Favorite Crafts to Make at Home and at the Library

Friday, November 7, 2025

Crafts can be an amazing way to spend our time as the weather becomes colder. Aside from being a form of entertainment when the weather outside is frightful, crafts can be a great way for children to participate in gift giving without needing to spend much money. Below is a list of crafts that kids can make at home or librarians can use in library programs.

Popsicle Stick Boxes

This is a super fun craft that can double as a great homemade gift!

Supplies:

Popsicle sticks

Glue (tacky glue works better than regular)

Optional:

Decorations - rhinestones, markers, feathers, buttons, pipe cleaners

Instructions:

Step 1: Make the base

Place 11 popsicle sticks next to each other on your work space and then glue 2 popsicle sticks horizontally across them at the top and the bottom of the original 11 sticks.

Step 2: Make the sides

Glue 2 popsicle sticks vertically (one on each side) connecting the popsicle sticks that were placed horizontally. Then layer 2 more horizontally on top of the 2 that had been previously placed.

Continue to layer popsicle sticks horizontally and then vertically until you build the sides as high as you’d like.

Step 3: Make the lid

You can repeat step 1 and make a base for a lid, or you can use fewer popsicle sticks, leaving spaces between the popsicle sticks to allow for further decoration. Here is an example with spaces between the popsicle sticks.

Step 4: Decorate!

Add sparkles, color, feathers, pipe cleaners, or whatever else you like!

Paper Chain Crafts

Making paper chains is a great way to teach patterns, counting, and colors. Making the paper chains into animals is another way to make these crafts fun.

Supplies:

Construction paper

Glue or tape

Markers

Scissors

Instructions:

Step 1: Cut strips of paper

You can try different lengths, widths, and colors.

Step 2: Make a circle out of one of the strips.

Step 3: Make the chain

Put another strip through the first circle and tape or glue its ends together, making the second circle on the chain.

Repeat this step for as many chains as you would like. Make patterns with the colors or count the number of chains as you make them.

Step 4: Make it into an animal

To make it into a snake, cut out a strip of paper with a snake head at the end. Attach this chain in the same way you attach other chains.

Another option is to make the chains into a jellyfish by cutting out a jellyfish body. When making the final chain on the jellyfish tentacles, leave tabs to make it easier to glue the chains to the body.

Step 5: Add faces

Use markers or construction paper to bring these animals to life.

Salt Dough

Salt dough is an amazing craft that can act as a homemade play dough or, if left to dry, an alternative to clay.

Supplies:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour - or gluten-free flour

1/4 cup salt

1/4 cup water

Instructions:

Step 1: Make the dough

Combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add a little water at a time, mixing as you pour, to form a ball of dough.

Step 2: Knead the dough

Knead until the dough is smooth and firm. Additional water may be needed, depending upon humidity.

Step 3: Play and enjoy!

Store the salt dough for future use in a Ziploc bag or airtight container to prevent it from drying out, or shape it into whatever form you like and then leave it out to dry.