Looking for some fun, easy, and inexpensive craft ideas for your kids this spring? Â The three activities below are sure to keep them engaged without having to spend a lot on craft supplies. Â From stress release strategies to readers’ theater to a colorful flower that work well for Mother’s Day, these ideas can be easily incorporated into the curriculum.
Fun Spring Crafts for Kids
Stress Balls
Spring brings flowers, sunshine, and…state-mandated testing. As any teacher knows, testing creates anxiety and stress. Give your students an outlet for their stress by having them create stress balls. For your students who always need to have something in their hands, this is the perfect activity.
Materials:
- Play Dough (Homemade or store bought)
- 9” balloons
- Permanent markers
Directions:
- Gather supplies and pair students up for the activity.
- Give each student a deflated balloon and a ball of play dough that is slightly larger than a golf ball.
- Working together, students stuff their balloons with the dough and tie the end after getting out the excess air by squeezing the top.
- Decorate the balloon with a design or face.
Marvelous Masks
Readers’ Theater is a lot more fun when costumes are involved! Break out the craft supplies and let students create their very own masks for playacting. Whatever supplies you have on hand will work.
Materials:
- Mask forms (or paper plates that have been cut into the shape of a mask)
- Glue
- Glitter
- Feathers
- Foam Shapes
- Crayons
- Markers
Directions:
Let students decorate their masks to represent the characters they are portraying in Readers’ Theater.
Paint Chip Flowers
Crafts are always fun to do, but when the supplies are free they are even better. Paint chips from the hardware or home improvement store are a great free crafting material.
Materials:
- Glue
- Paint chips in a variety of colors
- Construction Paper
Directions:
Let students create flowers using paint chips. The creations can decorate the windows, bulletin boards, or be the cover for a book for Mother’s Day.
What are some of your favorite Spring crafts for kids? Share them with us below!
Laura Simons says
I have 3rd grade FCAT testing coming up and the stress balls look like a great idea. Definitely will have to try them.
Cathy Panczyk says
I love the stress ball idea!!! With spring break next week and three weeks of “crunch time” until FCAT …everyone needs something to squish with their hands!!!! I’ll be making those with my kids for sure!
Cathy Panczyk says
I’m going to stop and pick up some paint chips over the break …these flowers would also be a great way to do synonyms or antonyms …one word in the middle and all the alternatives on the petals!!!
Alessia says
Heading over to my paint store this weekend to get samples. I love the flower! So easy and cute!
Carisa Swanson says
These are very neat activities!! I wish I would have seen this article before our Stanford testing (ISATs) with my class…the stress balls would have come in handy! 🙂
Sarah Dewey says
Love the masks! My students would enjoy making them and wearing them!
ADrienne D says
I love the paint chips flower. I hadn’t decided what to do with my Kindergarteners for Mother’s Day yet, but now I know!! Thanks for the awesome idea.
Bridgett G says
I like the stress ball idea. I have preschoolers that have ants in their paints during group time. maybe these would help them concentrate on the ball and me instead of being a distraction to the others.
Audrey Barad says
I have a bunch of paint color chips that I have collected through the years. Now I know what I can do with them. Great idea!!!!!! (and so easy!)
Mary Ellen says
The stress balls are a great idea! I think the teachers may want to make their own!
Kelli Ward says
We made stress balls last week for testing and the kids loved them! So did the teachers:)
Heather Campbell says
I love the stress ball idea! That is fantastic and easy to make! Love it!
Amanda Lawson says
Using paper chips to make things is a great idea. I have used paper chips for all kkinds of language arts activities, such as contractions.
jan G says
love the stress balls!! PTA could make these for teachers at testing time. I will be making them for the first day of school next year. Each parent will get one the first day of kindergarten when they drop off their child.
Christina D. says
Inexpensive craft ideas! Love it. We all need stress balls as the year nears an end. 🙂
Joyce B says
I can’t wait to make the flowers for mothers day. We will use them as a cover to our book about MOM.
Thanks for the great ideas!
Renee Sims says
I am always thrilled to see ideas using paint chips. I am not sure the stores really like to see teachers come in to get the samples, but I consider that a public service being provided:)
Lila King says
I love the stress ball idea and how inexpensive it is, especially with the budget cuts. Our supply money is so small it barely covers paper and pencils, and I am not exaggerating. Thanks for the tip!
Teri says
Great ideas!! I love the stress ball idea!
Jen says
How sad that we need to make stress balls for students due to state assessments!