Paper crafts for kids extends way beyond scribbling or painting colour onto paper – though we do love that! There are so many other craft ideas with paper that you can enjoy with your family, whatever their age.
We're showcasing 18 easy paper crafts for kids in this article, with lots of free crafts available right here on Gathered. You don't need a lot of extra materials – these ideas use craft supplies and waste items you likely already have around your home.
Make the most of these paper crafts for kids to keep your family entertained, including you! We'd enjoy crafting most of these just as much as the tots and tweens will. Once you've got some projects to do with your little ones, discover one for yourself in our round-up of five minute crafts. And find everything you need to get creative with our pick of the best art sets for kids.
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Make paper mache pots
We love a classic bit of paper mache, and modern mache doesn't use wallpaper paste anymore! We show you how to make your own paper mache paste using PVA glue – and for perfect paper crafts for kids, build up a mini pot using a cookie cutter!
Learn how to make paper mache with Gathered.
Fold easy origami cats
It only takes four simple folds to turn a square of paper into this cute cat shape. Use newspaper or any magazine pages you have to hand – or for added fun fold your cat in plain paper and colour in the details.
Make an origami cat with Gathered.
Craft yourself a puppet theatre
Our puppet printables are one of the most summery easy craft ideas for kids. Print and cut out the pieces you need for your puppet theatre, then stick the puppets onto lolly sticks to make them move on the stage. Why not add your own hand-drawn puppets, too?
Make your own puppet theatre with Gathered.
Colour in snoozy cats printables
We've got line art colouring sheets and a coloured in version of these cute snoozy cats available to download and print. Download the line art one for colouring in, and the coloured in one for a copying guide if your kids would like an example to follow.
Download cats to colour from Gathered.
Build a colourful rainbow mobile
Use our easy templates to craft the brightest of the easy paper crafts for kids! This rainbow mobile has hanging 3D umbrellas for extra decoration and fun. Try it out tonight!
Make a rainbow mobile with Gathered.
String up a flower garland
Use any papers you have at home and our easy templates to string up your flower garlands and make your home feel really special. Use plain paper and colour your own for added creativity. Bloom where you are planted!
Craft a floral garland with Gathered.
Spread colourful stripes with paint scraping
This is so much fun to do and great for making your own brightly coloured papers and backgrounds! All you need is some liquid paints and a plastic scraper – a credit-card-style plastic card will do in a pinch.
Try paint scraping with this video tutorial from Papercraft Inspirations.
Make a tissue paper sun catcher
Here's a really versatile paper crafts for kids idea that you can make as simple or as complex as you like for different ages. Choose your background frame and fill with colourful squares. Here's our video tutorial showing how easy and fun this is to make with your kids!
Learn how to make a rainbow sun catcher with Gathered.
Make mini bookmark paper pals
These must be the very cutest of our craft ideas for kids with paper! Lia Griffith's downloadable templates let little ones craft a sweet animal page minder to keep their place in their bedside book.
Find the kids bookmarks tutorial from Lia Griffith.
Make your own cat or dog notebook cover
Be practical with your paper crafts for kids and get them to make their own notebook cover characters so they can quickly spot whose notebook is whose with a bespoke cover. We have the templates and guide to help.
Make cute kids notebook covers with Gathered.
Fold your own paper pinwheels
Here's a vintage classic of the craft ideas for kids with paper – the pinwheel! Fold your own spinning paper wheel with our free templates to make outside playtime even more fun.
Fold paper pinwheels with Gathered.
Upcycle an elastic band guitar
Make the most of recycling in one of our our top environmentally friendly paper craft ideas for kids. Decorate an old tissue box and adorn with colourful elastic bands for a super-quick and easy musical instrument.
Create an upcycled guitar with BBC Good Food.
Print and craft king and queen crowns
Here's a fun free printable from our friends at Made for Mums – paper crafts for kids reaches a whole new level with these regent crowns for little kings and queens!
Make your own paper crowns with Made for Mums.
Colour in rainbow templates
These rainbow templates are designed for making a punch needle cushion or embroidered rainbow clothing, but the line art templates make super-quick rainbow colouring sheets, too. If you're loving all these colourful projects then head to our rainbow craft ideas which are full of incredible makes.
Get creative with Gathered's rainbow templates.
Try glue gun makes with kids
If you've got a glue gun, you'll find some brilliant upcycling makes that kids will love in our best glue gun crafts article.
Make more with paper mache
Put your paper mache skill to use with these great paper mache ideas for kids. Check out these brilliant dinosaur piggy banks from Red Ted Art!
Craft an easy paper basket
Not just for Easter, you'll find the templates and instructions to make these sweet little baskets free on Gathered! They're perfect for filling with homemade sweets or baked items for kids to give to their friends. We have loads more Easter crafts for kids over in our blog post!
Make an Easter treats basket with Gathered.
Make your own kaleidoscope
The simplest paper crafts project for the littlest crafters, with a brilliant upcycling focus too! Check out our walkthrough showing you how to make your own kaleidoscope from cardboard tubes.
Paper crafts for kids to try today
Crafting with paper is a great way to get kids creating, whatever their age. Whether it's easy origami makes or building complex structures from paper mache, they'll be so proud of their achievements.
Beat boredom with Gathered
Looking for more crafts to keep the little ones entertained? Check out our craft ideas for kids for 50 boredom-busting projects to try at home.
