Easy Paper Crafts for Kids: Rainy Day Activities
Keep the kids entertained on rainy days with these simple and fun paper craft projects. All you need is paper, scissors, and glue to create hours of creative entertainment for children of all ages.
Introduction
When the rain is pouring outside and the kids are stuck indoors, it's the perfect opportunity to bring out the craft supplies and get creative. Paper crafts are ideal rainy day activities because they require minimal materials, create minimal mess, and offer unlimited creative possibilities.
Not only are paper crafts fun, but they also help develop important skills in children. Cutting, folding, and gluing strengthen fine motor skills, while following instructions and planning designs build cognitive abilities. The creative aspect nurtures imagination and self-expression, making paper crafts both entertaining and educational.
In this article, I'll share 8 easy paper craft projects that are perfect for kids of various ages. Most of these crafts use materials you likely already have at home, and they can be adapted to suit different skill levels and interests.
Basic Materials for Paper Crafts
Essential Materials:
- Construction paper in various colors
- White printer paper
- Scissors (child-safe for younger kids)
- Glue stick or white school glue
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Ruler
- Pencil
Optional Materials:
- Origami paper
- Cardstock
- Tissue paper
- Googly eyes
- Pom-poms
- Pipe cleaners
- Hole punch
- String or yarn
- Clear tape
- Double-sided tape
Craft 1: Origami Corner Bookmarks
Age range: 5+ (with assistance) or 8+ (independent)
Skill level: Beginner
Time needed: 15-20 minutes
Materials:
- Square paper (6" x 6" works well)
- Markers or colored pencils
- Googly eyes (optional)
- Glue
Instructions:
- Start with a square piece of paper and fold it in half diagonally to create a triangle
- Fold the two bottom corners up to meet at the top point, then unfold
- Fold the bottom corners up to meet the crease lines you just made
- Fold the top layer of the bottom point up to create a small triangle that will be your pocket
- Fold the two side points behind the pocket to secure it
- Decorate your bookmark to look like a monster, animal, or character by adding eyes, teeth, and other features
These bookmarks slip right onto the corner of a book page, making them functional as well as fun to create. Kids can make a collection of different characters to mark their place in their favorite books.
Craft 2: Paper Chain Garland
Age range: 3+ (with assistance) or 6+ (independent)
Skill level: Easy
Time needed: 30+ minutes (depending on desired length)
Materials:
- Construction paper in various colors
- Scissors
- Glue stick or tape
- Ruler
- Pencil
Instructions:
- Cut strips of colored paper approximately 1" wide and 6" long
- Take one strip and form a circle, securing the ends with glue or tape
- Thread another strip through the first circle, then form a second circle and secure it
- Continue adding links to create a chain of your desired length
- For added fun, create patterns with different colored links
Paper chains are perfect for counting down to special events, as each link can represent one day. They also make festive decorations for holidays or birthday parties. For younger children, you can pre-cut the strips so they can focus on the linking process.
Craft 3: 3D Paper Aquarium
Age range: 6+ (with assistance) or 9+ (independent)
Skill level: Intermediate
Time needed: 45-60 minutes
Materials:
- Blue construction paper or cardstock
- Construction paper in various colors
- Scissors
- Glue
- Markers
- Tissue paper in blue and green (optional)
- Shoe box (optional for 3D version)
Instructions:
- For a simple version, use a sheet of blue paper as your background
- Cut out fish, seaweed, coral, and other sea creatures from colored paper
- Decorate your sea creatures with markers to add details
- Glue the sea elements onto your blue background
- For a 3D version, line a shoe box with blue paper
- Cut slits in the bottom of the box and insert paper seaweed and coral
- Hang fish from the top of the box using thread or string
- Add tissue paper scraps for textured seaweed or bubbles
This project encourages creativity while teaching children about marine life. You can extend the activity by researching different fish species and creating accurate representations.
Craft 4: Paper Plate Animals
Age range: 4+ (with assistance) or 7+ (independent)
Skill level: Easy to Intermediate
Time needed: 30 minutes
Materials:
- Paper plates
- Construction paper
- Markers or paint
- Scissors
- Glue
- Googly eyes (optional)
- Pipe cleaners (optional)
Instructions for Lion:
- Paint or color a paper plate yellow or orange for the lion's face
- Cut strips of yellow, orange, or brown paper about 1" wide and 4-5" long for the mane
- Glue the strips around the edge of the plate, overlapping them slightly
- Cut out ears from construction paper and glue to the top of the plate
- Add eyes, a nose, and a mouth using markers or cut paper
Other animal ideas:
- Cat: Similar to the lion but with pointed ears and whiskers made from pipe cleaners
- Owl: Use two overlapping plates, add wings on the sides and large eyes
- Turtle: Paint the plate green, add a head, legs, and tail extending from the edges
Paper plate animals are versatile and can be adapted to create almost any creature. This craft combines drawing, cutting, and gluing skills in one fun project.
Craft 5: Paper Bag Puppets
Age range: 4+ (with assistance) or 7+ (independent)
Skill level: Easy
Time needed: 20-30 minutes
Materials:
- Small paper lunch bags
- Construction paper
- Markers or crayons
- Scissors
- Glue
- Googly eyes (optional)
- Yarn for hair (optional)
- Other decorative items (optional)
Instructions:
- Place the paper bag on a flat surface with the bottom flap facing up (this will be the face)
- Plan your puppet character – human, animal, or monster
- Cut out shapes from construction paper for features like ears, hair, or a beak
- Glue these features to the bag
- Draw or glue on eyes, a nose, and a mouth
- Decorate the body (the part below the flap) with clothes or other details
- Let dry completely before playing
Once their puppets are complete, encourage kids to put on a puppet show. This activity extends the craft into imaginative play and storytelling, adding another dimension to the fun.
Craft 6: Paper Snowflakes
Age range: 5+ (with assistance) or 8+ (independent for cutting)
Skill level: Easy to Intermediate
Time needed: 15 minutes per snowflake
Materials:
- White paper (printer paper works well)
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Folding guide (optional, can be drawn beforehand for younger children)
- Glitter or metallic markers (optional)
Instructions:
- Start with a square piece of paper (fold and cut a regular sheet if needed)
- Fold the square in half diagonally to form a triangle
- Fold this triangle in half to create a smaller triangle
- Fold this triangle into thirds (this can be tricky, so assist younger children)
- Cut across the bottom of your folded triangle at an angle
- Cut small shapes out of the sides of the folded paper
- Carefully unfold to reveal your snowflake
- Flatten it under a book if needed
- Optional: Add glitter or decorative elements
Paper snowflakes are perfect winter crafts, but they're beautiful year-round. No two snowflakes are alike, making each creation unique. String several together to make a garland, or tape them to windows for a festive display.
Craft 7: Accordion Paper Snakes
Age range: 3+ (with assistance) or 6+ (independent)
Skill level: Easy
Time needed: 20 minutes
Materials:
- Construction paper or cardstock
- Scissors
- Markers or crayons
- Glue
- Googly eyes (optional)
- Red paper for tongue (optional)
Instructions:
- Cut a long strip of paper, about 2" wide and as long as possible
- Fold the strip back and forth in an accordion style
- Draw and cut out a snake head from a separate piece of paper
- Glue the head to one end of the accordion body
- Cut a small forked tongue from red paper and glue it extending from the mouth
- Add eyes to the head
- Decorate the body with patterns, scales, or other designs
These snakes can "slither" when held at one end and moved gently. This simple project is especially appealing to younger children who are fascinated by how the accordion fold creates movement.
Craft 8: Paper Roll Binoculars
Age range: 4+ (with assistance) or 7+ (independent)
Skill level: Easy
Time needed: 30 minutes
Materials:
- 2 toilet paper rolls
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- String or yarn
- Hole punch
- Markers, stickers, or other decorations
Instructions:
- Tape or glue the two toilet paper rolls side by side
- Cut construction paper to wrap around each roll and secure with glue
- Punch a hole on the outer side of each roll
- Tie string through the holes to create a neck strap
- Decorate the binoculars with markers, stickers, or other embellishments
After making their binoculars, encourage kids to go on an indoor safari or birdwatching expedition. This craft combines creativity with imaginative play, extending the activity beyond the crafting session.
For added educational value, you could create a scavenger hunt list of items for them to "spot" through their binoculars.
Tips for Successful Crafting with Kids
- Prepare in advance: Cut out templates or difficult shapes beforehand for very young children.
- Cover your workspace: Use an old tablecloth, shower curtain, or newspapers to protect surfaces.
- Dress for mess: Have children wear old clothes or aprons to avoid ruining good outfits.
- Take breaks: Young children have short attention spans, so be prepared to complete projects in stages.
- Focus on process, not perfection: Let children express their creativity without worrying about the end result looking "perfect."
- Have cleaning supplies ready: Keep paper towels and a trash bag nearby for quick cleanup.
- Display their work: Show that you value their creativity by displaying finished crafts on the refrigerator or a dedicated "art wall."
Extending the Learning
Paper crafts offer numerous opportunities to incorporate learning into play:
- Science: Discuss the properties of paper, how it's made, or the concept of recycling while crafting.
- Math: Count pieces, measure lengths, identify shapes, and discuss symmetry (especially with snowflakes).
- Language Arts: Have children tell or write stories about their creations, or create puppets based on book characters.
- Geography: Make paper crafts representing animals or landmarks from different countries.
- Fine Motor Skills: Cutting, folding, and gluing all help develop hand strength and coordination.
Conclusion
Paper crafts are the perfect rainy day activity – they're inexpensive, require minimal setup, and engage children's creativity while developing important skills. The projects in this article range from simple activities suitable for preschoolers to more complex crafts that will challenge older children.
Remember that the most important aspect of crafting with kids is having fun together. Don't worry if the finished products don't look perfect – the process of creating and the quality time spent together are what matter most.
Do you have a favorite paper craft that keeps your kids entertained on rainy days? Share your ideas and photos in the comments below!
Comments (3)
Andrea Campos
February 22, 2023We tried the paper plate lion today and my 5-year-old loved it! We didn't have googly eyes so we used buttons instead. Thanks for the easy-to-follow instructions!
Mark Williams
February 25, 2023My kids always struggle with the paper snowflake folding. Any tips to make it easier for them? They're 6 and 8.
Lisa Thompson
February 26, 2023Hi Mark! For younger kids, I recommend pre-folding the paper for them up to the triangle stage. Then draw folding lines with a pencil to show them exactly where to fold next. You can also use thinner paper which is easier to fold. Another tip is to practice with larger squares first before moving to smaller ones. Hope that helps!
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