**Full Disclosure: Family Christian provided an appreciation certificate so I could purchase what I needed for these crafts. All opinions are my own.
I do a bit of volunteering at our church. I have been the AWANA Sparks Secretary for about 3 years, I’ve worked ETC (watched kids during church service) and still fill in occasionally and this year I’ve added Vacation Bible School director to my duties. Working with kids (who are not your own) can be challenging, but it’s rewarding, too! Having simple craft ideas for kids in my memory bank helps make things run a little more smoothly. Here are a few I’ve used recently or plan to use for VBS.
Simple Craft Ideas for Kids
Button Bugs
What You’ll Need:
- Buttons (I used flowers)
- Craft Wire – 20 or 22 gauge (note: I tried paper clips and that did not work!)
- Wiggly Eyes
- Needle Nose Wire Cutters
- Glue
Instructions:
- Cut two or three lengths of craft wire. Size depends on your button – small buttons will need less wire.
- Fold the wire in half and push it through the button holes from the top down.
- Using your needle nose wire cutter, twist the wire on the bottom of the button two or three times.
- Bend the wire to make the bug stand.
- Glue the wiggly eyes on and allow to dry.
- That’s it – Use as desired!
Button Bracelets
What You’ll Need:
- Buttons
- Scissors
- Crochet Thread or Bracelet Cord
Instructions:
- Cut two lengths of thread a little longer than needed to fit a child’s wrist.
- Push the thread through one button hole and then the other.
- Knot the end of your thread.
- Wear and enjoy!
Cardstock Chain Snake
What You’ll Need:
- Cardstock
- Glue or tape
- Scissors
- Wiggly Eyes
- Yarn, optional
Instructions:
- Cut lengthwise strips of cardstock.
- Roll into a circle and glue or tape the ends together.
- After the first one, connect the circles to each other. Make as long or as short as you’d like.
- Glue wiggly eyes to the front.
- Cut small piece of yarn (or red cardstock) to resemble a tongue. Glue it under the eyes.
- Display as you see fit!
Jesus Heals Our Hearts Art
The button bug is my favorite of the above crafts, which is your favorite?
If you need more inspiration for Simple Craft Ideas for Kids, check these out:
- Easy Heart Ring Craft from My Little Me
- Hopping Into Your Heart Valentine’s Frog from MomDot (I am going to use this guy for VBS decorations!)
- Hand Print Butterfly Craft by Long Wait for Isabella
- Paper Straw Necklaces by Life with Levi
What fantastic ideas!!! I can see Dottie’s Girl Scout troop doing those button bracelets and that snake is too cute. But nothing, nothing, nothing, compares to those adorable button bugs. LOVE!!!!!!!
I love the button bugs the best. Kids could have fun playing with those in the grass for hours. They could have a little bug family!
Those button bugs are too cute. I am going to try and make these. These crafts are always so cute and I can never make time do this.
These are such cute ideas! I LOVE the button bugs. They’re adorable!
I love those button bugs! I think they would be awesome to have on a lawn, not to mention they are too cute.
That cardstock chain snake is wicked cute. My little guy would love that.
I LOVE the button bugs! Now if I could only convince Mother Nature to stop bringing snow, we could make some and decorate our garden with them!
These are all really great ideas. I really like the button bugs they are cute.
What fun crafts! My kids love doing things like this with me. I think we’ll do the chain snake first!
Oh how cute and fun! Those button bugs are beyond adorable! I need to make some with my kiddos.
That cardstock snake is just too cute. I know my daughter would have loved making those button bugs when she was little.
Such cute and simple ideas for the kids. I love the button bracelet, way too cute!
The little button bugs are SO darling! I used to do crafts with my daughter when she was little – I sure do miss those times, and we would have loved to make these!
Such great ideas, and something that each of my kids would love! I love the button bracelets the most. So fun!
Those button bugs are definitely winners. I like crafts like this where I can make a gift for friends and family that takes up little room and can be placed somewhere where they remember how special they are to me. This is the one!
These are great ideas! My kids would love the snake!
These are such fun ideas. Those button bracelets are really cute and I wouldn’t mind having one for myself!
I remember when my kids were little and would love to do crafts. they are 17 and 13 now, so no more craft projects
These are just too cute for words! I am sure kids will have a ball making these!
Awe! Those button ladybugs are so cute! I think that would be a fun craft for when my girls get together with their girlfriends. Make some friendship button ladybugs!
These are all cute crafts. I like that they’re easy enough too that the younger kids can participate without getting frustrated or overwhelmed.
That’s about the only kind of craft I enjoy … easy enough for a toddler! 🙂
These are lovely crafts,My daughters would love the bracelets.
I love those ideas!!! i’m going to have to try those with my kids. i bet they will have a blast.
I needed some craft ideas. Spring break is coming up and I need stuff to keep the kids entertained.
I love the button bugs! They are so cute and fun. They could also be educational. These are great crafts!
Love the Button bugs. Lots of great ideas.
These are so cute, the button bugs are my favorite!
Those button bugs are so cute. When kiddo was younger we made quite a few pieces of jewelry out of old buttons. That was always so much fun.
These are such fun crafts! I love crafts that both of my kids can do together!
I bet I have some old buttons here for bugs. Great spring time cratfs
These are fantastic crafts! I love that these crafts are so easy for kids to do!
These are the coolest crafts! I will do some of these with my daughter.
Great ideas! These are soo cute and fun. Thanks for sharing.
Theses are really cute ideas. I did the snake when I was little. I’m going to do that one with my daughter.