There’s a certain sense of pride that comes from making something on your own. And teaching your child that lesson with crafty projects isn’t only rewarding for them, but can be a super fun and inexpensive activity for parents too. Whether it’s a birthday party piñata or creating the dream bedroom for your kiddo, a little crafty know-how can go a long way in planning family craft days or playdate activities. So fire up those Pinterest boards and get your right brain ready; it’s time to bookmark some DIY ideas for your next kid-friendly craft day.
The Artful Parent
From super-beginner-level DIY crafts for small children to slightly more advanced (but still pretty easy to execute) ideas for everyone in the family, this site is bursting with inspiring crafts, games, and art projects to keep the whole clan happily creative throughout the year. You might even find yourself working on some of these crafts when your little ones are at daycare.
Paging Fun Mums
Written by mums for mums, this site will teach you how to make photo magnets, glitter glue, playhouses out of tables, and more. There’s a solid range of practical DIYs (how to watercolor-dye sneakers and make a cute case for your kids’ glasses) and just plain fun activities (like homemade glitter glue).
The Imagination Tree
If you’re feeling uninspired with ideas for playtime, look to this site to reignite your creative spark. The Imagination Tree brings back the magic of childhood for adults, where playtime and DIY go hand-in-hand, to help you foster your own kid’s creativity. With a major emphasis on the importance of play, this site offers crafty (and often edible) ideas for babies through school-age children to enjoy.
Picklebums
Part long-distance friend, part comrade in all things DIY, this site offers fun and super simple projects to do with kids, like sponge-printing and drawing with geometric drawing “bots.” There’s also insightful parenting advice on everything from having a crappy week and self-care tips to what to say to a friend who has a very premature baby in the NICU.
Instructables, Play Category
This community maker’s site has a section that’s specifically for kids and the art of DIY. Explore infant games, creative toddler art ideas, and big-kid STEM projects all in one easy-to-navigate site. And if you’re looking for the next project that’s just for you, there’s a ton of incredible ideas for grown ups too (but don’t lie — you know you want your own Harry Potter quill pen).