8 Easy DIY Crafts for Kids Using Everyday Hardware Store Finds
Easy Kids Crafting Ideas
Crafting is about the joy of creating and the satisfaction of having the finished product in your hands. Plus, it’s a great way to get kids to step away from their screens and spend some time together!
Here are 8 fun and easy craft ideas that will keep your little ones entertained while helping them develop their artistic and motor skills.
Best of all, many of the supplies can be found at Esh Hardware, a kid-friendly farm and hardware store that’s clean, pleasant to navigate and filled with fun ideas for crafting the day away! Don’t hesitate to ask our friendly staff for help finding what you need for your next crafting adventure.
Spray Paint Silhouette Art
Create striking decorative and holiday art.
You’ll need:
• A canvas of wood/plastic/metal or fabric
• Spray paint in your favorite colors
• Adhesive stencils or tape
• Newspaper for protection
Apply stencils or create shapes with tape on the canvas. In a well-ventilated area (preferably outside), spray paint over the entire canvas. Remove stencils to reveal your masterpiece!
Esh Hardware stocks a wide selection of spray paint, and a range of vivid shades, from glossy to matte and even glitter. For crafts, Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch 2X Ultra Cover spray paint is ideal. “It’s more of a hobby paint,” says Ray Esh of the formula, which is densely pigmented and dries quickly. “It sticks to plastics very well.”
An Instant Chalkboard
Create a small statement wall, or turn a selection of metal, wood, drywall, plaster or glass into an instant chalkboard.
You’ll need:
• Rust-Oleum Chalkboard spray paint
• A section of wall or other chosen surface
• Chalk
Before using chalkboard spray paint on an immobile surface, such as a wall, make sure to adequately vent the room for the recommended cure time and protect surrounding areas from over spray.
Once the paint has cured, prepare the surface for chalk by rubbing side of chalk over entire surface and erasing.
Tip: Remember, safety should always come first. Ensure proper ventilation when using spray paints or sealants, and always supervise children when using tools or potentially messy materials.
String Art
You’ll need:
• A wooden board
• Hammer
• Decorative Finishing Nails. Also known as escutcheon pins, these nails have a domed head that sits above the surface. Esh has a wide selection of these in different sizes and styles, from gleaming brass to matte silver.
Start with a wooden board and hammer the finishing nails in a desired pattern. Simple shapes like hearts or stars work well for beginners, while more advanced crafters can create animals or their favorite cartoon character. Then, kids can wrap colorful string or yarn around the nails, creating a unique design.
DIY Wood Birdhouse
A slightly more advanced project, perfect for older kids:
• Unfinished wooden birdhouse kit
• Acrylic paints
• Paint brushes
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper
• Exterior wood nails
• Bird seed
Follow the kit instructions to assemble the house. Sand any rough edges, then decorate with paint. Be sure to use nails meant for outdoor use, since they’ll resist rust and corrosion. Fill with seed, hang in a tree with twine and watch as fine feathered friends arrive at their new address!
Twig Picture Frames
Bring a bit of nature indoors:
• Straight twigs
• Glue gun
• Woodworking glue sticks
• Cardboard
• Twine
• Photos
Arrange twigs on cardboard to form a frame. Glue in place using a glue gun and glue sticks specifically for woodworking projects. (Esh carries a variety of Stanley glue guns and glue sticks.) Once dry, attach twine to hang and insert your favorite photo.
Painted Wooden Signs
Personalize your space with:
• Small wooden planks
• Acrylic paints
• Paint brushes
• Stencils (optional)
Paint the plank a base color. Once dry, add fun phrases, names or designs. These make great room decorations or personalized gifts for friends and family.
Mason Jar Gift
Transform ordinary Mason jars into one of a kind gifts.
You’ll need:
• Mason jars
• Spray paint (optional)
• Ribbons
Gifts of your choosing, such as candy or the ingredients to make cookies
Place the gifts inside the jar. For added flair, spray paint the jar first.
Tip: A light spray of glitter spray paint is fun for the holidays. Tie a ribbon around the neck, and voila!
Painted Flower Pots
Spruce up plain terracotta pots with:
• Terracotta pots
• Acrylic paints
• Paint brushes
• Clear sealant spray
Let the kids’ imaginations run wild with patterns and designs, from basic to far-out. Seal the finished pots with clear sealant spray, and let dry thoroughly before adding soil and plants.
