50 Fun Crafts for Bored Toddlers
Looking for a way to keep your little one busy and happy? Toddlers can get restless fast, but a few easy crafts can save the day. These activities are simple, colorful, and perfect for those moments when you need to keep tiny hands busy.
Most of these ideas work beautifully on rainy afternoons when you’re stuck indoors, but you’ll also find a few outdoor crafts that make the most of fresh air and garden time.
And the best part? You don’t need an overflowing craft cupboard to get started. A handful of basics is more than enough to make hours of fun. Keep these supplies on hand and you’ll be ready whenever boredom strikes:
- Child-friendly paints
- Paint brushes
- Washable glue
- Crayons, pens, and pencils
- Toilet rolls (start saving them!)
- White and colored card
- Paper sheets
- Paper plates
With just these simple items, you’ll be set to try out a whole collection of easy toddler crafts.
Handprint Butterfly
This craft is guaranteed to delight your little one. Start with some card and draw around your toddler’s hands. Cut out the handprints and a butterfly body. Glue everything together to form the butterfly shape.
Now comes the fun part—decorating the wings. Your toddler can paint them, use stickers, or add sparkles. It is an easy craft that also feels really special since it uses their handprints.
Leaf Painting
Take a nature walk with your toddler and collect a handful of leaves. Back at home, dip the leaves into paint and press them onto paper. The different shapes and patterns make beautiful autumn pictures.
It is a lovely mix of outdoor exploring and indoor creativity.
Toilet Roll Fireworks
This craft is perfect for Bonfire Night or anytime your toddler wants to make bright, colorful art. Take an empty toilet roll and cut slits about halfway up to create fringes. Spread the strips out a little so they look like a firework burst.
Pour different bright paints onto paper plates, then let your toddler press the cut end of the toilet roll into the paint. Stamp it onto black card to make fireworks explode across the page.
Flower Fork Painting
This one could not be easier, and the results are so pretty. Pour out some brightly colored paints, then hand your toddler a fork to use as a stamp. Pressing the fork onto the paper creates flower shapes instantly.
When they are done stamping, you can paint green stalks to finish off the flowers or encourage your toddler to add them. It makes a lovely spring craft and is quick to set up too.
Cupcake Craft
Make cupcakes without even turning on the oven. Start by cutting corrugated card into a cupcake wrapper shape. Then cut a simple cake top from another piece of card and glue it above the wrapper.
Once the cupcake is ready, let your toddler decorate it however they like. Stickers, sequins, paint, or pens all work perfectly. This one is especially fun because it feels like baking but without the mess.
Unicorn Paper Plate
Toddlers will love turning a plain paper plate into a magical unicorn. Begin by letting them paint the plate in any color they like. Once it is dry, add pink cheeks, a horn, and whatever details you want to make it look extra cute.
This activity is simple but always a hit. It is also a great one to save and display because the end result looks so sweet.
Celery Stamp Flowers
Do not throw away that celery root just yet. Chop off the end of a celery bunch and dip it into paint. When pressed onto paper, it makes the shape of a flower.
This little stamping trick is so easy and turns kitchen scraps into a fun and colorful art project.
Rainbow Paper Plate
This rainbow craft is colorful, fun, and a great way to talk about different colors. Cut a paper plate in half, then show your toddler the order of the rainbow shades. Let them paint each stripe, working across from red to violet.
When the rainbow is complete, glue cotton balls at each end so they look like fluffy clouds. This is a cheerful activity that little ones love, and it makes a pretty decoration to hang up afterward.
Flower Tape Roll Painting
This idea is a great way to reuse an old tape roll before tossing it out. Hand your toddler the empty roll and show them how to dip the edge into paint. When they press it onto paper, it makes the perfect flower shape. Simple, quick, and fun.
Autumn Tree Cotton Ball Painting
This craft is a lovely way to celebrate autumn’s warm colors. Begin by painting or drawing a tree trunk on a sheet of paper. If your toddler is able to, let them draw the trunk themselves.
Next, prepare three small paint pots with yellow, red, and orange. Place a cotton ball in each color. Show your toddler how to dab the cotton balls around the branches to make bright autumn leaves. The finished picture looks beautiful, and the dabbing action makes it really fun for little hands.
Flower Assembly Craft
This is a low-prep craft that toddlers can do mostly on their own. Cut out flower parts ahead of time—green stems and leaves, colorful petals, and small round centers. Give your toddler some child-safe glue and let them piece everything together to make pretty flowers on a sheet of card.
It is easy, quick, and gives your toddler the satisfaction of building their own bouquet.
Forky from Toy Story 4 Craft
If your child has watched Toy Story 4, they probably loved Forky. You can recreate him at home in a couple of ways. Use a plastic fork and some pipe cleaners to make a version that looks just like the movie, or try a handprint craft version of Forky for an easier toddler-friendly option.
Salt Dough Decorations
Salt dough is such an inexpensive and easy way to make keepsakes with your toddler. You can use it to create decorations for Christmas or any season. It is also a lovely way to capture your child’s tiny handprints and footprints to save as a memory.
All you need is a simple salt dough recipe, which you can find online. Once your dough is ready, shape it, bake it, and then let your toddler paint or decorate the finished pieces. These make beautiful gifts too.
Cupcake Liner Fish
Give those extra cupcake liners in your cupboard a new purpose. Flatten a liner and paint it any color your toddler likes, then glue it onto a piece of blue card. Add fins, eyes, and even a smile if you like. Encourage your toddler to draw bubbles or seaweed to finish the underwater scene.
The result is a sweet and simple fish picture that your toddler will be proud of.
Paper Plate Dinosaurs
These little dinosaurs are far more cute than scary. Cut and shape paper plates into dinosaur bodies, then let your toddler decorate them however they like. Stickers, sequins, or bright paint all work well.
This craft is great for dino-loving toddlers and gives them the chance to create their own colorful creatures.
Paper Plate Jellyfish
A jellyfish is so easy to make with just a paper plate. Cut the plate into a semi-circle and let your toddler paint it in their favorite colors. Then add strips of paper, ribbon, or yarn hanging down to look like jellyfish tentacles.
Toilet Roll Butterfly
This craft is simple, colorful, and very budget-friendly. Start with an empty toilet roll, then let your toddler paint it in whatever shades they like. Cut out wings from card or paper and decorate them with crayons, paint, or stickers. Once the wings are ready, attach them to the roll to make a beautiful butterfly.
It is a quick and easy way to recycle while giving your little one the joy of making their own fluttering friend.
Easy Nature Name Writing
This activity mixes outdoor exploring with creative fun. Take your toddler outside to gather flowers, twigs, leaves, and petals. Once you are back inside, help them use the natural treasures to spell out their name on a piece of paper or card.
They can either glue everything down to keep it or arrange the items loosely and then make a new picture once they are finished. It is a great way to encourage early name recognition while making something pretty at the same time.
Make Play Dough
If your toddler loves play dough, they will be thrilled to help make their own batch from scratch. The recipe is simple, and you can add food coloring to create any shades your child likes.
Once it is ready, give them some cookie cutters, rolling pins, or just let them squish and shape the dough with their hands. It is creative play that keeps them busy for ages.
Raincloud Craft
Turn a rainy day into something cheerful with this sweet craft. Cut out or draw a cloud shape on blue card. Then glue cotton balls onto the cloud to make it fluffy and soft. For raindrops, your toddler can either paint them on or draw them with crayons.
This activity is simple, fun, and makes a pretty picture to brighten up a gloomy day.
Bird Feeders
Toddlers love this one because it is simple to make and brings birds flocking to the garden. Help your little one shape the feeders and hang them outside, then watch together as the birds come to enjoy their snack.
It is a lovely way to combine craft time with a bit of nature watching.
Homemade Cinnamon Ornaments
These ornaments are a wonderful Christmas activity, and they smell amazing too. Use a simple dough recipe with cinnamon to create shapes like stars, trees, or hearts. Once baked, your toddler can decorate them with paint or glitter.
They make beautiful keepsakes or thoughtful handmade gifts for friends and family.
Rainbow Popsicle Craft
This is a bright and cheerful activity that toddlers will love. Use wooden popsicle sticks to create a rainbow shape, then let your child paint each stick in a different color. When finished, glue some cotton balls at the ends to look like fluffy clouds.
It is a fun way to teach colors and makes a sweet little decoration.
Fingerprint Flowers
These flowers are made using your toddler’s tiny fingerprints, which makes the craft extra sweet. Dip their fingers into paint and press them onto card to form colorful petals. Add stems and leaves with a paintbrush or marker to complete the picture.
This idea works especially well for homemade cards on Mother’s Day or birthdays.
Pouch Cap Threading
If you have a collection of pouch caps from baby food, this craft is a great way to reuse them. Give your toddler a piece of ribbon or string and let them thread the colorful caps to make necklaces or hanging decorations.
This activity is wonderful for developing fine motor skills and keeps them happily focused.
Fall Trees Mosaic Art
This craft celebrates autumn in a creative way. Cut small squares from colored card in seasonal shades like red, orange, and yellow. Draw or print a simple tree outline on paper, then let your toddler glue the squares onto the branches to form leaves.
The finished picture is bright, textured, and makes a lovely seasonal display.
DIY Yarn Hearts
These yarn hearts are both fun to make and pretty to keep. Cut out a heart shape from sturdy card, then let your toddler wrap yarn around it until the shape is fully covered. You can use bright colors, pastels, or even sparkly yarn.
Once finished, the hearts can be hung up in your child’s room as decorations or given as a sweet handmade gift.
Paper Plate Bumblebee
This cheerful bumblebee craft is perfect for teaching toddlers about nature. Start by painting a paper plate yellow. Once it dries, let your little one glue on strips of black tissue paper to create the stripes. Add wings, eyes, and a smile to finish it off.
It is an easy project with such a happy end result.
Rocket Craft
For toddlers who love space and stars, this rocket craft is a must-try. Use card and an empty toilet roll to build a rocket shape. Your child can paint it in bright colors, add stickers, or decorate it with shiny foil for extra sparkle.
Once complete, they can zoom their rocket around the house for imaginative play.
Scrapbooking for Kids
Making a scrapbook is a lovely way to create memories together. Gather photos, tickets from days out, or little keepsakes, then let your toddler stick them into a scrapbook. Add stickers, washi tape, or drawings to decorate each page.
The best part is that this is an ongoing craft you can return to over and over again. It becomes a keepsake your toddler will treasure as they grow.
Nature Cards
This craft begins with a little outdoor adventure. Take your toddler for a walk in the garden or park to collect pretty petals and leaves. Once you are back home, arrange the finds on card to create a nature picture.
The finished cards are so pretty that you could even frame them to display in your child’s bedroom.
Farm Craft with Stickers
Toddlers love stickers, so this one is always a winner. Give your child a large piece of paper and some farm animal stickers. They can arrange the animals however they like to create their very own farm scene.
It is simple but so entertaining, especially for little ones who are fascinated by animals.
Letter of the Week
This craft is a fun way to help your toddler learn the alphabet. Each week, pick one letter and do a craft around it. For example, M could be for mouse and H could be for house.
There are endless possibilities, and it is a great mix of creative play and early learning.
Toilet Paper Roll Butterflies
Here is another lovely butterfly idea that reuses toilet rolls. Let your toddler paint the roll in bright shades, then cut out big butterfly wings from card. Decorate the wings with paint, crayons, or sequins, and attach them to the roll.
The result is a set of pretty butterflies your toddler will love to play with.
Pretty Crayon Hearts
This craft is both creative and practical. Melt old crayon pieces in heart-shaped molds to make new, chunky crayons. Your toddler will enjoy watching the crayons melt and harden into their new shape.
Once ready, they can use the heart crayons for coloring. These also make sweet little gifts for friends or classmates.
Painting Rocks
Start this activity with a little adventure by going outside to collect rocks. Once you have a handful, bring them inside, wash them, and let them dry. Then your toddler can paint the rocks however they like.
You can turn them into ladybirds, bees, or any fun designs. Painted rocks also make sweet garden decorations.
Painted Pasta Necklace
This activity turns something as simple as pasta into a fun toddler craft. Grab some dried penne pasta and let your toddler paint each piece in different colors. Once the pasta is dry, help them thread the pieces onto string or ribbon to make a necklace.
It is an easy way to practice threading skills, and the end result is something your toddler can proudly wear or gift to someone special.
Cupcake Liner Dragon
This colorful dragon is a fun activity to try around Chinese New Year. Use cupcake liners painted in fiery shades of red and yellow, then glue them down to form the dragon’s body. Add eyes and other details to bring the dragon to life.
It is bright, bold, and exciting for toddlers to make.
Bird Finder Binoculars
Save a couple of empty toilet rolls and tape them together side by side to make binoculars. Let your toddler paint or decorate them however they like. Once they are dry, take the binoculars outside for a little bird-watching adventure in the garden.
It is a simple activity that turns into a fun outdoor game.
Nature Sun Catchers
This craft combines outdoor exploring with creative art. Head out to collect leaves, flowers, and petals, then use them to make colorful sun catchers. Arrange the nature pieces onto sticky paper or inside a clear frame, then hang them in a sunny window.
The sunlight shining through makes the colors look beautiful, and it is a lovely way to display your toddler’s nature finds.
Monster Truck Splatter Painting
This activity is a bit messy, so you may want to set it up outdoors. Pour paint into shallow dishes and let your toddler dip the wheels of toy cars or trucks into the paint. Then, roll the vehicles across paper to create colorful tracks and splatters.
It is noisy, fun, and perfect for little ones who love vehicles.
Tissue Paper Flower Blossom Craft
This craft makes a pretty springtime picture. Draw or paint a tree trunk and branches on a sheet of paper. Tear tissue paper into small pieces, then let your toddler scrunch them up and glue them onto the branches to create blossoms.
It is simple to prepare, fun for little fingers, and the finished result looks lovely.
Edible Yoghurt Paint
If your toddler tends to put everything in their mouth, this craft is perfect. Make paint using plain yoghurt mixed with food coloring. Hand them a brush or let them finger paint directly on paper.
It is completely safe and a fun way to let even the youngest toddlers enjoy painting without worry.
Toilet Roll Heart Stamp
This is an inexpensive Valentine’s Day craft. Take a toilet roll and press one side inwards to form a heart shape. Dip the end into paint, then let your toddler stamp the shape onto paper.
The finished hearts look adorable and can be used to make a homemade card for someone special.
Hungry Caterpillar Cotton Ball Painting
The Hungry Caterpillar is a favorite in many homes, so any craft connected to the story is always popular with little ones. This activity is simple and a little easier than regular painting because your toddler just dabs with cotton balls instead of using a brush.
Start with a few cotton balls. Dip one into green paint and stamp it onto paper for the caterpillar’s body. Take another cotton ball, dip it into red paint, and stamp the head. Finish by adding an eye sticker or drawing one on, then use purple to create antennae. For extra fun, cut an apple in half, dip it in paint, and stamp it onto the paper so the caterpillar has something to nibble on.
Paper Cup Flowers
This is a great way to reuse leftover party cups. Take a paper cup and cut down from the rim about three-quarters of the way, making petal shapes. Bend the petals out slightly, then let your toddler paint the inside of the cup in bright colours.
When finished, the cups look like cheerful little flowers and can be displayed together in a group.
Easy Butterfly Craft
This is a very simple butterfly activity that toddlers can do quickly. Cut out a butterfly shape from card or paper, then let your toddler decorate it with paint, crayons, or stickers.
It is straightforward, colorful, and a lovely way to keep little ones busy.
No-Mess Cardboard Box Colouring
Big cardboard boxes are some of the best toys for toddlers, and this craft keeps things completely mess-free. Place your toddler inside a large box with some crayons or markers. They can scribble, doodle, and colour all over the inside walls of the box without making a mess in the rest of the house.
It is such a simple idea but keeps toddlers entertained for ages.
Animal Track Painting
If your toddler has lots of plastic animal toys, this activity will be a big hit. Pour some paint into shallow dishes, then let your little one dip the animals’ feet into the paint. Stamp the feet onto paper to create trails of animal tracks.
It is exciting for toddlers to see the shapes different animals make, and the pictures turn out really fun.
Simple Sponge Painting
Cut a few sponges into different shapes, dip them into paint, and hand them to your toddler. They can stamp the sponges onto paper to create colorful patterns and designs.
This activity is easy, quick to set up, and perfect for when you want a low-stress craft.
