If your kids are complaining they don’t have enough to do, here’s a list of boredom busters to keep them busy! Get 50 unique activities.
We all know that kids can get bored easily. When they’re not occupied with school work, their own projects, or playing outside, it’s a good idea to have some boredom buster activities on hand to keep them entertained!
I remember when I was young and would get bored and have nothing to do . . . my parents would tell me only “boring people get bored.” I’m sure you’ve heard this before from your own parents, or perhaps you’ve said this to your kids.
And to a certain extent it’s true.
But I do notice that it’s a LOT easier to relieve boredom when you have a driver’s license and money. Then you can just head to the craft store and grab something when you need an activity! I do give kids credit . . . they don’t have that luxury.
So, in order to help them out a bit – AND help you parents – I’ve put together a list of boredom busters that kids are going to love. A lot of them use household materials and/or things you might already have in your craft stash, hopefully eliminating the need to buy supplies.
I’d love for you to check out these easy craft ideas for kids, then let me know which ones are your favorite in the comments. Also let me know which activities are on your list as go-to projects when the kids get bored! Keep on scrolling down for the list.
1
Make a Cool Toothpick Cactus for Kids
Succulents and cacti are all the rage right now, so try this cute toothpick craft with kids. Make a cool cactus that requires no water!
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2
EASY Egg Carton Art on Canvas
If you need an easy kids' craft idea, this egg carton art is fun and sure to please. This can be customized for any time of year.
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3
Backpack Charms Too Cool For School
Use your favorite patterns of Duck Tape to make these easy backpack charms. Kids will love assembling these, and they are great for decorating jackets too.
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4
Make an Ice Cream Stick Photo Frame
Learn how to make an ice cream stick photo frame the easy way! Kids are going to love making this craft idea with washi tape.
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5
Clothespin Magnets Are Easy to Make
Learn how to make DIY clothespin magnets the easy way! This is a great craft for kids or adults, and no crafting experience is required.
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6
squirrellyminds.com
DIY Mini Flying Fish Mobile
Use toilet paper rolls and tissue paper to make the cutest mobile with flying fish! This is a great craft for summer but also to celebrate Chinese New Year.
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7
thecrafttrain.com
How to Make a Whirlygig
Make a simple whirlygig DIY toy, sometimes known as a spinner, from recycled cardboard and a printable template. This is a fun STEM craft idea for kids of all ages, inspired by a classic which has been around for centuries.
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8
Decoupage a Box with Kids
Want to try decoupage for kids? Start with a box to store knick knacks and toys! This easy kids craft is fun for children and parents alike.
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9
DIY Window Clings Using Mod Podge
Use Mod Podge to make your own DIY window clings on a budget – these gel window clings are so easy, and a great kids' craft!
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10
Mod Podge Paper Mache Bowls (So Easy!)
If you have newspaper as well as a bottle of Mod Podge, you can make bowls! You'll use an existing bowl as your form, and the rest is simple. If you have craft paint, kids can make these paper mache bowls any color they like.
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11
How to Make a Fairy Garden from Clay Pots
Want to learn how to make a fairy garden the easy way? This DIY fairy garden uses clay pots and takes only four steps! Kids are going to love decorating them.
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12
Insect Identification Craft
This insect identification chart is such an easy kids craft. It allows your children (and you!) to learn about the bugs in your environment!
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13
mamamiss.com
Craft Stick Mandalas
Who would think that a simple, everyday craft material like craft sticks could be so much fun & give such endless hours of play? Learn how to make pretty mandalas using popsicle sticks and this tutorial.
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14
How to Make a Dollhouse Out of Cardboard
Don't spend big bucks on a dollhouse – this cardboard dollhouse craft is really easy! Use Mod Podge to create this with your children.
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15
Kids Art Coasters Make Great Gifts
Learn how to make kids artwork gifts with these wooden coasters! These kids art coasters are REALLY easy to make and are so cute.
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16
Steve Carrell
DIY Corner Bookmarks In a Few Easy Steps
Learn how to make DIY corner bookmarks using cardstock and Duck Tape! Both kids and adults will love making these; they’re so easy.
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17
gluesticksblog.com
Eggshell Seed Planters
Eggshell seed planters are perfect for kids! Plant a sampling of seeds inside of eggshells and when the weather warms up plant the entire thing into your garden. This is a fun lesson on composting and reusing everyday products for a new purpose.
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18
Leslie Manlapig
DIY Colorful Shoelaces
Plain white shoelaces are boring, right? They don't have to be! As long as you have some Sharpies (or other permanent markers), you can turn laces into bright and fun accents for sneakers.
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19
Birdhouse Craft
This easy birdhouse craft is such a great project for kids. They will keep your children occupied this spring and summer.
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20
handmadecharlotte.com
Sewing Cards for Kids
Children of the 70s might remember sewing cards! My mom had a set she used to let us play with that used shoelaces. This is an updated version with a free printable – use it with yarn you already have (just tape the end).
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21
diycandy.com
How to Make Slime with Laundry Detergent
Discover the fun of making slime with laundry detergent! Kids will love getting messy with this easy activity they can do at home.
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22
simpleasthatblog.com
Kid Friendly Bird Seed Feeder
Your kids are going to love this easy and inexpensive craft for spring and summer! You'll use bread, peanut butter, cookie cutters, and bird seed.
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23
Faux Stained Glass House
This faux stained glass house is the perfect creative project for kids! So fun to do, and you can customize with any colors.
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24
firefliesandmudpies.com
Easy and Fun Wiggling Caterpillar Craft
Looking for an easy and fun boredom buster for kids? Inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar, this simple caterpillar craft includes a printable template, making it perfect for afternoon crafting at home.
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25
kidsactivitiesblog.com
How to Make Rubber Band Bracelets (Rainbow Loom)
If your kids have a Rainbow Loom and a collection of bands, bust it out of the stash and make some bracelets! This post has ten different ways to make patterns using the loom.
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26
Debbie Chapman
Easy Pipe Cleaner Finger Puppets
These pipe cleaner finger puppets are super easy to put together! If you've got pipe cleaners, you can make five mini puppets in less than ten minutes. Kids will love making them and then having a puppet show afterwards.
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27
Steve Carrell
Coffee Filter Butterflies
Learn how to make the cutest coffee filter butterflies! These are easy, inexpensive, and FUN to make for kids of all ages.
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28
Steve Carrell
Make Sun Catchers with Beads
Learn to make vibrant beaded sun catchers with beads in this fun, kid-friendly craft tutorial. Perfect for brightening any room!
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29
DIY Photo Album
Create a unique handmade picture album using recycled boxes and decoupage medium! Perfect for storing memories, goals, and more.
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30
kleas.typepad.com
Lantern Walk
It's really easy to make tissue paper lanterns using balloons and glue/water or Mod Podge. This is a multi-day project (due to dry time), and kids can light these up when complete using LED tealights.
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31
Make Stickers with Only Two Ingredients
If you are wondering how to make stickers, you can do it with just two ingredients. You probably have the supplies in your house already!
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32
diycandy.com
DIY Spin Art Machine with a Salad Spinner
Make your own spin painter by using a household item as a spin painter! This DIY spin art machine is so fun for kids to do – it’s budget friendly and easy to set up.
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33
Lisa Favre
DIY Canvas Tote Bag With Potato Stamp Design
Add a splash of color to a plain canvas bag using stamps made of potatoes! This is really easy for kids of all ages, and you don't have to limit your stamping to bags. Grab some fabric paint and do it on shirts, scarves, pants, etc.
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34
Crystal Underwood
Powdered Paint Recipe
There are so many things you can do with this powdered paint! Go rainbow puddle jumping – make chalk bombs – even have a color fight! This fun idea will keep kids busy for hours.
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35
Paper Beads You Can Make in Minutes!
Learn how to make paper beads using scrapbook paper and Mod Podge! You can also use magazine pages if you like. Perfect for older kids.
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36
Bottle Cap Magnets Are Easy for Kids
Learn how to make bottle cap magnets with Mod Podge. This is an easy craft idea for both kids and adults! Great for gifts and home decor.
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37
Steve Carrell
Rainbow Perler Beads
Kids will love making perler bead rainbows! These give you a great opportunity to teach color theory, spectrum and visible light at the same time.
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38
happydealhappyday.com
Homemade Puffy Paint: Just 2 Ingredients!
Once you learn how to make this homemade puffy paint, you'll be surprised you've never tried this before! This is so much fun for kids of all ages – and it’s not too terribly messy either.
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39
Mason Jar Night Light
Make this mason jar night light craft using a simple tutorial! This is a fun project for kids or adults.
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40
Easy Painted Rocks
Learn how to paint rocks with this simple tutorial. You probably have all of the supplies needed on hand already!
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41
www.girllovesglam.com
DIY Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head
Mr. Potato Head is a classic toy, but not everyone has one. With some sheets of felt, your kids can recreate all the spud-sy fun. Make clothing and accessories for your potato, and children will enjoy playing with outfits for hours.
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42
Salt Dough Ornaments
Learn how to make salt dough Christmas ornaments using this how-to! This salt dough recipe can be used for many other kids' crafts.
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43
thebestideasforkids.com
Scratch Art for Kids Craft
This scratch art for kids craft includes using silhouette pictures to create beautiful scratch art designs. I loved scratch art as a kid; if you did too, pass this fun idea down to your littles.
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44
Pauline Molinari
Easy Knitting with Straws
If your kids don't know how to knit – that's okay! This "knitting" doesn't work quite the same as the kind with two needles. All you need are straws, yarn, and this tutorial to keep them busy!
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45
happyhooligans.ca
DIY Marbled Paper with Shaving Cream
Swirl some shaving cream with food coloring and press paper into it for the coolest marbled art! You can turn the resulting paper into handmade cards, wrapping paper, book covers, and more.
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46
www.handmadecharlotte.com
DIY Colorful Clay Planters
Add a pop of color to some plant pots with these DIY colorful clay planters! Kids can make these for gifts or keep them in their rooms for storage or actual greenery.
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47
gluesticksblog.com
How to Make Glycerin Soap with Kids
Learn how to make glycerin soap with kids! Use melt and pour glycerin blocks to create fun soaps with kids! Experiment with different colors, soap molds, and scents to create unique combinations.
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48
onecrazymom.com
DIY Glow in the Dark Bouncy Balls
Kids are going to have a blast learning how to make a bouncy ball. Even better, they glow in the dark!
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49
afewshortcuts.com
Ocean in A Jar
With some simple household materials, you can easily make this fun ocean in a jar. I remember making these in Sunday school as a child and play with the resulting bottle for hours!
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50
Cindy Hopper
Wood Chip Painted Necklaces
This cute necklace idea is fun for kids of all ages! Bust out the paint, markers, and other embellishments to turn wood chips (or wood slices) into children's jewelry.
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51
Leslie Manlapig
Fluttering Butterfly Craft
The best part of these fluttering butterflies? They actually move when you play with them! Kids will love painting their butterflies with bright colors and then running around making them fly.
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If you love these boredom busters for kids, leave a comment! I’d love for you to check out these other ideas for kids:
Bottle Caps • Camping • Cardboard • Christmas • Crafts for Boys • Crafts for Girls • Crafts at Home • Crafts for Teens • Crosses • Dragons • Easter • Googly Eyes • Halloween • Handprints • Mod Podge • Painting • Paper Plates • Paper Towel Rolls • Poinsettias • Rainbows • Recycled • Summer • Superhero