Looking for a weekend full of creativity, giggles, and just the right amount of mess? We’ve got you covered! These 10 kid-friendly crafts are perfect for little hands and big imaginations.
Using the Ikonart Custom Stencil Kit, you can make reusable, custom silkscreen stencils that bring all of these DIY projects to life. So gather your craft supplies, cue up your favorite playlist, and get ready for a weekend of stenciled fun!
Crafting with Kids: 10 Ikonart Projects to Try This Weekend
From wearable art to keepsake crafts, these projects are designed to spark creativity and keep little hands busy. Using the Ikonart Custom Stencil Kit, you’ll be able to create bold, reusable designs that kids can paint, color, or customize in their own unique way. Whether you’re crafting with toddlers, tweens, or the whole family, these ideas are simple to set up and packed with personality.
1. Color-Me Shirt or Tie-Dye Shirt
Let your kids be both the designer and the artist with this fun and wearable craft. For the color-me shirt, use your Ikonart stencil to create a bold black outline on a blank t-shirt—think rainbows, dinosaurs, stars, or their name in bubble letters. Once the shirt is dry, hand over some fabric markers or fabric-safe paints and let them fill in the design however they like. It’s like a coloring book they can wear—and proudly show off to friends! For older kids you could make tie-dye shirts and then screen print a custom design over the top using the Ikonart Textile Add-on Bundle.
WATCH VIDEO: Color-Me Shirts with Ikonart Stencils
2. Color-Me Book Bag or Trick-Or-Treat Bag
Turn a simple canvas tote into a personalized masterpiece with this adorable and functional craft. Use your custom stencil to create an outline-only design—maybe their favorite animal, a quote, or even their initials. Once the design is stenciled onto the bag, let kids go wild with fabric markers or paint pens. These make great school or library bags and are perfect for carrying treasures from weekend adventures.
WATCH VIDEO: DIY Color-Me Trick-or-Treat bags with Ikonart Stencil
3. Color-Me Canvas
Paint night just got a lot more fun—and a lot more kid-friendly! Grab some blank canvases from your local craft store and use your Ikonart stencil to apply a fun design. Once dry, let your child paint inside the lines like a coloring book, or mix things up and paint outside the lines for a more abstract look. This project is perfect for all ages and makes for easy wall art that feels truly personal.
WATCH VIDEO: Tips For Using Ikonart Stencils on Canvas
4. Color-Me Puzzle
Take puzzle time to the next level by letting kids create their own! Use blank puzzle boards or make your own with thick cardstock and a puzzle cutter. Apply a fun outline design using your Ikonart stencil—like outer space, sea creatures, or a birthday theme—and let kids color it in before breaking it apart and solving it again and again. It’s a great way to blend creativity with problem-solving.
5. Watercolor Cards and Watercolor Paper
Perfect for holidays, birthdays, or just-because days, these watercolor cards are a fun way to practice creativity and kindness. Use your stencil to apply a light outline design onto watercolor paper—simple hearts, smiley faces, or flowers work great. Then let your little ones paint over the design with watercolors. Once dry, they can add a handwritten note inside and deliver it to a teacher, friend, or family member.
WATCH VIDEO: Watercolor Cards with Natacha Creative
6. DIY Clay Earrings
This craft is perfect for older kids or a supervised one-on-one project. Start with air-dry or oven-bake clay and cut it into small fun shapes—think circles, hearts, rainbows, or stars. Then, use a mini stencil and a little paint to add fun details to each piece. Once the earrings are dry and sealed, just add jump rings and hooks. It’s a great way for kids to make gifts or feel extra fancy with their own handmade jewelry.
VIEW THE TUTORIAL: Polymer Clay Earrings with Artsy Fartsy Mama
7. Clay, Wood, or Paper Bookmarks
Encourage a love for reading with custom bookmarks that kids will be excited to use. Start with any sturdy material—air-dry clay, thin wood, or thick cardstock—and stencil on a fun design like a rocket ship, flower, or favorite book quote. Add embellishments like tassels, washi tape, or even glitter for extra sparkle. These make great gifts for classmates, reading buddies, or teachers too.
VIEW THE TUTORIAL: Clay Bookmarks or Wood Bookmarks with AFM
8. Painted & Stenciled Treasure Box
Every kid needs a place to stash their most important treasures. Use a small wood or paper mache box and customize it with a stenciled design—try a dragon, unicorn, pirate ship, or even their name. Once painted, let kids add stickers, glitter, or gems for that extra wow factor. These boxes are perfect for storing found rocks, friendship bracelets, or tiny notes from friends.
VIEW THE TUTORIAL: DIY Kids Treasure Box
9. Story Stones and Painted Rocks
Spark storytelling and imagination with these adorable story stones! Start with smooth rocks (washed and dried), then use your stencil to apply simple icons like a sun, cat, rocket, or tree. Once painted and sealed, kids can use the stones to create their own tales by picking a few at random and weaving them into a silly, spooky, or magical story. Great for family game nights or classroom fun!
WATCH VIDEO: Painted and Stenciled Just Breathe Rock
10. Custom Shrinky Dinks
Remember the magic of Shrinky Dinks? This nostalgic craft gets a modern twist with the Ikonart stencil kit. Start by applying your custom design to shrink plastic sheets. Once stenciled, let kids color in the design with permanent markers. Cut out the shapes, then bake and watch them shrink down into keychains, zipper pulls, or charms. It’s a fun science-meets-art moment that never gets old!
These kid-approved crafts are a great way to spend quality time together while making something truly unique. Plus, since the Ikonart Custom Stencil Kit creates reusable stencils, you can repeat the fun for birthdays, rainy days, or even craft parties. Which project will your little maker want to try first? Tag us on Instagram @ikonartstencil or post your Ikonart project in the the Ikonart Crafters Group on Facebook so we can see what you create!