Keeping 3 year olds busy can be a real chore. Whether you’re a busy mom or a teacher, it’s tough work. That’s why we’ve curated this list of arts and fun crafts for three year olds that will keep them busy and having fun!
Arts and Crafts For Three Year Olds
Paper Plate Butterflies
Easy and fun for everyone, paper plate crafts are cheap and always a great choice. Click here to learn how to make these paper plate butterflies!
Squirt Gun Painting
Okay, I’m a little jealous I didn’t get to do this as a kid. Squirt gun painting – how cool! Just set up some canvases outside and let your kids go to town making their own abstract art. Click here to see more pics and ideas.
Cloud Dough
This non-toxic play sand is fun to make, and you can use it for all kinds of activities. Kids can help mix it up in any colors they want, and then you can store it indefinitely for later! Click here to learn how to make it.
Paper Bag Monster Puppets
RAWR! This craft is a lot more cute than it is scary, and once you’re done you can put on a fun puppet show! It’s a great preschool Halloween art project too. Click here to see how to make them.
Mason Jar Banks
Make saving fun by decorating these cute mason jar banks with your kids. Click here to see the materials list and help them learn how to save money for stuff they really want!
Painted Pasta Necklace
Let your kiddos make some fashions that are all their own with this painted pasta necklace tutorial! Click here to get the instructions/materials.
Paint Scrape Art
Paint scraping is a fun painting activity that lets you make all kinds of cool designs. This one was features in our Christmas crafts for toddlers blog post! Click here to see the original post.
Potato Masher Art
Wow, who knew you could use a potato masher for arts and crafts!? Get even more cool ideas from the happy toddler playtime blog.
Painted Rustic Ornaments
In our wooden Christmas crafts to make and sell article, we highlighted this cute tutorial for painting rustic wood slice ornaments! This cute holiday decoration is toddler friendly, and are made using paint thumb prints! Click here for the instructions and materials.
Draw Your Own Temporary Tattoos
This one requires a bit of help on your part, but the kids get to make or color the designs! They’ll love being able to wear their art, and it’s tons of fun. Click here to see how to do it.
Slime Jars
This creepy fun idea was also features in our DIY Halloween arts and crafts blog, but it can be made for any occasion! Click here to see the tutorial at the original blog post.
Fireworks Painting
A neat way for little ones to paint using cut up toilet paper rolls! Click here to see the materials list.
DIY Spin Art
Make your own spin art using a salad spinner!! If you’ve got one lying around, this is a really fun craft to do. Click here to see what you need.
DIY Foam Paint
Make painting time even more fun with this DIY foam paint. Kids can make all kinds of fun art with this and clean up is easy since it’s made with shaving cream and food coloring. Click here to see how to do it.
Custom Mug Painting
This craft from Tidy Mom was also features in our Christmas crafts to sell at bazaars blog post, but you know what? It’s also a GREAT craft for kids. You can make them together and fill them with candy as gifts, or just let them go to down decorating their own mug with stencils of their favorite characters!! Here are the instructions and materials.
Homemade Party Poppers
A perfect craft for celebrating the 4th of July or New Years Eve safely for kids. Have them make these fun party poppers and skip the dangerous stuff. Click here to get the tutorial.
Fire Breathing Dragon Toilet Paper Roll
This cool craft brings tons of fun after you’re done even, because you blow in the end and make it look like the flames are moving. How cool! Click here to see how to make these.
Cereal Box Aquarium
Diaorama are fun, cheap, and easy to make for kids of all ages. While this example uses an aquarium, there’s no reason to limit yourself! You can make whatever scenes you want. Click here for the materials used for this one.
Pumpkin Painting
When it gets close to spooky season don’t forget to let the kids help out! Decorating mini pumpkins is lots of fun and if you paint them it’s a very toddler friendly activity. Get more mini pumpkin decorating ideas here.
Salt Painting
This neat craft will make kids go “WOAH!”, as they watch the paint mix and travel on the salt lines. Click here to learn how to do it and amaze your toddler.
Pipe Cleaner Bubble Wands
This fun craft is easy enough to make that kids of any age can participate, AND when you’re done it becomes a fun toy! Take this functional bubble wand outside for play time and enjoying the summer sunshine. Super cute and fun craft that everyone will love, and pipe cleaner crafts are cheap enough to do for a whole classroom or party. Get the tutorial for the bubble want here.
Tanya, both a nurturing stay-at-home mom and a skilled crafter, is the creative force behind our blog. As the co-founder of Romney Ridge Farms & Crafts, she’s the editor and curator. She also runs the Romney Ridge Farms & Crafts social media accounts where we post new patterns for you to enjoy.
