42 of the best craft ideas & DIYs for teens and tweens!
From weaving to origami, have a look through our crafts for teens post and find your kids next project!
Entertaining teens and keeping them away from screens can be tricky especially with all these lockdowns and school holidays! Crafting is really beneficial for teens of all ages. It helps them become more creative, let off steam, express themselves and discover their true passions. We've rounded up 42 crafts for teens so that no matter how fussy yours is, you can find them a creative project. There's everything from cross stitch and embroidery to sewing and painting, as well as a few quick to buy kits you can buy for them. Crafts for teens has never been easier.
If you have younger kids too then out our 42 craft ideas for kids and our crafts for toddlers round ups. We really do have a craft for all ages!
42 craft ideas for teens
DIY Banner
Crafts for teens are best when they're personalised. Teach them how to make their own fabric banner using our tutorial and then let them customise it with their name, school or year group.
Pom pom keyrings
Use our how to make a pom pom tutorial to pick up everything you need to know, then let them make their own fluffy pals with this free pom pom bear pattern!
Beaded ice cream brooches
Buy some colourful beads and let their creative flags fly with this ice cream brooch tutorial.
Hama beads
Hama beads are hours of fun and can be made into loads of different designs. Hours of fun to be had.
Pebble magnets
Craft ideas for teens don't have to be complicated or expensive! Mollie Makes have this fab tutorial for turning beach pebbles into cute fridge magnets.
Bee hoop embroidery
This beginners embroidery project is the perfect craft for teens. Show them our step by step tutorial and watch them stitch away.
Jewellery making kits
Jewellery making is always a hit with teens and this jewellery making kit comes with tons of charms, beads and threads for them to use.
Envelope bag
We've got plenty of sewing crafts for teens up on Gathered including this easy sew envelope bag.
Cross stitch necklace
Cross stitch is a great craft idea for teenagers because it's really simple and uses only a few pieces of equipment. Let them stitch Lucie Heaton's heart to wear as a necklace or hang in their room.
Bath bomb-making kits
Crafts for teens are always better if they involve cute cupcakes and doughnuts! Teach them how to make their own bath bombs which they can then use or gift to a friend.
Friendship bracelets
Use our simple to follow video and let your teens and tweens learn how to make friendship bracelets.
Weaving wall hanging
Set them up with different coloured yarn and our how to weave and DIY loom tutorial - it'll keep them entertained for hours.
String art kits
String art is super easy and gives beautiful results. These kits from Amazon come in a range of different designs, there's everything from whales and plants to candy canes to rainbows.
Macrame plant hanger
Learn how to make a macrame plant hanger with this great project. It's a fab way of introducing teens to the world of macrame.
Origami cats
Cute art ideas for teens have never been easier with our origami cat tutorial.
Tie-dying kits
Colourful crafts for teens are a staple for the summer holidays and they don't get more colourful than tie-dyeing kits! This is a great birthday party activity for teenagers too.
Colouring pages
Colouring is not only a fab activity to entertain bored teens but it's also really relaxing. Download and print Mollie Makes' free colouring pages.
DIY headbands
Sew some hair accessories with our how to make a head band tutorial. If you're looking for a sewing machine for your teen then check out our top sewing machines for kids.
Diamond painting
Diamond painting is a relatively new craft that's become really popular over recent years. These kits are ideal for teenagers wanting to express their creativity. We've rounded up the best diamond painting kits, accessories and supplies here on Gathered too!
Embroidery purse
Decorate a purse with simple botanical stitches using our free embroidery pattern. This is a great craft for teens that want to personalise their clothes and accessories.
Sealife plushies
Up next is art ideas for teens inspired by the deep blue! Sew these sea life plushies and turn them into keyrings.
Sequin art
Sequin art comes in hundreds of different designs and kits for all ages. This unicorn kit is the ideal craft for tweens.
Floral paper garland
Craft this paper floral garland together and hang them around your teenager's bed for a handmade touch.
Pencil case
You'll need to help your teens with sewing the zip in but making a pencil case ready for when they go back to school is a fab project to work on together.
Make your own lipstick
Learn how to make lip balm with DIY kits. Not only is it crafty it's also scientific and it's an activity for teens which they can then use!
Embroidered notebooks
Embroidery is a great craft for teens and these notebooks can be customised into whatever designs you'd like.
DIY picture blocks
All your teens will need is some wooden blocks and paint and then they can make their very own picture holders. These would be fab gifts for their friends too.
Scratch & Sketch
Scratch and sketch skylines and London scenes with these kits. Activities for teens that keep them entertained for a few hours is always a winner.
Paper pom poms
Pineapple pom poms are the ultimate summer craft and could be strung together into a tropical garland.
Weather paperclips
These cute little paper clip toppers are the ideal little companions for back to school teens.
Russian Doll painting
There's no craft ideas for teens sweeter than these Russian dolls. Let your kids paint and customise theirs, they could even make a replica of your own family.
Macrame bunting
For older teens this heart macrame bunting tutorial is a lovely project. We also have a library of basic macrame knots which they can follow along with.
Candle making
Candle making is really simple once you have the equipment and these pink ombre candles are no exception! Use our free tutorial.
Yarn wrapping
Yarn wrapping is a simple craft that teens can do by themselves. There's lots of different shapes on Amazon including these colourful little elephants.
DIY tote bag
Another great back to school project is this simple tote bag tutorial. Art ideas for teens are always better when they're practical!
Tassel earrings
This craft idea is for older teens who have their ears pierced. Let them choose their favourite colours and create these funky earrings. For a younger tween alternative help them make their tassels into necklaces
Dream catchers
DIY dreamcatchers are a lovely craft to do with teens and the kits are a really reasonable price for the afternoons entertainment.
Make your own rubber stamps
Stamps, stickers and scrapbooking craft ideas are always a winner with teens. Let them carve their own stamps from old rubbers using Mollie Makes' free tutorial.
DIY birthday cards
Handmade cards are always a winner so get your teens to stitch some birthday cards ready for the celebrations.
Flamingo sewing kit
Teach your teens how to sew with this cute flamingo kit. This sewing kit comes with all the fabric, needles and stuffing you'll need to make a flamingo.
Papercraft mobile
Crafts for teens don't get more colourful than this beautiful rainbow mobile.
Cross stitch clips
Download our free cross stitch chart and let your teens make some cute hair accessories!
We hope you've enjoyed our craft ideas for teens. For more fun craft projects make sure you check out our five minutes crafts round up and our free daily craft patterns. If your kids try any of them we'd love to see some pictures. Tag us in them on Instagram with #gatheredmakers.
Authors
Phoebe has worked for Gathered, and our sister magazine Mollie Makes, for 3 years. She manages our Arts & Crafts section and specialises in social media and content strategy. She has a background in all things marketing, a flair for Pinterest and a knack for finding the next big craft trend. Previously she worked as Digital Campaign Executive for Fat Media. You may recognise her name from Mollie Makes Social Media magazine, where she shared her expertise and top tips on becoming social media savvy.
