I haven’t spoken to a single parent or nanny lately who isn’t slightly overwhelmed. We’re all busy, trying to juggle virtual learning, indoor playtime, technology, and limited social activity time. So, on top of all of that, the last thing you need is a big mess to clean up at the end of the day.
Crafts and activities are one of the most helpful ways to keep kids active, learning, and most importantly, occupied. So you can have a few minutes to tackle your to-do list or just enjoy some peace and quiet.
Here are our top 10 ideas for no-mess (or low-mess) crafts that your kids are sure to enjoy!
1. Friendship Bracelets
String + one piece of cardboard = hours of entertainment. When I was a kid, my friends and I would sit for hours on end making friendship bracelets. And there’s really no craft that is less messy than this.
Keep in mind, this craft is best for ages 8-11 but certainly possible for kids that are a bit younger and have the necessary motor skills & concentration.
You’ll need:
Embroidery Floss
Scotch Tape & a Small Piece of Cardboard
Pro-tip: Speaking from experience, the “Chinese Staircase” and the “Five-Stitch” are the easiest patterns to start with.
2. Paper Plate Masks
After years of nannying, I learned how to create fun and entertainment out of virtually nothing. Thus, I present to you -- the paper plate mask.
Simply cut out a small space around the mouth area and 2 holes for your eyes. From there, you can decorate any way you’d like! If you want to keep it simple (and low-mess!) simply color with crayons, colored pencils, or markers. Or make it a little more adventurous and add some pipe cleaners, puffballs, etc. Let their creativity run wild!
Once you’ve finished decorating the masks, punch 2 small holes on either side and use a string or rubber bands to make a strap that will keep the mask on your face.
3. Flower Pressing
This is an incredibly simple craft that will actually yield really beautiful results. So this is a great idea if you also need a gift for an upcoming holiday!
Pro Tip for Nannies! Have the kids press flowers and then arrange them on paper and frame them as a gift for their parents. They’ll appreciate that it’s both thoughtful and handmade!
Simply pick some flowers and leaves and arrange them gently on pieces of paper. Then, carefully press them in between the pages of a large book. Let them sit for a few days and they should be fully pressed and dried.
Keep in mind - thick/large flowers hold quite a bit of moisture, so they will not press as well! Try to choose small and thin flowers and leaves so that they’re able to dry out.
4. Sock Puppets
Not much explanation needed here! Sock puppets are one of the most classic, inexpensive, mess-free crafts for kids. And you don’t need much! A few old socks, some string, markers, etc. Googly eyes are a fun touch and are super cheap at your local craft store!
Want to keep them engaged even longer? Build a quick puppet show theater out of cardboard! If you have multiple kids, they’ll love putting on shows, decorating the theater, making “admissions tickets,” and more. Just know that you’ll probably have to attend the performance!
5. Paint with Water!
I know I speak for all the nannies and parents out there when I say, Paint-with-Water books are truly magical. All you need is a small cup of water and a paintbrush. The pages are activated by the water and will change color to create the illusion of painting.
It’s just as fun as painting but saves you the time and stress of avoiding and cleaning up spills.
6. Coloring “Inside the Box”
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, cardboard boxes are so much more than just cardboard boxes.
You know it’s true if you have a cat and you know it’s true if you have a toddler. A cardboard box can become a fort, a rocketship, a train, a plane, and a canvas!
Need an easy 30 minutes of entertainment for your little one? Put them in a large cardboard box with a few colored pencils and let them go wild with decorating their little house. You’d be surprised how much fun a cardboard box can bring!
7. Sidewalk Chalk Art
Why not bring the mess outside and let the rain clean up? Sidewalk chalk is the ultimate no-mess craft because the canvas lives out of the house.
Tips:
Wash their hands with wipes before they come inside because they will be covered in chalk
Dress them in old clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty!
Be safe! Make sure they stay out of the road and clear of any traffic
8. Kid-Friendly Origami
Just add paper!
Can you think of a simpler, cleaner craft? A lot of people avoid origami because they think it’s super complicated or too difficult for young kids. But there are hundreds of kits and patterns that make it incredibly easy for beginners.
Here are a few recommendations:
9. Draw a Flipbook
Get those creative wheels spinning at a young age and help them design their own flipbook. This is a super simple craft, only requiring one drawing utensil and a small blank notebook.
There are lots of easy tutorials online for how to get started with drawing your flipbook! My advice is to keep the drawings simple. Think stick figures and simple animations.
Not only is this craft mess-free, but it will also help them flex their creative, forward-thinking, and concentration muscles.
10. DIY Bingo Board
The best part about the DIY bingo board is that it keeps the kids engaged during the craft-making and after when they play the game.
You can build the boards using classic numbers by doing the following:
Design the boards to have 5 columns (B-I-N-G-O) and 5 rows
Draw different numbers on each board, between 1-75
Leave a “free space” star in the center square
Use an online bingo number generator
Another option for your bingo board is to turn it into a type of scavenger hunt, or accomplishment board. For example; cover the bingo board in types of wildlife you might see in your backyard. Once you see a cardinal, check off the box. Once you see a squirrel, check off the box.
Don’t forget to think of a fun prize for the winner!
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