Fun Arts and Crafts Ideas For Preschoolers

The benefits of arts and crafts for children are plentiful: they build coordination, help develop patience, boost self-esteem, can be a great bonding activity with parents, and – most especially – don’t involve an electronic screen of any kind. It’s also the perfect way to recreate their school’s atmosphere of learning and discovery at home. If you’ve worked through your old summer camp standbys (pine cone n’ peanut butter bird feeder, anyone?), you’ve probably been tempted to hit the Internet to search for some fresh activities. The good news is that the Internet offers roughly a billion ideas for arts and crafts. The bad news is, it can be a little daunting to know which to choose. Which will keep the attention span of your child? Will you need to make multiple runs to the art supply store? Which crafts actually require a degree from the Parsons School of Design?

Fear not! Here are a few engaging projects that will feed their creative side — and have you making room to display them on your refrigerator or desk at work.

Arts and crafts ideas for preschoolers

Straw-Blown Glitter Paintings

What you need: Paint (any colors will do, but you can tailor them to fit the season or holiday) Glitter (same deal as with the paint) Drinking straws Construction paper or card stock Directions:

1. Mix your paint with a little water so that it’s thin enough to be blown across the paper.
2. Dip the end of your straw into the paint and then drop the paint onto the paper. Then, blow through the straw and watch what happens! Move your straw around to create all sorts of fun patterns and explosive shapes. Or, you can go abstract – whatever strikes your fancy.
3. Sprinkle glitter over the paint. Shake off the excess glitter into a bowl to reuse.

Rainy Day Collage

What you need:

• • Q-tips
  • Small container
  • Plate (microwave-safe)
  • Blue food coloring
  • Construction paper
  • Pipe cleaner
  • Glue

• Scissors

Directions: 1.) To make the rain drops, break the ends off of a bunch of Q-tips. Put a small amount of water in a small container and add 6-8 drops of blue food coloring. Dip your Q-tips into the water and lay on a plate. If you’re making these a day ahead of time, you can leave your Q-tips out to dry overnight. If you need them right away, you can put them in the microwave on high for 5-6 minutes or until they’re dry. 2.) Cut out a construction paper umbrella and make your handle with a piece of pipe cleaner. 3.) Decorate your umbrella any way you wish using, glue, markers, stickers, stamps, paint, sequins… possibilities abound! Once you’re finished, glue your umbrella and handle onto a piece of blue construction paper. 4.) Glue on your blue Q-tip raindrops and you’re all finished. Or, if you want to take it a bit further, add some cotton ball clouds to fill out the scene.

Toilet Paper Roll Kazoo

What you need:

• Toilet paper roll
• Wax paper
• Scissors
• Rubber band
• Paint, your choice of color(s)
• Paint brush

Directions: 1. Paint your toilet paper roll with any colors you choose. Cut a circle from a piece of wax paper, anywhere from 5″ to 6″ in diameter.

2. Once your paint is dry, wrap the wax paper around one end of the toilet paper roll and secure it with a rubber band. You’re ready to shake your groove thing!

Preschool Vancouver WA

These are just a few ideas you can do with your preschoolers. Like we said, when it comes to simple, at-home arts and crafts, the ideas are practically endless. If you have any questions, or would like more recommendations, feel free to give our school a call!