“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”
– Pablo Picasso
Hey crafty mums (and curious kids)!
Welcome to Healthy Mum and Bub, where playtime meets creativity. We know how important it is to keep little hands busy, little minds curious, and little hearts happy — without relying on endless screen time. That’s why we’ve rounded up the most popular kids’ crafts from around the world.
Get ready for colorful messes, big giggles, and memory-making magic with your bub!
In this blog post, we have rounded up 8 of the most popular, mom-approved viral and super fun crafts, complete with simple steps and links to the videos that made them famous and rewarding for kids and parents!
1. Paper Cup Megaphone Craft
Remember making a paper cup telephone as a kid? The megaphone is a modern, noisy upgrade that’s just as much fun!.It’s a quick and simple craft that is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who love to make noise (and what kid doesn’t?).
Supplies:
• Paper cup
• Parchment paper
• Scissors
• Rubber band
• Markers or stickers for decoration
Steps:
1. Carefully cut a large hole in the bottom of your paper cup.
2. Cover the open bottom with a piece of parchment paper and secure it tightly with a rubber band.
3. Let your little one decorate the outside of the cup with markers, crayons, or stickers.
4. Once decorated, use the open top of the cup to speak into, and listen as your voice gets amplified!
Why It’s a Fun: It’s a classic science experiment meets art project, and it’s a brilliant way to demonstrate sound waves in a way that’simpossible for kids to resist.
👉 Check out this fun DIY paper cup megaphone in action
2. Salt Painting with Watercolors
This magical craft is a huge hit for a reason — it’s mesmerizing to watch the colors spread and bloom across the salt. The raised texture of the salt makes the finished project feel extra special and impressive.
Supplies:
• Cardstock or thick paper
• White glue
• Salt
• Liquid watercolors or food coloring mixed with water
• Paintbrush or eyedropper
Steps:
1. Draw a design on your cardstock using the white glue. Think simple, bold shapes like a flower, a rainbow, or your child’s name.
2. Cover the glue completely with salt, then gently shake off the excess.
3. Using your paintbrush or eyedropper, touch the tip to the salt-covered glue lines with a drop of watercolor.
4. Watch the color magically spread! Repeat with different colors.
5. Allow to dry completely for a day or two.
Why It’s Fun: The “wow” factor is off the charts! It feels like a science experiment, and the beautiful, textured results are perfect for framing.
👉 Check out this viral salt painting with water colours in action
3. DIY Puffy Paint Ice Cream Cones
A craft that looks good enough to eat! Puffy paint is an amazing sensory experience for kids, and creating these 3D ice cream cones makes it even sweeter. The recipe is simple, and the results are fluffy and delightful.
Supplies:
• Equal parts shaving cream and white glue
• Food coloring
• Cardstock or cardboard
• Corrugated cardboard (for the cones)
• Sprinkles or pom-poms for decoration
Steps:
1. Draw an ice cream cone shape on the corrugated cardboard.
2. In a bowl, mix equal parts shaving cream and white glue until it becomes fluffy.
3. Separate the mixture into smaller bowls and add a few drops of food coloring to each.
4. Use a spoon to scoop the puffy paint onto your paper to create scoops of ice cream.
5. Top with sprinkles, pom-poms, or glitter while the paint is still wet.
6. Allow to dry overnight.
Why It’s Fun: The unique, puffy texture is incredibly satisfying for kids to create. Plus, who doesn’t love a good ice cream-themed project?
👇Check out this super creative craft in action
4. Toilet Paper Roll Rockets
Blast off into creative fun with this simple, upcycled rocket craft. It’s a fantastic way to use those empty toilet paper rolls and get your little astronauts excited about space exploration.
Supplies:
• Empty toilet paper roll
• Construction paper (silver, red, orange, yellow)
• Scissors
• Glue
• Markers
Steps:
1. Wrap the toilet paper roll with silver construction paper and glue it in place.
2. Cut a circle from a piece of paper, cut a slit to the center, and roll it into a cone for the rocket’s top. Glue it onto the toilet paper roll.
3. Cut out windows and decorate the rocket with markers.
4. Cut flame shapes from red, orange, and yellow paper.
5. Glue the flames to the inside of the bottom of the toilet paper roll.
Why It’s Fun: It’s a classic, zero-cost craft that encourages imaginative play. Kids love turning a simple item into something incredible.
👉 Check out this toilet paper rocket 🚀 in action
5. Rainbow Pasta Necklace
A timeless craft that’s been reimagined for the social media age! Dying pasta with vibrant colors makes this classic jewelry-making activity even more fun and visually appealing.
Supplies:
• Dried pasta (rigatoni, ziti, penne)
• Food coloring
• Rubbing alcohol
• Zip-top bags
• String, yarn, or pipe cleaners
Steps:
1. Place a handful of pasta into a zip-top bag.
2. Add a few drops of food coloring and a splash of rubbing alcohol.
3. Shake the bag until the pasta is evenly coated with color.
4. Spread the colored pasta on a tray or paper towel to dry completely.
5. Once dry, thread the pasta onto string or pipe cleaners to create beautiful rainbow necklaces.
Why It’s Viral: The vibrant colors and sensory experience make for a perfect photo or video opportunity. It’s simple, colorful, and instantly shareable.
✨ Rainbow 🌈 Bubbles = guaranteed giggles! 🫧😍 This magical activity will wow your little ones and keep them entertained for hours. 💕
👉 Check out this rainbow 🌈 pasta necklace in action
6. Nature Collage with Contact Paper
A beautiful, mess-free craft that connects kids with the outdoors. Take a nature walk to gather your materials, then come inside to create a beautiful, see-through masterpiece that you can hang in a window.
Supplies:
• Clear contact paper
• Painter’s tape
• Leaves, flowers, feathers, and other nature finds
Steps:
1. Remove the backing from one sheet of contact paper and tape it to a table, sticky side up.
2. Let your child arrange their nature treasures on the sticky paper.
3. When they are finished, remove the backing from a second sheet of contact paper and place it sticky side down over the top to seal the collage.
4. Trim the edges and hang in a sunny window to let the light shine through!
Why It’s Fun: It’s a gorgeous, low-mess craft that doubles as home decor. The process of gathering items outside makes it a complete, engaging activity.
👉 Check out this gorgeous art craft in action
7. Balloon Paint Stamping
Who needs a paintbrush when you have balloons? This craft is all about process art and exploring different textures. The resulting circular stamp patterns are unique and can be layered for a cool effect.
Supplies:
• Balloons (partially inflated)
• Washable paint
• Paper plates
• Paper or canvas
Steps:
1. Squirt a few colors of paint onto separate paper plates.
2. Partially inflate a few balloons and tie them off.
3. Show your child how to dip the balloon into the paint.
4. Gently press the paint-covered balloon onto the paper to create stamps.
5. Experiment with different colors and sizes of balloons.
Why It’s Fun: It’s a sensory experience that’s both fun and a little messy. The unique paint marks create a finished product that looks a lot more complex than it is.
👉 Check out these amazing balloon stamping art ideas
8. Glow-in-the-Dark Slime
Slime will never go out of style, and this glowing version takes it to the next level. Making your own is not only a fantastic sensory experience but also a fun science lesson.
Supplies:
• Clear glue
• Glow-in-the-dark powder or paint
• Contact lens solution
• Baking soda
• Mixing bowls and spoons
Steps:
1. In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup of glue with 1/2 tsp of baking soda.
2. Stir in the glow-in-the-dark powder or paint.
3. Add 1 tbsp of contact lens solution and mix until the slime starts to form.
4. Knead the slime until it reaches the desired consistency.
5. To activate the glow, place the slime under a bright light for a few minutes before turning off the lights to see it glow!
Why It’s Fun: The ultimate sensory experience combined with a magical, glowing effect. Kids are obsessed with slime, and the glow-in-the-dark feature makes it even cooler.
👉 Check out this fun reel of a mom and kid collaborating to make glow-in-the-dark slime in action
Bonus Tip: If you want a screen-free activity that’s equal parts calming and creative, origami is a winner. From simple paper boats to playful animals, folding paper into art builds patience, focus, and fine motor skills. Plus, kids love watching a flat sheet transform into something magical.
👉 Explore more: The Magic of Origami for Kids
To Wrap Up…
Kids’ crafts aren’t just rainy-day activities anymore. They’re fun and creative ways to encourage our little ones to learn, develop, and enjoy. Some of the main reasons we love kids’ crafts are:
- They’re visually satisfying — with bright colours, fun textures, and quick transformations.
- Parents love easy, low-mess, and low-cost ideas they can recreate at home.
- When kids engage in crafts, they not only develop creativity and fine motor skills but also make the activity instantly relatable and fun.
Related Reading You’ll Love:
🏡 Transform Everyday Spaces into Kids-Friendly Play Zone — clever ideas to set up fun, safe spaces at home where kids can craft and play.
Ready, Set, Craft!
Another imaginative craft idea 💡: Why save coins when you can save candies? Try this candy 🍭 paper DIY piggy 🐷 bank!
There you have it — 8 super fun and creative craft ideas that will turn your next crafternoon into an ever learning and development sensation for your kids. These projects are more than just a way to pass the time; they’re an invitation to get creative, learn something new, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
So, gather your supplies, pick a craft, and get started. Don’t forget to share your creations with us! Happy crafting!
