34 Craft Ideas for Tweens (Ages 8-13, Easy Steps)

Here are 34 craft ideas for tweens, from quick desk crafts to jewelry, room decor and gifts, with ages, materials and steps for each. Most use basic supplies you may already have around the house.

Paper crafts, jewelry, string art and friendship bracelets are just a few of the projects kids and adults can make together. Ages are suggestions for tweens (about 9 to 13); adults should handle hot tools, sharp tools, ovens, spray paint and anything with chemicals.

Which Tween Crafts Are Quickest and Easiest?

Idea	Best for	Time	Materials
Washi Tape Pencils and Desk Cups	Ages 8+, beginners	15 minutes	Washi tape, pencils
No-Sew T-Shirt Tote Bag	Ages 8+ (adult cuts for under 10)	30 minutes	Old T-shirt, scissors
Wish Bracelets	Ages 10+	30 minutes	Cord, beads
Pony Bead Lizards	Ages 8+	30 minutes	Pony beads, cord
Glass Photo Magnets	Ages 10+	20 minutes plus drying	Glass gems, photos, glue, magnets
Duct Tape Emoji Bookmarks	Ages 8+	30 minutes	Yellow duct tape, marker
God’s Eye Craft	Ages 8+	30 to 45 minutes	Two sticks, yarn
Paint Scrape Notecards	Ages 8+	30 minutes	Cards, acrylic paint, scraper
Homemade Rainbow Soap	Ages 10+	45 minutes	Melt-and-pour base, colorant, mold
Sharpie Dot Flower Pot	Ages 8+	30 minutes	Pot, markers, stickers

What Are Some Good Jewelry and Accessory Crafts for Tweens?

Jewelry projects fit small spaces and make easy gifts.

1. Wish Bracelets

A twist on friendship bracelets that makes a good gift for a friend.

Age: 10+. Difficulty: Easy. Time: 30 minutes. Materials: Waxed cord or embroidery thread, small beads, scissors, tape.

1. Cut two or three lengths of cord and tape the ends to a table.
2. Tie a row of knots, adding a bead if you like.
3. Make the wish, tie the ends and trim the extra cord.

Find the tutorial at Happy Hour Projects.

2. Pony Bead Lizards

Great for reptile fans. Use one color or mix them up, and look up a lizard book or photo for ideas.

Age: 8+. Difficulty: Easy. Time: 30 minutes. Materials: Pony beads, plastic lacing cord or craft cord, scissors.

1. Cut a length of cord and thread a bead onto the middle.
2. Add beads in a pattern for the body, head and legs, crossing the cord through beads as in the tutorial.
3. Tie off the ends and trim.

Find the tutorial at Sugar Bee Crafts.

3. Handmade Clay Earrings

Mold clay into shapes for earrings and other jewelry. Adults should handle the oven and follow the clay package temperature, and use only new earring hooks (nickel-free if sensitive).

Age: 12+. Difficulty: Medium. Time: 1 hour plus baking. Materials: Polymer clay, cookie cutters or a craft knife (adult), earring hooks, jump rings, pliers.

1. Roll the clay flat and cut shapes.
2. Poke a small hole near the top of each shape.
3. Bake as directed on the package and let them cool.
4. Attach jump rings and earring hooks with pliers.

Find the tutorial at Mod Podge Rocks.

4. Washer Necklace

An inexpensive jewelry craft that works for kids and adults. Leather cord looks polished, though beads and satin cord work too.

Age: 10+. Difficulty: Easy. Time: 20 minutes. Materials: Large hardware washers, leather or satin cord, beads, scissors.

1. Wrap or knot cord around a washer, or thread it through the center.
2. Add beads for decoration.
3. Cut the cord to length and tie it together.

Find the tutorial at Mod Podge Rocks.

5. Upcycled Pop Tab Bracelets

This eco-friendly bracelet turns can tabs into jewelry. Wash tabs well and check for sharp edges before starting.

Age: 12+. Difficulty: Medium. Time: 1 hour. Materials: Clean can pull tabs, velvet ribbon, scissors.

1. Wash and dry the tabs.
2. Thread ribbon through the tabs in a repeating pattern.
3. Tie the ribbon to fit the wrist.

Find the tutorial at Destination Decoration.

6. Element Jar Necklace

Collect sand, tiny seashells and seeds on a walk, then seal them in a small jar to wear as a memory. Keep small items away from younger siblings.

Age: 8+. Difficulty: Easy. Time: 30 minutes plus a nature walk. Materials: Tiny corked glass jars, sand, small shells, seeds, cord.

1. Gather tiny natural items.
2. Fill a small jar and seal it with its cork (glue it for safety if you want).
3. Thread cord through the loop and tie.

Find the tutorial at MomDot.

7. Blinged-Out Keys

Let your tween pick the materials to decorate a spare or bedroom key. Use nail polish with ventilation, and only use keys that are not important.

Age: 10+. Difficulty: Easy. Time: 30 minutes. Materials: Spare keys, sparkly nail polish, glitter, beads or sequins.

1. Clean the key and tape off the teeth.
2. Paint the head with polish and add glitter or sequins.
3. Let it dry fully before using.

Find the tutorial at A Thrifty Mom.

What Are Fun Tween Crafts You Can Wear or Carry?

These are projects tweens can use right away.

8. No-Sew T-Shirt Tote Bag

Turn an old T-shirt into a tote with just scissors. No sewing is needed.

Age: 8+ (adult cuts for under 10). Difficulty: Easy. Time: 30 minutes. Materials: Old T-shirt, fabric scissors, ruler.

1. Cut off the sleeves and widen the neckline.
2. Turn it inside out and cut fringe along the bottom hem.
3. Tie the front and back fringe together in double knots.

Find the tutorial at Craftaholics Anonymous.

9. Duct Tape Wallet

A fun way to sneak in money-management talk with kids who get an allowance.

Age: 10+. Difficulty: Medium. Time: 45 minutes. Materials: Duct tape in 2 colors, scissors, ruler.

1. Make tape sheets by sticking strips sticky-side together.
2. Cut and fold the sheets into pockets.
3. Tape the edges together.

Find the tutorial at Frugal Fun 4 Boys.

10. Star-Spangled Shoes

Paint stars on blank sneakers for the Fourth of July or any day.

Age: 10+. Difficulty: Easy. Time: 45 minutes plus drying. Materials: Plain canvas sneakers, acrylic paint, star stencil or sticker, sponge brush.

1. Stuff the shoes with paper and tape off the soles.
2. Stick the star stencil on and dab paint over it.
3. Peel off the stencil when the paint is dry to the touch and let the shoes dry completely.

Find the tutorial at Happiness Is Homemade.

11. Rainbow Tie-Dye Shoes

Use a foam brush to control where the dye runs. Wear gloves and cover the work surface, since dye stains. While you have the kit out, you can tie-dye T-shirts too.

Age: 10+. Difficulty: Medium. Time: 1 hour plus drying. Materials: White canvas shoes, tie-dye kit, foam brush, masking tape, gloves.

1. Tape off areas you want to stay white.
2. Brush dye in stripes, blending where colors meet.
3. Let the shoes sit as long as the kit says, then let them dry.

Find the tutorial at A Pumpkin And A Princess.

12. Glitter Shoes

Add bling to old shoes. Arrange the glitter into hearts or other shapes. Glitter is messy, so work on a tray or paper.

Age: 12+. Difficulty: Easy. Time: 1 hour plus drying. Materials: Old shoes, craft glue or decoupage glue, fine glitter, brush, clear sealer (use outdoors).

1. Brush glue over the area to cover.
2. Sprinkle glitter and tap off the extra.
3. Let it dry and seal it.

Find the tutorial at Mod Podge Rocks.

13. Marbled Smartphone Case

Swirl nail polish on water to dip a plain case. Work near an open window or outside and keep polish away from kids who tend to put things in their mouths.

Age: 12+. Difficulty: Medium. Time: 30 minutes plus drying. Materials: Plain plastic phone case, nail polish in several colors, a cup of water.

1. Drip drops of polish onto the water and swirl with a toothpick.
2. Dip the case through the polish layer.
3. Let it dry completely before using.

Find the tutorial at The Spruce Crafts.

What Are Some Easy Room Decor Crafts for Tweens?

These projects let tweens customize their own space.

14. Doily and Lace Dream Catcher

Dreamcatchers come from Ojibwe and other Native traditions. This is a home-decor take with lace and doilies. The project is easy.

Age: 10+. Difficulty: Easy. Time: 45 minutes. Materials: Embroidery hoop, doily, lace, fabric scraps, thread.

1. Wrap the hoop with fabric.
2. Stretch a doily across the center.
3. Tie lace and other trim to hang below.

Find the tutorial at Happiness Is Homemade.

15. Glass Photo Magnets

Display family photos around the house or give them as gifts.

Age: 10+. Difficulty: Easy. Time: 20 minutes plus drying. Materials: Flat glass gems, small photos, craft glue, magnets.

1. Trim photos to fit the gems.
2. Glue each photo face-down on the flat side of a gem.
3. Let dry and glue a magnet on the back.

Find the tutorial at Mod Podge Rocks.

16. DIY Flower Monogram

A wall-art letter your tween can hang in their own room.

Age: 10+. Difficulty: Easy. Time: 1 hour. Materials: Cardboard or wood letter, faux flowers, hot glue (adult supervision) or craft glue.

1. Trim flower heads from their stems.
2. Glue them onto the letter, overlapping them to cover it.
3. Let dry before hanging.

Find the tutorial at Decoist.

17. Boho Yarn Wall Hanging

Beads, yarn and feathers recreate boutique-style wall hangings.

Age: 10+. Difficulty: Medium. Time: 1 to 2 hours. Materials: Dowel or stick, yarn, beads, feathers, scissors.

1. Cut many lengths of yarn.
2. Tie them onto the dowel with lark’s head knots.
3. Add beads and trim the bottom straight or in a V.

Find the tutorial at A Cultivated Nest.

18. God’s Eye Craft

God’s eyes (ojos de dios) are a traditional yarn craft. They take some concentration and work for a quiet day.

Age: 8+. Difficulty: Easy to medium. Time: 30 to 45 minutes. Materials: Two sticks, yarn in several colors.

1. Tie two sticks into a cross.
2. Wrap yarn around each arm in turn, going over and under.
3. Change colors by tying on a new strand, then finish and tie off.

Find the tutorial at Persia Lou.

19. Canvas String Art Graffiti

Use paint markers if you want less mess. Spray paint should only be used outside with adult help. Mix up colors by painting different string sections.

Age: 12+. Difficulty: Medium. Time: 2 hours plus drying. Materials: Canvas, string or yarn, paint markers or spray paint (outdoors, adult supervision), tape.

1. Glue string onto the canvas in a design.
2. Paint over the string and canvas.
3. Peel off the string to reveal the pattern.

Find the tutorial at Juggling Act Mama.

20. Pom-Pom Throw Pillows

Pom-poms make a plain pillow look new.

Age: 8+. Difficulty: Easy. Time: 1 to 2 hours. Materials: Plain pillow, yarn (cotton is soft), pom-pom maker or cardboard, fabric glue or needle and thread.

1. Make a pile of pom-poms.
2. Plan the layout on the pillow.
3. Attach each pom-pom with glue or stitches.

Find the tutorial at Sincerely Saturday.

21. DIY Recycled Lightbulb Aquarium

Marimo moss balls are a type of algae that live in water. Removing the inside of a bulb is delicate, and glass can break, so an adult should handle that step. Wear eye protection and gloves.

Age: 14+ with an adult. Difficulty: Hard. Time: 1 hour. Materials: Burned-out lightbulb, marimo moss ball, small stones, water, glove and safety glasses.

1. Have an adult safely open the bulb and clean it.
2. Add pebbles and a marimo ball.
3. Fill it with water and seal or stand it in a holder.

Find the tutorial at Soap Deli News.

What Are Good Desk and School Crafts for Tweens?

These make school supplies more fun.

22. Washi Tape Pencils and Desk Cups

This is one of the quickest ideas here, with no glue, cardboard or glitter. Wrapping a single pencil takes only a few minutes.

Age: 8+. Difficulty: Very easy. Time: 15 minutes. Materials: Washi tape, pencils, empty jars or cups.

1. Start the tape at the top of a pencil.
2. Wrap in a spiral and trim.
3. Tape stripes onto a clean jar for a desk cup.

Find the tutorial at Happiness Is Homemade.

23. Mousepad With Scrapbook Paper

Make a custom mouse pad or revive an old one.

Age: 10+. Difficulty: Easy. Time: 30 minutes plus drying. Materials: Old mousepad or thick cardboard, scrapbook paper, decoupage glue, brush.

1. Cut paper to size.
2. Brush glue on the base and smooth the paper over it.
3. Seal with a layer of glue.

Find the tutorial at Mod Podge Rocks.

24. DIY Dry Erase Boards From Frames

A fairly challenging project. Start with a small frame, then go bigger. Different colors of washi tape give a better look.

Age: 10+. Difficulty: Medium. Time: 30 minutes. Materials: Picture frames (start with 4 x 6), scrapbook paper, washi tape, dry erase marker.

1. Remove the frame back and place paper behind the glass.
2. Decorate the frame with washi tape.
3. Put it back together and write with dry erase markers.

Find the tutorial at Mod Podge Rocks.

25. Duct Tape Emoji Bookmarks

Folded duct tape corner bookmarks with emoji faces. Fun, and they might get kids to open a book.

Age: 8+. Difficulty: Easy. Time: 30 minutes. Materials: Yellow duct tape, black marker, scissors.

1. Fold a piece of duct tape into a triangle pocket.
2. Cover it in yellow tape.
3. Draw an emoji face with permanent marker.

Find the tutorial at Schooling A Monkey.

26. Paint Scrape Notecards

A colorful project with a mess, so keep wipes handy. Gift a set to someone special.

Age: 8+. Difficulty: Easy. Time: 30 minutes. Materials: Blank cards, acrylic paint, an old gift card or scraper.

1. Squeeze lines of paint on a card.
2. Drag a scraper across to blend.
3. Let dry.

Find the tutorial at Persia Lou.

27. Sparkle Tumblers

Use fine glitter and cover the work area. Hand-wash tumblers; don’t put them in the dishwasher.

Age: 12+. Difficulty: Medium. Time: 1 hour plus drying. Materials: Clear double-walled acrylic tumbler, sequins, fine glitter, clear sealant (adult).

1. Unscrew the tumbler.
2. Fill the space with sequins and glitter per the tutorial.
3. Seal it and let it dry.

Find the tutorial at Sunshine and Hurricanes.

What Are Fun Gift and Self-Care Crafts for Tweens?

Ingredients matter here, so read labels and check for allergies before gifting.

28. Homemade Rainbow Soap

Use a melt-and-pour base, which doesn’t require lye. Melted soap is hot, so adults should handle that step. Never make lye soap with kids.

Age: 10+. Difficulty: Easy. Time: 45 minutes. Materials: Melt-and-pour soap base, soap colorants, silicone mold, microwave-safe jug.

1. Melt the base and divide it into cups.
2. Color each cup and pour in layers.
3. Let each layer set before the next, then pop out.

Find the tutorial at Mod Podge Rocks.

29. Color-Saturated Bath Bombs

The fizz comes from baking soda and an acid, usually citric acid. Colorant can stain tubs, and fragrance can irritate skin, so use skin-safe colorants and keep scent light.

Age: 10+. Difficulty: Medium. Time: 30 minutes plus drying. Materials: Baking soda, cornstarch, citric acid, oil, coloring made for soap/bath, molds.

1. Mix the dry ingredients.
2. Add liquid a few drops at a time until it clumps.
3. Press into molds and dry.

Find the tutorial at DIY Candy.

30. Make Your Own Lip Balm

A few inexpensive ingredients make a balm. Check for allergies (beeswax, nut oils), and have an adult handle the hot wax. Don’t share lip balm.

Age: 10+. Difficulty: Easy. Time: 10 to 20 minutes. Materials: Beeswax, oil, small tins, a heat source (adult).

1. Melt the wax and oil together.
2. Pour into tins.
3. Let set.

Find the tutorial at Happiness Is Homemade.

31. Cupcake Lip Balm

Fill egg-shaped containers with flavored balm and top with edible sprinkles. This is a one-person item, so don’t share.

Age: 10+. Difficulty: Easy. Time: 30 minutes. Materials: Egg-shaped lip balm containers, lip balm base, flavoring, edible sprinkles.

1. Melt the base.
2. Add flavoring and pour.
3. Top with sprinkles while soft.

Find the tutorial at DIY Projects for Teens.

32. Easy DIY Clay Jewelry Dish

A baked dish to hold rings and earrings. Follow the clay package for temperature and time. Don’t use it for food.

Age: 10+. Difficulty: Easy. Time: 30 minutes plus baking. Materials: Oven-bake clay, rolling pin, bowl or cup for shaping, oven (adult).

1. Roll the clay flat.
2. Press it over a small bowl and trim.
3. Bake as directed and let it cool.

Find the tutorial at Hello Glow.

33. Cute Concrete Planter

Wear gloves, a dust mask and eye protection when handling concrete mix. It irritates skin and lungs. Let it cure before planting.

Age: 12+ with an adult. Difficulty: Medium. Time: 1 hour plus curing. Materials: Quick-setting concrete or cement mix, two nesting containers, gloves, dust mask, small succulent.

1. Mix the concrete with water as directed.
2. Pour into the larger container and press the smaller one into the middle.
3. Cure, then remove the molds and plant.

Find the tutorial at Instructables.

34. Sharpie Dot Flower Pot

Decorate a pot with a name or dots. Markers can smell strong, so ventilate. For more marker art ideas, see Craft Whack.

Age: 8+. Difficulty: Easy. Time: 30 minutes. Materials: Terracotta or plastic pot, permanent markers, sticker letters.

1. Stick on letters.
2. Make dots all over.
3. Remove the stickers and add a plant.

Find the tutorial at DIY Candy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some fun crafts for kids to do when they are bored?

Pick a quick project that uses supplies you already have, such as washi tape pencils, duct tape bookmarks or paint scrape notecards. Each takes around 15 to 30 minutes and needs little setup.

What is a 5 minute craft?

Wrapping a pencil in washi tape is one of the fastest. Decorating a pot with sticker letters and dots is another short one, if you have the pot and markers ready.

What are some cool crafts for a 12-year-old?

Twelve-year-olds can handle more detailed projects such as clay earrings, tie-dye shoes, marbled phone cases and canvas string art. Adults should still help with ovens, spray paint and sharp tools.

What are some good art items for teenagers?

Good basics include acrylic paints, fine paint markers, a sketchbook, polymer clay, washi tape and yarn. These cover most of the projects on this page.

What are some popular crafts right now?

Beaded and cord jewelry, decorated tumblers, clay trinket dishes and boho yarn decor are common picks in this list. Popularity changes quickly, so check social media for fresh ideas.

What are some crafts for kids at school?

Desk crafts such as washi tape pencils, bookmarks, notecards and mouse pads work well for classrooms. Skip anything with hot tools, spray paint, concrete or lip balm in a school setting.

Summertime with tweens doesn’t have to be a chore. With so many craft ideas and readily available supplies, you can keep them busy and enjoy some time together.

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