Arts & Crafts Activities for Aunts, Uncles & Kids

Fun arts and crafts activities for kids of all ages, including painting, drawing, friendship bracelets, clay projects, holiday crafts, homemade cards, scrapbooking, nature crafts, tie-dye, personalized gifts and DIY projects.

Sometimes all you need is a table, a few supplies and a little imagination.

Arts and crafts give your niece or nephew a chance to create, experiment, express themselves and make something that's uniquely theirs. And for aunts and uncles, crafting together creates an easy opportunity to slow down, talk, laugh and enjoy time together.

You don't need expensive supplies or complicated instructions.

A piece of paper can become a masterpiece.

A handful of beads can become a friendship bracelet.

Leaves from the backyard can become art.

A cardboard box can become almost anything.

At Funcles & Faunties™, we believe the finished project isn't the most important part.

The memory you make while creating it is.

Whether you're looking for a simple craft for a toddler, a creative project for an elementary-age child, a DIY challenge for a tween or an artsy activity to do with a teenager, you'll find plenty of ideas to inspire your next creative adventure.

What Are Good Arts & Crafts Activities for Kids?

The best arts and crafts activities give children room to experiment and make choices.

Depending on their age and interests, try:

  • Painting

  • Drawing

  • Coloring

  • Friendship bracelets

  • Clay projects

  • Paper crafts

  • Homemade cards

  • Scrapbooking

  • Collage

  • Nature crafts

  • Tie-dye

  • Jewelry making

  • DIY decorations

  • Personalized gifts

  • Holiday crafts

  • Photography

  • Comic books

  • Storytelling

  • Rock painting

  • Paper airplanes

  • Cardboard creations

  • Recycled-material crafts

Don't worry about making something Pinterest-perfect.

Let them make it their way.

Painting Activities for Kids

Painting is one of the easiest ways to encourage creativity.

You can keep it simple with paper and washable paint or turn it into a bigger project.

Try:

  • Finger painting

  • Watercolor painting

  • Sponge painting

  • Nature painting

  • Rock painting

  • Canvas painting

  • Handprint art

  • Paint pouring

  • Painting flower pots

  • Painting cardboard

  • Painting homemade decorations

Ask questions instead of giving instructions:

"What are you making?"

"What happens when you mix those colors?"

"What should we add next?"

Let the child decide.

The goal isn't to teach them how to paint a particular picture.

It's to give them space to create.

[Explore Creative Activities →]

Drawing Activities for Kids

A blank piece of paper can become almost anything.

Try:

  • Drawing self-portraits

  • Drawing family members

  • Creating cartoons

  • Drawing favorite animals

  • Making comic strips

  • Drawing imaginary creatures

  • Creating a dream house

  • Drawing a map

  • Designing a superhero

  • Creating a picture book

  • Drawing your dream vacation

For a fun challenge, take turns adding to the same drawing.

One person starts.

The next person adds something.

Keep going until you've created a completely unexpected masterpiece.

Friendship Bracelets & Jewelry Making

Friendship bracelets can be a fun activity for older kids, tweens and teens.

Try:

  • Beaded bracelets

  • Friendship bracelets

  • Name bracelets

  • Charm bracelets

  • Necklaces

  • Keychains

  • Simple wire crafts

  • Personalized jewelry

Choose colors that have meaning or make matching bracelets together.

You can even create a special aunt-and-niece or uncle-and-niece bracelet that becomes a reminder of your time together.

For younger children, use only age-appropriate materials and avoid small pieces that could pose a choking hazard.

Clay & Modeling Activities

Clay and modeling materials give kids a chance to create three-dimensional art.

Try making:

  • Animals

  • Food

  • Flowers

  • People

  • Monsters

  • Miniature houses

  • Bowls

  • Decorations

  • Imaginary creatures

  • Personalized gifts

Ask:

"If you could create anything, what would you make?"

Then see where their imagination takes you.

Use materials and tools appropriate for the child's age, and follow product safety instructions.

Homemade Cards

Making a card can turn a simple craft into an opportunity to do something thoughtful for someone else.

Create cards for:

  • Birthdays

  • Mother's Day

  • Father's Day

  • Grandparents

  • Teachers

  • Friends

  • Siblings

  • Holidays

  • Thank-you notes

  • Get-well wishes

Let your niece or nephew choose the colors, decorations and message.

The handmade version may mean more than anything you could buy at a store.

Scrapbooking Together

Scrapbooking can turn memories into something you can keep.

Gather:

  • Photos

  • Ticket stubs

  • Drawings

  • Stickers

  • Notes

  • Postcards

  • Receipts from special outings

  • Small paper souvenirs

Create pages about:

  • A vacation

  • A birthday

  • A family adventure

  • A special day together

  • A favorite season

  • A school year

  • A holiday

You can even create a shared aunt-and-niece adventure scrapbook or uncle-and-nephew memory book.

Add a new page every time you do something memorable together.

Nature Crafts for Kids

You don't have to buy all your craft supplies.

Nature can provide plenty of inspiration.

Try:

  • Leaf rubbings

  • Nature collages

  • Painted rocks

  • Pinecone crafts

  • Pressed flowers

  • Stick sculptures

  • Nature crowns

  • Leaf art

  • Flower prints

  • Nature mandalas

Take a walk first and collect appropriate natural materials where permitted.

Then bring them home and turn your discoveries into art.

The walk becomes part of the craft.

[Explore Outdoor Activities →]

Tie-Dye Activities

Tie-dye can turn plain clothing or fabric into something completely unique.

Try:

  • T-shirts

  • Tote bags

  • Socks

  • Bandanas

  • Pillowcases

  • Fabric squares

Let kids choose their colors and patterns.

Tie-dye is especially fun as a summer activity, but it can be done any time of year with appropriate preparation and supervision.

Follow the dye manufacturer's instructions and protect clothing and work surfaces.

DIY Personalized Gifts

One of the most meaningful arts and crafts activities is making something for someone else.

Create:

  • Painted picture frames

  • Decorated mugs where appropriate

  • Homemade cards

  • Photo collages

  • Friendship bracelets

  • Painted flower pots

  • Personalized ornaments

  • Decorated boxes

  • Handmade bookmarks

  • Family recipe cards

  • Painted rocks

  • Homemade decorations

Ask:

"Who could we make something for?"

Then let your niece or nephew choose the project.

Arts & Crafts for Toddlers & Preschoolers

Young children don't need complicated crafts.

Try:

  • Finger painting

  • Coloring

  • Large stickers

  • Crayon drawings

  • Paper collages

  • Simple stamping

  • Playdough

  • Nature art

  • Large-piece crafts

  • Painting with sponges

  • Homemade cards

Focus on exploration rather than the finished product.

[Explore Activities for Ages 2–4 →]

Arts & Crafts for Ages 4–6

Kids ages 4–6 are often ready for more structured creative projects while still having plenty of room for imagination.

Try:

  • Painting

  • Drawing

  • Simple clay projects

  • Paper crafts

  • Nature crafts

  • Homemade cards

  • Collages

  • Holiday crafts

  • Decorating picture frames

  • Simple jewelry

  • DIY decorations

Give them a few options and let them choose.

"Do you want to paint, make a card or build something?"

Choice can be part of the fun.

[Explore Activities for Ages 4–6 →]

Arts & Crafts for Ages 6–8

Kids in this age group can begin working on more detailed projects.

Try:

  • Friendship bracelets

  • Painting

  • Drawing

  • Clay

  • Scrapbooking

  • DIY projects

  • Nature crafts

  • Photography

  • Comic books

  • Personalized gifts

  • Paper crafts

  • Holiday decorations

This is also a great age to introduce creative hobbies and let kids discover what they genuinely enjoy.

[Explore Activities for Ages 6–8 →]

Arts & Crafts for Ages 8–10

Older kids may enjoy projects that require more planning, patience and problem-solving.

Try:

  • Jewelry making

  • Advanced friendship bracelets

  • Clay projects

  • Tie-dye

  • Scrapbooking

  • Photography

  • Comic creation

  • DIY decorations

  • Model building

  • Painting

  • Sewing projects with appropriate supervision

  • Personalized gifts

  • Recycled-material projects

Let them design the project before you begin.

Give them the materials and see what they invent.

[Explore Activities for Ages 8–10 →]

Arts & Crafts for Tweens

Tweens may gravitate toward creative projects that feel more personalized and less like traditional children's crafts.

Try:

  • Friendship bracelets

  • Jewelry

  • Tie-dye

  • Photography

  • Scrapbooking

  • Painting

  • Room decorations

  • DIY gifts

  • Vision boards

  • Custom clothing

  • Clay projects

  • Digital art

  • Handmade cards

  • Personalized accessories

Let your tween choose the project.

Better yet, make something together.

You could each create a piece of art and exchange them afterward.

[Explore Activities for Tweens →]

Arts & Crafts for Teens

Creative activities can give teenagers a chance to express themselves while spending relaxed, low-pressure time with you.

Try:

  • Photography

  • Painting

  • Drawing

  • Digital art

  • Jewelry making

  • Tie-dye

  • Scrapbooking

  • Custom clothing

  • DIY room décor

  • Pottery

  • Creative writing

  • Collage

  • Handmade gifts

  • Photography walks

  • Art classes

You don't necessarily need to sit across a table and make the same thing.

Try visiting an art supply store together, taking a class or going somewhere that inspires creativity.

[Explore Activities for Teens →]

Arts & Crafts You Can Do With Things You Already Have

You don't need to buy an entire craft store.

Look around your home.

You might already have:

  • Cardboard boxes

  • Paper

  • Newspaper

  • Magazines

  • Paper bags

  • Toilet paper rolls

  • Old greeting cards

  • Fabric scraps

  • Empty containers

  • Buttons

  • Yarn

  • Crayons

  • Markers

  • Tape

  • Glue

Turn those materials into something new.

Cardboard Box Challenge

What can you build with one box?

Magazine Collage

Cut out pictures, colors and words and create a collage.

Paper Bag Puppet

Turn a paper bag into a character.

Cardboard City

Build streets, houses and buildings.

Recycled Robot

Turn clean household packaging into a robot or imaginary creature.

Sometimes limitations make creativity even more fun.

Free Arts & Crafts Activities

Creative time doesn't have to cost anything.

Try:

  • Drawing

  • Nature collages

  • Leaf rubbings

  • Paper crafts

  • Cardboard creations

  • Storytelling

  • Making homemade cards

  • Drawing comics

  • Creating paper puppets

  • Building with recycled materials

  • Rock art where appropriate

  • Making decorations from things you already have

Before buying supplies, ask:

"What can we create with what we already have?"

You might be surprised.

[Explore Free Activities →]

Budget-Friendly Arts & Crafts

If you're willing to spend a little, inexpensive supplies can provide hours of creative entertainment.

Consider:

  • Construction paper

  • Crayons

  • Washable markers

  • Paint

  • Glue

  • Yarn

  • Beads

  • Clay

  • Stickers

  • Cardboard

  • Craft sticks

  • Coloring books

  • Recycled materials

Buy supplies that can be used for multiple projects rather than purchasing a separate kit for every activity.

And don't underestimate the value of a craft-supply box.

Keep leftover materials together so you always have something creative to work with.

[Explore Budget-Friendly Activities →]

Holiday Arts & Crafts

Every holiday provides an excuse to make something together.

Christmas Crafts

Try:

  • Homemade ornaments

  • Christmas cards

  • Gift tags

  • Holiday decorations

  • Paper snowflakes

  • Personalized gifts

[Explore Christmas Activities →]

Halloween Crafts

Try:

  • Painted pumpkins

  • Halloween decorations

  • Costume accessories

  • Spooky cards

  • Paper bats

  • Halloween characters

[Explore Halloween Activities →]

Valentine's Day Crafts

Try:

  • Homemade cards

  • Friendship bracelets

  • Paper hearts

  • Personalized gifts

  • Valentine decorations

Easter Crafts

Try:

  • Egg decorating

  • Spring artwork

  • Paper crafts

  • Homemade cards

  • Nature-inspired decorations

The best part is having a collection of handmade decorations that you bring out year after year.

Arts & Crafts as a Memory-Making Activity

One of the best things about making art together is that you have something to remember the day by.

Save the first painting.

Keep the handmade card.

Frame the drawing.

Take a picture of the finished project.

Write the date on the back.

Years later, you'll have a collection of little reminders of who your niece or nephew was at different stages of childhood.

The craft becomes a time capsule.

Create a Tradition Around Making Things

You can turn almost any creative activity into a tradition.

Maybe you:

Make homemade ornaments every Christmas.

Create a birthday card for each other every year.

Paint pumpkins every Halloween.

Make friendship bracelets every summer.

Create one scrapbook page after every trip.

Have a monthly craft afternoon.

Make handmade gifts for family members.

Traditions don't have to be elaborate.

They just have to be yours.

What If I'm Not Creative?

Good news:

You don't have to be.

You don't need artistic talent to enjoy arts and crafts with a child.

The goal isn't to produce gallery-worthy artwork.

It's to sit down together and make something.

Let the child teach you.

Make something silly.

Try something you've never done.

Laugh when it doesn't work.

Start over.

Sometimes saying "I have no idea how to do this. Let's figure it out together" is exactly what makes the activity special.

Let Them Make It Their Own

One of the biggest mistakes adults can make with children's crafts is trying to make the finished project look "right."

If their tree is purple, let it be purple.

If their house has wings, give it wings.

If their bracelet has every color imaginable, celebrate it.

If their sculpture looks nothing like what they said it was going to be, ask them about it.

They're not making your project.

They're making theirs.

The Best Part Isn't the Finished Craft

You may forget exactly what you painted.

You may not remember which color bracelet you made.

You may eventually throw away the cardboard castle.

But you might remember sitting at the table together.

The conversation.

The laughter.

The ridiculous idea that somehow became a masterpiece.

The little hands covered in paint.

The music playing in the background.

That's what arts and crafts can really create.

Not just art. Memories.

Ready to Make Something Together?

Grab whatever supplies you have.

Pick an idea.

Put on some music.

Let your niece or nephew choose what to make.

And don't worry about getting messy.

Make something. Make a memory. Have fun.

Because sometimes the best adventures happen right at the kitchen table.

Never Forget to Play.

More Ways to Find Your Next Activity

By Age

[Activities for Ages 2–4 →]
[Activities for Ages 4–6 →]
[Activities for Ages 6–8 →]
[Activities for Ages 8–10 →]
[Activities for Tweens →]
[Activities for Teens →]

By Type

[Indoor Activities →]
[Outdoor Activities →]
[Educational Activities →]
[Creative Activities →]
[Adventure Activities →]
[Free Activities →]
[Budget-Friendly Activities →]
[Travel Activities →]
[Food & Cooking Activities →]
[Arts & Crafts Activities →]

By Season

[Spring Activities →]
[Summer Activities →]
[Fall Activities →]
[Winter Activities →]

By Occasion

[Birthday Activities →]
[Christmas Activities →]
[Halloween Activities →]
[First Day of School Activities →]
[Summer Vacation Activities →]
[Rainy Day Activities →]