Easy Arts and Crafts Activities to Do with Kids

Fun, simple ideas that spark creativity — no fancy supplies needed!

Looking for easy, mess-friendly ways to keep kids entertained? Whether you’re planning a party, stuck indoors on a rainy Irish day, or just want screen-free fun, these crafts are simple, affordable, and full of imagination.

Here are 10 easy arts and crafts activities you can do with your kids using materials you likely already have at home!

1. ✂️ Paper Plate Masks

What You Need:
Paper plates, crayons/markers, scissors, string or elastic
How To:
Cut out eyes and decorate with animal features or superhero designs. Add string to tie it on — instant fun for dress-up and parties!

Child wearing a handmade mask made from a paper plate

2. 🎈 Balloon Painting

What You Need:
Balloons, paint, paper
How To:
Blow up balloons slightly, dip the ends into paint, and use them to stamp colourful patterns. Great sensory fun for little ones!

Kid stamping colourful paint on paper using balloons

3. 🧵 DIY Party Banners

What You Need:
Coloured paper, string, glue, scissors, stickers
How To:
Cut triangles or flags from coloured paper, let kids decorate each one, then glue them to a long string to hang up. Perfect for birthday or communion celebrations.

Homemade 3d paper banner with bright colours hanging on a wall

4. 🖐️ Handprint Art

What You Need:
Paint, paper, wipes!
How To:
Turn your child’s handprint into animals (like a turkey or fish), trees, or even a bouquet. A lovely keepsake for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.

Child’s handprint art turned into a colourful tree with paint

5. 🌈 Homemade Playdough

What You Need:
Flour, salt, water, food colouring
How To:
Mix 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, and ¾ cup water to form a dough. Add food colouring and knead. Store in zip bags. Let them roll, shape, and squish!

Assorted homemade playdough in different colours on a table

6. 🎉 Toilet Roll Tube Characters

What You Need:
Empty toilet rolls, googly eyes (optional), paper scraps, markers
How To:
Transform tubes into animals, princesses, superheroes or party guests. Great for creative storytelling afterward!

Decorated toilet roll tubes transformed into fun characters

7. 📦 Cardboard Box Castles

What You Need:
Old boxes, tape, scissors, markers
How To:
Cut windows, doors, and turrets from old packaging to build your own mini-castle or house. Decorate with crayons or paint.

DIY castle made from cardboard boxes and painted by kids

8. 💌 Make Your Own Invitations

What You Need:
Coloured paper, stickers, markers
How To:
Let kids design their own birthday or thank-you invites! You can even scan them and use the designs digitally on Celebrates.ie.

9. 🌟 Glow-in-the-Dark Jars

What You Need:
Empty jars, glow-in-the-dark paint or glow sticks
How To:
Paint the inside of the jars or break glow sticks (carefully) to add glow. Great for garden night parties or “camping at home” fun.

10. 🍭 Edible Necklaces

What You Need:
Cereal with holes (like Cheerios), string
How To:
Kids thread cereal onto string to make wearable snacks! Keep it simple and tasty — a perfect activity before the party begins.