Craft Ideas for Daycare: Dynamic Crafts for Daycare

Are crafts the highlight of your kids' daycare, bringing joy and creativity? Worried about feeling stuck? Need endless inspiration and ideas, including tree-themed crafts, nature-inspired crafts, and crafts incorporating food coloring?

Then you don't need to worry! In this blog post, I've gathered some affordable and fun craft ideas for daycare. These projects are sure to grab kids' attention and inspire their creativity. Choose the ones that suit your needs and the interests of the children.

This blog post emphasizes the simplicity and speed of crafting with readily available materials, whether found at home or at the dollar store, ultimately saving both money and time, while offering unique insights to enhance the crafting experience.

Craft Ideas for Daycare

Paper Crafts Ideas for Daycare

Moving Paper Snake

Making a moving paper snake  is a fun and easy paper craft idea for daycare. You only need some colored paper or colored tissue paper, scissors, glue, googly eyes, and markers.

• To make the snake, cut out a long strip of colored paper and fold it back and forth.
• Glue the ends together to form a circle.
• Then, cut out a snake head from a different color paper and attach it to one end of the circle.
• Add googly eyes and draw a mouth with markers.
• Finally, cut out a few small strips of paper and tape them to the inside of the snake so they hang down like a tongue.

When you push or pull on the tongue, the snake will move!

Mini Basketball Game

Another simple paper craft idea for daycare is to make a mini basketball game.

You will need some construction paper, scissors, tape, and a small pom-pom or cotton ball.

• To make the game, cut out a square from the construction paper and fold it in half to create a triangle.
• Tape the two sides together to form a ramp.
• Then, cut out another square and fold it in half to create a backboard.
• Tape the top of the backboard to the ramp.
• Finally, place the pom-pom or cotton ball on one end of the ramp and use your finger to flick it towards the backboard.

 Follow this tutorial to make the court and the basket. 

3D Ice Cream

Try making 3D ice cream craft with your daycare kids for a sweet and colorful craft idea.

You will need some colored paper, scissors, glue, and markers.

• To make the cones, cut out triangles from brown paper and roll them into cone shapes.
• Use glue to secure the edges.
• Then, use different colored paper to create scoops of ice cream by cutting out circles and folding them in half to make semi-circles.
• Arrange the scoops onto the cone and glue them together.
• You can even add toppings with markers, like sprinkles or chocolate chips.

DIY Umbrella

On a rainy day, create your DIY umbrellas with the daycare kids!

You will need some paper plates, paint, scissors, markers, and string.

• To make the umbrella, cut out wedges from the paper plate to create an open umbrella shape.
• Then, let the kids paint or decorate the plate however they like.
• Once dry, use markers to draw a handle and any other designs on the umbrella.
• Finally, poke two holes at the top of the plate and thread string through them to create a strap.

Moving Paper Duck

For a cute and interactive paper craft, try making a moving paper duck with the daycare kids.

You will need yellow and orange construction paper, scissors, glue, googly eyes, markers, and a brad fastener.

• To make the duck, cut out a large circle from the yellow paper for the body and a smaller circle from the orange paper for the head.
• Glue the head onto the body and add googly eyes and a beak with markers.
• Then, cut out two small wings from the yellow paper and attach them to the sides of the body with glue.
• Finally, use a brad fastener to connect the wings to the body so they can move up and down.

Check out this easy video tutorial: Moving paper duck

Easter Bunny

With Easter just around the corner, why not make some cute paper crafts with an Easter theme?

This easter bunny is best for preschoolers. One idea is to create a paper bunny using construction paper, scissors, glue, and markers.

• To make the bunny, cut out two large circles from white paper for the body and head.
• Then, cut out smaller circles from pink paper for the inner ears and attach them to the white circles.
• Glue the head onto the body and add googly eyes, a nose, and mouth with markers.
• You can also use pipe cleaners or cotton balls to create whiskers and a tail.
• Finally, cut out two large feet from pink paper and attach them to the bottom of the body.

Paper Crown

Another fun paper craft idea for daycare is to create paper crowns.

You will need some colorful construction paper, scissors, glue, and decorations like stickers or glitter.

• To make the crown, cut a long strip of paper and measure it around your child's head to get the right size.
• Cut off any excess and then have your child decorate the strip with their favorite colors and designs.
• Once they are done, glue the ends of the strip together to create a circle.
• You can even add extra paper or decorations to make the crown more elaborate.

Paper Plate Rainbow

Create a colorful and fun paper plate rainbow with the daycare kids.

All you need is some paper plates, paint, scissors, glue, and cotton balls.

• To make the rainbow, cut out a half-circle from the paper plate.
• Then, use different colors of paint to create stripes across the circle.
• Once dry, glue cotton balls along the bottom of the rainbow for clouds.
• You can even add glitter or other decorations to make it more vibrant.

Paper Cup Flowers

Another idea for a paper craft in daycare is to make paper cup flowers.

You will need some paper cups, paint, pipe cleaners, scissors, and glue.

• To make the flowers, have the kids paint the outside of the paper cups with different colors.
• Once dry, cut slits around the rim of the cup to create petals.
• Use pipe cleaners to create stems and glue them onto the bottom of the cups.
• You can also add leaves with green paper or markers.

Recycling Crafts Ideas for Daycare

Tree With Pencil Shavings

A fun and eco-friendly craft idea for daycare is creating a tree with pencil shavings. You will need some recycled paper, pencils, scissors, and glue.

• To make the tree, cut out a tree trunk shape from the recycled paper and glue it onto a larger piece of paper.
• Then, use different colored pencils to create pencil shavings by sharpening them into the paper.
• Arrange the shavings on top of the tree trunk to create leaves.
• This is a great way to teach kids about recycling and reusing materials while creating a beautiful piece of art.

Here’s how this craft goes. 

Caterpillar Egg Carton Craft

A cute and easy craft idea for daycare is making caterpillars out of egg cartons.

You will need an empty egg carton, paint, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, and any other decorative materials.

• To make the caterpillar, cut out one section of the egg carton to use as the body and let the children paint it in their chosen colors.
• Once dry, add googly eyes to the front and use pipe cleaners to create antennae at the top.
• You can also cut small pieces of pipe cleaner and glue them onto the side of the body for legs.

Egg Carton Snowman

During winter, have fun with the daycare kids by making egg carton snowman.

You will need an empty egg carton, white paint, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, and any other decorative materials.

• To make the snowman, cut out two sections of the egg carton and let the children paint them white.
• Once dry, stack one on top of the other and add googly eyes, a nose (made from pipe cleaner or construction paper), and any other embellishments.
• You can also add a string to hang up your snowman as a decoration.

Toilet Roll Rocket

For a fun and imaginative craft idea, try making toilet roll rockets with the daycare kids.

You will need empty toilet paper rolls, construction paper, markers or paint, and any other decorative materials.

• To make the rocket, have the children decorate the toilet paper roll with their chosen colors and designs.
• Then, cut out a cone shape from construction paper to use as the top of the rocket.
• Attach it to one end of the roll using glue or tape.
• You can also add paper flames to the bottom for an extra touch.

Incorporating crafts into daycare not only provides fun and entertainment for children, but also promotes creativity, fine motor skills, and learning about different materials

Toilet Paper Cars

Another fun and simple craft for daycare is making  toilet paper cars.

You will need empty toilet paper rolls, bottle caps, paint, construction paper, glue, and any other decorative materials.

• To make the car, have the children paint the toilet paper roll in their desired color.
• Then, attach two bottle caps to each side of the roll using glue or tape to create wheels.
• You can also cut out windows and a windshield from construction paper and glue them on.

Egg Carton Chicks

For a cute and easy Easter craft, make egg carton chick  with your daycare kids.

• You will need an empty egg carton, yellow paint, construction paper, googly eyes, and any other decorative materials.
• To make the chick, cut out one section of the egg carton to use as the body and let the children paint it yellow.
• Once dry, add googly eyes to the front and use construction paper to create wings, beaks, and feet.

Castle With Toilet Paper Roll

Another imaginative craft idea for daycare is making a castle with toilet paper rolls. You will need empty toilet paper rolls, cardboard, paint, construction paper, glue, and any other decorative materials.

• To make the castle, use the empty toilet paper rolls as towers and glue them onto a large piece of cardboard.
• Then, let the children paint the castle in their chosen colors.

Paper Plate Honey Bee

Teach the daycare kids about bees and pollination with this simple plate honey bee craft.

You will need a paper plate, yellow paint, black construction paper, googly eyes, and any other decorative materials.

• To make the bee, have the children paint the entire paper plate yellow.
• Once dry, cut out stripes and wings from black construction paper and attach them to the plate.
• Add googly eyes and a stinger made from construction paper or pipe cleaners.

Leaf Face Paper Plate

For a fall-inspired craft, create leaf face paper plates with the daycare kids.

You will need paper plates, autumn leaves (real or fake), scissors, glue, and any other decorative materials.

• To make the leaf faces, have the children cut out different shapes from the leaves to use as eyes, noses, and mouths.
• Then, let them arrange and glue them onto the paper plates to create unique and colorful faces.

Toilet Paper Owl

For a cute and easy animal craft, make toilet paper owls with the daycare kids.

You will need empty toilet paper rolls, brown paint, construction paper, googly eyes, and any other decorative materials.

• To make the owl, have the children paint the toilet paper roll in brown and let it dry.
• Then cut out wings, beak, feet, and ears from construction paper and attach them to the roll.
• Add googly eyes for a fun finishing touch.

Educational Craft Ideas

Alphabet Crafts

Another great way to incorporate learning into crafts at daycare is by doing alphabet crafts.

• Have the children create a craft for each letter of the alphabet, such as an apple for A, butterfly for B, or caterpillar for C.
• This not only teaches them about letters and sounds, but also allows them to be creative and use different materials.

Number Crafts

Similar to alphabet crafts, you can also do counting crafts with the daycare kids to help them learn numbers.

• Have them create a craft for each number, such as three paper plate fish for the number 3 or ten popsicle stick trees for the number 10.
• This is a fun and interactive way for children to practice counting and recognizing numbers .

Color Recognition

Crafts can also be used to teach color recognition at daycare.

• Have the children create a craft using only one color, such as a red paper plate ladybug or a blue paper cup jellyfish.
• This helps them learn about colors and how different materials can be used to create something new.

Seasonal Craft Ideas for Daycare

Spring crafts

1. Nature Crafts

Spring is a great time to incorporate nature into daycare crafts.

• Have the children collect items from nature, such as leaves, flowers, and twigs, and use them to create unique and beautiful crafts.
• They can make leaf prints with paint or create flower crowns using real flowers.

2. Flower Crafts

For a fun and colorful spring craft, have the daycare kids make flower crafts using different materials.

• They can use paper to create 3D flowers, or paint and decorate paper plates to make flower wreaths.
• This is a great way to teach them about different types of flowers and their colors.

3. Easter-themed Crafts

Around Easter time, have the children make themed crafts such as egg carton bunnies, paper plate chicks, or tissue paper eggs.

• This not only incorporates the holiday spirit but also teaches them about different traditions and celebrations.

Summer crafts

1. Outdoor Art Projects

During the summer, take advantage of being outdoors and have the daycare kids create art projects using natural materials like rocks, sticks, and leaves.

• They can make natural sculptures or use the materials to paint with. This allows them to explore their creativity while also appreciating nature.

2. Beach-themed Crafts

For a fun and beachy craft, have the children make sand art bottles using layers of different colored sand in a clear bottle.

• They can also create paper plate suns or seashell wind chimes to bring a piece of the beach to the daycare.

Fall crafts

1. Leaf Prints

Take advantage of the beautiful autumn leaves by having the children make leaf prints.

• They can use paint or crayons to create colorful imprints of different types of leaves.

2. Pumpkin Decorating

Instead of carving pumpkins, have the daycare kids decorate them with stickers, paint, and other materials.

• This allows for more creativity and also avoids any dangers associated with using sharp tools.

3. Thanksgiving Crafts

For Thanksgiving, have the children make turkey handprints or paper plate cornucopias filled with their own drawings of things they are thankful for.

• This teaches them about gratitude and the holiday's meaning in a fun and creative way.

Winter crafts

1. Snowflake Crafts

For a winter-inspired craft, have the children make paper snowflakes using white paper and scissors.

• They can cut out different designs and patterns to create unique snowflakes.

2. Indoor Snowman Building

On days when it's too cold to go outside, bring the fun indoors by having the daycare kids build snowmen using cotton balls.

• They can get creative and add different elements, such as arms made of pipe cleaners or a top hat made from construction paper.

3. Craft Stick Snowflakes

Using craft sticks and glue, have the children create snowflake ornaments to hang on the windows or Christmas tree.

• This not only teaches them about symmetry but also results in a beautiful decoration for the daycare.

Holiday-Themed Crafts

Christmas crafts:

1. Popsicle Stick Reindeer

For a cute and easy Christmas craft, have the children make reindeer using popsicle sticks, googly eyes, and red pom poms for the nose.

They can also use construction paper to add antlers and a mouth.

2. Handprint Wreaths

Using green paint and their hands, have the daycare kids make handprint wreaths for Christmas.

They can decorate them with bows or other materials.

3. Ornament Decorating

Have the children decorate clear plastic ornaments using markers, glitter, and stickers.

• This allows them to create unique and personalized decorations for their tree at home or at daycare.

Halloween crafts:

1. Paper Plate Masks

Have the children create Halloween masks using paper plates, paint, and other materials such as feathers or pipe cleaners.

• This allows for endless creativity and fun.

2. Monster Puppets

Using old socks and various craft supplies, have the kids create their own silly monster puppets to play with.

• They can give them different characteristics and names, making for a fun storytelling activity.

3. Pumpkin Suncatchers

For a fun and festive craft, have the daycare kids create pumpkin suncatchers using tissue paper and clear contact paper.

• They can hang them on windows or use them as decorations for Halloween parties.

Birthday Crafts

Party hats

Have the children decorate their own party hats using markers, stickers, and other materials.

• This allows them to express their creativity and also gives them something fun to wear during birthday celebrations.

Card making

Have the daycare kids create birthday cards for their classmates or family members using construction paper, markers, and other materials.

• This teaches them about giving and showing appreciation for others on their special day.

Balloon art

Using balloons and markers, have the children create their own unique balloon art.

• They can draw different designs or faces on the balloons, making for a fun and interactive activity.

Nature-Inspired Crafts

Leaf printing

Have the children make leaf prints using real leaves and paint.

• This allows them to explore different textures and patterns in nature while also creating beautiful art.

Pinecone animals

Encourage the children to use their imagination and create animals using pinecones and other craft supplies.

• They can make owls, hedgehogs, or any other creatures they can think of.

Rock painting

Have the kids paint rocks with different designs or patterns.

• They can also use them to make paperweights or garden decorations.

Painting Crafts And Other Activities

Solar System

Have the daycare kids learn about space by creating their own solar system paintings using different colors and techniques.

• This not only teaches them about science but also allows them to explore their artistic abilities.

Salt Painting

Using glue, salt, and watercolors, have the children create unique paintings with a textured effect.

• This is a fun and interactive activity that results in beautiful artwork.

Hand Painting

Encourage the children to get messy and create handprint paintings using different colors.

• They can turn their handprints into animals, flowers, or anything they can imagine.

Playdough Stress Ball

Using playdough and balloons, have the kids create their own stress balls to squeeze and play with.

• This is a great activity for helping them manage emotions and relieve tension.

More Creative Painting Techniques for Daycare

Fun Science has shared 10 amazing painting techniques for kids in this video. They have used bubble wraps, leaves, potatoes, fingers, spoons and much more, so do check it out. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What crafts do toddlers like?

For toddlers, go with sensory crafts and games, easy painting techniques that don’t require precision, like stencil painting. Easy folding origami and stamp painting also engage the kids. 

What crafts do preschoolers like?

Preschoolers are all ready to explore and try new things. So give them all types of crafts, paintings, science experiments and activities. They enjoy all of them. 

Conclusion

Crafts are not just fun, but they also help develop fine motor skills and creativity in young children.

With these easy preschool crafts ideas using basic supplies, you can keep your daycare kids engaged and learning at the same time.

Remember always to supervise them and encourage them to be creative and have as much fun as possible! So get crafting with your little ones today and enjoy the most preschool crafts!

Happy crafting!