7 Easy Crafts for Kids with Paint, Pom Poms, Pipe Cleaners & Popsicle Sticks

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, the author may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These recommendations are personally selected for quality and usefulness to help support the creation of helpful content like this.

Looking for fun, screen-free activities that keep little hands busy and spark creativity? These 7 easy crafts for kids use classic craft materials—like paint, pom poms, pipe cleaners, and popsicle sticks—to turn ordinary afternoons into imaginative play sessions. Every project is kid-friendly, low-mess, and packed with creativity. Whether it’s rainy day boredom or a planned craft afternoon, these ideas are perfect for children aged 3–10.

If you’re working with toddlers or preschoolers, you’ll love this curated list of 7 Fun and Easy Crafts for Kids Ages 2–5 – Perfect for Toddlers & Preschoolers. It’s specially designed for younger age groups with safe, simple, and sensory-rich ideas.

Each craft is simple enough to follow step-by-step, and the materials are affordable and easy to find. Most are likely already in your craft bin—but if you need a few extras, we’ve recommended a few tried-and-tested favorites from Amazon that offer great value and durability.

1. Pom Pom Critters with Pipe Cleaner Legs

Let kids create their own fuzzy critter collection using colorful pom poms, pipe cleaners, and googly eyes. Think caterpillars, bugs, or wild creatures with twisty legs and antennae.

Steps:

• Glue a large pom pom to a base (like a mini cardboard circle).
• Twist and shape pipe cleaners into legs or wings, then glue them onto the pom pom.
• Add googly eyes and a tiny smile with a marker.

This open-ended project lets kids decide how silly or spooky their critters should be.

✨ If your child enjoys tactile crafts like these, the toddler-friendly list of easy crafts for ages 2–5 is a must-see next.

2. Popsicle Stick Puppets

Turn simple popsicle sticks into puppet characters for storytelling or pretend play. Kids can draw animals, people, or their favorite characters on paper and glue them onto the sticks.

Steps:

• Draw or print small character faces or bodies.
• Cut and glue them onto popsicle sticks.
• Decorate with yarn for hair, fabric scraps for clothes, or pom poms for buttons.

Recommended Product:
🛒 Crayola Washable Kids Paint Set – These paints are vibrant, washable (huge plus for parents), and kid-approved. The smooth texture makes them perfect for popsicle stick painting too. They’ve been used in countless craft sessions without staining clothes or hands.

3. Paper Bag Monster Puppets

This classic craft turns plain lunch bags into silly, scary, or sweet monsters. Great for group play or classroom fun.

Steps:

• Use markers, paper shapes, yarn, and googly eyes to design a monster face on the bottom flap of a paper bag.
• Decorate the front of the bag with fur, scales, or patterns.
• Add arms or legs using cut paper or pipe cleaners.

Kids love putting on mini puppet shows once their monsters are ready!

4. Painted Rock Garden Friends

Collect smooth rocks from your yard or local park, then transform them into garden bugs, animals, or magical creatures.

Steps:

• Wash and dry rocks thoroughly.
• Paint them using acrylics or kids’ washable paints.
• Add details like eyes, wings, or spots with markers or glitter glue.

Perfect for outdoor display or as gifts for family and friends.

5. Pom Pom Rainbows

This colorful craft helps young kids with color sorting and fine motor skills while producing a bright, cheerful decoration.

Steps:

• Draw or print a rainbow outline on cardstock.
• Glue pom poms in rows along the rainbow’s arcs, matching colors to each section.
• Add cotton balls at the base for clouds.

Recommended Product:
🛒 Creativity Street Assorted Pom Poms Pack – These soft, vibrant pom poms come in a generous variety of sizes and colors, perfect for everything from rainbows to fuzzy creatures. They’re easy to glue and hold their shape beautifully.

6. Pipe Cleaner Bubble Wands

Why buy bubble wands when kids can design their own? This activity combines crafting with outdoor play.

Steps:

• Twist a pipe cleaner into a circle at one end and form a handle.
• Decorate the handle with beads or wrap it in yarn.
• Dip into bubble solution and enjoy the fun!

Kids can experiment with different shapes—stars, hearts, even flowers!

7. Popsicle Stick Picture Frames

These mini frames are perfect for kids to frame their own drawings or photos. They also make sweet handmade gifts.

Steps:

• Glue four popsicle sticks into a square frame.
• Paint the sticks and decorate with sequins, glitter glue, stickers, or drawings.
• Attach a small photo or drawing to the back with tape.

Recommended Product:
🛒 Wooden Craft Sticks Bulk Pack – These smooth, splinter-free craft sticks come in a big bundle, ideal for every craft you can imagine. They’re durable and hold up well to painting and glue projects.

Final Thoughts

Crafting with kids doesn’t need to be complicated. With a few basic materials—paint, pom poms, pipe cleaners, and popsicle sticks—you can create hours of fun and encourage imagination, storytelling, and creativity. Every one of these projects has been tested by real parents and caregivers, making them reliable go-tos for rainy days or weekend crafting.

If you’re looking for even simpler, low-prep options for younger kids, don’t miss this easy toddler-friendly craft guide. It’s packed with gentle, age-appropriate activities that nurture early motor skills while keeping little ones entertained.

And when you stock up on a few high-quality craft supplies, you’ll be ready for spontaneous creative moments any time!