Looking for a creative craft for your kids? Check out these easy pipe cleaner crafts for kids of all ages — toddlers to teens! Even adults will find some fun chenille stem crafts on this list.
The pipe cleaner is a staple in the world of children’s crafts, yet so often overlooked! Today, let’s shine a spotlight on these fuzzy, bendy wonders and explore why they deserve a permanent spot in your craft cupboard.
First things first: pipe cleaners, or chenille stems as the craft connoisseurs call them, are more than just a crafting material.
They’re a gateway to a universe of creativity for kids of all ages. Children love all the colors they come in, and also enjoy turning them into magical (and unexpected) creations.
In fact, because chenille stems can be bent, shaped, and twisted with ease, It makes them perfect for both simple and intricate designs. It’s like having a magic wand in your craft kit that can transform into anything you or your little ones can dream up.
And not only are pipe cleaners a hit with the kids for their sensory appeal and easy-to-manipulate nature, but they’re also wonderfully budget-friendly.
You can find them in nearly any craft store without breaking the bank, making them a go-to for parents and teachers alike.
Here’s where it gets really exciting: imagine crafting without the hassle of a million different supplies. That’s right, there are oodles of crafts that require nothing but pipe cleaners. Talk about a stress-free, mess-free crafting session!
To help you get started I’ve gathered a spectacular collection of 50 awesome pipe cleaner craft ideas that promise loads of fun and creativity for you and your kids.
From adorable animals to funky jewelry, these crafts are not just activities; they’re memories in the making. Let’s get twisting, bending, and creating! Let me know your favorite craft project in the comments.
1
onelittleproject.com
How to Make Coffee Filter Dancers
I can't believe how graceful pipe cleaner and coffee filter dancers can look! Aren't they beautiful?
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2
Shamrock Headband
Learn how to make a St. Patrick's Day shamrock headband for kids or adults. I love how the pipe cleaners give this headband some fun movement!
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3
www.corkandchroma.com.au
Hanging Rainbows
Make these fun rainbow ornaments for St. Patrick's Day, spring, or for your Christmas tree!
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4
frugalfun4boys.com
Posable Superheroes
Create posable superheroes using paper straws, beads, and of course pipe cleaners! These turned out great.
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5
Wine Cork Reindeer
Make a wine cork reindeer with pipe cleaner antlers using this simple tutorial – perfect for turning into a Christmas ornament, decor, or place settings.
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6
www.easypeasyandfun.com
Craft Stick Crocodile Craft
I love when kids can make their own toys. After these cuties are finished, they can join the other toys in the playroom!
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7
kidscraftroom.com
Paper Cone Giraffe
Make your giraffe as tall as you want with this construction paper and pipe cleaner craft. Just stretch the springy neck up higher if you like!
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8
seevanessacraft.com
Bubble Wands
It's easy to craft up princess bubble wands using a few pipe cleaners and beads. This is a craft that most preschoolers can do independently or with little assistance! You can make any shape you like.
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9
www.brainybeginningsnetwork.com
Ghosts
I love these ghosts! Sometimes the simplest thing can be so much fun. Just one pipe cleaner and two wooden beads needed for each one.
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10
Clothespin Butterflies
Learn how to make clothespin butterflies that kids are going to love! This is easy to make with craft paint and pipe cleaners.
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11
www.handmadecharlotte.com
Loveable Llamas
Oh my! These are too cute for words. They are made with wool and pipe cleaners and they even have little felt blankets.
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12
www.ourkidthings.com
Cork Cats
I just love the pipe cleaner tails on these wine cork cats! I can think of so many places to put them for a fun surprise.
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13
rhythmsofplay.com
Love Bug
Something with this many legs usually would make me run in the other direction. But this love bug? He is just too cute!
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14
www.bakerross.co.uk
Furry Pet Pencil Pots
Make your favorite pet into a pencil holder! These are not only cute, they are a recycle craft since they start with a toilet paper tube.
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15
Paper Pumpkins
Get step by step instructions to make a paper pumpkin with a pipe cleaner stem and leaves! Kids are going to love this fun craft idea for fall and Halloween.
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16
buggyandbuddy.com
Unicorn and Rainbow
Look how bright and colorful this unicorn craft is! This combines a paper plate craft, a cotton ball craft, a rainbow craft, and a coloring page. Phew, that is a lot of fun!
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17
buggyandbuddy.com
Prickly Cactus
Turn a paper plate into a cactus by painting it green, adding holes with a hole punch, and giving it a pipe cleaner flower and needles!
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18
rhythmsofplay.com
Bead Bunny
These bead and pipe cleaner bunnies are adorable! It's a fun kids craft for spring or to celebrate Easter.
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19
www.handmadecharlotte.com
Colorful Garlands
Pipe cleaners are perfect for creating colorful garlands for a celebration.
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20
frugalfun4boys.com
Tiny Turtle
Learn how to make various pipe cleaners in this post! This turtle is super adorable and has step-by-step directions with photos.
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21
www.mygrowingcreativelife.com
Turkey Tails
When it comes down to it, pipe cleaners can make just about anything. Turkeys are included! I love all of the colors used.
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22
sugarandcharm.com
Snowflake Coasters
Create pretty snowflakes using white pipe cleaners and glue. Hang them as ornaments, or use them as fun winter coasters as shown!
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23
www.theresourcefulmama.com
Elf Ornament
Kids will love creating this fun craft stick elf ornament to hang on the Christmas tree. The highlight of this ornament is the fun whimsical hat made from a pipe cleaner.!
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24
www.bakerross.co.uk
Glitter Fairy
Use sparkly glitter pipe cleaners to make this fairy! You can hold her by a pipe cleaner in the back and make her look like she is flying.
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25
onelittleproject.com
Crystal Stars
These crystal stars made from pipe cleaners and a simple borax solution are SO COOL. They're a real easy science project. The crystals magically form overnight!
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26
artsycraftsymom.com
Bird Pencil Topper
Your kids will love doing their homework with these fun bird pencil toppers! I want one for myself.
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27
iheartcraftythings.com
Spouting Whale
Such a delightful whale blowing out water made of pipe cleaners! This would be a fun craft any time of year.
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28
Steve Carrell
Christmas Poinsettia Canvas
This easy Christmas craft for kids will be a cute addition to your holiday decor! Families can make this poinsettia canvas together.
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29
factorydirectcraft.com
Crab
Make a super fun crab with a seashell, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners! You can make them whatever fun colors you like.
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30
www.craftaholicsanonymous.net
Spring Flower Vases
Make pipe cleaner flowers to go in an Easter egg 'vase'! The fuzzy flowers are so cute. These are fun hands-on craft for your kids and easy to do in an afternoon!
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31
Coffee Filter Butterflies
Make these cute butterflies using inexpensive supplies like coffee filters and pipe cleaners! Kids will love to make these for spring or summer.
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32
www.hellowonderful.co
Crazy Pasta Sculptures
Pipe cleaners and painted dry pasta and macaroni can make some really cool sculptures. This one looks a bit like people dancing, don't you think?
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33
giddyupworkshop.blogspot.com
Funny Bunny Pom Poms
I love this silly rabbit! Learn how to make the pom pom base and then give him some pipe cleaner glasses.
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34
www.simpleeverydaymom.com
Cute Acorns
The pipe cleaner arms and legs are just so cute on these fun acorns. Your kids will have fun drawing different expressions and waving the hands!
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35
artsycraftsymom.com
Christmas Tree Ornament
How about a white Christmas this year? These white pipe cleaners make it look like you have a snowy Christmas tree ornament!
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36
cutesycrafts.com
Pony Bead Pumpkins
Just add beads to pipe cleaners for these fun pony bead pumpkins – such great way to work on fine motor skills and keep toddlers occupied at the same time.
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37
www.gluedtomycraftsblog.com
Mini Mummy
Looking for a "last minute" craft to do with the kids in honor of Halloween? Use white pipe cleaners and a craft stick to make a little mummy puppet and put on a show.
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38
www.nestofposies-blog.com
Star Cake Toppers
Have kids get involved with decorating cakes with pipe cleaner toppers. These are stars for the 4th of July, but there are so many shapes you can create!
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39
www.allabouthope.net
Fuzzy Feathers
Create your own fuzzy feathers using pipe cleaners and colored pencils. For this craft, kids will need to know how to braid – or they can learn!
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40
craftsbyamanda.com
Cardboard Tube Zebra
Turn a paper towel tube and some pipe cleaners into a fun zebra! The pipe cleaners are perfect for the mane and tail.
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41
cutesycrafts.com
Bunny Finger Puppet
I can see little bunny finger puppets hopping around just looking at this craft. Oh, and that tail!
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42
www.playpartyplan.com
Foam Dinosaurs
Use varying sizes of foam eggs to make your own dinosaurs. You just need some toothpicks, paint, and pipe cleaners!
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43
onelittleproject.com
Heart Rings
Learn how to make pipe cleaner rings in the shape of hearts! They're perfect for Valentine's Day or any time. All you need is one or two pipe cleaners and 5 minutes!
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44
mamaofminis.com
Lacing Jellyfish
Have fun coloring the free downloadable jellyfish and then adding tentacles using colorful pipe cleaners!
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45
modpodgerocksblog.com
Egg Carton Art on Canvas
If you need an easy kids’ craft idea with great results, this egg carton art is fun and sure to please. This recycled canvas art can be customized for any holiday or decor!
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46
busybloomingjoy.com
Big Eyed Spiders
Play dough, pipe cleaners, and googly eyes are all your kids will need to make these not-so-scary spiders!
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47
twokidsandacoupon.com
Christmas Trees
Have the kids get into holiday decorating by making these cute pipe cleaner and pom-pom trees. Display them all together or spread them around the house for everyone to find.
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48
www.adabofgluewilldo.com
Bee Finger Puppet
Use yellow and black pipe cleaners to wrap around your finger and create a bee finger puppet. Oh, you need to see the super cute photo of Jennifer's son wearing five puppets on one hand!
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49
cutesycrafts.com
Bunny Ears
All you need to make these cute Easter bunny ears are pipe cleaners! Super easy craft.
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50
www.woojr.com
4th of July Finger Puppets
Use pipe cleaners and pom poms to make your own patriotic finger puppets: the Statue of Liberty, a bald eagle, and Uncle Sam.
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Will you be keeping pipe cleaners to your craft closet? Let me know in the comments below and then check out these other fun craft collections for kids:
Apples • Boredom Busters • Candy Cane • Clay • Earth Day • Fall • Frozen • Hearts • Mickey Mouse • Minions • Monsters • Moon • Mummies • Mushrooms • Nature • Paper • Paper Bag • Paper Cups • Pine Cones • Pokemon • Popsicle Sticks • President’s Day • Reindeer • Santa • Snowmen • Stars • Summer • Super Mario • Thanksgiving