crafts for kids Archives - Look! We're Learning!

Easy Paper Elephant Craft for Kids

July 6, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Of the attractions in our city, our favorite is the zoo. Hands down.

Whenever we go, I usually head for the African Savannah exhibit so I can get a look at the elephants.

The last time we went, we actually got to see an elephant jogging directly towards us. I caught it on camera.

It was awesome.

For kids who love elephants, making this fun and easy paper elephant craft is a cute way to spend some crafting time!

Simple Paper Elephant Craft to Make with Kids

This is a really simple art project that only requires a couple of basic supplies, so it’s great for a quick art lesson.

Read on to get the full project instructions.

And, be sure to try our 3D Paper Dolphin Craft too!

Try this simple paper elephant craft for a fun kids crafting activity!

Easy Paper Elephant Craft for Kids

To make this easy paper elephant craft, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printer (with ink)
Printer paper
Child-safe scissors
Construction paper
Colored pencils
Glue stick
A copy of our free printable elephant craft template (link located farther down)

Supplies to Make an Elephant Craft for Kids

How to Make an Easy Paper Elephant Craft

To get started, print the template and use a pencil to trace the outline of each shape onto construction paper.

Use white for the eyes and hooves. Use gray for the head, body, legs, and trunk.

Light pink works well for the ears and a bright pink is good for the elephant’s cheeks.

Start by gluing the hooves onto the bottom of the legs.

Then attach two of the legs to the bottom of the body.

Give your elephant four legs by attaching the remaining two legs slightly to the left and behind of the front legs.

Use the glue stick to attach the trunk to the bottom of the head and the light pink ears on the left and right side.

Glue the eyes in the center of the elephant’s face. Then place the two “cheeks” on either side of the trunk.

Use a glue stick to attach the head to the body.

And you’re done!

Your elephant is all set to explore the jungle!

Simple Paper Elephant Craft for Kids to Make

Scroll down to get the printable template for this Paper Elephant Craft!

Try some of these other fun craft ideas for kids!

Make this easy sea animal suncatcher craft for a simple summer art project this year!

Make this fun and easy 3D paper dolphin craft for a fun art project to share with kids! Great for a summer art activity!

To get the printable Elephant Paper Craft template, click the image or the link below to download it to your computer!

>>> Elephant Paper Craft Template <<<

25 Super Easy Preschool Crafts You Can Make in 10 Minutes

May 28, 2020 by Selena Robinson 3 Comments

I love to make crafts with my kids, especially when they’re very young.

What I don’t like is having to buy a whole lot of supplies (and expensive ones, at that!) for a project that I’ll only do once.

So, when I make a craft with my preschooler, I always prefer to do one that I can get done in 10 minutes or less.

After all, Pre-K kids have pretty short attention spans.

If you’re looking for some simple crafting fun for young kids, try this list of super easy preschool crafts you can make in just 10 minutes!

This list is full of easy PreK crafts for each season.

Some work well for spring, others for summer or fall, some are perfect for winter – and some are great any time of the year!

Read on the see the full list. And for more simple preschool ideas, check out my list of 10 preschool learning activities you can do in 10 minutes!

25 Super Easy Preschool Crafts

1. Toilet Roll Butterfly Craft – Look! We’re Learning!

2. Torn Paper Fall Tree Craft – Hands On As We Grow

3. Easy Snowflake Craft – Mama Smiles

4. No-Sew Sock Snowman Craft – Easy Peasy and Fun

5. Easy Wax Boats – Housing a Forest

6. Train Tape Resist Craft – Look! We’re Learning!

7. Easy Craft Stick Snakes – Crafty Morning

8. Coffee Filter Apple Craft – Look! We’re Learning!

9. Easy Shapes Salt Truck Craft – Sugar Aunts

10. Pringles Can Binoculars – Happy Hooligans

11. Farm Paper Bag Puppets – Look! We’re Learning!

12. Easy Paper Plate Watermelon Craft – ABC Creative Learning

13. Simple Fork Print Sunflower Craft – Crafty Morning

14. Simple Farm Craft with Stickers – I Heart Crafty Things

15. Coffee Filter Sun Craft – Look! We’re Learning!

16. Shape School Bus Craft – Look! We’re Learning!

17. Simple Cardboard Tube Construction Set – Inner Child Fun

18. Simple Craft Stick Photo Frame – Living Montessori Now

19. Woven Craft Stick Butterflies – The Craft Train

20. Sea Shell Salt Dough Craft – Teach Mama

21. Farm Shoebox Diorama – Look! We’re Learning!

22. Simple Airplane Craft – Learning 4 Kids

23. Paper Plate Cars – Glued to My Crafts

24. Clothespin Snowman Craft – Easy Peasy and Fun

25. Easy Shape Car Craft – Look! We’re Learning!

Did you like this post? Try these other early learning ideas!

This post is part of the Crafts for Kids Unit Study roundup! Stop by to read other great kids’ crafts posts from my fellow educators!

How to Create a Kids Crafting Kit {Free Printable Shopping List} from Crafty Mama in ME

9 Great Craft Book for Kids from Faith and Good Works

Unicorn Crafts for Kids from Schooling a Monkey

Most Popular Kids Crafts of the Year from The Moments at Home

Letter F Craft: Flamingo Fun! from Mrs. Karle’s Sight and Sound Reading

3D Paper Dolphin Craft for Kids

May 14, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Atlanta is home to the Georgia Aquarium – one of the largest indoor aquariums in the world.

We’ve gotten to take our children there a few times and they were always thrilled to see such incredible marine animals up close.

One of the attractions there is a live dolphin show, which we got to attend. And that was when I learned that dolphins are incredible creatures.

They can be trained to do amazing stunts, they communicate with one another, and they are extremely intelligent.

Plus, they’re beautiful to look at.

I thought a dolphin-themed art activity would be a nice summer project for the kids, so here’s a 3D paper dolphin craft you can make with little ones!

This is such a cool art project, because it stands up on its own. So kids can keep it after they’re done.

(Between you and me, our refrigerator door simply cannot hold any more works of art.)

Get the full dolphin craft instructions below!

And, for another ocean art project, try our Coffee Filter Jellyfish Craft!

What Supplies Do You Need to Make a 3D Paper Dolphin Craft?

What I like the most about this dolphin craft is that you don’t need anything fancy to make it.

You probably already have the supplies from working on other crafts. No last-minute shopping trip needed!

To make this 3D paper dolphin craft, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Start by downloading the Paper Dolphin Craft template. You’ll need this to print the shapes for making the dolphin.

After you’ve downloaded the printable, print it out on white paper. Then use scissors to cut out each piece.

How to Make a 3D Paper Dolphin Craft

Now it’s time to get crafting!

Use a pencil or a pen to trace each of the template shapes onto colored paper.

In this project, we used aqua for the body and inner fin, white for the belly, and green for the outer fin.

But you and the kids can use any color you like.

After you’ve traced each shape, cut it out.

If you’re using white for the belly, you can just keep the template shape you’ve cut instead of tracing it again.

Start by gluing the belly onto the bottom curve of the dolphin’s “body”.

Stack the inner fin piece on top of the outer fin piece and glue it in the center of the dolphin’s side – on top of the belly.

Glue the dolphin’s “eye” onto the head.

Add a shy smile with the ink pen, if you like.

Now it’s time to make the “ocean”.

Trace the ocean template shape onto blue paper and trace a couple of the “waves” onto light blue paper. Cut them all out.

Fold the blue ocean paper in half horizontally. Then glue the waves onto the bottom edge of the “ocean”.

Almost done!

Glue the dolphin onto the folded center line of the “ocean”. Make sure that the folded line squares with the dolphin’s middle.

The top of the dolphin should appear above the folded line.

Fold the ocean in half again to make a triangular stand and you’re done!

See how the dolphin stands up?

Let the kids make an entire pod of different-colored dolphins!

Don’t miss these other easy crafts for kids to make!

Make this easy toilet paper roll lion craft with the kids for a fun art activity!

This simple coffee filter jellyfish craft is a perfect easy summer craft for kids! Make a few with your little ones this summer!

Easy Lion Toilet Paper Roll Craft for Kids

May 4, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

When I was a child, I saw a cartoon that was set in the jungle. The animals had an issue and they decided to consult the lion for help.

The lion was seated on a throne and wearing a crown. Which suited him as the “king of the jungle”.

I still think of lions as the overseers of the jungle to this day. But it’s okay to make lions look a little cute too.

And this easy lion toilet paper roll craft is a super cute lion art activity for kids!

Fun and Easy Lion Toilet Paper Roll Craft

This would make a great activity for a jungle unit, especially since it only requires a few ordinary supplies.

It’s also a cool recycled materials craft, because it uses a toilet paper roll. Save a few empty rolls and make an entire lion pride!

Get the full instructions to make this easy lion craft for kids below.

And – be sure to read how to make a paper bag fox craft too!

Easy Lion Toilet Paper Roll Craft for Kids

To make this simple lion toilet paper roll craft, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

If you’re making this with a very young child, you might need to help him or her cut out the pieces of the printable lion craft template.

After you’ve printed the template, cut out the pieces and trace the outlines onto yellow, orange, and beige construction paper.

Cut out each piece of construction paper and you’re ready to get started!

How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Lion Craft

Glue the “face” onto the center of the “mane”. Then glue each “paw” onto the bottom of each “arm”.

Finally, glue the “tail tuft” onto the end of the “tail”.

Now add eyes, a nose, and a mouth – and freckles, if you’d like.

You can either draw eyes on white paper and cut them out to add to the face. Or just let the child draw the eyes directly on the face.

Simple Toilet Paper Roll Lion Craft for Kids

Time to make the body!

Cut out a piece of yellow construction paper. Use a length that covers the toilet paper roll when wrapped around it.

Glue the construction paper to the toilet paper roll. You might need to secure the edges with tape.

Glue the beige “belly” to the center of the toilet paper roll.

Use glue to attach the lion’s arms to the top left and right corners of the “belly”.

Then glue the lion’s face to the top of the toilet paper roll, centering it over the belly and arms.

Finally, glue the tail to the bottom of the back side of the toilet paper roll.

The end of the tail tuft should be sticking up toward the mane.

All done!

Feel free to have kids draw a jungle backdrop to complete a jungle scene featuring their lion!

If you make this easy lion toilet paper roll craft, I’d love to hear how your kids enjoyed it!

Don’t miss these other fun animal crafts for kids!

Take a trip to the zoo with this cute coffee filter elephant craft for kids!

Easy Shape Car Craft for Kids

April 23, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Learning shapes is such a fun skill for early grades!

We’ve used lots of learning ideas to cover this concept with young learners, including shape sorting mats and shape flashcards.

But a simple, hands-on way to teach shape recognition is to use an easy shape craft – like this shape car craft!

This is such an easy and fun way to work on this concept!

Plus, it combines both math and art for a STEAM project you can do with young students at math centers or for homework.

Get the full instructions (and the free template) below.

And, for more fun with simple shapes, check out our simple School Bus Shape Craft too!

Make up this quick and easy shape car craft with the kids! Great for math and art in one simple activity!

How to Use a Shape Craft to Teach Geometry

How can you use this shape car craft for a simple geometry lesson?

As you are helping kids cut out the shapes on the paper template, stop and help them identify each one.

The template includes a rectangle, four circles, two squares, a triangle, and even a trapezoid.

Super Easy Shape Car Craft for Kids to Make

Prompt the student to use each correct shape name as they work on making the car.

Be sure to identify each shape as you give directions. For example, “Glue the rectangle to the bottom of the trapezoid.”

What Supplies Do I Need to Make a Shape Craft?

To make this easy shape craft, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printer (with ink)
Printer Paper
Child-safe scissors
Glue stick
Washable markers (optional)
Colored pencils (optional)
A copy of our printable Shape Car Craft template (black/white) (color)

If you’re using the color shape craft template, then you can skip the markers.

The colored pencils are also optional, because they’re only used for adding detail to the finished cars.

How to Make a Shape Car Craft with Kids

To make this shape car craft, start by printing the template.

Help your child cut out all of the shapes.

Depending on the age, you may need to help with the smaller pieces.

Start by gluing the rectangle to the bottom of the trapezoid.

Glue the triangle on the left side of the trapezoid. This will be the car’s front windshield.

Then glue the two squares in a row behind the triangle. They form the side windows of the car.

Glue the two black circles onto the bottom of the rectangle. Add the two grey circles in the center of each black circle.

Now your wheels are done!

Simple Shape Car Craft to Make With Kids

If you like, use markers or colored pencils to add edging on the windows and windshield.

You can also draw red triangles on each end of the rectangle to make headlights and taillights.

Or add a triangle on the front and a rectangle at the back to form the lights too!

All done! Time to take your new cars out for a spin!

Need more simple crafts for kids to make? Try these too!

Share a fun and easy summer craft with the kids when you make this easy coffee filter crab craft! Perfect for summer afternoon crafting!

Simple Train Tape Resist Craft

April 14, 2020 by Selena Robinson 5 Comments

Tape resist crafts are such a fun way to make art with kids!

You only need a few supplies, no one has to have special artistic talent, and they can be awesome projects for several kids to work on together!

Since my kids are super into Thomas the Train right now, I thought they’d enjoy making a simple train tape resist craft and they definitely did!

It taught them a lot about making art, working together, and creating freely.

I hope that you’ll enjoy this craft too!

And if you do, be sure to try some of our simple coffee filter crafts for kids or this list of super easy crafts you can do in just 10 minutes!

Simple Train Tape Resist Craft

To make this train tape resist craft, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

To get started, I drew a very, very simple outline of a train in pencil on a piece of posterboard.

And by simple, I mean literally put together with shapes.

I used a ruler to draw a triangle for the funnel, rectangles for the body and windows, another triangle for the buffer, and circles for the wheels.

Then Jay laid masking tape on the outline to protect it from the artistic endeavors to come.

We left the wheels uncovered, because it is nearly impossible to shape masking tape into a circle.

Time to break out the oil pastels…And let the kids loose!

They were a little reluctant to color freely at first. They kept coloring the way you do in coloring books.

We kept reminding them that this was a free art exercise where they could color where they wanted and how they wanted.

They even got to color over each other’s work.

Halfway through, Roo looked at me and said “I like arting.” *Fist pump*

Here’s the finished poster with the tape still attached.

We peeled off the tape and ta-da!

A modern art-inspired wall art piece for the boys’ room that they made themselves!

Isn’t it colorful?

We didn’t intend to draw it, but the black smudge in the second window kind of looks like a bear that hitched a ride.

Try some of these other easy crafts for kids!

20 Fun Clothespin Puppets for Kids to Make

November 21, 2019 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Have you ever put on a puppet show with the kids?

We’ve done it a few times and they always had a blast with their puppet characters.

We’d usually have rehearsed lines in advance, but someone always wanted to improvise and take the story in a different direction.

Which is part of the fun!

When we’ve made puppets, we usually make them out of paper bags. But there are so many ways to make puppets at home, including these super cute clothespin puppets for kids!

There are so many different characters you can make out of clothespins, including animals, snowmen, and more. These would make wonderful prompts for creative writing and story retelling!

Read on to get some clothespin crafts inspiration! And for more fun with puppets, check out our Farm Paper Bag Puppets for kids to make too!

20 Fun Clothespin Puppets for Kids to Make

1. Cat Clothespin Puppet – Easy Peasy and Fun

2. Squirrel Clothespin Puppets – As the Bunny Hops

3. Giraffe Clothespin Puppet – Delia Creates

4. Dragon Clothespin Puppet – Adventure in a Box

5. Unicorn Clothespin Doll – Kids Craft Room

6. Shark Clothespin Puppets – Easy Peasy and Fun

7. Clothespin Dinosaurs – Crafts by Amanda

8. Llama Clothespin Puppets – Inspiration Made Simple

9. Clothespin Wrap Dolls – This Heart of Mine

10. Clothespin Mermaid Doll – Benzie Design

Check out more clothespin puppets and dolls kids can make below!

11. DIY Flower Fairy Clothespin Dolls – Crafts Unleashed

12. Super Hero Clothespin Dolls – All Free Kids Crafts

13. Chinese Dragon Clothespin Puppets – Easy Peasy and Fun

14. Unicorn Clothespin Puppets – Moms and Crafters

15. Pelican Clothespin Puppet – As the Bunny Hops

16. Clothespin Fish – Crafts by Amanda

17. Snowman Puppets – Moms and Crafters

18. Clothespin Monster Puppets – Our Whimsical Days

19. Clothespin Girls – Ginger Cake

20. Alligator Clothespin Puppet – Kids Activities Blog

Did you like these clothespin puppets for kids? Try some of these other easy crafts the kids can make!

Follow my Simple Crafts for Kids board on Pinterest for more easy kids’ crafts!

DIY Origami Fox Bookmark Craft for Kids

November 5, 2019 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

When I was little, one of my very favorite movies was Disney’s Robin Hood. You know, the one with the foxes.

Actually, I think fox Robin Hood might have been one of my very first crushes. (Please tell me I’m not alone in this.)

Ever since then, I’ve had a soft spot for foxes.

So I thought this adorable DIY origami fox bookmark craft would be a fun paper craft to share with you and your kids!

Just in case you also have a soft spot for foxes, especially British ones.

These would be adorable DIY gifts for kids who are book lovers! Just make up a few and hand them out with a copy of their favorite book.

You could even write a little note on the back!

These easy origami corner bookmarks would also make great reading rewards for students!

Read on to get the full project instructions. And, if you want to make more fox crafts, don’t miss our Simple Paper Bag Fox Craft!

DIY Origami Fox Bookmark Craft

Personally, I’ve been known to use just about anything as a bookmark: a popsicle stick, a paper clip, a piece of yarn. My current one is a used school field trip badge folded in half.

In fact, the library checkout receipt is my usual go-to.

But it is nice to use an actual bookmark, instead of just something you can find lying around. Especially if you’re giving a gift to a friend.

To make this DIY origami fox bookmark craft, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Lay the origami paper flat diagonally.

Fold the paper in half, bringing the top corner to the bottom corner.

Fold the top triangle up to meet the center fold line. Leave the bottom layer in tact.

Fold the left and right sides of the paper down to make a diamond. This time, you’ll fold both the top and bottom layers.

Fold the bottom triangle inward to tuck it inside the “pocket”. Do the same with the top triangle.

You’ll have a folded triangular pocket shape when you’re finished.

Use scissors to trim the top of the bookmark pocket into a rounded shape.

Use a pencil to trace the fox head template pieces from the printable fox bookmark template onto colored paper.

Cut out ear (inner and outer colors) and fox head pieces.

Glue the beige paper pieces to the fox head and ear pieces.

Glue the fox ears to the left and right sides of the top of the bookmark.

Use a black marker to add the eyes and nose and you’re done!

We used orange origami paper for our fox origami corner bookmark, but you can use any color you like!

Gather up several colors and see how many you can make with the kids in half an hour!

Then have fun sharing them with friends or as random acts of kindness in your neighborhood!

And, of course, don’t forget to use yours as an actual bookmark. No more library checkout receipts needed!

Take a look at these other fun crafts for kids to make!

Get more ideas for fun things to make with little ones on my Simple Crafts for Kids Pinterest board!

Easy Paper Bag Fox Craft for Kids

October 3, 2019 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

I love to make paper bag animal crafts with the kids.

You only need a few supplies (that you probably already have) and they’re a snap to make! Perfect for the not-so-crafty among us.

Ahem…like myself.

So, with fall approaching, I thought it would be fun to share an easy paper bag fox craft for kids that literally anyone can make. It’s that easy.

Plus, there are other paper bag woodland animal crafts to make too, including a paper bag bear craft and a paper bag deer craft!

Read on to see how to make these adorable animal crafts and pick up the free printable templates too!

And for more ways to craft with paper bags, take a look at our cute paper bag farm puppets for kids!

Easy Paper Bag Fox Craft

To make the easy paper bag fox craft, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Choose the colored paper you want to use to make the fox.

Print the paper bag fox craft template and then cut out the template pieces.

Use the pencil to trace the template shapes onto the colored paper pieces. Cut the traced pieces out.

Glue the inner ear patterns (2 small triangular pieces) on the ear parts of the fox’s head pattern and glue the heart shaped piece on the bottom side of the head.

Glue the small pattern of the tail on the tip of the big tail pattern.

Glue the colored paper you want to use around the outside of the paper bag. Be sure to cover all four sides.

The color of the bag should match the body of the fox.

Glue the circular belly piece of the fox in the bottom center of the paper bag.

Attach the head pattern of the fox on the top side of the bag, keeping half of the head outside the bag’s top end.

Attach the tail on either side of the bag, in between the side folds of the bag.

You may want to add clear tap at the bottom to keep the bag secure.

Use a black marker to draw the eyes and nose of the fox.

And you’re done!

How to Make Paper Bag Woodland Animal Crafts

To make the other paper bag woodland animal crafts, you’ll need the following:

Printable paper bag bear craft template
Printable paper bag deer craft template
The same supplies as used for the paper bag fox craft

Follow the same instructions as for the paper bag fox craft, attaching the belly, head, and ears.

When making the paper bag deer craft, be sure to attach the antlers and add the spots to the center of the forehead.

You could even make an entire family of these paper bag woodland animals!

If you cut out the template pieces in advance, this would be a super fun craft for a kids’ party!

Don’t miss these other easy kids’ craft ideas!

Share even more crafting fun with the ideas on my Simple Crafts for Kids Pinterest board!

Easy Fall Leaf Garland Craft for Kids

September 19, 2019 by Selena Robinson 3 Comments

Since fall finally made its appearance down here in the South, we decided to round up some of the fall leaves in our yard and make a garland.

I’ll admit: I’m not really one for home decor. I didn’t learn much about it as a child and I’ve been a tad stubborn about doing it as an adult.

But, after sharing this easy fall leaf garland craft with the kids, I’m committed to adding a bit more “home” to our house.

This is a really simple fall craft that kids will have fun making. It’s easy, it only requires a few supplies, and it adds a sweet reminder of fall to the home.

For more fun fall kids’ activities, don’t miss our list of 50 fall books kids will treasure!

Easy Fall Leaf Garland Craft for Kids

To make this DIY fall leaf garland craft, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Assorted fall leaves (choose the most colorful you can find)
Tempera paint (optional)
Paintbrushes (optional)
Clear tape
Bright yellow yarn
Hole puncher

Rather than making leaves out of construction paper or some other medium, we just thought we’d hang actual leaves.

We let them dry out for a couple of weeks so they’d be easy to punch holes in.

Choose your leaves about two weeks before you intend to make your garland. Sit them on a counter or in a plastic bag so that they’ll have plenty of time to stiffen before you make the craft.

I helped the kids place the hole punch, but they pushed the lever (which they loved).

To keep the holes from spreading and cracking the leaves, we punched them as close to the center as possible and towards the stem end.