Whether summer break is coming up, school activities are on the horizon, or it’s a cozy day off in the snow, a hands-on craft is a good way to spend time with your child.
Here are 24 craft ideas for 10 year olds, from friendship bracelets and Perler beads to slime and tie dye. Each one has the materials, time, and short steps, so you can pick something and start today. Most work for boys and girls, and anything that needs heat, a stove, or sharp tools is flagged for adult help.
At Craftwhack, we think crafts help kids build creativity, design sense, and hand-eye coordination.
Quick Picks: Craft Ideas for 10 Year Olds
| Idea | Best for | Time | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friendship Bracelets | Sleepovers, beginners | 30-60 min | Embroidery floss |
| Perler Beads | Pixel-art fans | 30-60 min | Beads, pegboard, ironing paper |
| Origami | Quiet time | 15-60 min | Square paper |
| Tie Dye T-Shirts | Outdoor project | 45 min plus setting | White shirt, dye kit |
| Glow in the Dark Slime | Science fans | 20-30 min | Glue, glow powder, saline solution |
| Pool Noodle Lightsabers | Star Wars fans, active play | 15-20 min | Pool noodle, tape |
| Yarn-Wrapped Letters | Room decor | 30-45 min | Cardboard, yarn |
| Kool-Aid Lip Balm | Gifts | 15 min | Petroleum jelly, Kool-Aid |
| Rainbow Soap | Gifts | 45 min plus setting | Soap base, colorants |
| Watercolor Pinwheels | Party craft | 30-40 min | Watercolor paper, paints |
What Are Good Crafts for a 10 Year Old?
Pick one from the table if you’re short on time, or work through the ideas below.
Yarn-Wrapped Cardboard Letters
Kids like to put their name or initial on their space. A yarn-wrapped letter is cheap and uses recycled cardboard.
Easy | 30-45 min. Materials: Cardboard, yarn, scissors, glue or tape.
- Cut a thick letter shape from cardboard.
- Tape the yarn end to the back, then wrap tightly across the letter, switching colors as you like.
- Tuck the end behind and glue it down.
Tutorial: Art Bar.
Friendship Bracelets
A classic tween craft that’s easy to start and good for sleepovers. For more patterns, see our friendship bracelet patterns.
Easy-medium | 30-60 min. Materials: Embroidery floss, tape or a clipboard, scissors.
- Cut 6 strands of floss about 24 inches long and knot them together at one end.
- Tape the knot to a table or clipboard.
- Make forward knots over each strand in turn, row after row, until it fits the wrist, then knot and trim.
Tutorial: Sarah Maker.
Personalized Flower Pots
Kids can personalize pots, mugs, and bowls. Decorate the outside only and keep mugs for display, since marker ink isn’t food-safe.
Easy | 20-30 min. Materials: A plain pot or mug, paper cut-outs, permanent markers.
- Tape a paper cut-out to the pot.
- Dot or color around the shape with a permanent marker.
- Remove the paper to leave a clean silhouette.
Tutorial: DIY Candy.
Paper Fan
Paper fans are popular in many cultures, and a handmade one makes a good summer craft.
Easy | 15 min. Materials: Stiff colored paper or cardstock, markers, a craft stick or tape.
- Decorate a sheet of paper first.
- Fold it accordion-style in even folds about 1 inch wide.
- Pinch the bottom together and tape or glue it to a craft stick, then fan it open.
Tutorial: Spruce Crafts.
Rainbow Grilled Cheese
A colorful snack that doubles as a craft.
Easy | 20 min. Materials: Bread, butter, cheese, food coloring, milk, a nonstick pan. An adult handles or closely supervises the stove.
- Mix a few drops of food coloring into small cups of milk, then paint one side of each slice with a clean brush.
- Put cheese between two slices with the painted sides facing out.
- An adult cooks the sandwich in a pan until golden and melted.
Tutorial: eHow.
Marshmallow Snowflakes
Good for a winter afternoon, and you can look at photos of real snowflakes (six arms) for ideas.
Easy | 20-30 min. Materials: Toothpicks (sharp, so supervise), large and mini marshmallows.
- Poke toothpicks into a large marshmallow in a star shape.
- Add mini marshmallows to the ends.
- Build out the arms. Don’t eat marshmallows that have had toothpicks in them.
Tutorial: Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls.
Paracord Bracelets
Parachute cord bracelets are popular with tweens, especially scouts. Kids can also look up how paracord got its name and history.
Medium | 45-60 min. Materials: Paracord (about 8 ft for a wrist), a buckle, scissors, and an adult to seal the cord ends with a lighter.
- Cut the cord and thread it through the buckle.
- Follow a basic cobra weave, tying knots over the center strands.
- Trim the ends and have an adult seal them.
Related on Craftwhack: baby handprint ideas.
Beaded Necklaces
A simple stringing project that tweens often wear straight away. Plan a pattern first, like three of one color then two of another.
Easy | 20-30 min. Materials: Beads or pom-poms, string or elastic cord, scissors.
- Cut a long piece of string and knot one end.
- Thread beads in a pattern.
- Tie the ends together to fit over the head or around the neck.
Tutorial: JoAnn.
Kool-Aid Lip Balm
A two-ingredient recipe: petroleum jelly and Kool-Aid powder. Make small batches and use clean tins, since homemade balm has no preservatives.
Easy | 15 min. Materials: Petroleum jelly, unsweetened Kool-Aid powder, a microwave-safe bowl, small tins. An adult handles the heating.
- An adult melts the petroleum jelly in the microwave in short bursts.
- Stir in a pinch of Kool-Aid powder until you like the color.
- Pour into small containers and let it set.
Tutorial: I Don’t Have Time For That.
Rainbow Soap
Soap making is easier than it looks, and the soap gets used.
Medium | 45 min plus setting. Materials: Melt-and-pour soap base, soap colorants, a microwave-safe cup, a mold. An adult handles the hot soap.
- An adult melts the soap base in short microwave bursts.
- Divide it into cups and stir in a different colorant in each.
- Pour one color at a time into the mold and let each layer set before adding the next.
Tutorial: STEAM Powered Family.
Mini Winter Terrariums
Kids choose what goes inside. For summer, swap the salt for sand. The easiest version is salt plus a toy animal; more advanced ones add pebbles, moss, and cardboard.
Easy | 20-40 min. Materials: A small jar, salt, a small plastic animal or tree, pebbles or moss.
- Pour a layer of salt into the jar.
- Set the animal or tree on top and arrange rocks or moss.
- Screw on the lid and display.
Related on Craftwhack: masking tape art ideas.
Pool Noodle Lightsabers
A Star Wars fan will like these. Pool noodle swords are soft, but remind kids not to swing at faces.
Easy | 15-20 min. Materials: A pool noodle, colored duct tape, a dowel or broom handle. An adult cuts the noodle.
- An adult cuts the noodle into sword lengths.
- Wrap colored tape around the handle section.
- Add a dowel through the middle if you want a stiffer blade.
Tutorial: Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls.
Halloween Lanterns
A spooky silhouette looks great when backlit. If you spray-paint the jar purple, an adult should do it outdoors.
Medium | 45 min. Materials: A glass jar, black paper, tissue paper, glue, a battery tea light (not a real candle).
- Cut a spooky silhouette from black paper.
- Line the jar with colored tissue paper or paint it.
- Glue the silhouette on and place a battery tea light inside.
Tutorial: Adventure in a Box.
Watercolor Paper Pinwheels
Pinwheels look like two paper fans joined into a circle. You can leave them blank and have friends color them at a sleepover. See also our watercolor painting ideas for kids.
Medium | 30-40 min. Materials: Watercolor paper, watercolors, scissors, glue or a stapler.
- Paint or color the paper and let it dry.
- Fold it accordion-style and glue the ends together into a circle.
- Pinch the center and fan out both sides into a pinwheel.
Tutorial: Art Bar.
DIY Custom Phone Case
Many phone cases are plain, so kids can draw their own design.
Easy | 20-30 min. Materials: A clear case, paper, permanent markers or paint pens.
- Draw a design on paper cut to fit the case.
- Slide it under a clear case, or draw right on a plain case with paint pens.
- Let the ink dry before using.
Tutorial: Spruce Crafts.
Tie Dye T-Shirts
Tie dye is easier than it looks. Wear gloves and old clothes.
Medium | 45 min plus setting. Materials: A white cotton T-shirt, a tie dye kit, rubber bands, gloves, a plastic sheet.
- Wet the shirt and twist it into a spiral, securing it with rubber bands.
- Apply dye to each section.
- Let it set for the time on the dye’s label, rinse, and wash it separately.
Tutorial: Happiness is Homemade.
Glow in the Dark Slime
Slime is popular with tweens. Supervise: don’t let kids eat it or put it in their mouths, and wash hands after. Skip it if your child has sensitive skin.
Medium | 20-30 min. Materials: Clear washable PVA school glue, water, baking soda, glow powder, saline solution (contains sodium borate and boric acid).
- Mix 1/2 cup glue with 1/2 cup water, then stir in 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 tablespoon glow powder.
- Stir in 1 tablespoon of saline solution until it pulls away from the bowl.
- Knead until stretchy and charge it under a bright light.
Tutorial: Little Bins for Little Hands.
Perler Beads
A pegboard, ironing paper, and a tub of beads are all you need. An adult should do the ironing, and the beads are a choking hazard for younger siblings.
Easy | 30-60 min. Materials: Perler beads, a pegboard, ironing paper, an iron (adult only).
- Place beads on the pegboard to make your design.
- An adult covers it with ironing paper and irons it for about 10-20 seconds, moving in circles.
- Let it cool, flip it, and iron the other side.
Tutorial: Krysanthe.
Origami
Most kids love folding animals, like cranes, dinosaurs, or dragons. Start with a simple one and move to harder ones, like a horse or Yoda. Origami is part of a Japanese paper-folding tradition that goes back centuries.
Easy-hard | 15-60 min. Materials: Square origami paper.
- Start with a simple fold (a boat or fox face) from a tutorial.
- Crease every fold sharply with your thumbnail.
- Move on to a crane or dragon when ready.
Tutorial: Origami Way.
Play Dough
Play dough helps build hand strength and fine motor skills, and kids can make tiny food for toys, animals, and houses.
Easy | 20+ min. Materials: Play dough or homemade dough, cookie cutters, a rolling pin.
- Roll out the dough or form shapes.
- Add details with plastic tools.
- Mix colors to create new ones.
Tutorial: Artful Parent.
Watercolor Painting
Painting gives quiet or shy kids a way to express themselves, and a framed painting makes a good gift. For more ideas, see watercolor painting ideas for kids.
Easy | 30 min. Materials: Watercolor paints, a brush, watercolor paper.
- Wet the paper and drop in color for a soft background.
- Let dry and add details.
- Hang or frame it.
Related on Craftwhack: Easter drawing ideas.
Color, Cut, and Glue
This combines coloring, cutting precision, and gluing. Free printables are available online if you don’t want to buy a book.
Easy | 20-30 min. Materials: Printable worksheets or books, crayons, kid scissors, a glue stick, optional beads or yarn.
- Color the pieces.
- Cut them out along the lines.
- Glue them onto the base page and add yarn or beads for hair or jewelry.
Tutorial: Education.com.
Paracord Pet Toys
You can make braided toys or a paracord buddy to hang from a collar. Supervise your pet, and throw the toy away if it frays or pieces come loose, since swallowed cord can hurt a dog.
Medium | 30-45 min. Materials: Paracord, scissors, an adult with a lighter to seal ends, optional dog collar.
- Cut three equal lengths and knot them together at the top.
- Braid them tightly and knot the end.
- An adult trims and seals the ends.
Related on Craftwhack: Easter drawing ideas.
Fluffy Cloud Slime
Fluffy slime is soft and puffy compared to regular slime, and white versions look like clouds. Same safety rules as other slime: supervise, don’t eat it, and wash hands.
Medium | 20-30 min. Materials: White school glue, shaving foam, baking soda, saline solution (contains sodium borate), optional white beads.
- Mix glue with shaving foam in a bowl.
- Stir in baking soda and then saline solution a bit at a time until it pulls away.
- Knead until fluffy.
Tutorial: Tatertots and Jello.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can a 10 year old do when bored at home?
Pick a hands-on project they can start right away, like friendship bracelets, origami, Perler beads, or play dough. Keep a bin with paper, markers, yarn, and glue so they can start without shopping.
What are crafts for kids at school?
Low-mess options work best: paper fans, origami, yarn-wrapped letters, and color-cut-and-glue sheets. Skip crafts that need heat, a stove, or messy dyes unless an adult is in charge.
What are fun arts and crafts for a 10 year old girl or boy?
Most of these ideas work for either. Popular picks are friendship bracelets, tie dye, slime, Perler beads, and pool noodle lightsabers. Choose based on your child’s interests.
What are some new craft ideas to try?
Try a twist on a classic, such as fluffy cloud slime instead of regular slime, rainbow soap, or paracord pet toys. Our yarn crafts for kids list has more.
Which of these crafts need an adult?
Rainbow grilled cheese, lip balm, soap, Perler bead ironing, paracord end-sealing, spray paint, and cutting the pool noodle all need an adult. Slime and tie dye need supervision, gloves, and hand washing.
That’s it for our craft ideas for 10 year olds. If your child likes something not listed, like cars, adapt the craft to it.
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