Learn to make easy paper crafts that are perfect for kids or even adults. There is so much you can do with paper – get over 50 great ideas here. These projects are quick and you probably already have the supplies on hand!
Skills Required: None. Working with paper is perfect for beginners, even if you’ve never crafted before. All of these projects are easy enough for kids, and there are even options for toddlers and preschoolers.
I think we all know that paper is one of the best supplies out there. Or at least, if you don’t know it yet, you will after looking at this list of craft ideas.
When I talk about “paper crafts” that could be any number of things – origami, card making, weaving, costumes, gifts, party decor, and even jewelry.
There are so many projects you can make with paper, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start.
That’s why I’ve put together a list of paper craft ideas for kids, to give you resources for fun projects to try with your children.
No matter their skill level or age, you’ll find something they can make. Adults might even like to try some of these!
Types of Paper for Crafting
I’m sure you’re aware that different types of paper exist, and here’s what I find is most commonly used in these projects:
- Butcher paper or kraft paper
- Cardstock
- Construction paper
- Origami paper
- Scrapbook paper
- Tissue paper
- Recycled packaging (including paper bags, magazines, scraps)
Of course you can use anything you can find to make these projects; it’s really up to you. If you want to use notebook paper, no one is going to stop you!
My favorite place to buy paper for these kids’ projects? Dollar Tree. You can also find good stuff at Tuesday Morning and sometimes even the Goodwill. So keep your eyes out!
Are you ready to jump in some of the best craft ideas with paper ever? I’d love for you to check out the projects below, then let me know what you think in the comments.
PS – don’t forget to check out our Christmas paper crafts for kids during the holidays!)
1
How to Make Paper Flowers the Easiest Way Ever!
These paper flowers are so easy to make that even a child can do it – pick bright, bold cardstock papers to make them really stand out!
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2
Paper Chain
Learn how to make paper chains the easiest way possible! This is a fun idea for both kids and adults, and great for parties and holidays.We did a Christmas paper chain too.
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3
Steve Carrell
Paper Beads You Can Make in Minutes!
Learn how to make paper beads with scraps of paper and Mod Podge! This is SO easy – even for kids – and you can use for bracelets and necklaces.
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4
Make a Colorful Paper Garland in Minutes
Are you looking for an easy, fun, and cheap way to decorate your home for parties? Then check out these DIY paper garlands. You can make them very quickly, and customize the colors!
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5
popgoesthepage.princeton.edu
Perfect Parakeets
These wrist parakeets are super simple to make, require very few art supplies (grab your glue stick), and are amazingly adorable, yes? Plus they are very durable for kids to play with!
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6
easypeasyandfun.com
3D Paper Caterpillar with Template
This adorable 3D paper caterpillar craft is a cute and wiggly project to make with your kids! It can be a “freehand” project or you can use the printable caterpillar craft template and cut along the lines.
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7
Confetti Bookmarks for Kids
These cool bookmarks are so easy for kids to make! Learn how to make your own bookmark with confetti inside.
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8
prettylifegirls.com
DIY Paper Chain Rainbow Wall Hanging
An oversized paper chain hanging makes a great party decoration or wall decor! This is such a cute idea and you can customize all the colors.
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9
Kate Grono
Paper Fish Craft Idea
Make the cutest little paper fish ever! I absolutely love how colorful you can make them, and you can add any kind of embellishments you like.
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10
Agnes Hsu
Paper Cloud Pillow
This happy paper cloud pillow is an easy sewing project for kids and a fun fine motor skills activity. Kids will love threading yarn to make this adorable pillow!
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11
These Bug Cards Are a Fun Summer Craft
These bug cards are the perfect summer craft for kids! Make them easily with paper, stickers, ink pads, and other simple supplies.
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12
Paper Heart Decorations for Fun Holiday Decor
Hang them up in clusters or add a single one to a doorknob, however you use your paper heart decorations, they're bound to make you smile!
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13
thejoysharing.com
DIY Paper Mask Craft for Kids
Making a mask is a fun, easy and inexpensive way for children and even adults to prepare for a party. This paper mask is great for Mardi Gras, New Years, and more!
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14
iheartcraftythings.com
Painted Snake
This painted snaked is a fabulous open ended paper craft where children can have fun designing their own patterns and creating a one-of-a-kind reptile!
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15
Andreja Pejic
Umbrellas with Raindrops
Crafts with paper don't get much cuter than these darling little umbrellas! And the tutorial comes complete with hanging raindrops.
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16
Cute Kitty Themed Gift Box
Make this fun black cat paper gift box! It's perfect for someone that has a Halloween birthday, or for any kitty lover in your life.
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17
Mod Podge Canvas
Learn how to add any design to a canvas with Mod Podge! You'll cut scrapbook paper in layers and use decoupage medium to bring it all together.
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18
www.creativeinchicago.com
Decorated Paper Orbs
Aren't these paper orbs pretty? They don't require any special crafting skills . . . and actually, they're made out of cereal boxes. You can use paint pens to decorate.
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19
Crepe Paper Flowers
Learn how to make crepe streamer flowers using this simple tutorial! Older kids will love making these, too. Great for parties or room decor.
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20
Agnes Hsu
Paper Cat Pencil Holder
The cute little kitty is easy to make with toilet paper rolls and paper! Perfect for back to school – you can fill with pencils, markers, scissors, and more.
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21
kidsactivitiesblog.com
Paper Weaving Craft for Kids
Weaving paper was one of my favorite crafts to do as a kid. It was really fun to see ordinary paper transformed into a paper weaving masterpiece! Introduce this simple craft to your kids and enjoy the results.
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22
craftsbyria.com
Paper Jellyfish Craft
Looking for an easy ocean animal craft to do this summer? These paper jellyfish are a great under the sea craft to make with preschoolers, kindergarteners, and school-age kids.
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23
Origami Heart Bookmark You Can Make in Minutes!
Make an origami bookmark the easy way! This easy origami paper heart looks just like a conversation heart, and fits on the corner of a book page.
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24
afewshortcuts.com
Curled Paper Spring Flowers
April showers bring May flowers, but you don't have to wait until May to have beautiful blooms. Pull out the craft supplies and sit down with your kids to make these fun curled paper spring flowers!
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25
frugalfun4boys.com
How to Make Awesome Paper Airplanes
Go beyond the classic dart and learn how to make some awesome paper airplane designs. These look amazing and fly really well! You'll learn how to make four designs.
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26
supersimple.com
Sun and Moon Craft
This cute sun and moon paper plate is two sided! Try hanging the finished craft in your child’s bedroom and make it a part of their bedtime and morning routine.
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27
picklebums.com
Make Folded Bracelets
Making a folded paper bracelet is a fun paper craft to keep the kids busy and to use up old paintings. Plus, they look so pretty!
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28
www.craftsbyria.com
Easy Dragon Puppet
This paper dragon is a great Chinese New Year craft! He's also perfect for imaginary play any time of year.
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29
www.simpleeverydaymom.com
Simple and Fun Rocket
Have a space-themed classroom unit or birthday party in the works? This rocket craft for kids is a simple and fun activity they’re going to love! It involves painting and cutting paper so there are a lot of skills at work while kids are crafting.
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30
A Girl and a Glue Gun
DIY Paper Spinner for Endless Fun
Kimbo provides a template so you can make the coolest paper spinners! These dance and "sing" and make unique patterns as they spin.
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31
Crepe Paper Garland
Make a crepe paper garland – they're inexpensive, easy, and very versatile! Perfect if you want quick party decor on a budget.
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32
teachbesideme.com
Twirligig Rainbow Spinner Toy
This "twirligig" spinner toy is made of strips of paper and a wooden skewer. It twirls as it spins and makes all kinds of beautiful patterns! It rounds out to a ball the faster you go. They are tons of fun to play with!
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33
simpleeverydaymom.com
Cute Monkey Craft
This cute monkey made entirely from cardstock is a simple card that kids can make for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, and more.
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34
theinspirationedit.com
Aliens in Spaceships
This fun alien craft can be used as an art activity for little ones but can also be used as a spaceship bookmark or for a puppet show. There are so many options and kids will love zooming these around!
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35
iheartcraftythings.com
How To Make A Colorful Bird
There's nothing easier than accordion folding paper, and that's what you do for the wings and the tail of this pretty bird. What colors will you use for your craft?
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36
The Confetti Bar
Confetti Banner
Do you want to learn the easiest way EVER to make a banner? Here it is! Use cardstock, Mod Podge, confetti, and a few other supplies. ANYONE can do it!
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37
iheartcraftythings.com
Hot Air Balloon
Crafts with paper are even more fun when they're three-dimensional! The variety of colors makes it a beautiful craft to display at home or school. You can even make several different colored balloons and hang them up as party decor for a summer celebration.
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38
Cute Cupcake Birthday Card (in Minutes!)
Instead of giving out store bought cards, try mixing things up with a handmade one. Isn’t this cupcake DIY birthday card super cute and fun?
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39
Spring Flower Paint Chip Bookmarks
It's so easy to make these paint chip bookmarks that look like spring tulips. Kids will love this craft, and . . . it's budget friendly!
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40
Easter Bunny Garland in a Few Easy Steps!
This colorful Easter garland is so easy to make with scrapbook paper and yarn! Because who doesn't love a cute Easter bunny?
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41
Floral Handmade Mother’s Day Card
Are you looking for a handmade Mother's Day card idea that both littles and adults will have fun making? This is that card – so darling!
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42
Debbie Chapman
How to Make Paper Hyacinth Flowers
I might have to try this paper craft for spring! They look like they might be complicated, but the truth is once you get the hang of it, it's about five minutes per flower to make. Great for adults or kids.
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43
Paper Pumpkins
Make a paper pumpkin, step by step! Kids are going to love this fun craft idea for fall and Halloween.
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44
iheartcraftythings.com
Beautiful Fall Tree Paper Craft
The colors of fall are one of my favorite things about the season! Use them to make this cute little paper tree, in whatever shades you love most.
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45
nontoygifts.com
Paper Bag Owl
These owls are made with paper bags and handprint wings! Stef even provides a template so you can easily make this craft on your own.
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46
Fox Gift Box for Woodland Themed Parties
Make cute woodland themed wrap with this fun fox gift box! Kids will love making it and you probably have a lot of the supplies already.
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47
artsycraftsymom.com
Halloween Paper Bats
Are you feeling batty? Halloween is the perfect time to make the cutest bats you've ever seen! I love their happy little faces.
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48
iheartcraftythings.com
The Cutest Halloween Witch
A lot of witches are covered in warts and might be considered ugly – but this witch is super cute! You can make her from a variety of shapes, which makes it a nice learning experience as they go through the project.
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49
theprintableprincess.com
Penguin Craft for Winter
Penguins are such adorable winter creatures! I have no idea if they are friendly, but they sure seem like it to me. This paper penguin craft for kids is perfect for little hands and building fine motor skills.
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50
www.aliceandlois.com
DIY Paper Bag Stars
Who knew that paper bags could look so pretty? You can learn how to make these pretty paper bag stars, and even learn how to dip dye the ones that were made from white. So easy.
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51
stubbornlycrafty.com
Paper Christmas Lights Garland
When the weather is dark outside, you can still keep it light and bright inside with some colorful paper Christmas lights! This is so easy to make and kids will love it!
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52
Origami Christmas Ornaments
Learn how to make origami Christmas ornaments using a paper folding technique! These are so easy and fun.
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53
www.easypeasyandfun.com
Paper Ball Garland
This paper ball garland craft is perfect as a Christmas decoration and it will also look absolutely adorable at any birthday party (any time of the year). This paper craft is addicting – you'll want to make balls all day!
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54
How to Make a Snowman Wreath
Learn how to make a paper snowman wreath in just a few easy steps! This is simple enough for kids, but adults will also enjoy this winter activity.
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55
New Year’s Photo Booth Props Kids Can Make
Create unique New Year's photo booth props with giant mouths! They're so cute and easy to make. The kids will want to help out too!
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Did you enjoy these simple craft ideas? What are your favorites? Let me know in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out the following posts:
- Macaroni Art: 25+ Pasta Crafts Kids will Love!
- 30+ Crafts with Straws for Both Kids & Adults!
- Clay Crafts for Kids: Perfect for Rainy Day Fun
- Boredom Busters: 50+ Ideas Kids Will Love