8 DIY Crafts That Are Low Cost and Fun

Children today have more options than ever when it comes to entertainment. With a swipe of their finger, they can access videos, coloring books and online games. While this isn’t necessarily a negative thing, too much screen time can be addicting. 

Unfortunately, parents often feel like they have few alternatives to technology. Family trips and similar experiences can be costly, and it’s often easier to just let a child distract themselves. Fortunately, there’s a long list of low-cost crafts you can make at home. 

With that in mind, check out these eight DIY projects that are inexpensive and a joy to share. You may already have the supplies you need, which makes the process even easier. Try these crafts out with your kids to see just how much fun you can have away from the screen.   

 

1. Thumbprint Family Tree

If you have a couple of kids, sit everyone down at the kitchen table and spread out a few sheets of paper. Have everyone use a marker or a crayon to trace a large tree on their piece of paper. Make plenty of branches and a long trunk, but don’t draw leaves.

After they’re done making the trees, give everyone a different color paint to stick their thumbs in. Use their thumbprints as the leaves, decorating each other’s trees. 

They can write their names out around the trees and decorate them however they want. You’ll end up with colorful trees and an adorable craft you can hang in frames around your home. 

 

2. DIY Fairy Garden

Do your kids love playing with Legos or imagining elves hiding around the home during Christmas? If they love all things tiny, create a fairy garden with them or have them make their own. 

You can get supplies at the store, but all you need is an empty pot and supplies you might find in your yard. Decorate the fairy garden with stones and flowers, or use old dollhouse furniture to make it even more comfortable.

 

3. Corrugated Paper Bead Necklaces

An old favorite craft is one where kids make their own jewelry. There are entire jewelry sets sold in craft stores that contain shiny beads and different kinds of string, but those are often expensive. 

Instead of going over budget, make corrugated paper bead necklaces with corrugated paper and whatever string you have around your home. It only takes a few minutes and your kids will love showing off their new accessories afterward.

 

4. Homemade Neon Slime

Hands-on activities for kids are sometimes their favorite. Think of how many times your kids have wanted Playdough or modeling clay to make different shapes. 

Skip restocking the name brand craft supplies and mix up neon slime at home. Your kids will love all the different colors and how it feels in their hands.

 

5. Wooden Crayon Holder

Every parent knows the struggle of keeping crayons organized and in one container. Crayon boxes don’t always last as long as they should, which leads to crayons marking up fabric boxes or the carpet they end up on. 

Keep crayons in one location that looks cute too after you make a wooden crayon holder and personalize it with your kids’ names. Be sure to read woodworking safety tips so you’re prepared to use the right tools, like wearing safety goggles when cutting wood.

 

6. Mini Lid Banjos 

Kids who love to make some noise will adore this craft. As long as you have a bit of tape, some popsicle sticks, tiny rubber bands and a few lids around your house, you can create mini lid banjos in just a few short minutes. 

Use lids from used spaghetti sauce containers as the base of the banjo and have fun taping everything together.

 

7. Ocean in a Jar

If your family is itching to get to the beach but can’t quite get there this year, capture the ocean in a jar at home with a little water, vegetable oil and food coloring. 

Mixing everything together creates a wavy bubble effect that mimics the ocean perfectly. Throw in a tiny plastic toy like a fish or a mermaid figurine so your kids can imagine them living under the sea.

 

8. Geometric Bubble Shapes

A little dish soap and some straws go a long way. Help your kids fashion straws into shapes like triangles and squares before mixing up some dish soap and water in a bowl. 

They’ll be amazed at the 3D bubbles and enjoy waving their wands around. 

 

Try Them All Out

 

Even if you think a craft might not look interesting to your kids, it could end up being the highlight of their week. These low-cost crafts are easy to try out at home without requiring you to spend a ton of money at a craft store. 

Check them out the next time your kids look bored and need something fun to do!

 

Author Bio: 

Dylan Bartlett, aka, “The Regular Guide,” writes about DIY crafts and more on his blog. Check out Just a Regular Guide to read about similar topics, or follow Dylan on Twitter @theregularguide for frequent updates!