25+ Paper Crafts for Kids and Adults

Skip the store-bought wall art and spend an afternoon dreaming of spring with our simple-to-follow custom watercolor floral project. Pull out your watercolor paints, brushes and paper pad and use our petal-by-petal painting guide to create a flower-powered, frame-worthy piece of art for your wall or bookcase. Shop our go-to watercolor painting supply bundle here, and get started with our in-depth tutorial in the link below.

Leave passersby starry-eyed and add a pop of color to your window (or walls!) in one fell swoop with the help of our simple DIY kite paper stars. All you need to recreate these stunning celestial accents are colorful kite paper sheets in three unique hues (per star), a trusty gluestick and the Crafty Lumberjacks’ step-by-step tutorial, linked below. Pro tip: If you can’t find kite paper (which is colored wax paper), you can use tissue paper instead.

Searching for a paper craft you can tackle without waiting for paint to dry or splurging on tons of new supplies? You’ve found it. Take up the lost art of scrapbooking. Print a collection of your cherished family photos and paste them to vibrant cardstock pages using a heavy-duty glue stick. Follow our faux-calligraphy tutorial and adorn your pages with memorable quotes or inside jokes. And, when you’re ready to up the ante, pull out the glitter and go for it.

Pull out three of your tried-and-true pantry staples to make a one-of-a-kind painting with your kiddos this weekend. The best part? This art activity doubles as a science lesson because each watercolor painting is a byproduct of a chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar. Gather watercolor paper, baking soda, vinegar, an ice cube tray and food coloring, then follow our step-by-step tutorial to help your littles create their own masterpiece.

Give your pendant light a luxe look with the help of our chic (and cheap!) DIY paper mache shade. This designer-worthy pendant shade looks high-end but costs next to nothing because it’s crafted entirely from newspaper. Follow our tutorial below and coat your pendant shade with warm white paint on the exterior to mimic plaster, and spray the inside with metallic gold for a captivating contrast sure to turn heads.

Can’t get enough paper mache? Pull from the same stack of newspapers you used to make your pendant light and craft custom catch-all bowls for your entryway or bedside table. Along with newspaper, you’ll need balloons, plastic cups, ModPodge, liquid gilding and a few craft supply staples. Find our step-by-step tutorial and extended material list in the link below.

Teach your kids this oldie-but-goodie craft, and perfect your paper airplane folding skills along the way. All you need are nimble fingers, simple printing paper and our step-by-step guide below to make it happen.

Turn paper coffee filters into a flurry of snowflakes on the cheap. These one-of-a-kind flakes are simple to make using just a pair of crafting scissors, and they'll add wintry whimsy to any surface of your home. String your paper snowflakes from the ceiling with fishing wire for a floating effect, or use double-sided tape to secure them along your stair railing or fireplace mantel for a garland look.

Give the overlooked corner of your living room or office a punch of color with our DIY paper palm fronds. This simple-but-chic craft brings a tropical touch to any space, and the best part? This paper craft is easy to do while sipping on something spirited and watching your favorite show on HGTV. Watch the easy-to-follow tutorial by the Crafty Lumberjacks in the link below.

Add a touch of magic to your kids’ window with this simple paper craft. All you need are crayon shavings, wax paper and an iron to create a prismatic window hanging. Organize your shavings according to rainbow colors, starting with red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and finishing with violet to create a classic look.

Looking for another art-meets-science activity for your kiddos? Add watercolor salt painting to your family craft rotation. Grab a glue bottle, kosher and table salt, paintbrushes, watercolor paints and watercolor paper (cardstock works, too!), then follow our step-by-step tutorial below to make a custom painting this weekend with the pint-sized artists in your life.

Lean into your love for textural wall hangings and craft your own with this paper chain wall art. Follow our step-by-step tutorial to create an ombre paper chain hanger using graph paper, card stock, string, a wooden dowel and craft supplies you already have on hand. Recreate our citrus-inspired color scheme with orange, pink, red and yellow paper, or tailor your palette to complement your existing furnishings.

If you have a concerning track record with sustaining houseplants — this paper plant craft is made for you. This stunning paper plant centerpiece requires zero watering, sunlight or attention to maintain its beauty. Plus, it comes together with basic craft and painting supplies, colorful paper and floral tape. Click the link below to make your own while enjoying your partner’s company and a warm cup of cocoa this weekend.

Few simple pleasures compare to that of a new notebook full of pages waiting for stories and scribbles. Craft your own for work or at home using vibrant scrapbook paper, a page protector and our DIY scrapbook paper confetti. Find the step-by-step guide to make this lively journal in the link below.

Pretty up your presents and parcels with these sweet and simple decoupage flower gift tags. To make these, you will need gift boxes, thick paper gift tags, decoupage glue, pressed flowers and a paintbrush. Check out the link below to learn how to make these flower-powered gift tags at home.

Encourage your little artists to frame their latest artwork with this quick-and-easy paper straw craft. All you need are pattern-clad paper straws, craft scissors, a ruler and some string to make a charming frame for their sketch, painting or potato print art. Find the step-by-step guide to making paper straw picture frames in the link below.

Transform a pair of plain white paper plates into colorful musical instruments with this charming kids’ craft. Use a hole punch along the perimeter of each plate and weave the duo together using a thread or ribbon of your choice. Invite your little one to decorate the plates with markers, crayons or paint to represent their style. Leave the plates hollow to use as a drum, or add dry beans before stitching them up, and voila! You have a paper tambourine.

Our camp-inspired sun-print crafts are a core summer memory in the making for you and your creative kiddos. To recreate, start with sun-sensitive photographic paper, transparency film paper, acrylic sheets and foraged blooms and leaves from your garden. Use our in-depth tutorial (linked below) to create one-of-a-kind botanical prints that immortalize the long sunny afternoon spent with the ones you love the most.

Give your bare walls the attention they deserve with some custom modern art. Try your hand at paper marbling to create an edgy, textural artwork that looks high-end without the heart-stopping price tag. Follow this step-by-step video guide to recreate this distinctive paper craft in the link below.

Spread a little love to your neighbors and passersby for Valentine’s Day (or just because!) with this kid-friendly window cling craft. Create our festive confetti hearts using red construction paper; transparent contact paper; a mix of red, white and pink tissue paper; scissors; and a hole punch. Your kids will adore displaying their artwork, and the best part? These beating beauties are paint, marker and ink-free, meaning you don’t need to worry about festive ruby stains on your kitchen table, chairs or floors.

Encourage your little ones to take their creative spirits outdoors and enjoy some sunshine while creating these whimsical bubble art prints. Set each artist up with a heavy cardstock and disposable plates filled with bubble solution mixed with food coloring. To create their masterpiece, each crafty kiddo will dip their bubble wands into the colorful bubble solution and blow bubbles directly onto the cardstock. Once the bubbles burst, a vibrant ring is left in its place, yielding playful artwork for your fridge or playroom.

Our DIY tissue paper flowers are a must-try for anyone who wants to add a pop of color to their office cubicle or is searching for a sentimental kids’ craft to tackle ahead of Mother’s Day. All you need to sprout these vibrant blooms is a free afternoon and paper party streamers in the colors of your choice. Check out our how-to guide in the link below to get started.

Take your scrapbooking to new heights and bind your next scrapbook by hand with help from our step-by-step guide. Follow the link below to check out our video tutorial and learn how to make a keepsake hardcover book from start to finish, then fill your pages with notes, snapshots and sketches to encapsulate this chapter of your life.

Spend your weekend creating a mystical 3D paper unicorn mount for your kids’ bedroom or lackluster home office using this papercraft unicorn pattern from Oxygami on Etsy. This magical project is ideal for the avid puzzler in your house because it’s all-consuming, in the best way, and offers entertainment for hours. Grab your kit from Oxygami here, then follow our step-by-step guide on how to construct the iridescent steed for your wall in the link below.

Searching for a rainy-day craft for your toddlers or elementary-age kiddos? Add our salad spinner art to your rotation. Make a color-packed painting using a salad spinner pulled from your kitchen cabinet, washable paint, paper and craft scissors. Click the link below and follow each step to create fridge-worthy abstracts with your favorite contemporary artists.

Keep your craft-loving kiddos captivated all afternoon with this easy paper craft. Use watercolor paper as your base and invite each little artist to spray their paper canvas with water. Then, let your child apply pre-cut tissue paper letters to the paper, spray the initials with another layer of water and allow it to dry. Once dry, each artist should peel away the bleeding tissue paper to reveal the wow-worthy watercolor results. Find detailed instructions to get started in the link below.

Add a cheery touch to your spring bookcase, office or kid's room decor with our eye-catching origami paper wreath. To make it, you need origami paper, cardstock, a bold folder, a poster board, bowls, scissors and a hot glue gun. Follow the link below to find our guide on how to make this everlasting spring wreath at home.