When it comes to plastic Easter eggs, we often end up with way more than we know what to do with, so we looked around and found some fun and easy plastic Easter egg crafts and activities that kids will love. From using them as a soap mold or mini planter to festive bunny-themed décor, there are plenty of ways to reuse plastic Easter eggs. 

Looking for more crafts for kids? Check out our favorite egg carton crafts, the best crafts for toddlers, and crafts that use upcycled materials.

Rolled Easter Egg Painting

Tinkerlab

No brushes are needed when you paint with Easter eggs! This creative plastic easter egg craft from Tinkerlab lets your littles express themselves with lots of color. 

Egg-Shaped Soap

Mad in Crafts

Why buy soap when you can make it, and in an egg shape at that! This easy-to-make plastic easter egg craft from Mad in Crafts takes simple ingredients to whip up soap and uses plastic eggs as a mold. After four hours in the fridge, you have your own (festive) soap.

Bath Bombs

a picture of easter egg bath bombs, a fun plastic easter egg craft
Bitz & Giggles

There are bath bombs, and then there are Easter egg bath bombs. While this DIY from Bitz & Giggles requires adult supervision (there's citric acid involved), your kiddos will get a kick out of making, decorating, and using these bath accessories in the tub or for some fun science experiments.

Plastic Easter Egg Succulent Planters

You had us at succulents. Click through the Instagram post above to see the stylish mini planters, and check out the tutorial from Kailo Chic. You'd hardly know these planters were once plain, plastic Easter eggs!

Plastic Easter Egg Flowers

Make and Takes

Plastic Easter eggs and pipe cleaners are all you need to whip up a bouquet that lasts forever. Marie from Make and Takes whipped up a simple array of flowers in a flash, and your kids can too—this would be one fun afternoon activity.

Plastic Easter Egg Spring Garland

The How To Mom

Those plastic Easter eggs aren't just for hunting! You can turn them into festive decor like this adorable garland from The How To Mom. String up with some simple pom poms and you have a simple decoration that kids can help make. 

Plastic Easter Egg Maracas

a picture of easter egg maracas
Made Everyday

This genius plastic Easter egg craft from Made Everyday is bound to be a hit with your budding musicians. They’ll have a blast filling and decorating the maracas, not to mention the hours of entertainment once they’re done. 

Round Rockets

Inspiration Laboratories

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a plastic egg? Using stuff you probably have in your desk drawers (tape, paper, etc.), you can make a few rockets and let the kids race them in two ways—into the sky or back down to earth. Find out what you’ll need for this fun project at Inspiration Laboratories.

Bird Feeder

Playing House in Maryland

Why should bunnies have all the fun? With some bird feed, it’s a cinch to make a yummy snack for feathered friends. Want to know exactly what’s needed for this project? Get the answers over Playing House in Maryland.

A Spring Wreath

Crazy Little Projects

Craft a colorful wreath perfect for spring like this one from Crazy Little Projects. It’s easy to make using just a few craft store supplies and cute enough to display all season long. 

Tea Light Flight

Taylor Made Creates

We are still blinking in amazement over this upcycled DIY. You can make a gorgeous tea light flight for next to nothing with a few supplies (including hot glue and paint). Find the how-to, and the answer to the question “will the eggs melt?,” over at Taylor Made Creates.

Hot Air Balloon Eggs

Snowdrop and Company

Easter eggs become entirely new with these adorable hot air balloons from Snowdrop and Company. They’ll make a whimsical decoration for your little one’s room or can be used to stash secret treats. 

Plastic Easter Egg Mini Terrariums

The House that Lars Built

Keep the spring feeling around longer by creating a mini terrarium. We love this version from The House that Lars Built; not only are the eggs gorgeous, but the flowers aren’t real, which means you and the kids can enjoy the fruit of your labor for more than a few days. 

Eggs as Stamps

picture of an plastic easter egg craft which is egg stamps
Buggy and Buddy

Perfect for toddler hands, easy-to-grip plastic Easter eggs make an awesome addition to any artsy afternoon. Find out what kind of paint to use, and other handy tips, over at Buggy and Buddy.

Little Bees

Tried & True

How cute are these little bees from Tried & True? We love how simple they are—you can craft a flock of them in no time and string them up to add some color to your space. 

Make a Sensory Bin

Little Bins for Little Hands

Easter eggs … if you’ve got a few (or 100) laying around after the big day, you can easily set up this sensory project we spotted at Little Bins for Little Hands. All you’ll need is soap, water, and enthusiastic kids. 

Popsicle Molds

Mama. Papa. Bubba

How awesome are these frozen yogurt molds from Mama. Papa. Bubba? The hardest part of this brilliant idea is making a place for the popsicle sticks. With just a little planning (and an electric tool), you’ll be on your way. 

Plastic Easter Egg Number Snake

I Can Teach My Child

We love this craft-meets-learning activity from I Can Teach My Child. Kids will have a blast practicing their numbers while building fine motor skills. Once it’s done, they’ve got a cute playtime-ready snake. 

Plastic Easter Egg Toss Game

A Mom with a Lesson Plan

You can’t go wrong with good old-fashioned competition, and this idea from A Mom with a Lesson Plan will keep the kids occupied for hours. Gather your plastic eggs and empty water bottles, and you’re halfway there.

DIY Easter Egg Mobile

Jen Perkins

This adorable mobile made from recycled plastic Easter eggs is not only the perfect touch to a kid's room, but it's also pretty simple to do. Jennifer Perkins breaks it all down for you, including the how-tos and the supplies you'll need, here

 

 

 

Toddlers are always busting at the seams to score some fun. So why not turn downtime at home into an opportunity to expand their imagination with crafty projects that are both simple to pull off and highly entertaining? We’ve gathered more than 25 arts and crafts for toddlers that parents can turn to whenever their little one craves instant amusement.

The Best Arts and Crafts for Toddlers That Don’t Take Much Prep

1. 3D Flower Cards
Look for bright days ahead with this 3D Flower Card craft for toddlers from Hello Wonderful. Help your little one draw vases on the card and then tape a single bloom inside the vase. Whether you get outdoors to pick flowers or you use silk flowers, it’s a simple craft to inspire all the senses. 

2. Counting Hands
Fun and educational crafts? Yes, please! If you have a toddler that’s learning to count, check out this cute counting hands craft that offers a visual way to learn.

3. Rainbow Bookmark
Foster your kiddos’ love of books with a cute and colorful felt rainbow bookmark. Growing Up Gabel whipped up these easy-to-follow instructions for this sweet project that can be completed in just 20 minutes, with help from an adult.

4. Popsicle Stick Tent
Get your little adventurer excited for the next camping trip with this easy DIY toddler craft from Glued to My Craft.

art activities for toddlers can be simple like this sticky paper wall where a kid is hanging paper on a brown felt board
The Artful Parent

5. Sticky Wall
Combine arts and crafts with hand-eye coordination skills and set up a Sticky Wall. The Artful Parent shows us how you can create hours of fun with a simple roll of contact paper and just about anything you have that can stick to the paper. Find, stick, repeat. This is a very low-mess activity and very simple to set up. And did we mention so much fun?

Related: 35 Easy & Fun Paper Crafts for Kids

6. Paper Plate Dragons
Take to the skies when you engineer flying dragons. To complete this simple project, grab paper plates, paints or markers, and download this template from Pink Stripey Socks. Print, cut, color, play!

7. Stamped Paper Sheep
Make sweet sheep with paint, paper, and a few of your child’s other favorite art materials. This springtime craft is perfect for preschoolers. And bonus: it’s easy to adapt to your toddler or grade-schooler. Get the details on how to get artsy with DIY stamping from Buggy and Buddy.

8. Medieval Crown Craft
This craft from First Palette is fit for the pint-sized royalty in your life. You’ll have a new addition to the dress-up bin with construction paper, crepe paper, and as much sequin bling as you can find. Head here for the full instructions.

one of the easiest toddler arts and crafts is salt painting like this example that says be kind in colorful salt
A Girl and a Glue Gun

9. Salt Paint
Draw a pretty picture with glue. Load up color and water. When you touch the salt—the paint spreads like magic. If you need help trying to figure out what to draw, check out A Girl and a Glue Gun for ideas and a full salt paint tutorial. Just remember to keep it simple. It takes forever to dry.

10. Crayon Resist Art
An oldie but a goodie, this crafts technique is often used because it’s easy, quick, and adaptable. Simply draw on paper with crayons or oil pastels, and then paint over with watercolors and watch as the paint resists the wax. Check out a full how-to here, and for more resist techniques, check out these from the Artful Parent.

11. Magic Torch Reveal
This one takes a little more work from parents, but is so cool, and toddlers and preschoolers will love it. Plus, more than likely, you have everything you need already at home. Check out the YouTube tutorial and step-by-step instructions at Paging Fun Moms.

12. DIY Mini Roads Set
Pick a lane, any lane. This ten-minute craft becomes a DIY game you can break out and play anytime. Check out all the ways this mini road set, made out of popsicle sticks, can stimulate your little one’s imagination and spark joy.

13. Egg Carton Catepiller
Help your toddler transform an empty egg carton into a colorful caterpillar while filling an hour of downtime with good old fashion fun. This little project from My Bored Toddler is almost too easy to set up.

Related: How to Craft with Kids without Losing Your Mind

14. Paper Plate Crafts
This cat craft is a great evergreen activity you can bust out any time of the year, and the best part is it’s made out of a paper plate, that you probably already have on hand. I Heart Crafty Things has many adorable ideas for paper plate crafts, so once you perfect your cat, you can keep crafting. We love this Panda Bear too.

15. Footprint Unicorn
Those toddler hands and feet get so big so quickly. Use your downtime at home to make some hand and foot prints. As a bonus, you can save these to give to the grandparents the next time they visit. This unicorn from Live Learn Eat Love may inspire other ideas like dinos, birds, or trees.

16. Mosiac Earth
Don’t wait until Earth Day to celebrate and teach kiddos the importance of taking care of our planet. This Earth Craft Mosiac from Crafts by Amanda is a great way to talk to your toddler about ways to protect the planet while having fun and making something special together.

17. Cardboard Rain Stick
A rain stick makes the prettiest sound, and making one at home with a few simple items is very easy. We love the tutorial for this musical craft found over at The Imagination Tree.

18. Simple Nature Prints
The best post-walk arts and crafts activity is nature prints. Besides breaking out Play-Doh in various colors, gather a bit of nature like twigs, flowers, and leaves, and then get ready to combine two things toddlers love: crafting and the great outdoors.

19. Singing Straws
We love Handmade Charlotte’s take on the pan flute. Not only does this homemade instrument actually make music, but it’s also as bright and colorful as can be.

Related: DIY All Day: 20 Sensory Play Ideas for Babies & Toddlers

a pink paper pig using newspaper is a great art activity for toddlers
Oh Creative Day

20. Paper Pig Activity
Have friends over and set out enough materials so each kid can paint their own pig. It’s super simple, and you probably already have everything you need on hand. Plus, the easy tutorial from Oh Creative Day takes the pressure off of you.

21. Fork Tulips
Who says your crafty kid needs a brush to paint? This paper art activity celebrates spring with a paint print and a fringe of green grass. Learn how to make these cute tulips with Growing Up Gabel’s tutorial.

22. Crazy Hair Toilet Tubes
For all the scissor-obsessed toddlers, grab a kid-friendly pair and let your tot practice their fine motor skills by giving their toilet paper pal from My Bored Toddler a funky haircut.

23. Paper Cup Whale
Paper cups are such a handy resource to have amongst your craft supplies. This play idea transforms a humble paper cup into a fun-having whale that can add an element of drama to your child’s play.

24. DIY Animal Necklaces
Grab a few plastic animals and get crafting. These DIY necklaces from Hello Bee are colorful, adorable, and wearable.

25. Book Monsters
If you’ve got a budding bookworm in your family, you’ve got to make this adorable project from Easy Peasy and Fun. There’s lots of room for creativity—you can add eyes, teeth, horns…the sky’s the limit.

26. Painted Pasta Necklaces
Dip into the pantry for this colorful craft. Then, pop over to Pickle Bum for all the details. You’ll quickly see the options are endless and the results are five stars.

27. Paper Tube Caterpillar Pom Pom
Craft and learn colors with this adorable paper tube caterpillar. Color coordination never looked so fun.

Make sure to capture all the photos of your crafty tot—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.

Easter is March 31st this year, and it’s gearing up to be an exciting time. When your kids need an Easter-themed activity let them choose one of these free Easter printables. From creative coloring pages to an adorable Easter Bunny printable, there are plenty of free Easter activities that kids will love. All you have to do is print them out and walk away.

Looking for more Easter fun? Check out the best Easter movies for kids, egg carton crafts, Easter games, and super fun Easter Bunny ideas. And be sure to check out our creative non-candy Easter basket fillers, so your kids can have plenty of fun without all the sugar. At least, until the Easter egg hunt begins.

The Best Free Easter Printables for Kids

Free Easter Printables for Bingo

a bingo free Easter printable
Fun Squared

B-I-N-G-O! This adorable game is perfect for the holiday, with sweet bunnies, chicks, carrots, Easter eggs and more. Laminate and use with dry erase markers or use half of an Easter egg to mark off your squares! Head to Fun Squared to download your copy.

Free I-Spy Printable

Paper Trail Design

We love this free Easter printable! Whether you're looking for a screen-free activity, a way to keep kids entertained in the car or just want to embrace the Easter spirit, this activity is a fun option for any kiddo. Head to Paper Trail Design to download.

Easter Printable Word Search

The Typical Mom

Can your littles find all nine words? This simple word search can be laminated for endless use and is festively fun! Download for free at The Typical Mom.

Easter Crossword Puzzle

free Easter printables include word searches
Education.com

Check out this Easter Crossword Puzzle from Education.com that will be a fun word exercise for your kid. 

Free Connect the Dots Printable

Woo Jr.

Print out an entire batch of these free Easter printables for an afternoon of fun! Not only are they entertaining, but they help teach kids numerical order and hand-eye coordination at the same time. Head to Woo Jr. to download 10 different activities!

Related: Laugh Out Loud with These 28 Funny Easter Jokes for Kids

Do-A-Dot Printables

Easy Peasy Learners

Do-A-Dot activities are perfect for little bunnies! Print out black and white or color versions and let your mini-Monet create beautiful Easter works of art. Head to Easy Peasy Learners to download both versions!

Free Easter Coloring Page

Free Easter Printables can be coloring pages
123 Kids Fun

Eggs, bunnies, chicks––oh, my! Adults and kids alike find relaxation when it comes to coloring and there are plenty of whimsical pictures when it comes to Easter. Head to 123 Kids Fun to print out tons of designs.

Easter Bunny Printable

Education.com

One of the best free Easter printables ever! This bunny maze from Education.com will be a fun problem-solving project for your child. They can also use it as a coloring page when they're done!

—with additional reporting by Taylor Clifton

 

With Easter just around the corner, chances are you’ll soon have some extra egg cartons on your hands. Put them to good use with these simple egg carton crafts for kids of all ages that extend far beyond Easter. From flowers to colorful chicks, these crafts that use egg cartons are a must this spring.

Looking for more Easter fun for kids? Check out our Easter games, Easter jokes, Easter movies for kids, and Easter paper crafts.

Chicken “Egg” Cups

How cute is this egg carton craft from Red Ted Art? Not only are they easy to create, but they make great decorations for the kids’ Easter dinner table too.

Bunnies in the Burrow

This adorable idea from Jumbletree is so fresh and fun, and kids will love using it to play with their bunny pals. Making the burrow is simple, and making rabbits requires a few supplies you probably already have. Get the tutorial to make the rabbits here.

Candy-Filled Egg Carton Chick

chicken egg carton craft for Easter
One Little Project

This candy-filled chick from One Little Project is a project and a fun treat all in one! Fill it with your or your kiddo's favorite Easter sweets.

Egg Carton Jellyfish Puppets

jellyfish egg carton craft
The Art Kit

Create whimsical jellyfish puppets when you use this adorable design from The Art Kit. Egg cartons, paint, yarn, and googly eyes are pretty much all you need to create these under the sea creatures!

Egg Carton Pots

egg carton flower pots
Journey Into Creativity

This craft uses a different part of the egg carton—the pointy part that touches the lid. All you have to do is cut out that piece, fill it with soil, and then top it with an adorable and tiny succulent. Attach string and hang for your very own hanging planter. You can find all the details at Journey Into Creativity.

Egg Carton Flower Prints

flower prints are a fun egg carton craft
Meaningful Mama

Let your little Picasso get creative by making egg carton flower prints! This craft from Meaningful Mama is simply fun and perfect for some Spring crafting. Put these works of art in a frame, or get the kids to make some cards for grandparents—you can't go wrong!

Dancing Egg Carton Fish

These dancing fish are a cool egg carton craft
Brainy Beginnings Network

A perfect craft for big kids, these Dancing Fish from Brainy Beginnings Network involve painting and a little sewing. Once assembled, make these gorgeous fish dance or hang them up as a super cute decoration.

Egg Carton Craft: Ladybugs

One Little Project

Turn your old egg cartons into adorable ladybugs with this tutorial from One Little Project. Gather pipe cleaners, pom poms, and googly eyes, and get crafting.

Egg Carton Art on a Canvas

this flower bouquet is a cool egg carton craft.
Mod Podge Rocks

Crafty kids will love making this flower bouquet canvas from Mod Podge Rocks. With brightly colored paint, a little glue, and a layer of sparkly Mod Podge, it’ll come together in an afternoon.

Related: 14 Perfect Easter Paper Crafts for Kids

Spring Chicks Egg Carton Craft

these colorful chicks are a fun egg carton craft
Typically Simple

These cute chicks from Typically Simple can double as an Easter project—and they’re a super fun way to make use of egg cartons. They’re also easy to make with items you probably have on hand.

Egg Carton Toy Camera

Let's Do Something Crafty

Thanks to Let's Do Something Crafty, your kids can snap the perfect pretend photo. Though this egg carton craft may need a bit more grown-up involvement, the kids can help out with painting, braiding the camera strap, or arranging the different elements of the "camera."

Egg Carton Sea Life Craft

Fantastic Fun and Learning

Create an entire underwater world with just four supplies. You’ve got the egg cartons; find out what else you’ll need at Fantastic Fun and Learning. One down, three to go!

Egg Carton Building Blocks

The Pinterested Parent

Using egg cartons as building blocks? Pure genius. Once you’ve cut up your stash, have the kids paint it all in bright hues. After that, the possibilities are endless. Take a peek at the great tutorial for this craft that uses egg cartons at The Pinterested Parent.

Egg Carton Bugs

Pink Stripey Socks

These little guys are more cute than creepy and use up plenty of egg cartons. Parents, you'll probably have to handle the task of arranging the pipe cleaner legs just right. Get the how-to over at Pink Stripey Socks.

Related: 13 Easter Games for Kids

Egg Carton Flower Crown

Hello Wonderful

It’s a project that requires help, but your kiddo will be the queen or king of spring if you decide to tackle this cool flower crown. You can handle the glue gun, they can design their flowers. Find out how to make this egg carton craft over at Hello Wonderful.

Egg Carton Owl

owl egg carton craft
Art and Soul Preschool

Who-who-who's up for transforming an egg carton into a feathered friend? This clever craft from Art and Soul Preschool is super easy. If you have a decently stocked craft drawer you likely have the googly eyes, feathers and paint ready to go.

Egg Carton Masks

Teaching Every Day

This egg carton mask craft from Teaching Every Day is great fun for a masquerade dress-up bash. You only need a few supplies, and it's easy enough that younger crafters can handle most of the steps. Customize with the kids' favorite colors or add feathers for additional panache. 

Egg Carton Penguin

egg cart craft penguins
Green Owl Art

How cute are these penguins from Green Owl Art? They're just the right size for little hands and don't require a lot of materials or time. Couple the activity with a viewing of Happy Feet, and you've got one eggcellent afternoon.

Egg Carton Crocodile

My Kid Craft

Here's a smile, crocodile! This green grinner from My Kid Craft is a lot of toothy fun. Best part? It requires three egg cartons—ideal for using up a big supply.

Spring Robin Egg Carton Candy Box

spring robin candy box egg carton craft
Almost Unschoolers

These adorable little robins are made from recycled egg cartons, and as a bonus, they have a little treat inside! Not only are they filled with your favorite candy, but they're also super easy to make. Check out the step-by-step tutorial from Almost Unschoolers here.

Related: 33 Easter Egg Decorating Ideas That Don’t Use Dye

Egg Carton Ocean Craft

Let your kids learn their imagination is as deep as the ocean with this fun egg carton ocean craft. Use the container as a vignette, where little ones can paint with colors of the sea, then fill it with ocean creatures and plants. Get the details from The Imagination Tree.

—with additional reporting by Taylor Clifton and Karly Wood

 

The bunny may bring chocolate and marshmallow goodies, but what about when the hunt is over and you’ve got a free afternoon ahead? Try a few fun Easter games for kids. From eggcellent educational ideas to bunny-based movement activities, hop to it and add these Easter games for kids to your holiday activity list!

Looking for more Easter activities for kids? Check out our favorite egg carton craft ideas, Easter movies for kids, Easter jokes, and creative ways to decorate Easter eggs.

Smash the Eggshells

This fun Easter game for kids requires a little prep work, but worth the effort. Save your empty eggshells and bake them in the oven to get rid of bacteria. Then let your kids color them, or just leave them as is, give them a tub, a wooden hammer, and a colored die. Then, whatever color they roll is the color they can smash to their heart’s content!

Easter Minute to Win It Games: 4 Ways

Minute to Win It games are always fun, and these Easter-themed versions are perfect for a family gathering or Easter party! Watch the video above to learn to see the Cotton Ball Scoop, Peep Knock Down, Jelly Bean Transfer, and of course, the Egg Toss.

Easter Egg Number Match

Toddlers and preschoolers will love this easy-to-DIY number-matching puzzle activity. It makes a fun activity for kids to practice counting and number recognition this Easter! You may want to keep this one around all spring.

Easter Egg Bowling

Easter game ideas for kids, Easter game ideas, bowling
Kid-Friendly Things to Do

Test your bowling skills by rolling your hard-boiled Easter eggs. You can devise different play methods and use stuffed bunnies and carrots to knock down. However you roll it, kids and adults will love this game. Get more details from Kid-Friendly Things to Do

Easter-Themed Bunny Bean Bag Toss

Easter games for kids, Easter game ideas, Easter bean bag toss

Bring the fun to your backyard bash with this Easter-themed bunny bean bag toss game from Amazon ($10). The Easter game comes with a 30” x 54” gamepad and four carrot-shaped bean bags.

Name Hop Like a Bunny

Easter games for kids, Easter game ideas
Fantastic Fun and Learning

Get in motor fun with this hoppy activity from Fantastic Fun and Learning. Not only can your kids hop like a bunny, but they can also build early literacy skills.

Related: 15 Perfect Easter Paper Crafts for Kids

Follow the Bunny Footprints

Easter games for kids, Easter game ideas

Turn follow the leader into bunny fun with rabbit feet. Place these cardboard bunny footprints from Amazon ($6) in your backyard, on a walkway, or even in your playroom. The kids can jump from footprint to footprint or follow the rabbit around your home.

Potato Sack Race

Easter games for kids, Easter game ideas

Your little bunnies can get hopping with this potato sack race game from Amazon ($19). Each set comes with six bunny-print potato sacks and bunny ear headbands.

Egg-extravagant Easter Egg Hunt

Are you looking for Easter games with eggs? Even though you could go with the same old Easter egg hunt your kids do every year, you also could kick things up a notch with a color-coded game, treasure map hunt, or one of these other amped-up options.

Colorful Egg Roll

Easter games for kids, Easter game ideas
Hands On As We Grow

With some paper and paint, you can turn a classic Easter game into a fresh new tradition. We love what Jaime Reimer came up with, and it's a safe bet you will, too. Check out everything you need to know, including what supplies you'll need, by heading over to Hands On As We Grow.

Related: 13 Easter Movies to Watch with Your Kids

DIY Confetti Easter Egg Advent Calendar

Easter games for kids, Easter game ideas, easter advent calendar
Squirrelly Minds

This brilliant idea from Squirrelly Minds hits all the marks for a fun easter gamer. Each day in the week leading up to Easter, crack open an egg to a colorful explosion of confetti and an easter activity to do for the day. Check out the full tutorial at Squirrelly Minds

Easter Bingo

This Easter bingo game for kids ($9) is perfect for your family’s holiday party or just an afternoon of at-home play. Get your own set of cards and markers on Amazon.

Felt Egg Puzzles

This Easter, your kids can craft their own puzzle—with felt. Cut colorful craft felt into egg-shaped ovals. Use the felt scraps to make stripes, polka dots, and other pieces. Scatter the felt on a desk or the kitchen table. Your child can puzzle the pieces together to create a design. Unlike paper, the fuzzy felt will stick together. Add an extra layer to the game and ask your child to match colors or shapes on each egg.

Bunny Ear Ring Toss

Easter games for kids , Easter game ideas, ring toss

Need a fun family game or event for your Easter party this year? Inflate this bunny ear-ring toss game, and let the fun begin. The $9 game from Amazon includes two sets of purple bunny ears and 12 bright color toss rings.

Pin the Tail on the Bunny

A perfect indoor Easter Day game! Pin the Tail on the Bunny is just like the classic Pin the Tail on the Donkey, except you’ll use cotton balls with tape on them rather than a donkey tail.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation.

 

Cue the fireworks—it’s the season for red, white, and blue!

Get into the patriotic spirit by getting crafty with the kids. We’ve gathered up a bunch of easy, festive Fourth of July crafts that will give your Independence Day a little extra oomph. They’re super simple and you probably have a lot of stuff on hand already. From DIY noisemakers to star-spangled slime, and even 4th of July crafts for toddlers, scroll down to see them all!

Fourth of July Painted Rocks

A sweet and simple way to celebrate the Fourth of July. Kids can paint them in advance and hide them around your neighborhood for their friends to find.

Fourth of July Popsicle Stick Garland

Check out the quick video above, and add this to your list of easy Fourth of July crafts.

Fourth of July Firework Rings

One of the best use of pipe cleaners we’ve seen in a while, this is another easy and fun project to add to your list of Fourth of July crafts for kids!

Paper Plate Purses

Your kids will be the most fashionable ones at the Fourth of July Parade with these simple paper plate purses from Pink Stripey Socks.

4th of July Firework Craft

Your kids will love the creative freedom of this Fourth of July craft and you’ll love the easy clean up. They can use the Q-tip to make fireworks with dots, lines, swirls, or anything they come up with.

Paper Towel Print Firework Craft

This simple firework craft is one of our favorite 4th of July crafts. It requires almost zero skills, takes little time, and is always fun for kids.

Coffee Filter Fireworks

This coffee filter craft is a simple and fun Fourth of July craft for your kids! Simply have them draw their firework design on the coffee filter, cut the edges, and spritz with water.

Rocket Launchers

a rocket launcher made from paper cups and rubber bands as a fourth of July craft
KiwiCo

Gather up cups and rubber bands and in minutes you’ll be watching a fire-free backyard rocket-launch contest. We love that this is an interactive, fun activity that you can do before darkness falls. Check out the easy-peasy way to make your own rocket launchers at KiwiCo’s blog.

 

Lollipop Topiary

a bouquet of lollipops for a fourth of July craft
Gluesticks

Expecting a crowd this Fourth of July? This delicious lollipop topiary dreamed up by Gluesticks is an easy, kid-friendly centerpiece sure to make any party pop. Don’t be surprised if they sample a few of the supplies as they work!

 

Patriotic Paper Chain

red, white and blue paper chain for a 4th of July craft
A Pumpkin and a Princess

We love this paper chain from A Pumpkin and a Princess because it’s so easy to make with the little ones. Drape this 4th of July craft over your mantle or table for an extra festive touch.

Firecracker Noisemakers

Metal cans decorated red, white and blue to look like firecrackers for a 4th of July craft
Paging Supermom

Let freedom ring with these firecracker noisemakers. The project comes together in less than five minutes and is sure to have your whole crew celebrating in style. Grab a metal can, wrap it in a patriotic pattern from Paging Supermom, then get ready for serious noise. 

Statue of Liberty Accessories

A Paper crown and torch like the Statue of Liberty as a fourth of July craft
Buggy and Buddy

America’s gal comes to life with this patriotic Fourth of July craft from Buggy and Buddy. Drama kings and queens will love getting the chance to dress up as the Statue of Liberty and parade around with a crown and torch. 

4th of July in a Jar

red, white and blue glitter in a jar to look like fireworks for a fourth of July craft
504 Main

Capture the spirit of Independence Day in a jar with this whimsical no-fire fireworks craft from 504 Main. It reminds us of a patriotic snow globe! 

Flags for the 4th

Cupcake liners colored to look like the American flag for a fourth of July craft
Make and Takes

This fun Fourth of July craft from Make and Takes will have everyone begging to sit at the kids' table. Leftover paper plates make the perfect canvas for this after-dinner activity. 

Red, White, and Blue Windchime

Metal cans painted like the American flag for a fourth of July craft
Creative Green Living

Forgo the craft store and instead scavenge materials for this eco-friendly project directly from your recycling bin. Using basic tools and a little craft paint, Carissa at Creative Green Living transformed tin cans into a festive and functional wind chime for the backyard.

Star Stained Glass Window Decal

A patriotic window suncatcher in a star shape for a fourth of July craft
Kinder Craze

Maria of Kinder Craze created this awesome project to get her kindergarten class into the stars-and-stripes spirit. Your kids will love layering the red, white, and blue tissue paper to create their very own “stained glass” window, and this colorful Fourth of July craft doubles as great window décor for your celebration. 

Spark-less Sparkler

A plastic handle with red, white and blue metallic material gathered at the end to look like a sparkler as a fourth of July craft
Merriment Design

While the ’80s kid in us still mourns for real-deal sparklers (the fiery kind), the 21st-century parent in us is totally relieved that it’s no longer acceptable to send your kids out with fire sticks. That said, we’re thrilled to get our sparkler fix with a super cool craft like this sparkless sparkler from Merriment Design. Break out the chopsticks, ribbon, and party garland, then craft your way to the coolest, safest sparkler around. 

Super Cute Centerpieces

Cupcake liners connected to straws to become fourth of July craft flowers
Fireflies and Mudpies

We love a craft that does double duty, and these cute cupcake liner flowers from Fireflies and Mudpies do just that. They would make a really fun centerpiece for any backyard BBQ, and the kids will love that their Fourth of July crafts are taking center stage. 

 

From bunny hats to tulip forks, these Easter paper crafts are perfect for springing into your Easter celebration

Your completely creative kid is ready for a paper craft, and you can practically smell the spring in the air. Yup, it’s time to get artsy with Easter paper crafts for kids! We found some of the best, so between bouncing bunnies and fun flowers, there’s definitely an easy art activity here for everyone.

1. Handmade Easter Card

 

Surprise family, friends, and neighbors with these adorable DIY easter cards with pop-out breaks. An easy-to-make easter paper craft that announces spring is on its way. Simple enough for all ages! Check out The Mad House for the full tutorial.

2. Bunny Party Hats

Easter paper crafts, construction paper
The House That Lars Built

How about these adorable bunny party hats? Perfect for lightening up Easter lunch, buy some pastel cardstock and head over to the House that Lars Built to get started. 

3. Fork Tulips

construction paper craft for kids using forks and paint
Growing Up Gabel

Who says your crafty kid needs a brush to paint? This paper art activity celebrates spring with a paint print and a fringe of green, green, green grass. Learn how to make these oh-so-cute tulips with Growing Up Gabel’s easy tutorial. 

4. Paper Plate Easter Bunny

easter paper craft, construction paper, Easter Bunny craft,
The Best Ideas for Kids

Paper crafts don’t always happen on a flat 8x10 piece of cardstock. Nope. Sometimes they’re round, and still other times, they pop off the page. These paper plate bunnies from The Best Ideas for Kids are easy Easter crafts that your littles can transform into stick puppets (add a craft stick to the back). Decorate for the holiday with the bunnies, or use them for hours of pretend play.

5. Origami Bunny

easter paper crafts, construction paper, origami, toddler crafts
Easy Peasy and Fun

Ah, the art of origami. Don’t worry about this Easter craft being too tricky for your young child. With the printable template from Easy Peasy and Fun, your child will fold a sweet spring bunny like a champ. Or at least like a little artist.

6. Peck-a-Boo Chic ‘N Egg

Easter paper crafts, construction paper, toddler crafts, baby chic
Teach Me Mommy

Peek-a-boo. Um, wait. Make that peck-a-boo. That’s what the cute chick in this paper card-making activity says. Your crafting kid can give this card to grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, big sis, little bro, or anyone else to whom they want to send a holiday greeting. Get the how-to from Teach Me Mommy.

Related: 12 Tasty Easter Treats Ideas You Can Easily Pull Off

7. Stamped Sheep

Buggy and Buddy

Make sweet sheep with paint, paper, and a few of your child’s favorite art materials. This spring-time Easter craft is perfect for preschoolers. And as a bonus, it’s easy to adapt to your toddler or grade school kiddo. Get the details on how to get artsy with DIY stamping from Buggy and Buddy.

8. Doily Easter Chicks

Easter paper crafts, construction paper crafts
Crafts On Sea

Doilies don’t just belong under your grandmother’s tea set. Your kid can transform the lux paper lace into a completely cute Easter chick with this creative craft. Check out Crafts on Sea’s tutorial for the full how-to.

9. Tissue Paper Bunny

Mini Monets and Mommies

Your child can explore and experiment with color, texture, and negative space in this Easter art activity. They can practice scissor skills or keep the fine motor fun going by tearing the tissue. Add glue to a card stock paper cut-out, and you have the recipe for a really cool rainbow rabbit. Get the details on how to make the tissue paper bunny from Mini Monets and Mommies.

10. Egg Sponge Paint

Easter paper crafts, construction paper, easter baskets, toddler crafts
Buggy and Buddy

Sponge painting might not sound like a paper craft, but… well, it’s not. But this Easter art activity from Buggy and Buddy is actually all about the paper. Learn how to craft a construction paper basket and then have your kiddo continue with the crafting and fill it with ‘eggs’.

11. Easter Egg Matching

Easter paper crafts, construction paper, egg matching, toddler crafts
Kiddy Charts

Making paper Easter eggs isn’t just artsy, it’s also educational. At least, this activity from Kiddy Charts is. Not only can your kids decorate pretend eggs, but they can use their cute creations as part of a memory-building game!

12. Bunny Hat

Easter paper crafts, construction paper crafts, easter hat, toddler craft
Alpha Mom

Crafting meets dress-up play in this hopping holiday activity. Your child can turn a simple paper plate into a magical Easter hat to wear on the holiday or every day. Get the how-to from Alpha Mom.

Related: 13 Easter Movies to Watch with Your Kids

13. Rainbow Hat

Having Fun at Home

As if a bunny hat isn’t enough awesomeness for one artsy kid, your little one can also craft a crown that looks like a spring rainbow. Forget about the traditional Easter bonnet. This paper egg carton craft from Having Fun at Home is a creative way to dress up for the holiday.

14. Spring Flowers

Mini Monets and Mommies

Easter is a time for bunnies, chicks, chocolate, and spring! Celebrate the season with this flower power tissue paper art activity from Mini Monets and Mommies.

15. Tissue Paper Eggs

Tissue paper Easter eggs
Fireflies and Mudpies

These Easter paper craft eggs are a great way to use up some old tissue paper that doesn't need to go to waste. Find the how-to at Fireflies and Mudpies.

—with additional reporting by Taylor Clifton

 

It’s some-bunny’s first Easter and we’ve got the basket stuffers to make it memorable

Another “first” is around the corner! There’s nothing better than watching your baby experience their first, well, anything. From their first laugh to the first time they pet a dog and everything in between, we moms love firsts. Holidays are definitely some of the most exciting firsts to celebrate, so with Easter coming up next month, it’s time to start planning. Those giggly photo ops don’t just happen, and filling your baby’s first Easter basket with goodies to make them smile big is a must!

Of course, whether you’re Team Candy or not, chocolate bunnies aren’t exactly the best thing for your little-little ones. We put together a list of the best first Easter basket ideas that are candy-free but still oh-so-sweet! There are cuddly stuffies, adorable toys, comfy Easter-pic-ready outfits they can get to hopping in (if they’re ready for that sort of thing, that is). Get ready to pack their baskets with the best baby-friendly Easter surprises, and don’t forget to post those precious moments to your Tinybeans App! Your family and friends are gonna want to Peep these pics!

Loulou Lollipop Silicon Bunny Teether

LouLou Lollipop

With two tasty food-grade-silicone ears to nibble on and a soft handle to grab onto, there's a lot for babies to love about this soothing teether!

Loulou Lollipop Silicon Bunny Teether ($10.00)—Buy Now

Baby GUND Lena Lamb Soft Baby Booties with Rattle

GUND

These GUND baby booties will look adorable while keeping your newborn's toes warm and cozy. The fluffy lambs (size 0-3 months) attach with hook and loop fasteners and have a gentle rattle inside to entrance your little one! Machine washable.

Baby GUND Lena Lamb Soft Baby Booties with Rattle ($15.48)—Buy Now!

Piano Xylophone & Shaker Set

KiwiCo

KiwiCo created this adorable baby piano/xylophone for little hands! Big keys and egg shakers mean they'll learn to love music early and have so much fun doing it, long after Easter!

Piano Xylophone & Shaker Set ($54.95)—Buy Now!

Copper Pearl Gender-Neutral Baby Bandana Bibs

Copper Pearl

Copper Pearl is known for luxurious fabrics with darling designs, and this set of 4 bibs is no exception! They're made of 100% cotton on the front to absorb drool and 100% fleece on the back that keeps babies dry and feels soft against the skin. 

Copper Pearl Gender-Neutral Baby Bandana Bibs ($21.95)—Buy Now!

Stride Rite Surf Sneaker Sandal

Stride Rite

If you've got a walker, these soft and stretchy sandals are going to be your go-to for the warmer months! It comes in Silver Rainbow and Grey Camo.

Stride Rite Surf Sneaker Sandal ($56.00)—Buy Now

Little Naturalists: Beatrix Potter Wrote Stories (BabyLit) Board book

Amazon

Best known for her children's book The Tale of Peter Rabbit, English author Beatrix Potter wrote 23 children's stories and was a talented artist. In this sweet rhyming board book, we learn about her love for animals and how she left more than 4,000 acres to the National Trust! Beatrix Potter Wrote Stories is part of Gibbs Smith's Little Naturalists book series, which includes children's books on other famous naturalists, including Jane Goodall, John James Audobon, George Washington Carver, Wangari Maathai and more.

Little Naturalists: Beatrix Potter Wrote Stories (BabyLit) Board book ($7.19)—Buy Now!

Chillin With My Peeps Easter Bunny Viscose Bamboo Pajama Convertible Footie Romper

Maisonette

Just because they can't eat them doesn't mean they can't sport these sweet Peeps-inspired PJ's!

Chillin With My Peeps Easter Bunny Viscose Bamboo Pajama Convertible Footie Romper ($38.00)—Buy Now!

Flip Easter Egg Plush

Pottery Barn Kids

Here's a clever way to add another surprise to Easter: flip this fuzzy egg inside out and surprise! Out comes a fuzzy baby chick or a bunny.

Flip Easter Egg Plush ($39.00)—Buy Now!

Baby & Toddler Brim Sun Protection Hat UPF 50+

Green Sprouts

This adorable wide-brim hat provides full sun protection and stays on thanks to a tie chin strap. It has UPF 50+ sun protection and keeps baby cool with lightweight, quick-dry material and a wicking liner that pulls moisture away from baby's head! The adjustable toggle customizes the size for your baby's head and grows with them. Available in 0-6 months, 9-18 months and 2T-4T and in lots of cute colors and patterns.

Baby & Toddler Brim Sun Protection Hat UPF 50+ ($12.51+)—Buy Now!

HABA Musical Eggs

Maisonette

Jingle, twitter, rattle, and more with these Musical Eggs! Beech wood eggs, brightly-colored, and each filled with a different sound that babies won't be able to get enough of (plus they're great for little hands!).

HABA Musical Eggs ($34.99)—Buy Now!

Baby Tinkle Crinkle Activity Plush Bunny

GUND

This plush bunny from GUND's Tinkle Crinkle line is both a soft, snuggly companion and a sensory toy with colors and textures to explore! There's a flower-shaped, nubby teether for chewing and a ring on top to hang this bunny from a car seat or stroller for outings.

Baby Tinkle Crinkle Activity Plush Bunny ($20.00)—Buy Now!

Wrist & Foot Rattle Set

Amazon

Babies love learning about their own hands and feet, and this set is a great way to keep them entertained with every move they make!

Wrist & Foot Rattle Set ($15.95)—Buy Now!

Babiators Polarized Flower, Rose Gold Mirrored Lens in Peachy Keen

Maisonette

Get ready for the sunny, summery days ahead with a pair of baby sunglasses, like these from Babiators. With UV400 lenses that offer 100% UVA and UVB protection, they'll protect baby's eyes from the sun's rays. And the flexible frames and shatter-resistant lenses resist breakage. Available in a variety of colors and styles (even heart shaped!), you can also purchase a silicone strap to keep your child from taking them off!

Babiators Polarized Flower, Rose Gold Mirrored Lens in Peachy Keen ($38.00)—Buy Now!

E is for Easter Book

Amazon

In Babylit's alphabet primer E Is for Easter, your little will learn the ABCs while enjoying fun, vintage-inspired drawings that celebrate Easter and spring, from Easter egg hunts to the beauty of spring flowers!

E is for Easter Book ($7.29)—Buy Now!

Infantino Lil' Nibbles Textured Silicone Teether

Infantino

For babies who love to chew, pop this Easter-appropriate silicone teether from Infantino into their Easter basket!

 Infantino Lil' Nibbles Textured Silicone Teether ($4.99)—Buy Now!

TOMY Toomies Hide & Squeak Easter Eggs

Toomies

These Tomy Hide & Squeak Eggs will stay a favorite long after Easter is over! Younger babies will love to pull off the shells to reveal the colorful eggs underneath (and to give these toys a good chew). Older babies can match the colors of the shells and eggs, push on the egg to hear it squeak, and sort the eggs into the right spot in the egg carton. Each has a unique shape on the bottom and fits only in one spot of the carton.

TOMY Toomies Hide & Squeak Easter Eggs ($12.20)—Buy Now!

My 1st Easter Basket Plush Playset

GUND

Soft and sweet, this basket is filled with an age-appropriate plush set of four holiday-themed toys from GUND: a carrot crinkle toy, a squeaky egg, a chick rattle and a bunny that makes sounds!

My 1st Easter Basket Plush Playset ($24.80)—Buy Now!

Slumberkins Honey Bear Snuggler & Board Book

Slumberkins

Slumberkins are designed to not only soothe and comfort little ones, but to help them develop social and emotional skills early!

Slumberkins Honey Bear Snuggler & Board Book ($52.00)—Buy Now

Soft Stacking Blocks Ring Stacker

Mini Tudou

This stacking toy grows with your kiddos; from little tiny chewers to older stackers who are learning all about shapes!

Soft Stacking Blocks Ring Stacker ($13.99)—Buy Now!

SKYFIELD Carrot Harvest Game

SKYFIELD

A Montessori-inspired shape sorting toy that'll be fun long after Peter Cottontail heads back down the Bunny Trail!

SKYFIELD Carrot Harvest Game ($18.99)—Buy Now!

Peter Rabbit Gift Set

KIDS PREFERRED

A Beatrix Potter plush, rattle, and teether that could even become a keepsake!

Peter Rabbit Gift Set ($21.50)—Buy Now!

Crochet Bunny Egg Toys, Set Of 3

Maisonette

Handmade in Armenia, these bunnies can easily go from toy to decor, so you may want to snag more than one set!

Crochet Bunny Egg Toys, Set Of 3 ($36.00)—Buy Now!

The Petit Artiste Gift Set

Manhattan Toy

This minimalist-designed set from Manhattan Toy was created for little ones from newborns to toddlers! It includes a cute bunny, soft book, and unfinished all-natural wood teething ring.

The Petit Artiste Gift Set ($36.00)—Buy Now!

Emerson and Friends Snuggle Bunny Easter Cotton Onesie Gift Set

Emerson and Friends

We love everything Peeps-inspired, and this darling set is perfect for wiggly babies!

Emerson & Friends Snuggle Bunny Easter Cotton Onesie Gift Set ($39.00)—Buy Now!

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

When it comes to upcycled crafts for kids, there’s no need to head to the craft store to stock up on supplies. You and your little tree hugger can get creative with upcycled crafts using items you already have! From toilet paper roll crafts to K-cup planters, we’ve found unbelievable projects that give your recyclables a second wind. Keep scrolling to see some of the most unique upcycled crafts that are perfect for an Earth Day 2022 activity.

Tin Can Planters

using tin cans for upcycled crafts
Julietta Watson via Unsplash

Not only will you give your used tin cans a new life, but you'll bring joy to a windowsill, back step or fire escape! The kids can paint each can the way they want, then plant and watch your herbs, flowers or succulents grow. Get a tutorial (you'll need to make sure there's enough drainage) from Home Edit by clicking here

Upcycled Under the Sea Charm Necklace

Handmade Charlotte

Using old strips of fabric and clear plastic containers, these upcycled Under the Sea Charm Necklaces from Handmade Charlotte make for perfect Earth Day attire. Kiddos can braid old T-shirt scraps and cut out and paint plastic shapes in this easy afternoon craft.

Mini Drums

using K-cups for upcycled crafts
Sunny Day Family

Don't toss those used K-Cups! These adorable mini drums from Sunny Day Family reuse those old coffee containers in a fun (and not too loud) way. 

Maracas

a picture of easter egg maracas
Made Everyday

This genius idea from Made Everyday is bound to be a hit with your budding musicians. They’ll have a blast filling and decorating old plastic Easter eggs, not to mention the hours of entertainment once they’re done. 

Window Mobile

Buzzmills

The ceiling's the limit with this ultra-pretty mobile from Buzzmills. This easy-breezy creation uses watercolors to create hanging flowers out of egg carton cups. The result is something worthy of a fancy window display—or maybe even a relaxing nursery. 

Creative Crayons

The Everyday Mom Life

Having children always means plenty of crayons on hand, many of which have seen better days. Instead of tossing the broken nubs, you and the kiddos can spend the afternoon melting them down into colorful new works of art that not only serve a purpose but cut down on waste––and look pretty, too! Get the full details over at The Everyday Mom Life.

Darling Dream Catchers

using CDs in upcycled crafts
Pink Stripey Socks

Music and movies have gone digital which is why that pile of CDs has probably been gathering dust in your closet. With a few supplies that include yarn and beads, your kiddos can turn those dinosaur compact discs into upcycled crafts. Get the full details on making your own dream catchers over at Pink Stripey Socks.

Play With Plastic

Tinkerlab

Turn empty water bottles into a dynamic water wall just in time for summer. Your little engineer can get hands-on, helping to mount the bottles at just the right angles to create drops and splashy turns for maximum water flow. Get the know-it-all deets from Rachelle at Tinkerlab.

Powerful Paper

Motherhood and More

In case you hadn’t heard, newspapers aren’t just for reading anymore. They also upcycle into structurally sound geodesic shapes perfect for indoor play on a rainy day. Find out how to make this dome from Annie over at Motherhood and More. Then unleash your little engineers for hours of imaginative play in their cozy new dome sweet dome!

Sweet T-Shirts

Hello Glow

Your kiddo grows like a weed. So it’s not surprising last year’s summer shirts don’t fit her anymore. Don’t hand all of them down…yet. Hold on to a few of the more colorful ones to make these adorable bracelets designed by Stephanie at Hello Glow.

Cereal City

Dinner: A Love Story

Learn how to turn this breakfast staple into a bright-light, big-city playscape with paint and a little imagination, thanks to Dinner: A Love Story. Add a few Mini Figs or other plastic people and the door to a whole new world of play just opened up.

Top Time

Lalymom

Finally! Something to do with all those squeeze pouch caps your sidekick leaves on the table, in the car and under…well, pretty much everywhere! Laura at Lalymom has a simply brilliant craft project to turn caps into wearable art for all.

Eye Spy TP

Lu Bird Baby

After hanging up the aluminum can birdfeeder, why not make binoculars so your sidekick can take in all the action? Who knows where this simple craft we found at Lu Bird Baby will lead. From the wilds of your backyard habitat to the jungles of the neighborhood park, your little explorer will see it all through these creatively colored glasses.

Bag Jumps

A Childhood List

Take those plentiful plastic bags piled up under the sink and put them to good use beyond picking up after Fido. Little hands can help cut and braid them into a colorful jump rope perfect for park play. Simply follow Katie’s easy tutorial at A Childhood List for a reuse project that tips the genius scale.

Coffee Containers

Surf & Sunshine

Whether you’re planning a new garden or adding to the old one, K-cups make for easy-peasy indoor seed sprouting. Add dirt, water, and of course, let your little green thumb bury those seeds deep before setting these dainty cups on a sunny windowsill. Between planting, growing and replanting, this cycle is sure to keep your little sprout entertained the whole season.

Egg-citing Art

Picklebums

Set your petite Picasso to task with paints and egg cartons, cut into bird-like masks by your skillful hand. Kate at Picklebums has all the tips and tricks you need to make this egg-cellent project.

—Taylor Clifton, Allison Sutcliffe & Karly Wood

 

 

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28 Ways to Reduce Plastic Waste That Are Actually Doable for Families

Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Brands You’ll Feel Good Investing In

Raising a Global Citizen: Daily Habits to Start Young

10 Clever Ways to Upcycle Your Old Baby Gear

 

What if there was a DIY Worry Box that helped reduce your child’s worry, improved her sleep, and gave you a fun activity to do with her? What if the idea behind the craft was based on research-based strategies that successfully lowered anxiety? Would you be interested? Of course!

More than ever, we need help reducing our anxiety. Research shows that the mental health toll on children (and their parents) from the pandemic is growing. In other words, our children are showing ever more symptoms of anxiety, poor sleep, and feeling lonely and uncertain. With online school, we expect anxiety to only get worse. In addition, many parents are with their children 24/7 and are desperate for activities that will calm their kids. A DIY Worry Box offers a way to keep the worries in check, improve sleep, AND make a fun craft.

As a child psychologist who specialized in work with anxious children, I often had kids write down their worries and put the paper in a “Worry Box.” The relief for most children was immediate because they could name their worry, write it down, and then put the paper into a closed container. The worry was contained and felt more manageable. Initially, I used a simple box with a lid and named it the Worry Box. With the writing of my children’s book on worry, the Worry Box was enhanced to be a child-created monster that can be as unique, crazy, or silly as the child wants.

The simple-sounding idea of putting a written worry in a Worry Box (containment) comes from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is widely regarded as the most effective way to manage anxiety in both children and adults. Before learning to make the Worry Box, let’s learn more about containment and why it is so effective.

Containment

Containment is one of the basic principles of CBT. An analogy can help to understand it better. Imagine a yellow dandelion flower. The immature seeds are contained within the yellow flower and are not reproducing. But when the flower changes to a white fluffy seedhead, the mature seeds scatter in the wind. The seeds are no longer contained and they spread everywhere! Soon there are hundreds of new dandelions. If only you could contain all those seeds before they spread.

Now imagine that the mature dandelion seeds are worries. With the slightest provocation and without a container, worries can scatter everywhere. The worries can spread to bother a child (or an adult) anywhere and anytime. If you were just able to hold the worries in a container, they would feel manageable. You know you CANNOT contain mature dandelion seeds, but you CAN contain worries!

How to Make a Worry Box    

Children will feel more in control (and have fun) if they are the ones to make their own container to hold their worries. You can make a worry box out of any kind of container. This Worry Box is designed to look similar to the big green Worry Monster in the author’s book. The difference between a Worry Box and Worry Monster is that the Worry Box holds your worries for you (a good thing) and the Worry Monster takes the worries in so he can grow bigger and scare you more (not so good).

For this Worry Box, supplies include a tissue box, chenille pipe cleaners, wiggle eyes, glue, an egg carton, acrylic paint, markers, stapler, puffballs, and foam sheets.

1. Paint the tissue box with acrylic.
2. Cut the foam to make teeth and hands.
3. Stick pipe cleaners into the box sides for arms and then staple the hands to the arms.
4. Cut and glue an egg carton for the top of head and glue on eyes.
5. Stick a pipe cleaner in for the sign and write “FEED ME WORRIES!”.

That’s it! A tutorial on how to make the box will be available on my website.

Your monster could be any color and have anything added to it. There are endless ideas on the internet. Let this monster be your child’s creation. The important concept is to have a mouth or a slot where your child can insert a paper with a written or drawn worry.

How to Use a Worry Monster Box

The Worry Box is ideal for preschoolers through teens. After the box is made, show your child how to use it. Tell her that when a worry pops up, she can write or draw the worry to put into the monster’s mouth. If necessary, you can write the worry for her, but you shouldn’t get into a big discussion about the worry at that time. The main ideas are that the child is learning to contain her worry with very little adult help and the worry is being released from the child into a container. Tell your child that any number of worries, big or small, can be put in the monster’s mouth.

Ideally don’t peek at the worries, instead make it a safe place for your child. Then set up a Worry Time (another form of containment in time) each day to discuss the worries.

To help with sleep, have your child write down her worries just before bedtime and then put them in the Worry Box to be safely held. She can also put the Worry Box under her bed so she can write down worries that might bother her in the middle of the night. Children often have great success with this.

Of course, you want to help your child with his or her worry and sleep problems and you want to have fun with your kids. So get out your crafts and get to work!

Sally Baird, PhD is a retired child psychologist and co-author of a new book titled Shrinking the Worry Monster, A Kids’ Guide for Saying Goodbye to Worries. See her website at www.drsallyb.com. If your child has worries about COVID-19, you may want to read Dr. Sally’s blog on helping kids who worry about the pandemic, school, illness, and so much more!

This post originally appeared on www.drsallyb.com.

I am a child psychologist who specializes in children's anxiety. I just published a top seller children's book titled Shrinking the Worry Monster, A Kid's Guide for Saying Goodbye to Worries. I love sharing ideas about decreasing worry in children, especially now. I also love to hike and bike in beautiful Pacific NW.