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Here are some free or low cost craft activities for 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 year old kids. Create something fabulous and practical that you and your children can enjoy. 

By the time children reach 8 years old, most have a strong sense of what they think ‘looks good’. They enjoy making things they can actually use, and have the motor skills and co-ordination to start creating quite complicated projects.

When you’re thinking about arts and crafts for children in the 8-12 year old age group, think of projects which provide a practical use once the creative part is over. Give your kids the ideas and materials, and then let them explore and experiment on their own. While art and craft techniques can be taught, the only way your child will truly learn is to try it out for themselves.

craft activities

Great craft activities for 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 year old kids

Cool Clipboard

It’s about this age that children start to really take ownership of their room, so they will enjoy making this clipboard to hang on their wall or door. The clipboard is like a mini notice board where you can leave them messages, or clip on important notes and things to remember. They can also use it to clip on certificates, photographs, and reminders of their own.

You will need:

  • A Plain Wooden A4 Clipboard (from a stationery store)
  • Masking Tape
  • Blackboard Paint (Available from hardware stores)
  • An empty film cannister or other small container
  • Patterned Paper (Scrapbooking and wrapping paper works well)
  • Double Sided Tape
  • Clothes Pegs or Bulldog Clips
  • Hot Glue and Glue Gun
  • Ribbons, Stickers, and Embellishments for decoration
  • Small Notepad
  1. Use the masking tape to run a line across the clipboard about 2/3 of the way down.
  2. Paint the bottom 1/3 of the clipboard with blackboard paint. (Blackboard paint comes in either brush on or spray on versions, and both types will require at least 2 coats).
  3. Once the blackboard paint is dry, remove the masking tape to reveal a nice straight line. Make a chalk holder by gluing a film canister to the side of the clipboard using hot glue.
  4. Using double sided tape, stick the patterned paper over the remaining part of the clipboard, and decorate down each side using ribbons, stickers and embellishments.
  5. Using hot glue, stick clothes pegs or bulldog clips across the bottom of the clipboard. If you like, you can also glue pegs or clips down each side.
  6. Secure the notepad under the clip and your child has a ‘cool’ clipboard for their room.

Craft Activities for 8 – 12 year olds‘Do Not Disturb’ Signs

Every child goes through a stage of wanting to keep everybody out of their room, so this sign will definitely come in handy. Simply download our door hanger template, glue it on to heavy card, and then cut it out. Let your child decorate it and add their own words – depending on the message they are trying to get across, and what you think is appropriate. They could make several signs, so they have one for every circumstance (or mood!).

Popular messages are:

  • No Boys Allowed
  • No Girls Allowed
  • Homework in Progress
  • Sleep in Progress
  • Please let me Sleep-In
  • Call Me for Dinner
  • Knock Before Entering
  • Please Knock
  • Tidying My Room – Do Not Disturb
  • Tidying My Room – Help Wanted
  • Booby Trap Set – Enter at Own Risk

Junk Jewellery

craft activities

Jewellery Making is undoubtedly popular with girls at this age, but even some boys like to make surfie styled bracelets or charms for their bags. There are great jewellery making kits available to get you started, but you can make some interesting jewellery using everyday items from around the home. These ideas are a great place to start.

  • Stitch or thread buttons on to a piece of narrow elastic, and tie the ends together to form a bracelet. Collect up your loose or spare buttons from home, or rummage through second hand shops to find ones that are really interesting.
  • Make your own charms for a charm bracelet by simply drilling a hole, and attaching a jump ring (from a craft store) to everyday items. Old 5c pieces, board game counters, puzzle pieces, keys, shells and bottle tops all make fun looking charms. If you don’t have a charm bracelet to attach them to, you can buy a blank bracelet from any good craft store or bead shop for about $5.
  • Create paper beads for jewellery making by ripping long strips of coloured paper or magazine pages, and rolling them around a skewer. Paint a layer of PVA glue around the outside to hold everything in place, remove the skewer, and it’s ready to thread.
  • Make an earthly treasures necklace by threading shells, dried or plastic flowers, feathers, and small pieces of driftwood onto a piece of leather.

For more information about Jewellery Making and how to get started, check out the Jewellery Making article in our Activities section.

Paper Mache Pencil Case

This project will suit both boys and girls, and with a little bit of imagination, they’ll create something truly cool.

You will need:

  • A clean plastic container with a screw on lid.The best kind are the ones that health shakes come in, but if you look in your pantry, you are bound to find something that will work.
  • Newspaper
  • Wallpaper Paste (Available from hardware stores)
  • 2-3 sheets of plain white paper
  • Paints and Brushes
  1. Make up the wallpaper paste using the instructions on the packet, and set it aside to gel. If you don’t have wallpaper paste, you can use a mixture of flour and water, but be aware that your paper mache will eventually go mouldy unless you add a preservative.
  2. Dip the strips of newspaper into the glue, and begin covering the whole container and the lid. Make sure the strips of paper overlap each other.
  3. Once the first layer of paper mache is on, your child can start adding 3D bumps and decorations. Simply roll, bend, or squash up pieces of newspaper to form the desired shapes, and then stick them onto the side of the case using long strips of gluey newspaper, just like you would a piece of tape.
  4. Once all the 3D decorations are ‘taped’ on, continue layering strips of paper all over the pencil case, until it is covered in several layers.
  5. Use your white paper to do a final layer of paper mache, and set the pencil case aside to dry.
  6. After 24 hours, the pencil case can be painted and decorated using whatever you choose.

Giant Game Mat

This activity can be as simple or as elaborate as you choose, and it can keep getting added to as time goes by. All you need is an old tarpaulin, some permanent markers, and lots of imagination.

Lay the tarpaulin out on the floor, and ask your child to draw out their very own NZ city. They can mark in the roads, parks, schools, shopping centres, farms, orchards, amusement parks, lakes, rivers, beaches … you get the picture!

Once everything is mapped out, they can begin building all the bits and pieces using cardboard and collage materials. They’ll need to make things like buildings, fences, bridges, playgrounds, road signs and traffic lights. Finally they get to add their own toys to the mat, like cars, farm animals and play-people, and the game mat is ready to use.

Getting Started

At this age, all your child needs to do arts and crafts is some basic materials and the freedom to use their imagination. Gather a box of card, ribbon, fabric, glue, scissors, wrapping paper, and all sorts of recycled scraps, then let them go to it. You’ll be amazed by what they create, and chances are you’ll wish you thought of it first.

We have loads more crafting ideas that can easily be adapted for this age group, so make sure you check out Cool craft activities for 4, 5, 6 and 7 year oldsand Awesome craft activities for teens as well.

Happy Crafting!

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This information was compiled by the Kiwi Families team.

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Lyla Prewitt

I didn’t really like any of these. Sorry! The ads keep covering the pics. Though the game mat is kinda cool but I don’t want to put in that effort.

Last edited 1 year ago by Lyla Prewitt
Makya Hope Parkman

I’m 9 years i’m a good artist but i’m sick n tired of drawing the same things I just need more ideas .

Jarrod Rendle

This might be too easy for you, but our kids LOVE Art for Kids Hub on Youtube, and draw their projects all the time: https://www.youtube.com/c/ArtforKidsHub — Jarrod

Makayla Arianna

i am an young artist i love to do crafts and paint i am 11 years ol going to turn 12 in june

Ss-ss-s-s--s-stop

First new comment in heh heh four years I am bored too and I can’t play roblox anymore. ://///////////

Last edited 4 years ago by Ss-ss-s-s--s-stop
ronella

hi! im new here! i am 12 years old and i NEED more ideas! i love the ideas you put up but i need more!

mika

I love art and I’m 9 years old I want to do some art to put in my room and I don’t have ideas I got lots of things to make it with but don’t know what to do please post a picture I can copy and teach me how to do arty stuff

Rochelle Gribble

Hi there – have a look here for some great ideas! (And pictures :)). Have fun! http://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/blog/make-it-at-home/

Alice

Im 10 need craft ideas 🙁

selin

OMG i am suffering of boredom right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kenyia

im bored and my name is kenyiaaa so who went to the fair in margate

Bored girl13

I’m sooooooo bored and I’m 9 years old! 🙁

sophie

Hi I’m 12 and have finished school today and have a 6 week break I’m already bored do you have any solutions.

Rochelle Gribble

Hi Sophie – you might find some ideas here: http://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/blog/make-it-at-home/ have fun!

Maria Breker

I am 11 years old, I am the artsy crafty type and I love to make things. My friend is coming over tomorrow, I want to think of fun things to do. Can you help?

Rochelle Gribble

Hi Maria – you can also look here: http://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/blog/make-it-at-home/ Have fun!

ashliegh

this app is really good bro

pumpkin

I am ten and I have nothing to do but go in a site and I really want to do art for a long time I need something to build kinda but like artsy way kinda like a sculpture any ideas

Rochelle Gribble

Hi Pumpkin – have a look at our ‘Make it at home’ blog – you might like some of the ideas there: http://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/blog/make-it-at-home/ Have fun! Rochelle

Badass123

That was pointless and a waste of my time!!!!!!!

ronella

jeez…. be more nicer!!!

i wish my name was kate

i like these ideas but if you cant do any of these go,to http://www.RedTed.com there is tons of crafts you are able to do a lot of the things are normally paper towel roles

Gaurangi

I’m 11 and I need art ideas pronto

lauren

this is terrible for 12 year olds

Amazing sexy landshark girl

I’m like a totally bores girl and it’s summer. Why can’t you have do able projects that are really really simple for me and my special friend to accomplish

Juju2004

I love to craft and I have nothing to craft and I’m 10 years old 🙁

Rochelle Gribble

Hi Juju2004, you could have a look here: http://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/blog/make-it-at-home/ Have fun!

Anavi Basu

Good, but is there anything which takes less time but is fun? I am 10 years old.

Rochelle Gribble

Hi Anavi – you could also look here: http://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/blog/make-it-at-home/

na na na

row row row the boat of lame

hi you sexy

i like those ideas but they are a little babyish. i am almost 10 and i am getting bored.

aleos1232323

what?? how am I going to do this

elizabeth

I have booby trap now hehe booby

Alicia Greene

Oh, never mind. Thank-you, Rochelle Gribble. I’ll head over to that website right now. 🙂

Alicia Greene

Does anybody know of any other websites for craft ideas for the same age group using only household items? I’m 11 3/4 and bored. HELP ME, TOO.

fluffelcat

moomoomoomoomoo

ELIZA RULS

DAWG

ELIZA RULS

ok I WANT A BLOWG

ELIZA RULS

LET ME CREATE A BLOG

Jake

I got another great message for the door hangers!
No boys allowed! Espically brothers!(except for dads!!!

jumbulie

To all of you looking for crafts, i am thirteen and share your problem. but always remember that there is nothing complete. you may, for example, see a paper plate as a paper plate, but i see it as a piece to cut out and make a mask of for my younger siblings. any family member will do. i also know that there are the days of absolute BORINGNESS. grab a friend and have a drawing contest, or get some oils paint and make a mural. even by using just paper, you can create a 3d book to call your… Read more »

Redbird

That was SO FREAKING INSPIRING. Thank you.

Ag lover

I wish that if since I am 9 ther sholde be at least three activities for this age grup becuse I am bord with thes craft

Betsy Isenhower

this is stupid there is nothing easy here for me or my children.

Rochelle Gribble

Hi Betsy,

You could also have a look here: http://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/blog/make-it-at-home/

Good luck!

Rochelle

addie Miller

This site has no fun crafts

aislinnhudson

im 11 and soooooooo extremley bored! please help

Shadowblaze167

I’m a tomboy girl (11) with 2 other girls. What should we make/do??? Something simple and worth keeping

ANDREA

I’am just trying to get an idea for me and my sister she’s 8 and i’am 10 gosh this is so complicated NO HELP AT ALL I DONT LIKE THIS SITE get ideas that are easy next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

followerofChrist02

I’m 11 years old and I really like to do crafts, and this site gave me some fabulous ideas. Thank you so much!!!

Something I do request adding on here, though, is new ideas on duck tape. I haven’t been able to find any other projects that involve that sort of thing.

Rochelle Gribble

Hi there,

I’m so pleased to hear you enjoyed the ideas – thanks for your comment! I had a wee look and found these ideas: http://www.wikihow.com/Category:Duct-Tape-Crafts Hope you have fun!

Rochelle

followerofChrist02

Thanks so much!! As soon as I opened the site, the first thing that I said was “SQEALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I will have so much fun with it!!!!

Rochelle Gribble

Oh great! Hope you have a great time!! Feel free to send up pictures of your finished crafts!!

hiba kourani

can you add pictures inorder us to see it and do the same please, thank you

emily5678

im really bored so please think of some i deas for me
please help!!!!
this might help but i love owl dont mind what size or shape just love owl
please hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllpppppppppppppppp
mee

emily5678

hi im 11 years old and i have comepletely run out of ideas

Lexi

This is a fabulous is website love the door hanging sign idea

Erin Blah Blah

Is there anything i can do quickly? Im 10 and supe4 bored- Help!

kaylee

I want to make a necklace that is a dream catcher and am 9 years old

PJ
chantelle

hi i am 12 and at vacationcare i have nothing to do.. and i was thinking maybe you have some craft ideas for me and my group!

sarah

i,m 7 almost 8 and i cant ever think of crafts please help

Sally @ Kiwi Families

Hi Sarah. Thanks for dropping by. Have you seen our Make It At Home blog for some more great craft ideas? http://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/blog/make-it-at-home/ – the good thing is we are continually adding more stuff like this to the site, so keep checking back and we will have new things for you to try. Good on you for keeping busy!

madison

this site has so much free and creative thing to do with your kids and teens!!! i know this because I am a mom and kindergarden art teacher and i always come here!!

katie

i am 8 years old and i just love crafts but wen i am bored i cant think of anything! can you help?

boblasa

dumb

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