You wanna entertain your kids without emptying your wallet? Head over to the dollar store! It’s like a treasure chest for crafty folks like you who want style without the steep price tag.
Whether you’ve been gluing, cutting, and painting for ages or you’re just getting your feet wet, the dollar store’s got all you need to let your creativity run free.
Why I Love the Dollar Store for Crafts
Crafting from the dollar store isn’t just a wallet-friendly hobby; it’s loaded with perks. Let’s see what you get when you start creating with these low-cost finds:
| Why You’ll Love Dollar Store Crafts |
|---|
| Cheap as Chips: With supplies this cheap, you’ll feel free to try new projects without worrying about the cost. |
| Close and Convenient: Dollar stores are everywhere, ready with materials whenever you feel inspired. |
| Creative Spark: Limited resources can push your imagination into high gear, encouraging innovative thinking. |
| Your Style, Your Way: It’s easy to personalize dollar store items to fit your personal taste and style. |
| Family Fun: Get the kids involved! It’s a great way to bond over fun, creative activities that’ll make memories. |
Let your mind wander while playing with dollar store treasures and bring your quirky, creative ideas to life. Ready, set, craft with those dollar store supplies today!
For more inspiration, check out our article on dollar store craft supplies.
Getting Started with Dollar Store Kids Crafts
So, you’re ready to jump into making cool stuff from the dollar store, huh? Good news! With the right gear and a sprinkle of creativity, you’re in for a good time. Here’s some inspiration to set the mood for an epic craft-a-thon.
Googly-Eyed Monster Stick Puppets
These fun and colorful monster puppets are a hit for kids who love to get creative with textures and colors. Made using basic materials like jumbo craft sticks, vibrant pom-poms, and googly eyes, this project is perfect for a rainy day activity or a Halloween craft session.
Let kids mix and match different sizes of pom-poms and arrange eyes in unique patterns to create their own silly or spooky creatures.
With just a bit of hot glue, each puppet comes to life, ready for hours of imaginative play or a mini puppet show.
Giant Dry Erase Mat
Transform a simple plastic tablecloth from the Dollar Store into an oversized dry erase mat for endless doodling fun!
Spread it out on the lawn or in the living room, and let your little ones’ imaginations run wild as they draw, scribble, and practice writing. When they’re ready for a clean slate, just wipe it down and start again.
This budget-friendly craft is a fantastic way to entertain kids outdoors or indoors, giving them plenty of space to explore their creativity without limits.
Pool Noodle Monsters
Turn pool noodles into playful monster buddies with this adorable and easy-to-make craft!
Simply cut up a pool noodle into smaller sections and let kids go wild decorating with googly eyes, pipe cleaners, pom-poms, and craft foam pieces. Each monster can have its own unique personality, from googly-eyed goofballs to silly mustachioed creatures.
This craft is perfect for kids who love experimenting with different shapes and textures and is an excellent way to repurpose leftover pool toys into something fun and memorable.
Dollar Tree Fairy Garden
Create a magical mini fairy garden using Dollar Store items like a small plastic container, decorative pebbles, moss, and tiny figurines.
This whimsical project lets kids design their own enchanted space, complete with a fairy house, little pathways, and charming details like tiny animals and garden signs. It’s a great way to encourage imaginative play and develop a love for gardening—on a miniature scale!
Place it on a windowsill or in the backyard, and watch as kids build delightful stories around their fairy friends.
Sponge Water Bombs
Keep kids cool and entertained with these DIY sponge water bombs, made from colorful sponges cut into strips and tied together.
Perfect for backyard play or pool parties, these reusable water bombs are a fun alternative to traditional water balloons—without the messy clean-up! Simply dunk them in a bucket of water, toss, and enjoy endless splashing fun.
Best of all, they’re quick to make, soft for safe play, and dry out easily, making them ready for another round of water games.
Button Bracelet
Create a stylish and colorful bracelet with just a few buttons and a pipe cleaner!
This easy craft allows kids to practice their fine motor skills by threading buttons onto a flexible pipe cleaner, making a unique piece of jewelry they’ll be proud to wear. Let kids choose their favorite colors and button shapes to personalize their bracelets.
When they’re done, simply twist the ends of the pipe cleaner to secure the buttons in place. This quick and mess-free project is perfect for playdates, craft parties, or as a rainy-day activity.
Popsicle Stick Turkey Puppet
Celebrate Thanksgiving or fall with this adorable popsicle stick turkey craft!
Using a few jumbo craft sticks, colorful feathers, and some googly eyes, kids can create their own festive turkeys to display around the house or use as bookmarks. Add a simple felt triangle for the beak, and watch as these turkeys come to life!
This easy-to-make project is a wonderful way for kids to express their creativity and makes a great addition to any fall-themed craft day.
Popsicle Stick Monsters
Celebrate Thanksgiving or fall with this adorable popsicle stick turkey craft!
Using a few jumbo craft sticks, colorful feathers, and some googly eyes, kids can create their own festive turkeys to display around the house or use as bookmarks. Add a simple felt triangle for the beak, and watch as these turkeys come to life!
This easy-to-make project is a wonderful way for kids to express their creativity and makes a great addition to any fall-themed craft day.
Craft Stick Flower Pot
Brighten up any room with these colorful craft stick flower pots!
Using an empty tin can, colorful craft sticks, and a bit of ribbon, kids can create their own custom flower pots to display real or artificial plants. Simply glue the craft sticks around the can, tie on a decorative ribbon, and add a little soil and your favorite flowers.
This is a great way to introduce kids to the joys of gardening and make thoughtful handmade gifts.
Perfect for Mother’s Day, teacher gifts, or just adding a splash of color to your home!
Heart Luminaries
Light up your space with these beautiful heart luminaries made from recycled jars and tissue paper!
Cut colorful tissue paper into heart shapes and use Mod Podge or white glue to attach them to the outside of the jar. Once dry, place a tea light inside to create a warm, glowing effect that’s perfect for a cozy night in or a special occasion like Valentine’s Day.
This craft is simple enough for kids and a lovely way to repurpose old jars into something bright and cheerful.
Pipe Cleaner Flowers
Create a bouquet that never wilts with these vibrant pipe cleaner flowers!
Twist and shape colorful pipe cleaners to form delicate petals and a fluffy center, then add a green pipe cleaner for the stem. Kids can experiment with different color combinations to make their own unique floral designs. These flowers make a wonderful gift, desk decoration, or even a fun way to add a touch of nature to pretend play.
It’s a simple yet engaging craft that helps children develop their fine motor skills while sparking their creativity!
Pipe Cleaner Finger Puppets
Bring storytime to life with these adorable pipe cleaner finger puppets!
Made with bright pipe cleaners, small pom-poms, and googly eyes, these puppets are easy to craft and perfect for little hands. Simply twist a pipe cleaner around your finger to form the body, add a pom-pom head, and finish with playful antennae or ears.
Let kids create a whole cast of characters for imaginative play or puppet shows.
This quick and engaging craft is perfect for developing fine motor skills and sparking creative storytelling.
Craft Stick Yarn Dolls
These charming craft stick yarn dolls are perfect for kids who want to create their own little friends!
By wrapping different colors of yarn around a wooden craft stick, children can make playful outfits and cozy scarves for their dolls. Draw on a friendly face, add a button for a decorative touch, and let kids customize each doll with different hairstyles and patterns.
This simple craft is great for building fine motor skills and sparking creativity. Kids can use their yarn dolls for storytelling or as cute keepsakes!
Pom Pom Flower Craft
Add a personal touch to your flower crafts with this adorable pom pom flower photo frame!
Using a wooden craft stick, colorful pom poms, and a favorite photo, kids can create a fun flower that showcases their smiling face at the center. Glue pom poms in a circular pattern to form petals, and attach the photo in the middle to complete the look.
This delightful craft is perfect for Mother’s Day, grandparents’ gifts, or as a cute keepsake to display on the fridge.
It’s a great way for kids to practice their gluing skills while making a personalized piece of art!
DIY Suncatchers
Create a sparkling window display with these beautiful DIY gemstone suncatchers!
Using flat marbles or decorative gems and some clear glue, kids can arrange colorful patterns on a plastic lid or plate. Once the glue dries, hang the suncatcher in a sunny spot to see the light dance through the gems, casting beautiful colors across the room.
This craft is a great way to teach kids about light and color, while also creating a unique piece of art that brightens up any space. Perfect for rainy days or as a fun summer project!
Potato Print Monsters
Create these cute and quirky potato print monsters using a simple potato stamp technique!
Cut a potato in half, dip it in bright paint, and press it onto paper to create a fun monster body shape. Then, let kids go wild adding googly eyes, teeth, and other features to bring their monsters to life.
Each print can be turned into a unique character with different colors, spots, and expressions. This craft is perfect for Halloween or any day when kids want to get a little messy and silly with their art.
Add a playful twist by using a variety of potato shapes and sizes!
Paper Bag Monster Puppets
Create a cast of colorful monster puppets with just a few paper bags and some craft paper!
Kids can decorate each bag using construction paper shapes, googly eyes, and markers to design their own goofy or spooky creatures. Add fun features like horns, teeth, and long tongues to make each puppet unique.
Once they’re done, these puppets are perfect for imaginative play, storytime, or even a homemade puppet show.
This easy craft is great for a group activity and lets kids express their creativity while building their own collection of paper bag monsters.
Coffee Filter Flower Craft
Brighten up any room with these simple and cheerful coffee filter flowers!
Start by flattening out a coffee filter and coloring the center with crayons, markers, or watercolor paints. Then, glue the filter onto a piece of construction paper and draw a stem and leaves. Kids can experiment with different colors and patterns to create a vibrant bouquet.
This craft is perfect for welcoming spring or celebrating Mother’s Day. It’s a quick and easy project that brings a pop of color to your home and makes for a lovely handmade card or wall art.
DIY Yarn Pencil Toppers
Add a touch of fuzzy fun to your pencils with these easy DIY yarn pencil toppers!
Wrap yarn around your fingers to create a fluffy pom-pom, then attach googly eyes and secure the pom-pom onto the top of a pencil. These adorable creatures are great for adding personality to school supplies and make for a cheerful desk accessory.
Kids can get creative with different colors and eye styles, making each topper one-of-a-kind. It’s a quick and mess-free craft that will bring smiles to study time and make a cute gift for friends or classmates!
Salt Dough Dinosaur Fossils
Dig into a prehistoric adventure with these salt dough dinosaur fossils!
Mix up a simple batch of salt dough using flour, salt, and water, and shape it into small disks. Press plastic dinosaur toys into the dough to create fossil-like imprints, then bake them to harden. Once cooled, kids can paint their fossils or use them for a pretend excavation.
This hands-on craft is perfect for young dinosaur enthusiasts and provides a fun way to learn about fossils and paleontology while creating a unique keepsake.
Shaving Cream Bathtub Paint
Make bath time extra fun with this easy DIY shaving cream bathtub paint!
Mix a little bit of food coloring into shaving cream and pour each color into a muffin tin or small containers. Let kids use paintbrushes or their fingers to create colorful artwork all over the bathtub walls.
This craft is safe for the tub and easy to rinse off, making it perfect for creative kids who love to explore with color and texture.
It’s a fantastic way to keep little ones entertained during bath time and inspire some artistic expression!
Coffee Filter Butterflies
Create beautiful, colorful butterflies using coffee filters and pipe cleaners!
Start by coloring coffee filters with markers or watercolor paint, then lightly spray them with water to let the colors blend and spread. Once the filters dry, pinch the middle together and secure with a pipe cleaner, twisting the ends to form antennae.
These vibrant butterflies are perfect for decorating windows, using as puppets, or adding a touch of spring to your home.
This simple craft is great for kids of all ages and offers a fun way to explore colors and patterns.
Paper Plate Dinosaur
Turn ordinary paper plates into colorful dinosaurs with this simple and fun craft!
Cut a paper plate in half and paint it in bright colors to form the dinosaur’s body. Add a long neck, a tail, and some spikes using construction paper. Glue on googly eyes and draw a smile to give your dino some personality. Use clothespins as legs to stand your dinosaur up and let it roam across the table or floor.
This craft is perfect for little dinosaur enthusiasts and can be customized to create a whole family of prehistoric creatures!
Toilet Paper Roll Butterfly
Transform empty toilet paper rolls into these cute and colorful butterflies!
Wrap the roll in construction paper, add a set of vibrant wings, and decorate with buttons, googly eyes, and a pipe cleaner antennae. Kids can mix and match colors and patterns to create a whole garden of butterflies that are perfect for pretend play or as cheerful room decorations.
This eco-friendly craft is a fun way to upcycle household items and keep little hands busy. Great for a spring-themed activity or any time your child wants to let their creativity take flight!
Yarn Monsters for Valentine’s Day
Create these adorable yarn love bugs to give as sweet gifts or decorations for Valentine’s Day!
Using yarn, a pom-pom maker or cardboard template, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners, kids can craft their own fuzzy love bugs in pink, red, or any color they like. Add heart-shaped antennas for an extra touch of love and place them around the house as cute decor.
These love bugs are perfect for a Valentine’s Day party activity or as a handmade gift for friends and family, spreading joy and smiles wherever they go!
Pom Pom Poppers
Launch into some fun with these DIY pool noodle pom pom poppers!
Cut a pool noodle into short sections, secure a balloon to one end, and decorate with colorful tape. To play, place a small pom-pom or lightweight object into the open end, pull back the balloon, and release to see it pop out with a burst of energy! These poppers are a fantastic way to repurpose pool noodles and are perfect for outdoor play or a friendly indoor competition.
Kids will have a blast customizing their poppers and experimenting with different launch techniques!
DIY Kaleidoscope Craft
Capture a world of color and sparkle with this DIY kaleidoscope!
Using a cardboard tube, some colorful beads, and a bit of clear plastic, kids can create their own kaleidoscope to explore the magic of patterns and reflections. Simply add beads to one end of the tube, cover with clear plastic, and decorate the outside with washi tape or markers.
As kids turn and twist the kaleidoscope, they’ll see endless shifting patterns, making this craft a fascinating project for budding scientists and artists alike.
Perfect for learning about light and symmetry in a fun, hands-on way!
Frog Snow Globe
Create a whimsical Frog Prince Love Jar using a mason jar, a small toy frog, and some sparkly decorations!
Glue the frog to the inside of the jar lid, then add sequins, glitter, or confetti to create a magical scene. Once the jar is sealed, the Frog Prince is trapped in his enchanted kingdom, waiting to spread joy and smiles. This craft makes a charming Valentine’s Day gift or a fun decoration for a kid’s room.
Let kids get creative with different characters and themes to personalize their love jar creations!
Painted Rock Photo Holder
Turn colorful rocks into charming photo holders with this easy craft!
Start by painting smooth stones with bright designs, patterns, or even cute little faces. Once dry, twist a piece of wire around the rock, forming a spiral at the top to hold a picture, note, or card. Kids can add beads to the wire for extra flair and personality.
These photo holders make fantastic handmade gifts and are perfect for displaying special memories or little reminders on a desk or shelf. A creative and practical way to add a pop of color to any space!
Faux Stained Glass Cactus
Bring the beauty of stained glass into your home with this easy faux stained glass craft!
Using clear plastic or wax paper, kids can design colorful images using markers or paint. Outline the shapes with black paint or glue to mimic the look of leaded glass, then display the finished pieces in a window to let the sunlight shine through.
This cactus design is just one example—you can create flowers, animals, or abstract designs. It’s a fun way to brighten up any room and allows kids to explore their artistic creativity!
DIY Wind Chime
Create a colorful and musical outdoor decoration with this DIY beaded wind chime!
Use a plastic cup as the base, and string together an assortment of vibrant beads, bells, and shapes to hang from the cup. The wind chime will make gentle sounds as the beads sway in the breeze, adding a soothing touch to your garden or porch. Kids will love choosing their favorite bead colors and patterns, making each wind chime a unique creation.
It’s a wonderful craft that combines creativity, fine motor skills, and a love for the outdoors!
Turkey Cone Craft
Get ready for Thanksgiving fun with these cute turkey cone party hats!
Made from a simple paper cone, this craft is transformed into a festive turkey using feathers, googly eyes, and a construction paper beak and wattle. Kids can choose bright feather colors to give each turkey its own unique personality.
Use these hats as playful table decorations, photo props, or even as a party hat for little ones to wear. It’s an easy and adorable craft that’s perfect for celebrating Thanksgiving or any fall gathering!
Nature Suncatcher
Capture the beauty of the outdoors with this DIY nature suncatcher!
Using a few popsicle sticks, clear contact paper, and some collected leaves and flowers, kids can create a unique frame to showcase their favorite natural treasures. Simply press the leaves and petals between two sheets of contact paper, secure with a popsicle stick frame, and hang it up to let the sunlight bring out the vibrant colors.
This project is perfect for nature walks and helps kids connect with the environment while making a beautiful decoration for their home or garden.
For more inspiration, check out our article on dollar store craft supplies.
Essential Supplies to Purchase
Before you start chopping and gluing like a pro, check if you’ve got the following goodies from the dollar store:
| Craft Supply | What It’s Good For |
|---|---|
| Craft Paper | Different colors and textures make things pop |
| Glue Sticks | Less mess, more sticking action—what’s not to love? |
| Scissors | Kid-friendly ones, so no accidental haircuts |
| Pipe Cleaners | Perfect for bent, twisty sculptures of your wildest dreams |
| Pom-Poms | Fuzzy, fun bits for a bit of pizzazz |
| Googly Eyes | Everything’s more fun with wobbly eyes looking out |
| Paint Brushes | Comes in different sizes for every masterpiece |
| Washable Paint | Keeps the colorful fun going but washes out easily |
| Stickers | An easy-peasy way to set the mood or theme |
| Foam Shapes | Pre-shaped awesome for dimension and flair |
Hoard these craft supplies, and you’re all set to entertain the troops. Want even more ideas? Check out our other post on dollar store craft stuff.
Tips for a Successful Crafting Session
To make your crafting session with the kids enjoyable and stress-free, keep these tips in mind:
- Plan Ahead: Round up your stuff beforehand so you’re not turning the house upside down mid-glue session.
- Pick Age-Appropriate Crafts: Choose projects that match your child’s skills. It keeps things fun and frustration-free.
- Encourage Creativity: Let your little Picassos express themselves. They might surprise you with their artsy ideas.
- Keep it Safe: Keep a watchful eye when they’re using those scissors and glue—safety first, folks!
- Show off the Masterpieces: Hang up your child’s artwork. It’s an instant confidence boost and who doesn’t love a bit of showing off?
Pull in cool stuff like stickers and stencils to spice up your art. With just some imagination and basic craftiness, you can turn bare walls into wow-worthy displays.
Curious about what supplies you need? Peek at our article on dollar store craft supplies for a treasure trove of ideas.
Boost your creative juices by swinging by our article on dollar store craft ideas and let your inner artist out to play.
Feeling inspired by the holidays’ magic? Slide over to our pages on dollar store holiday crafts and dollar store Christmas crafts for more ho-ho-wholesome creativity.
Armed with these tips and goodies, you’re all set for a delightful session full of crafting fun, without tearing your wallet.