare
15 Easy Bulletin Board Ideas for Teachers
55 Back-to-School Quotes About Education
