10 Easy Low-Prep Toddler Crafts for Stress-Free Fun
It doesn’t seem to matter how prepared I am for a days activities, all the toys displayed, all the crafts and table items ready to go, it’s not always enough. That project that was supposed to take 15 plus minutes took five. Everyone wants the same toy (even though I have six of the same thing). I need low-prep toddler crafts ready for those transitions. Some days I just want to make dinner without a 2-year-old hanging on my leg.
I’ve made a list of some of my go to crafts for toddlers and preschoolers. These are the things I always have ready to pull out in case of an ‘I need a quick activity’ emergency.
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Why Low-Prep Toddler Crafts Are a Lifesaver for Busy Caregivers
Crafting with kids doesn’t need to take a lot of planning and preparation, in fact, having a few easy crafts on hand can make transition times (and times you just simply need your little to sit for a few minutes) so much easier.
Kids don’t care about flashy projects with tons of instructions to make some masterpiece in the end, they will be just as proud of their crayon scribbles. Let’s be honest, so will we.
Simple Crafts, Big Fun: Why Easy Activities Are Often the Best
As childcare providers and parents, we often put unnecessary pressure on ourselves. Social media is filled with elaborate crafts and Pinterest-perfect projects, making us feel like we need to do more.
I’ve spent countless mornings scrolling Pinterest before my childcare day starts, searching for the “perfect” craft. I’ve also invested in expensive curriculums and stocked up on craft supplies—only to realize that simple, low-prep activities often bring just as much joy (if not more!).
Of course, structured learning and hands-on projects are valuable, but so is creativity, self-expression, and independent play. And let’s be honest—having a few quick and easy toddler crafts on hand can be a lifesaver when you need to prep lunch or catch a breather.
By keeping things simple, you’ll engage little hands and minds while giving yourself a well-deserved break.
![10 Low-prep toddler crafts, easy, quick, fun](https://i0.wp.com/learnplayexplore.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/10-crafts-with-toddlers-pin-1.webp?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
10 Quick & Easy Toddler Crafts You Can Do Right Now
I’ve made a list below of my go to crafts for toddlers and preschoolers. Most of the items you probably have on hand or could easily order from Amazon. The key is to have a few of these ideas ready to go so you’re not turning that quick easy craft into 15 minutes searching for a glue stick.
I highly recommend hitting up your local dollar stores for some of these items too. They’re craft section is pretty impressive.
![Toddler playing with stickers](https://i0.wp.com/learnplayexplore.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Child-playing-with-stickers.webp?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
Note: As you go through this list, you might come across materials you wouldn’t normally consider for toddlers (we’re talking about ages 1-3). But I encourage you to give them a try! Sometimes, we get caught up in strict “age-appropriate” guidelines and underestimate what little ones can do.
Of course, safety always comes first. But instead of avoiding certain activities, think about how you can adapt them. This is especially important when working with mixed-age groups, where flexibility is key to keeping everyone engaged.
1: Stickers – A Simple and Engaging Fine Motor Activity
A piece of computer paper and a sheet of stickers or a pack of foam stickers is all you need for this project. Not only is this a great time user, this is also great for your little ones fine motor skills.
Younger toddlers (1-2 years): Remove the sticker backing to make peeling easier and let them explore. Stay close—some little ones may try to taste-test! Their artwork may not be picture-perfect, but every dot, tear, and placement is a masterpiece to Mom.
Older toddlers (2-3 years): Start teaching them how to remove sticker backs on their own. It may take patience, but once they figure it out, it’s a huge confidence booster!
Sure they may take every sticker and stack them one on the next for a super sticker tower, brush it off. Soon enough they’ll make something fridge worthy. If sticker backs are still a struggle, give them a glue stick and forget the paper backs.
Preschoolers (3-5 years): Most preschoolers have mastered sticker peeling, so take it up a notch! Encourage them to create sticker scenes by adding drawings with crayons or markers. This helps boost creativity, storytelling, and spatial awareness.
Fun Tip:
Check dollar stores for foam sticker packs! These add an extra sensory element and are easier for little hands to grasp.
Stickers are a no-mess, no-stress activity that keeps kids entertained while strengthening their fine motor skills—win-win!
2: Crayons – A Classic Must-Have for Little Artists
Crayons are a staple in any toddler or preschooler’s art bin, and the best part? Anything can be a canvas! Whether it’s computer paper, coloring sheets, or a notebook, crayons bring creativity to life.
Fine Motor Benefits – The simple act of holding and using a crayon builds hand strength, coordination, and pencil grip—essential skills for early writing!
Did You Know? – Many crayons contain soy, so be mindful of allergies when selecting supplies.
Storage Hack:
Repurpose empty plastic wet wipe containers for loose crayon storage! They’re easy for little hands to open and close, and kids love rummaging through to find their favorite colors.
If you are looking for low-prep toddler crafts, this is about as low-prep as it gets!
![Toddler painting, learn to paint with toddlers without the stress](https://i0.wp.com/learnplayexplore.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/toddler-getting-ready-to-paint.webp?resize=1024%2C680&ssl=1)
3: Painting Without the Stress
Already know you love painting? We’ve got lots of painting activities ready for you to check out!
I get it—paint can feel intimidating. You picture spills, stained clothes, and toddlers dipping their brushes into everything (including their mouths). But painting doesn’t have to be a disaster! With a few simple tweaks, you can keep the mess under control while letting your little ones explore creativity.
Supplies You’ll Need:
- Paint (washable is best!)
- Brushes
- Paper plate (as a palette)
- Wet wipes or damp paper towels (one for hands, one for brushes)
- Something to paint on (paper, cardboard, dollar store wood cutouts, etc.)
Mess-Free Painting Tips:
Wet Wipes Are Your Best Friend – Give kids two: one for sticky fingers and one for cleaning their brush.
Repurpose Old Amazon Boxes – Place them on the table as a protective surface or let your toddler use them as a canvas!
Easy DIY Paint Shirt – Instead of just grabbing dad’s old t-shirt, take it one step further—cut the seams up the sides and under the arms for a smock that’s easy to slip on and off.
Budget-Friendly Painting Projects – Check out the dollar store for affordable canvases and wooden cutouts. Their paint selection isn’t bad either!
Still feeling hesitant? Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! Grab my Messy Art With Toddlers Guide below and discover stress-free ways to introduce painting to your little ones. It’s one of my absolute favorite activities!
4: Holiday Wish Lists – A Fun and Easy Keepsake
One of my favorite Christmas traditions with my daycare kids is making wish list collages! We cut out large stockings from craft paper and glue in clippings from toy ads—it’s a simple, no-prep craft that kids love.
Supplies You’ll Need:
- Toy ads from local stores (Walmart, Target, Fleet Farm, etc.)
- Scissors (or skip them for younger toddlers!)
- Glue stick
- Construction paper or craft paper
No Scissors? No Problem!
If you don’t want to deal with cutting, hand your toddler a washable marker and let them circle their wish list items instead. (Spoiler alert: they’ll probably circle everything—but that’s part of the fun!)
Pro Tip: Keep Flyers in the Car
Grab extra store ads and stash them in your car for on-the-go entertainment. Your little one will stay engaged flipping through pages, pointing out favorites, and telling you all about their dream toys. Sure, you’ll hear plenty of “I want this and this and this!”—but hey, it keeps them busy!
5: Premade Craft Kits
We can’t all be amazing and make our own craft kits, but there are so many great and reasonably priced kits available.
Keep a watch for what supplies are needed, my favorite are sticker craft kits. All you need is the ability to peel the sticker back off. Some require glue, some require lots of patience. Watch out for kits that require building structures like the ones from Michaels. If you’ve tried them you understand. They’re tricky.
- Some great places to get premade craft kits:
- Dollar Tree
- Michaels
- Dollar General
- Family Dollar
- Oriental Trading
- Amazon
![Toddler playing with playdough in this fun low prep craft](https://i0.wp.com/learnplayexplore.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Toddler-playing-with-playdough.webp?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
6: Air-Dry Clay – A Hands-On Sensory Experience
Air-dry clay is a fantastic way for little ones to explore creativity while strengthening their fine motor skills. Molding and shaping clay engages their hands in ways that crayons and pencils don’t, making it a great activity for early development.
Ways to Use It:
Add Some Color – Use pre-colored clay or let kids paint their creations after they dry.
Challenge Their Creativity – Give them a fun prompt like “Make a dog” or “Create a silly monster,” or simply let their imaginations run wild.
No Air-Dry Clay? Try Bread Dough! – Bread dough is a fun alternative that provides the same sensory benefits. After they’ve finished molding and exploring, bake it up and send it home to enjoy with dinner. (Just remind them—no taste testing until it’s cooked!)
This activity is always a hit in my childcare, and it’s a great way to encourage both creativity and hands-on learning!
7: Paper Mosaic Art – A Simple, Hands-On Craft
Paper mosaic art is an easy, low-prep activity that toddlers and preschoolers love! It helps build fine motor skills while reinforcing colors, shapes, and spatial awareness.
Supplies You’ll Need:
- Construction paper (at least two different colors)
- Glue stick
- Pencil
How to Set It Up:
Prep – Draw a simple shape (heart, star, circle, etc.) on a sheet of construction paper.
Let Them Tear & Glue – Have your child tear another sheet of paper into small pieces and glue them inside the shape.
Encourage Creativity – Older kids can use multiple colors or create patterns for extra fun!
Even my two-year-olds can do this activity with ease, making it a perfect way to practice fine motor skills like tearing paper, holding a glue stick, and understanding inside vs. outside.
Example: Glue the red paper inside the heart shape. This simple step reinforces color recognition and spatial concepts while keeping little hands busy!
![Toddler learning to use a glue bottle](https://i0.wp.com/learnplayexplore.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/young-child-learning-with-glue.webp?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
8: The Ultimate Craft Surprise Box
Remember the Barney Bag from Barney & Friends? It was a magical bag filled with all sorts of craft supplies—pipe cleaners, fabric scraps, sequins, string, and more! The excitement of digging through it and creating something unique was half the fun.
Why not recreate that magic at home?
How to Make Your Own Craft Surprise Box:
Grab a container – A shoebox, plastic bin, or even a tote bag works great.
Fill it with random supplies – Think pom-poms, yarn, stickers, googly eyes, felt scraps, and anything else you have on hand.
Let creativity take over – Give your child free rein to make whatever they want or offer a fun challenge (e.g., “Make a silly monster” or “Create a spaceship”).
Glue Tip for Tiny Hands:
Not all materials stick well with a glue stick, but handing a full glue bottle to a toddler can get messy fast. Instead, pour a small amount of glue onto a Tupperware lid and give them a cotton swab to dip and apply glue—it’s a total game changer!
This activity sparks imagination, encourages problem-solving, and keeps little hands busy with open-ended play!
9: Pony Beads – A Fun Fine Motor Activity
Pony beads are a fantastic way to help toddlers and preschoolers develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and concentration. Stringing beads requires little ones to use their pincer grasp (holding an item between their thumb and first finger), which is an essential pre-writing skill.
Learning Through Play:
Color Recognition – Name each bead color as they string them.
Pattern Practice – Encourage simple patterns like red-blue-red-blue.
Focus & Coordination – Getting that tiny bead onto a string takes concentration!
Helpful Tips for Success:
Prevent Beads from Sliding Off – Tie a large bead to one end of the string.
Avoid Frustration – Tape the other end of the string to the table so it doesn’t slip away.
10: Perler Beads – A Creative and Engaging Craft
Perler beads are a favorite craft in many homes and childcare settings! These tiny plastic beads are placed on a pegboard and fused together with an iron, creating fun designs and patterns.
Since ironing is an adult’s job, this activity is a little more hands-on for caregivers. But don’t worry—the process is well worth it!
Ways to Make Perler Beads Even More Fun:
Follow a Pattern – Pull up an image for your preschooler to copy, or let them create their own unique design.
Fine Motor Boost – Give your child tweezers to pinch and place tricky beads, strengthening hand muscles.
Biggie Beads for Little Hands – Standard Perler beads may be too small for younger toddlers, but Biggie Beads offer the same concept with a larger, easier-to-handle size.
Helpful Tips to Avoid a Mess:
Use Paper Plates – Set pegboards on a plate so if the project gets bumped, the beads won’t scatter everywhere.
Sort and Store Smartly – Check dollar stores for clear organizing containers. Sorting beads by color is a fun extra learning activity that helps with categorization and patience!
This activity is great for focus, patience, and creativity, making it a fantastic addition to your low-prep craft list!
Takeaway: Low-Prep Toddler Crafts for Big Creativity
- Crafting with toddlers and preschoolers doesn’t have to be time-consuming or overwhelming. With low-prep toddler crafts, you can keep little hands busy using simple materials you already have at home. Set up a dedicated craft space with basic supplies so you’re always ready for spontaneous creativity.
- Next time you need a quick and easy activity, grab a few items and let your child’s imagination take over. Low-prep crafts encourage creativity, fine motor skills, and independent play—all without extra hassle!
![Low-prep toddler crafts](https://i0.wp.com/learnplayexplore.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/10-crafts-with-toddlers-pin-3.webp?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
![Low-prep crafts for toddlers](https://i0.wp.com/learnplayexplore.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/10-crafts-with-toddlers-pin-2.webp?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
![Low-prep crafts for toddlers and preschoolers](https://i0.wp.com/learnplayexplore.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/10-crafts-with-toddlers-pin-1-1.webp?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)