Celebrate and learn about Earth Day with a set of four Earth Day kids! There are two boys and two girls to make with mix-and-match shirts and hats. Sit your finished Earth Kid on a shelf to advocate proudly for our planet. Get the template here. It’s such a busy time of year for kids’…
How adorable are these Spring Animal Pattern Art Shelf Sitters? They make great seasonal decorations for Easter or Spring and are super easy to put together. There are 3 cuties in the set to print, colour and make: A lamb, a chick and a bunny. Get the template here Q: Which Spring animal is cuter:…
Make a super-cute DIY Valentine Surprise Card with a sweet graphic message inside using this printable template. This is a fun Valentine’s Day paper craft for kids with multiple mix-and-match options. Get the template Q: What’s the sweetest gift you can give someone on Valentine’s Day? A: A surprise that comes from the heart! Or…
Enhance the magic of storytelling with a set of hand-sewn Red Riding Hood felt dolls. We have Grandma, the Wolf and, of course, Miss Hood herself (whose true name is a mystery) to make. This is a fun sewing project for older kids, or a DIY toy adults can make for younger kids. The PDF…
If you’re looking for Holiday cards, tags and gifts that kids can actually make, you’re in the right place! Here are 16 of our favourite festive DIYs for the holiday season. Make Christmas and New Year cards, personalised kid-made gift tags, and easy-peasy DIY gifts. DIY Christmas Cards Here are some DIY Christmas Cards your…
Decorate your tree with doodle art using this set of Christmas Patterning Baubles. There are 6 festive shapes to print, colour and decorate. This is a fun and easy Christmas craft for anyone aged 4 and up (adults included!). For a limited time, this template is free to our email subscribers! Here are over 40 Pattern…
Make a 3D Pattern Art Santa craft with a truly magnificent beard. This one-of-a-kind Santa is a fun printable Christmas art activity for kids. It makes fabulous wall art. Get the template here Can you believe it’s ALMOST time for Santa to visit once again? I know, it’s still November, but the folks at the…
Elf yourself, the kids, and even the dog with this bundle of Elf photo crafts. There are three adorable elf printables included in the set. Get the templates here Now that Halloween’s done and dusted, who’s counting down to Christmas? Not me, haha. I’m nowhere near ready yet. But I do have some friends from…
Kids will go wild for this 3D Cheetah portrait craft! The design is based on a realistic cheetah, but you can make yours any colour you like. This paper craft is easy to put together and is a great way to support kids learning about African animals, wild cats, or for anyone who loves cheetahs….
This Printable Insect Positive Negative Art is a fun way to explore positive and negative space using colour and design. It’s a great Summer bug craft for anyone aged 8 and over (adults included!). Get the template here We love positive-negative art projects! Recently, we shared Positive Negative Flower Art, and today we have an…
Kids can print and create their favourite pet crafts with this value bundle of printable templates! There are cats, dogs, guinea pigs, budgies and goldfish to make. Get the templates here We love our pets! Life would suck without them. That’s why I decided to create a printable pack especially for pet-lovers. What’s your favourite…
Make some super cute printable paper guinea pigs. This set has a mama with two babies to cut, fold and slot together – no glue needed! This printable craft was first published in 2016 and has been updated with a new, improved template set and reshared for today’s audience. Get the template here This template…
Create realistic 3D paper insects with this set of printable templates. We have a bee, a cicada, a dragonfly and a Monarch butterfly to make. Each insect can be made with or without glue-on anatomy labels and is easy enough for kids aged 8+. Younger kids could make them with some adult help. All templates…
Create a garden of Scrape Painted Flowers with this fun arty/crafty activity. This template bundle includes four flowers to create from a sheet of dry process scrape art: A rose, a tulip, a cosmos flower and a pansy. Get the template here There’s nothing quite so satisfying as scraping paint across a page just for…
Here’s a fun Spinning Egg Decoration to make for Easter. Hang your finished 3D paper egg somewhere it can catch the breeze to see it spin. This printable Easter craft is suitable for kids aged 6 and up—there is no upper age limit and adults enjoy pattern art too! Get the template here Eggs are…
Flower Positive Negative Art is a fun way to explore positive/negative space using doodle art. This is a great Spring Art project for anyone aged 8 and up. There are two flower designs to make, a cosmos and a tulip. Get the template here We’re on a flower art spree right now! Recently we’ve been…
These Insect Paper Bracelets are a fun Spring or Summer craft—the best part is they’re totally wearable! Kids can make a bee, spider, dragonfly or moth with our print and colour templates. Get the template here There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a bug on your arm, right? Unless, of course, that bug is…
Make a fun set of Paper Space Rockers! There are 3 designs to print and create: A rocket, an astronaut and an alien in a flying saucer. This is an easy DIY toy for kids aged 6 and up, although younger kids could make it with some adult help. Get the template here Of all…
Chirp chirp! Create super cute 3D pattern art Budgie using our latest template. This is a fun Australian animal-themed activity for older kids, teens and adults. Our glue-on support squares give this bird craft a 3D effect to really make it ‘pop’. Get the template here Most people know budgies (called parakeets in the USA)…
This Positive Negative Heart Art project is a good way for kids to explore positive/negative space. It also promotes mindfulness and relaxation with pattern art. The finished result is a beautiful Valentine’s Day artwork to display! Get the template here There’s a reason why we share so many doodle art projects, and it’s not just…
Make adorable 3D Penguin Pattern Art with this printable template. The penguin ‘pops’ off the page with the help of our 3D support strips. The penguin stands in a torn paper snowy landscape, wearing its woolly Winter beanie. It makes a fun Winter art activity for kids and is part 2 of our Winter Pattern…
How cute is this 3D Polar Bear Pattern Art project? This is a fun Winter art activity for kids. Get the template here Q: What do polar bears do in winter? A: Rug up kid-made beanies, scarves, mittens and doodle-art sweaters! Like these two happy chappies … This Polar Bear Pattern Art project is the…
Create beautiful Christmas positive-negative art with patterning. This is a creative and adaptable Christmas art activity for kids and adults. Get the template here We love pattern art! And what better theme to doodle to than Christmas? When I created the example artwork for this project I was frazzled from all the extra holiday demands….
Bake—I mean make—some super sweet 3D Gingerbread People decorated with pattern art using this template. The pattern art component is optional, this craft also works as a colour, cut-and-paste activity. This is a fun festive season art project for kids. Get the template here Gingerbread is so yummy at Christmas! It looks and tastes even better…
Kids are going to love making this Elf Christmas Countdown Calendar. You can personalise this by having kids use their own photo as the elf’s face, or you can use the cartoon elves for a quick and easy option. This is a fun Christmas papercraft with an educational STEM element. It would also make a…
This 3D pattern art turkey is so colourful and fun as a Harvest Season, Thanksgiving or Farm animal project. Get the template here Turkey crafts are super popular this time of year, especially amongst our American and Canadian readers. For everyone who celebrates Thanksgiving, this one’s for you! I admit, I struggle with the cartoon…
Here’s a spoookeriffic Halloween project for kids that can be done in five minutes (if you don’t count drying or clean-up time)—Squeegee Art Ghost Painting! You might also like Pumpkin Sponge Art Squeegee art ghost painting is soooo fun and experimental for all ages. And while I say you can make it in five minutes,…
This eye-catching Apple Positive-Negative Art project is a great activity to celebrate back-to-school, Autumn harvest and apple season. It’s so fun and easy to make too! Get the template here Apples are such a fun theme to craft on. This art project teaches about positive and negative space using an apple shape and invites kids…
Make 3D Shell Pattern Art on a torn paper beach with this printable craft template. This is a fun Summer craft for kids, teens and adults with many ways to add your own creative spin. Get the template here What’s more soothing than doodle art? Beach-themed doodle art! This project combines pattern art shells with…
Creating pattern art is easy with these printable doodle design swatch sheets. The set includes two sheets of doodle pattern ideas, plus a blank sheet for kids to fill with their pattern designs. Here are over 40 Pattern Art Projects for Kids We love doodle art here at The Craft Train! It’s easy enough for most…
Kids are going to love creating gorgeous 3D turtle doodle art with a shell that really ‘pops’. This is a fun summer art project and a great way to support kids learning about ocean animals or reptiles. Get the template here Sea turtles are one of the ocean’s many fascinating creatures. Some species can grow…
Create a realistic 3D Giraffe portrait with this printable template. OR, if you’d rather get creative, use the line art version and go crazy with colour! This is a fun craft to celebrate African safari animals (see also our 3D Zebra portrait). It’s easy to put together, involving basic papercraft skills of scoring, folding, cutting…
Here’s something for anyone who loves DOGS! A 3D dog pattern art project. This is a fun way to get kids exploring colour and pattern using doodle art. The 3D element makes it extra fun and your finished doodle dog artwork looks great hanging on the wall. Get the template in our printables store here…
Make a gorgeous yarn butterfly craft using this simple weaving technique. This is a fun kids craft for Summer or Spring and the finished butterflies could easily be given as a handmade gift. This yarn craft idea for kids was first published in 2015 and has been updated and reshared for today’s audience You might…
Use our printable butterfly garden craft to upcycle an egg carton into a gorgeous decoration that doubles as a night light. This is a fun kids’ craft for Spring, and Summer or to support a unit on insects or minibeasts. It’s also suitable for Earth Day coming up later this month. Age recommendation is 6+…
This Easter Chick basket is a simple papercraft kids can make to put a few small Easter treats in or just for fun. They also make a great Spring craft or a handmade Easter gift with some chocolate eggs inside. The printable template is free. This printable craft was originally published in 2014 and has…
Here’s an easy frog papercraft for kids – make a fun, bouncy frog on a lily pad using our printable template. It’s just been updated to include an all-in-one print and colour version. This idea is perfect for spring crafting or for a unit on amphibians or life cycles. Get the frog template here We…
Make a bright and colourful 3D pattern bunny for Easter or Spring! This kids’ craft activity combines elements of art and papercraft. After doodling patterns onto their bunny, basic papercraft skills are used to create a unique artwork with a bit of extra hop. … I mean pop. Each bunny has their own look and the…
Use this free printable egg template to create any kind of egg-shaped art or craft for Easter. It comes in six different sizes, and when it comes to project ideas this one’s open-ended… so anything goes! Check out our bunny craft ideas I have LOTS of ideas for Easter egg crafts, and most of them…
Kids will love getting creative with this 3D pattern cat art project. This makes eye-catching wall art and there are lots of ways you can vary the activity to make it more colourful or less complex if you’re working with younger kids. For the example version pictured the age recommendation is 8+. Get the template…
Make a simple whirlygig DIY toy, sometimes known as a spinner, from recycled cardboard and our printable template. This is a fun STEM (or STEAM) craft idea for kids of all ages, inspired by a classic that has been around for centuries. This whirlygig craft was originally published in 2015 and has been updated and…
If you’re a regular reader, you may have already guessed how much we love pom pom animal crafts here at The Craft Train! Today I’m sharing some of the favourites we’ve created over the years. All of these pom pom animals are quick and easy to make using one of our printable templates. You might…
Create the most adorable, fluffy pom pom penguin using this printable template. This craft is based on the Gentoo penguin species found on Sub-Antarctic islands. It’s a fantastic Winter craft idea, perfect for kids who are learning about cold-climate animals and the template comes in both full colour and colour-your own. Get the template here…
Here is an easy DIY pom pom maker you can create from a scrap of cardboard. This pom pom maker craft was first published in 2016 and has been updated and reshared for today’s audience. I really hate to admit this, but as a craft blogger, I struggled for a long time to make a…
Seriously, how cute are these penguin poppers? They’re a fun penguin-themed DIY toy you can make in a flash. This easy kids craft is suitable for all age groups and makes a fun project for Winter or holiday-themed crafting. The printable template is free. You might also like out printable paper penguins Pom pom poppers…
Create a gorgeous Winter landscape using a sponge printing technique. This is a fun and easy Winter art idea for all age groups and looks great as wall art too. This kids’ art project was first published in 2020 and has been updated and reshared for today’s audience You might also like our 3D paper…
Create an eye-catching 3D fireworks art project using a simple watercolour-resist painting technique and our printable template. This has been created with New Years Eve in mind, but it would also be a great project for 4th July, Guy Fawkes night, or any occasion where fireworks are set off. Get the template with printable instructions…
Create a batch of Christmas shape cards using an easy masking technique and our free printable template. This activity can be tweaked for different ages, with the finished designs ranging from super simple to as intricate as you want to make them. And, yes, adults can make these too! You don’t need to be a…
Here’s a fun set of printable Christmas coloring cards —a new super fun freebie for kids (or anyone!). There are four designs included for you to color and give to friends and loved ones. You might also like our print and color Christmas games. Handmade cards are a great way to add a personal touch…
I’m excited to share a new, super fun, freebie with you—a printable Christmas tree advent calendar! The 3D paper tree stands up on its own, and each day there is a numbered ornament to colour, cut out, and glue on to decorate your tree. You might also like these fun Christmas printables for kids There’s…
Create a 3D paper spider craft sitting in her patterned web using our printable template. The spider ‘pops’ out from the page with a 3D abdomen and bendy legs. It makes eye-catching wall art and is a fun way to support learning about spiders or minibeasts. It would also make a cool Halloween project. Get…
Make an array of rainbow hedgehogs with this easy pom pom hedgehog craft idea. The printable template is free, all you need to add is yarn, glue it together and draw on a personalised face. This printable craft was first published in 2020 and has been updated and reshared for today’s audience. Seriously, how cute…
This paper chain snake craft is based on two exotic-looking species of python which live in Australia’s tropical Daintree Rainforest. The yellow patterned snake (named Pretzel by my daughter) is a Jungle Carpet python, and the green spotted snake is a beautiful Green Tree python. If you’ve never seen one of these snakes in real…
Make a 3D paper doodlebug insect craft using our latest printable template. Seriously, I love a good doodle art project, and when that project also happens to be 3D like this doodlebug-on-a-leaf, I like it even better! Get the 3D paper doodlebug template here I have a love-hate relationship with bugs. While they can be…
Are you ready to make a 3D zebra craft that looks almost real? This head-and-shoulders portrait of a zebra has been based on the real thing (rather than a cartoon), but don’t let that fool you. It’s super easy to print and create. Get the template here Zebras have to be the snazziest animals in…
Make a tropical reef craft that lights up in the dark! This is a fun Summer craft to help kids learn about and appreciate our planet’s coral reefs. Note: LED tea lights are safe to use with paper because they don’t create heat, but to be extra safe switch it off when not in the…
Create a 3D monarch butterfly papercraft with our latest template. The finished butterfly looks realistic and comes with or without body part labels. This 3D kids papercraft is a great way to support learning about butterflies or minibeasts. Get the template here Insects are fascinating, especially when you take a close-up look. This Monarch butterfly…
Mother’s Day is just around the corner. What better way for kids to show their love and appreciation than with a printable Mother’s Day teapot card? Lift the lid on the teapot to reveal a cute photograph or Mother’s Day message. Get the template here Mother’s Day wouldn’t be Mother’s Day without adorable kid-made cards…
Kids will love this symmetrical butterfly painting project! This is a perfect Spring craft for kids and makes beautiful wall art too. The butterflies we’ve created are loosely based on the monarch and blue morph species, but you could change the colours and make them look like any species of butterfly you like – or…
Pom pom chicks are a fun kids craft idea for Easter or Spring. They’re soft, fluffy, and oh so cute. The printable template is free. You might also like our Geometric Chicken craft When it comes to crafting, baby chicks are almost always depicted as yellow. Why is that? In the real world, chickens come…
Make some gorgeous mini paper angels this Christmas! You can either hang these angel ornaments on the tree or place them on the mantlepiece. This is a fun Christmas craft for kids and adults and they are very quick and easy to make. This Christmas papercraft was first published in 2013 and has been updated…
Make 12 different paper plate dinosaur crafts with this set of printable templates including the diplodocus, triceratops, brachiosaurus and more. Dinosaur crafts are super fun for kids of all ages. These creatures have an almost mythical quality to them, except they’re not mythical. They’re prehistoric monsters that actually roamed this planet, probably leaving giant footprints on…
It’s easy to create solar system art using sponge painting and our latest printable template. In this tutorial we’ll show you how to paint all the planets of our solar system, plus the sun and the moon, using a masking technique. *Please note this is no longer a free resource Get the template here Not long…
Want to make a printable Easter bunny basket? This is a fun and easy Easter craft for kids. The finished baskets make a sweet handmade gift idea with a few treats inside or just a fun Easter themed craft kids can keep for themselves. The free template comes in four pastel shades plus a black…
Here’s a fun freebie for our readers who love reading… a printable bunny bookmark craft! The bunny bookmarks are double-sided with a head peeking over your page and a little tail and bunny feet hanging over the back. You might also like our printable bunny baskets Our bunnies are not typical white Easter bunnies. These…
Create a realistic 3D paper dragonfly with our printable template. It comes in full colour as well as line art with or without the body part labels. While this craft looks complex, it’s actually REALLY easy, made with just cutting, folding and gluing. It’s a great support for kids learning about dragonflies, minibeasts, insects or…
Make a 3D paper snowman with our latest printable template. This is an eye-catching Winter craft for kids that looks great hanging on the wall. The snowman sits on a hill surrounded by falling snow and, with his body parts glued on with a raised curve, he has a fun 3D effect. Get the snowman…
Create a gorgeous 3D Pattern Art White Ibis surrounded by its natural environment in the Australian wetlands. This is a fun doodle art project for kids and the fourth in our freshwater animal series. Get the template here Most city-dwelling Australians are familiar with the common Bin Chicken… I mean, White Ibis. Bin Chickens have…
Make a colourful 3D Pattern Art Yabby with this printable art project. This is the third instalment in our freshwater animal pattern art series. Get the template here Yabbies are freshwater crayfish commonly found across Australia. They happen to be a favourite menu item of the platypus, shared as a craft a couple of weeks…
Give Dad the recognition he deserves with this Super Bear Father’s Day Card! This is a fun, print-and-colour Father’s Day craft for kids aged 7 and up. Get the template here Being a dad in this day and age is hard! We expect way more of men than generations past. Taking out the garbage and…
Create some gorgeous, colourful 3D Rainbow Trout pattern art. The fish is leaping out of the water with a joyful splash! This is part of our freshwater animal pattern art series. It follows on from our 3D Pattern Art Platypus. Stay tuned for another freshwater animal project next week. Get the template here Trout fishing…
Make Dad a present card as a special Father’s Day “surprise!” There are four designs in this set to choose from, plus a blank card template so you can design your own. Mix and match the cover options with the graphic messages inside. Get the template here. Do you have a mug-nificent Dad? If you…
Create stunning Platypus Pattern Art in 3D with this printable template. This is a fun Australian Animal craft, perfect for kids learning about rivers and freshwater animals. Get the template here Q: Which Australian animal is a rule-breaker in a class of their own? A: The platypus! These water-dwelling mammals not only lay eggs, but…
If you’re looking for a Mother’s Day card or DIY gift for any age, look no further. Here are over 20 Mother’s Day cards and gift ideas, sorted by age from preschoolers and up. See all our Mother’s Day crafts here. Mother’s Day Ideas for Preschoolers Preschoolers have a loooooot of love to give. Their…
Here’s a cute and easy Mother’s Day idea for little kids—make a Ladybug Card with fingerprint wings! There are multiple options with this template, including a colouring version. Get the template here Mother’s Day is this weekend, so this one’s cutting it fine, but I HAD to get one more card idea in for all…
How cute are these fold-out Mother’s Day Present cards? There are four ‘presents’ in the set, each with a different illustrated cartoon message inside. If you prefer to illustrate your own, you can do that too because I’ve included a blank version. This is a fun and easy DIY Mother’s Day card kids will love…