These 40+ awesome craft ideas for teens and tweens will keep your kids busy, creative, and entertained all year long!
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Summer break is looming upon us, and my kids are already starting to pepper their sentences with those inevitable declarations of “I’m bored!” We’ve shared our favorite 15-Minute Kids Craft that Anyone Can Make (perfect for children ages 3-10), and today we’re sharing 40+ cool crafts for the older kids. These creative boredom busters are sure to appeal to your favorite tweens and teens, and with over 40 project ideas, there’s enough here to keep them crafting all summer long!
Bonus: lots of these creative craft ideas can be created using only items that you already have on-hand! No special tools or materials needed!
Crafts for Tweens & Teens
Crystal Geode Eggs
Crystal Geode Eggs from Sweet Paul: Grow gorgeous crystal geodes in your own home! This is a perfect craft to do with your kids!
DIY Striped Shades
Show your true colors by customizing a pair of sunglasses in six simple steps with this DIY Striped Shades tutorial from Bestsunglasses2u!
Geometric Stamped Shoes
If you’re on the lookout for fun projects that help kids explore their creativity, these Geometric Stamped Shoes from Happiness Is Homemade is a great idea for your teen or tweens!
Paracord Bracelets
I’m always on the hunt for easy and fun crafts for teens and tweens! This Paracord Bracelets craft from Happiness Is Homemade is tons of fun for both boys and girls!
God’s Eye Techniques
God’s Eye Techniques from Persia Lou: Your teen or tween will love this colorful wall hanging! All you need is yarn and sticks to make this beautiful traditional craft!
DIY Donut Scented Soap
DIY Donut Scented Soap from Happiness Is Homemade: These DIY donut shaped soaps are quick and easy to make, and they smell just like fresh baked donuts, too! They make great gifts for your friends & family!
Neon Geometric Umbrella
Neon Geometric Umbrella from Happiness Is Homemade: Embellish your boring umbrella with some bright pops of neon color that will chase away the blahs on a grey day!
Folded Paper Bracelets
Folded Paper Bracelets from Picklebums: Making a folded paper bracelet is a fun way to keep the kids busy and to use up old paintings or upcycled junk mail!
Mosaic Flower Pot Birdbath
Mosaic Flower Pot Birdbath from Happiness Is Homemade: Looking for a fun and easy DIY project? Check out this Mosaic birdbath you can make easily that will look great in your yard!
Candy Button Dot Earrings
If you’re looking for a quick, easy and inexpensive handmade gifts for your friends or family, these Candy Button Dot Earrings from Happiness Is Homemade are just the thing for you! Can you guess what they’re made from? I bet you probably have a whole bunch on-hand already!
Simple Woven Wall Hangings
Here is a fun project that help kids explore their creativity! Simple Woven Wall Hangings from Art Bar is a cool craft for kids, teens, and tweens! I love all the different colors and combinations!
Magnetic Slime
Magnetic Slime from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls: Did you know that it’s possible to make slime that is magnetic? Who knew slime could be this much fun?
Safety Pin Bracelet & Necklace
This Safety Pin Bracelet & Necklace tutorial from Brit Co is taking the beaded safety pin to a seriously stylish level! For this easy craft, all you need are safety pins, beads, and elastic string!
10-Minute Lip Balm
10-Minute Lip Balm (in any flavor! from Happiness Is Homemade: Make your own lip balm or lip gloss in just ten minutes! Homemade lip balm is a fantastic DIY gift idea with unlimited flavor and color options!
Origami Lucky Stars
Origami Lucky Stars from The Spruce Crafts: Origami lucky stars are a traditional design that can be made into a lovely handmade gift! These paper crafts are often used to fill glass jars to be used as home décor – perfect for teen bedrooms!
Cascarones (Confetti Eggs)
Cascarones (Confetti Eggs) from Happiness Is Homemade: Everyone from little kids through teen girls and boys will love with these “confetti eggs,” and we like to make them to celebrate all sorts of holidays!
Heat Sensitive Color Changing Slime
Heat Sensitive Color Changing Slime from Left Brain Craft Brain: Color-changing slime? Absolutely! This slime is extra fun and there’s some pretty cool science behind it, too!
Rock Candy
Rock Candy from Happiness Is Homemade: Learn how to make rock candy at home with this easy rock candy recipe and tutorial! A delicious and fun science experiment for kids that combines science and sweets! Kids love this yummy activity!
Easy String Art
Easy String Art from Sugar Bee Crafts: String art is an inexpensive and cool craft for teens and tweens! You might even have everything on-hand to make one for yourself on a whim!
Tie Dyed Garden Flag
Tie Dyed Garden Flag from Happiness Is Homemade: If you’re fanatical about tie dyeing and reusing materials, this craft is for you! For this craft, we upcycled one of our old shirts into a colorful new garden flag!
Giant Paper Pinwheels
Giant Paper Pinwheels from Kids Activities: Use this printable pinwheel template with some simple supplies like colored paper, pins, and pencils, to make adorable homemade pinwheels!
No-Sew Zipper Pouch
No-Sew Zipper Pouch from Happiness Is Homemade: This craft so simple that your kids will want to make dozens of them! It makes a great pencil pouch, makeup bag, or tablet case (and SO much more!) with easy to customize sizing!
Heart Button Canvas
Heart Button Canvas from Crafts By Courtney: Grab a canvas, some glue, and a bunch of buttons to create customized room décor like this cute heart canvas!
Easy DIY Journal
If you’re on the lookout for fun projects that help kids explore their creativity, this Easy DIY Journal from Organized 31 is definitely a quick and easy project.
Star Spangled Shoes
Star Spangled Shoes from Happiness Is Homemade: These bright and cheerful shoes utilize acrylic paint and a star shaped stencil to create a wearable work of art!
Duct Tape Wallet
Duct Tape Wallet from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls: Follow this easy tutorial to make customized and unique wallets!
Marshmallow Shooters
Marshmallow Shooters from Happiness Is Homemade: The construction is simple and straightforward: It’s all made from 1/2″ PVC pipe and connectors! Add some paint for personalization, and you’re ready to play!
No-Sew T-Shirt Tote Bag
No-Sew T-Shirt Tote Bag from Craftaholics Anonymous: It’s so easy to turn old t-shirts into a tote bag, and the best part is, there’s no sewing required! All you need is scissors and an old t-shirt, you can make a super awesome tote bag!
Perler Bead Bowls
Perler Bead Bowls from Happiness Is Homemade: These bright and cheery bowls are perfect for storing all of your small trinkets and treasures, and they make a special gift for friends and grandparents!
Water Bottle Win Spirals
Do you love to make homemade yard ornaments using found or recycled materials? These Water Bottle Win Spirals from CBC Parents are a great way to make homemade art!
Personalized School Supplies
Personalized School Supplies from Happiness Is Homemade: Send your kids back to school in style with personalized school supplies using Duck Tape!
Colorful Votive Holder
Colorful Votive Holder from Makezine: This project is quick and easy, and a great way to whip up custom party décor on the cheap!
Washi Tape Pencils & Desk Cup
Washi Tape Pencils & Desk Cup from Happiness Is Homemade: Dress up and personalize your back-to-school supplies with this quick washi tape craft that can be completed in under 15 minutes!
DIY Flower Pens
DIY Flower Pens from Living Well Mom: It’s so quick and easy to make your own, you can have a pile in no time! They’re easy enough for kids to make too!
Doily and Lace Dream Catcher
Doily and Lace Dream Catcher from Happiness Is Homemade: This lovely dream catcher is made from an embroidery hoop, vintage sheets, a doily and lots of pretty lace. It’s a gorgeous project that’s super easy to make!
Glass Photo Magnets
Glass Photo Magnets from Mod Podge Rocks: These easy photo magnets are so simple and easy to make! Give these glass magnets as gifts, use them as party favors, or just enjoy them for yourself!
DIY Flower Monogram
DIY Flower Monogram from Decoist: With some basic supplies, you can create diy wall art that is sure to impress!
Fizzy Bath Bombs
Fizzy Bath Bombs from Happiness Is Homemade: These quick & easy DIY Citrus Fizz Bath Bombs are super simple to make, and they’re a fantastic homemade gift idea for Mother’s Day, birthdays and more!
Wish Bracelets
These Wish Bracelets from Happy Hour Projects make great gifts for your friends, or are a fun craft to do for groups! This cute diy project is a creative take on friendship bracelets!
Pony Bead Lizards
Pony Bead Lizards from Sugar Bee Crafts: These cool beaded lizard DIY crafts are super fun for kids of all ages!
Gel Dish Soap Resist Painting
Gel Dish Soap Resist Painting from Create Art with Me: Create your own designs and make one of a kind art projects with this easy tutorial!
There are so many cool diy projects in this collection! Your favorite tweens and teens are going to have a super creative time with these awesome crafts!
Check Out These Other Craft Ideas!
If you like these ideas, don’t forget to pin them!
Heidi Kundin has captivated the hearts of millions with her colorful and inspiring approach to crafting, celebrations, and family fun. With over 15 years of experience, Happiness is Homemade has become a must-visit destination for those seeking quick and easy creative ideas and last-minute solutions. Heidi’s warm personality shines through her posts, inviting readers to join her on a creative journey that’s fun, rewarding, and achievable. Heidi is also the author of Homemade Bath Bombs & More and DIY Tie-Dye.