Simple DIY Crafts for Toddlers Using Everyday Items

Think you don’t have the materials to make great crafts at home with your toddler? We have some DIY craft ideas that you’ll be able to make with items around the house!  These activities are fun, timeless, and quick.  Siblings will love to get in on the action too!

Play Dough

We think our play dough recipe is the best! It’s quick and easy and you only need a few pantry staples.  Plus it only takes about 15 minutes to make! Get the recipe and instructions, here.

play dough for kids

Toilet Paper Roll Pets

This is super fun and easy! There are multiple ways you can make this work. All you need is paper, some glue, crayons or paint. If you have anything else lying around, let your kids use their imagination (sting, buttons, googly eyes, etc.)

Place items out for you kid to use. Ask them what animal they want to make!   Use paper to cut out legs, tails, arms, head (whatever body parts they may have!) and use the toilet paper roll as the body.

You can color on eyes or cut them from paper or use items like googly eyes or buttons.  If have paint on-hand, your child can paint the toilet paper role before adding on the body parts.

Check out this great tutorial.

Car Garage

If you are anything like me, you have Amazon boxes floating around the house. Grab one and turn it into a fun garage for your toddler to use with their cars.  

Take the box and cover with paper.  If you have a brown paper bag, that works great!  Try to keep the blank side up.   Let your child decorate the garage with crayons, stickers, etc.   When they are done, cut several rectangle doors along the side.

Expert tip: Number the garage doors to help with learning to count and recognize numbers. 

Hand Print Ornaments 

This is another quick and easy craft!  You’ll need basic for salt dough. The magic of salt dough is that it hardens and can be a double activity. The first part making the dough and pressing the shape and the second part once it dries and can be decorated or painted.

To make the dough:  

• 2 cups Flour

• 1 cup table salt

• 1 cup warm water

Mix the dough together and once combined, dump the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5-10 minutes.  If your dough is sticky, add more flour 1 tablespoon at a time. 

You can air dry this dough or if you prefer, you can bake it in a 250 degree over for 1 hour. 

Making the ornament

Take a piece of dough, roll into a ball, and flatten it out. I like to use the bottom of a pan to press it down and get it nice and even.  Check the size and that it is big enough for your little one’s hand.   

Have your child place their hand firmly onto the flattened dough. Help them lift their hand straight up to get the best impression.  

Using a toothpick, create a small hole at the top to add ribbon for hanging once it is dried.   If you are baking the ornament, make sure you DO NOT add the ribbon until AFTER it has cooled from the oven.