Arts and crafts ideas to help you express yourself.

Arts and crafts projects let you express your creativity while allowing you to explore new techniques and learn new skills. From simple projects to arts and crafts ideas for the whole family, this list has got you covered.

Arts and crafts ideas for kids.

Nurture kids’ love for crafting with these arts and crafts ideas for kids.

Pour painting.

This is a fun activity for kids of all ages, but it can get messy. Kids will surely have fun pouring acrylic paint and exploring different techniques to create unique patterns. Best of all, you can display their artwork as is, let the kids customize it further using acrylic markers, or turn their work into art that you can use in creative projects like cards, posters, or banners.

While you can purchase pour painting kits for kids, you can also make your own paint mixes at home. This guide from Crafts by Courtney shows you how you can prepare the paints. Tip: instead of using a pouring medium, mix the paints with water (50% paint, 50% water) to create a smoother look while cutting costs. To keep the mess to a minimum, it helps to set up a pouring station with paper towels and gloves for easy cleanup.

DIY sketchbooks.

This arts and crafts idea for kids is a great way to repurpose extra file folders, spare paper, and even handmade paper.

Shrinky Dinks.

Make cute trinkets like keychains or accessories using Shrinky Dinks. You’ll need colored pencils or permanent markers, scissors, a toaster oven, and parchment paper. Let your kids create their own designs. However, when cutting and baking the Shrinky Dinks, make sure there’s adult supervision. Note that you can also make DIY Shrinky Dinks using flat sheets of #6 plastic (you can find this mark on the bottom of plastic containers or packaging).

Fun with origami.

Origami is a fun and inexpensive way to keep kids occupied. For this, you can use scrap, colored, or patterned paper. Origami Way offers several instructions for origami, ranging from origami animals to flowers.

Leaf art.

Let kids cut out shapes from dried leaves to make different animals or flowers. To add depth to their project, make sure to use leaves in different colors.

Arts and crafts ideas for adults.

Whether you’re looking for projects to help you unwind or decorate your home, these arts and crafts ideas for adults will help inspire you.

Surprising uses for putty.

Use putty to create textured ornaments like this DIY lamp by u/Disastrous_Shake_392. They used an empty laundry detergent bottle as a base and layered on putty to create a lamp. You can also try to achieve this look with papier-mâché.

Rope baskets.

This is a wonderful way to reuse fabric scraps. Plus, you get a functional finished product that you can use at home. Follow this tutorial by Mavis Butterfield to create beautiful rope baskets.

Rag rugs.

Here’s another way to make use of fabric scraps. Instead of throwing away your old clothes or sheets, turn them into unique rugs to use at home or give as gifts. Barri-Jayne Makes has a comprehensive video tutorial on how to make rag rugs.

Repurpose old furniture.

Instead of throwing, selling, or donating old furniture, see if you can breathe new life into them by turning them into new pieces of furniture for your home. For example, old headboards and footboards can become a new bench for your patio.

Water marbling.

Use this technique to create stunning patterns on coasters or fabric. This tutorial from A Kailo Chic Life shows you how you can make your own water-marbled coasters.

Arts and crafts ideas for teens.

Give teens enough room to tap into their creative side with these arts and crafts ideas for teens.

Polymer clay trinkets.

Polymer clay can be used to make almost anything, including charms, trinkets, fridge magnets, and trinket dishes. When using polymer clay for your projects, don’t mix it with air-dry clay. The former requires baking, while the latter starts to dry as soon as it’s taken out of its packaging. To reduce fingerprints, put a thin layer of cornstarch or baby powder on the clay and your hands.

Basic embroidery projects.

Embroidery is a great skill to know, especially if you’re looking to add a special and personal touch to clothes, caps, aprons, and more. This guide from Hobbycraft covers the basics, from tools to beginner stitches.

Mini hanging organizers.

This arts and crafts idea lets you take old smartphone boxes and turn them into organizers for mini plushies. Follow this short video tutorial from lets_creative_together.

Yarn lanterns.

Use this arts and crafts idea to create decorations for any occasion. You’ll need balloons, a dowel rod, petroleum jelly, yarn, and a glue mixture.

Inflate the balloons into different sizes and attach them to your dowel using yarn. Cover each balloon in a thin layer of petroleum jelly so it’s easier to remove the glued-on yarn later. Make the glue mixture by combining school glue, cornstarch, and water, aiming for a paste-like consistency. Dip your yarn into the mixture, wrap it around each balloon, and tie the yarn ends near the balloon stem. It’s up to you if you want to leave gaps or cover the balloons entirely. Wait for the yarn balls to dry, ideally around 24 hours. Once completely dry, pop the balloons, and you’re ready to hang your yarn lanterns.

Faux succulent terrarium.

This low-cost arts and crafts idea is a fun way to repurpose old Nutella jars and plastic bottles. Follow these instructions from Pillar Box Blue to make your own faux succulents.

Toddler arts and crafts ideas.

Messy and colorful, these toddler arts and crafts ideas give little ones the freedom to try out new materials, methods, and techniques. They’re simple and designed to be safe for toddlers too.

Make your own cards.

Let toddlers have fun with watercolors on cardstock. Provide them with several sheets of cardstock. Once dry, cut these to make one-of-a-kind cards.

Make salt dough.

Salt dough is an all-around kid-safe crafting material. It’s also super easy to make. You’ll need table salt, all-purpose flour, and water. Combine these ingredients in a large bowl. Knead the mixture with your hands until you get a malleable lump. Roll out your salt dough between two pieces of parchment paper. Use a cookie cutter to make shapes. You can also roll it into a ball, flatten it, and make an impression using an object or your hand.

Before baking the salt dough, make sure to poke holes in your creations if you’re planning to hang them as ornaments. Bake it at 250F. Baking time will vary, depending on the thickness of your dough cutouts.

Pipe cleaner animals.

Pipe cleaners are versatile craft materials. Use them to make an array of animals, from bunnies to birds. Elevate their creations by threading plastic beads through each pipe cleaner and gluing on googly eyes to create adorable beaded snakes.

Dino fossils.

Use air-dry clay to make dinosaur fossils. Let your child roll the clay into a ball and then flatten it into a disk. Then, place a dinosaur toy in the middle of the disk and ask your child to press down firmly on the toy to create an impression. Remove the toy dinosaur and let the disk dry for around 24 hours.

Unconventional paint brushes.

Instead of giving kids the usual paintbrushes, why not let them “drive” toy cars through (washable) paint and then onto paper? Or attach cotton balls to clothespins and then let kids dab these onto blank canvases?

Christmas arts and crafts ideas.

Make your holiday celebrations extra special with these Christmas arts and crafts ideas.

Birdseed ornaments.

Add stunning Christmas decorations that benefit birds too. This Audubon article shows you how to make a suet wreath, bird seed ornaments, and an edible garland for feathered friends.

Yarn ball wreath.

You’ll need yarn balls in different sizes, a wire wreath frame, darning needles, and thread for this project. Pompoms work great for this too. To make the yarn balls, cover foam balls with scrap yarn. Use hot glue to glue the yarn ends.

To assemble the wreath, you’ll need to stitch each ball to the frame. You can also use a wooden wreath ring and then glue each yarn ball onto the frame.

Bulb ornaments.

Place silk or dried flowers, dried herb sprigs, or fresh petals inside plastic light bulbs. Then, fill each bulb with mineral oil. Tie a piece of string around each bottle’s neck so you can hang them as Christmas ornaments. Can’t find plastic bulbs? Fill used jars with mineral oil and dried flowers instead and use them as décor.

Recycled Christmas baubles.

Tired of the usual Christmas baubles? Jazz them up with the help of scrap fabric twine. For this, you can use foam balls or reuse plain old baubles. Wrap the fabric twine around each ball and use a glue gun to secure the twine. Once done, thread a colorful piece of string through the hoop on top of the ornament.

Christmas lights garland.

Make your holiday celebrations even more colorful with a DIY Christmas light garland. Check out this tutorial from Stubbornly Crafty to make your own paper garlands from colored cardstock.

Easter arts and crafts ideas.

Celebrate the season with these colorful and playful Easter arts and crafts ideas.

DIY paint palettes.

Planning to do a lot of arts and crafts projects for Easter? Instead of buying new paint palettes, take a stab at making your own using air-dry or polymer clay. Roll your clay into a ball and flatten it into a disk. It’s up to you if you want a round palette, a square one, or an odd-shaped palette. Use a wooden skewer or clay sculpting tools to carve out the paint wells. If using air-dry clay, let it dry for 24-48 hours. If using polymer clay, bake it according to package instructions. Seal the entire palette using an acrylic sealer for waterproofing.

Glitter mason jars.

Keep your home organized in time for Easter with these stunning customized jars. Start by painting the jars so you have a base coat. Once dry, apply Elmer’s Glue or Mod Podge to the outside of the jar and then pour glitter on it. To minimize the mess, put a sheet of paper under your work surface to catch all the glitter. Apply several layers of clear top coat to prevent the glitters from flaking.

One-of-a-kind Easter artwork.

Get a tray that will fit a sheet of cardstock. Put dabs of paint all over the paper, take some plastic Easter eggs, and shake the box so that the eggs roll over the paint. Once done, you’ll have a unique piece of artwork that you can use as cards or as a background for event flyers or posters.

Tape resist art.

This is a fun and easy way to create stunning artwork. For this, you’ll need artist tape, paints, and cardstock. Draw or print your Easter-related design on white cardstock. Cut the tape into strips and stick them on the paper. For the pattern, you can either go with a random one or opt for a more structured option like stripes or squares. Paint your design. Use markers or other mediums to add depth to your work. Once dry, carefully peel off the tape.

Easter-themed sponge stamps.

Cut plain sponges into Easter-related shapes like bunnies, eggs, and chicks. Dip one side of the sponge into the paint and then dab away. Rinse off the paint so you can reuse the sponges.

Halloween arts and crafts ideas.

Get crafty this Halloween with the help of these Halloween arts and crafts ideas.

Creepy photo booth props.

Use Adobe Express to make unique Halloween-themed photo booth props. From banners to posters, it’s now easier than ever to make photo booth props that you’ll love using. Once you have all of the photos, pick your favorites and add them to a photo collage.

Paper bat garlands.

Cut out bat shapes, glue them onto a piece of string, and hang your garland. You can also make variations featuring cats, witches’ hats, and skeletons.

Custom treat bags.

Decorate plain treat bags by adding custom labels and stickers. Use Adobe Express to quickly and easily make on-theme label cards.

DIY crystal ball.

Have you always wanted to have your own crystal ball for Halloween? Sugar, Spice, and Glitter has a tutorial on how to make a galaxy-inspired crystal ball using a plastic globe, glitter, and glue.

Paper plate cats with a twist.

Paper plate crafts are cute, but this one adds a rocking twist. Paint your paper plate in Halloween colors like black or orange, then fold it in half. Cut the outer rim and decorate your paper plate so that it looks like a cat. Once done, place the paper plate on a flat surface, tip one side, and let it rock.

Mother’s Day arts and crafts ideas.

Show your appreciation and create heartfelt and personalized gifts for mom with these Mother’s Day arts and crafts ideas.

Pompom pillows.

Let your mom sit back and relax after a long day. Make this plush pompom pillow for her. You’ll need a plain pillowcase, different-sized pompoms, and a hot glue gun for this. Follow this tutorial from A Kailo Chic Life.

Heart wreath.

Make a heartwarming wreath for mom using pompoms. To make your pompom wreath look extra plush, make or use larger pompoms in colors like pink, red, and white.

DIY fancy soaps.

Treat your mom to something nice by making a fancy lavender soap for her. It All Started with Paint shares an easy-to-follow soap recipe.

Personalized photo frames.

Why not give your mom a digital picture frame that’s preloaded with treasured family photos?

A shadow box.

Make a shadow box and fill it with precious mementos like souvenirs from your travels with mom, your baby clothes, and your handprint or footprint impressions from when you were a baby.

Family arts and crafts ideas.

Looking for arts and crafts ideas that will bring the whole family together? Look to these family arts and crafts ideas for inspiration.

Family craft nights.

Get the family together for an hour (or two) of weekly family craft nights. When considering which projects to do, make sure these aren’t so easy that they get done in a few minutes. They shouldn’t be so hard either that you have to break out special tools. Some ideas worth considering include making fridge magnets, homemade bath products, and macramé.

Fabric wall art.

What makes this arts and crafts idea so great is that you can make tons of variations of it. Aside from using the usual fabric scraps, you can add ribbons, beads, or yarn. Check out this tutorial from BluKatDesign to make your own stunning fabric wall art.

Make a gallery wall.

If you have lots of photos or artwork at home, why not frame your favorites and display them on a blank wall? Don’t like gallery walls? Opt for a gallery picture rail instead. This works exceptionally well if you have photos or artwork in different sizes or orientations.

String art.

This is a relatively easy project that the entire family can get into. You can make this as a unit or supply individual boards for each family member. Follow this tutorial from Erin Spain to make your own string art to display at home.

Block printing.

Block printing lets you create unique patterns and tell a story. What’s more, you can use this technique on fabric, paper, or any blank canvas. Boarding All Rows has an in-depth guide to help beginners get started on linocut.

St. Patrick’s Day arts and crafts ideas.

Get into the festive spirit and celebrate Irish culture with these St. Patrick’s Day arts and crafts ideas.

Clover terrarium.

Make a DIY clover terrarium to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Soak clover seeds in water overnight to help jumpstart the germination process. Put a coconut coir seed starter plug into a container and fill it with water. When all the water has been absorbed, add more until you see that the plug has expanded fully. Add charcoal to the bottom of the container, serving as a drainage layer.

You’re now ready to plant the clover seeds. Place the covered jar in a dark area and periodically check your seeds to monitor their growth. When the seeds start sprouting, transfer your jar to a sunlit spot.

Focaccia bread art.

Like baking? Why not make St. Patrick’s Day-inspired bread art to celebrate the Irish culture?

St. Patrick’s Day sensory bin.

Let little ones in on all the fun with a St. Patrick’s Day-inspired sensory bin. Follow this tutorial from Stay at Home Educator to make your own sensory bin.

Leprechaun houses.

These are similar to gingerbread houses, except they’re designed for leprechauns. It’s a Mother Thing shows you how you can make leprechaun houses using different candies.

Shamrock bracelets.

For this, you’ll need green beads and some polymer clay to make the shamrock charms. String the beads and charms through an elastic cord, then secure your bracelet with a clasp or knot.

Father’s Day arts and crafts ideas.

Make this Father’s Day more meaningful with the help of these Father’s Day arts and crafts ideas.

DIY cord organizer system.

Help Dad stay organized by giving him his own cord organizer system. You’ll need toilet paper rolls and a hot glue gun for this super simple DIY project. Follow this Instructables tutorial.

Pinch pots.

Divide your clay into several portions, one for each family member. Shape it into a cylinder and start pinching from the top of the tube. Then, pinch around the sides until you get something that resembles a pot. Use clay sculpting tools to carve details like eyes and nose. Once dry, paint your pinch pots.

A special jar for Dad.

Let Dad know how much you love and appreciate him by filing a jar with sweet letters. To decorate the jar, you can either paint it or use craft foam and spell out “Dad.”

A fingerprint trinket dish.

For this, you’ll need air-dry clay, paint (preferably your dad’s favorite color), and paintbrushes. Roll the clay into a ball and flatten it using a jar or rolling pin. Fold up the edges to get a bowl shape. Then, add your finger or handprints. Use a pencil to “write” your message on the clay, paint your work, and wait for it to dry, which takes around 24-72 hours.

A polymer clay figurine.

Make a clay sculpture of your dad using polymer clay.

Arts and crafts date ideas.

Looking for meaningful activities to do as a couple? Browse this list of arts and crafts date ideas to find inspiration.

A sweet photo collage.

Use Adobe Express to make a touching photo collage featuring your favorite photos.

A mini photo keychain.

Make a copy of a photo featuring you and your date. Use a self-adhesive laminating sheet and punch a hole on top of the sheet. Then, thread a chain and a keyring through the hole.

Make paint balloons.

Fill balloons with paint and throw them on a large canvas. Make sure to do this outdoors, as it can get really messy.

Create a playlist cover.

If you’re both into digital art, consider making custom covers for your playlists.

Draw funny portraits.

Draw each other’s portraits. To make your artwork extra special, add a sweet note.

Cute arts and crafts ideas.

Bring charm and joy to your day with these cute arts and crafts ideas.

Polymer clay jewelry.

Polymer clay is such a versatile material for a number of arts and crafts projects. Use it to make bracelet charms, pendants, and cute earrings.

“Miracle” bottles.

Take a plastic bottle and fill it halfway with water. Let your kids put stuff like glitter, beads, and seeds in the bottle. Once done, fill it the rest of the way with water. Let your kids shake the bottle and watch as the items slowly sink to the bottom.

Melted bead suncatchers.

Get a bunch of clear pony beads, place them in old cupcake pans (the ones you no longer use), then heat the pans with beads on a grill. Wait for them to melt, then take a skewer to poke a hole into the melted mass. When cool, take the melted beads out, thread a string through them, and hang them outdoors.

DIY hair clips.

Take a bunch of plain hair clips and use hot glue to stick on silk flowers, ribbons, buttons, and other decorative materials.

DIY luminaries.

Check out this tutorial from Candle Tech on how to make balloon luminaries. Note that you can do this with colored wax too, if you want colorful luminaries.

Cool arts and crafts ideas.

These cool arts and crafts ideas let you experiment with trendy and innovative ideas, helping you make something truly unique.

Yarn ball hanging décor.

Make yarn balls by gluing pieces of yarn onto foam balls. To make this project more dynamic, make them in different sizes and colors. Thread nylon string on the top part of each ball so you have something to hang them with. Note that you can hang several yarn balls to each string to make a curtain or sorts. Then, attach the nylon string with the yarn balls to a wooden dowel.

Borax crystals.

Grow your own spark (borax) crystals at home with this tutorial from DIY Candy.

Make your own craft kit.

Make these kits for your next craft night, or give them as gifts to loved ones. Some of the kits you can make include clay art kits, punch needle kits, and soap-making kits. Use Adobe Express to make beautiful label cards for each kit.

Upcycle old clothing.

Breathe new life into old clothes by making alterations. For example, if you have an old unused shirt with a nice pattern, cut it into squares and sew these onto another piece of clothing to create a patchwork effect.

Make decorative vases.

Zhuzh up plain empty jars and vases using polymer clay. Mold the clay into strips, logs, or various plant or animal shapes. Stick the clay pieces onto the vases, then bake according to package instructions. Make sure you’re using oven-safe jars and vases.

Easy arts and crafts ideas.

These easy arts and crafts ideas are perfect for beginners or all ages. They require minimal materials and effort, making them accessible to everyone.

Pompom wall décor.

Make or purchase yarn pompoms. Aside from pompoms, you’ll need a circular wooden base to serve as the décor’s center. Pick a pompom, preferably in a different color, and glue it onto the wooden base. Take the rest of the pompoms and glue them around the base pompoms to create a colorful flower.

Scrap yarn macramé.

Don’t throw away your yarn scraps. Instead, use them to make elegant macramé hoops. This Hobbycraft tutorial shows you how.

Melted crayon art.

Line up old crayons along the length of a blank canvas. Use hot glue to attach them. Prop up your canvas, preferably outdoors, and use a hair dryer to melt the crayons.

Cute clay planters.

Want to make adorable bear planters? Follow this Hobbycraft tutorial.

Clay frames with a twist.

Roll out air-dry clay so that it’s large enough to fit your hand. Trace your hand’s outline, then cut around it using a craft knife or clay sculpting tool. Use a cookie cutter to cut out the center of the clay hand. Use a skewer or alphabet stamps to write your message on the clay. Wait for it to fully dry before painting and gluing on your photo.

DIY arts and crafts ideas.

Create practical and decorative items with these DIY arts and crafts ideas.

Scrap fabric twine.

Put your old sheets to good use with this DIY arts and crafts idea. And the best part is you can use the twine to make other DIY projects like mats, trivets, and planters. Check out this tutorial by Cintia of My Poppet Makes.

Pompom rug.

For this, you’ll need a rug mat, a hot glue gun, and lots of pompoms in different sizes and colors. Cut your rug mat to your desired shape and size. Place a protective mat under the rug before gluing on your pompoms. Then, glue each pompom to the rug mat. It’s up to you if you want to glue the pieces randomly or create a pattern. If your kids are making this DIY project, make sure to supervise them when using the hot glue gun. You can also sew each pompom instead of using a glue gun. This option works best for bigger pompoms.

Tile coasters.

You’ll need ceramic tiles, a hot glue gun, felt, Mod Podge, or resin, and photos for this. Apply Mod Podge onto your tile and wait for it to dry. Then, brush on several layers of Mod Podge in the photo. Make sure to wait for each layer to dry before applying the next layer. Once the Mod Podge is dry, apply resin to protect the image and give it a polished finish. Once the resin layer is dry, apply felt to the back of the tile.

Marbled mugs.

This beginner-friendly arts and crafts idea lets you make a set of mugs to give as a gift or to use at home. Follow this tutorial from The Sweetest Occasion by Cyd Converse.

Cord organizers.

Keep your cords organized with this DIY arts and crafts idea. For this quick, no-sew version, you’ll need a piece of fabric or felt, some Velcro, and a hot glue gun. Follow this DIY Candy tutorial to get started. Stacey Lee Creative also has an in-depth video tutorial on how to sew a fabric cord organizer that snaps shut.

Fun arts and crafts ideas.

Explore creativity and enjoy the process without any pressure with these fun arts and crafts ideas.

Set up a scrapbook station.

This is great for parties to keep your guests engaged. Set up a table and fill it with blank scrapbook pages and decorating materials. Then, let guests have fun assembling and customizing their own scrapbooks. You may want to provide a portable printer so guests can print photos in real time and add them to their scrapbooks.

Go old school with friendship bracelets.

Friendship bracelets will never go out of style, whether they’re the plain ones made of yarn or the more elaborate ones with charms and beads. Follow this tutorial from Sarah Maker to start making your own friendship bracelets.

Alcohol ink dishes.

Add a pop of color to your drawers or tables with this alcohol ink trinket dish tutorial from Hearth and Vine.

Macramé plant hanger.

Here’s your sign to get started with macramé. This easy-to-follow tutorial from Simply Frayed offers beginner-friendly instructions for making macramé plant hangers.

Matchbox album.

This works well if you have large matchboxes. Decorate the boxes to match the theme of the photos. To display the photos, you’ll need to cut a strip of cardstock and make an accordion fold. Make sure to measure the strip so that it fits snugly inside the matchbox. Glue the strip to the inside of the box, then glue your photos onto each fold or panel.

Cheap arts and crafts ideas.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to create something beautiful or functional. Explore a range of cheap arts and crafts ideas for cost-effective creative projects.

DIY garden markers.

Turn wine corks into labels for garden herbs. Write the names of your plants on the corks, stick skewers into them, and you have a simple yet practical addition to your garden.

Custom calendar.

Have plenty of paint samples at home? Use poster board or patterned paper for the background, then glue on your paint samples. Write the month and the days of the week. Then, frame it or combine it with your other custom calendar sheets to create a full calendar.

Art caddy.

This arts and crafts idea is a wonderful way to repurpose old cans. Thoroughly clean each can and decorate using fabric scraps or patterned paper. Apply Mod Podge to act as a sealant. Attach the cans to a lazy Susan or use a bigger can to serve as the cans’ base.

A button dish.

Put old buttons to good use with this tutorial from Rob and Coco.

Spoon hooks.

If you have a lot of old, unused spoons at home, consider turning them into personalized hooks with this tutorial from Listotic.

Tips to make arts and crafts more enjoyable.

Follow these tips to make new and even better memories with each craft project.

• Store your arts and crafts supplies properly. There are several approaches to this. For example, start by disposing of or donating materials you’re not using. Then, use containers like old boxes with labels to sort and store your materials. For drawers, use dividers to create separate compartments.

• Keep a notebook to log new ideas. This way, you can record prompts, stories, sketches, and notes to inspire your next project.

• Make it fun. Make arts and crafts sessions more enjoyable for kids and teens by balancing practice with creativity. Be flexible with the schedule and take regular breaks. Encourage young learners to use their imagination and not just copy the references. Let them explore new techniques or incorporate new mediums into their creative projects.

Breathe new life into arts and crafts projects with Adobe Express.

From heartfelt letters to awe-inspiring posters, Adobe Express gives you a faster and better way to do meaningful creative projects. Make arts and crafts magic with the help of beginner-friendly tools and customizable templates. Discover a new dimension of design with Adobe Express.

Design with your idea