When most people think of paper crafts they think origami or paper flowers, but there are so many more incredible ways to transform this common art supply into something beautiful. The best thing about it is you really don’t need much more than some blank sheets and your imagination. To show you just how amazing paper can be I’ve rounded up over 60 Paper Crafts featuring this humble and versatile material.

Of all the art supplies out there, paper is by far one of my favorite materials to work with. Most often paper is used as a blank canvas on which to draw, write, or paint but paper can be so.much.more. It can be cut, sculpted, folded, marbled, woven, twisted, made into books, made into jewelry, and even toys!

Paper Crafts Project Categories

This article covers the following paper crafts

(to jump ahead to a category click the links below):

Colorful Paper Art

Origami & 3D Paper Magic

Amusing Paper Toys

Pretty Printables

Creative Cutting

Paper Making Basics

Juicy Journals

Awesome Paper Mache

Sweet Paper Jewelry

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Paper Crafts Resources

Before we head to the paper crafts I wanted to highlight a few of our favorite resources. This quick overview includes paper types used in many of the projects below, our popular paper techniques board, and three paper craft books to get you inspired.

Types of Paper 

• Copy Paper
• Cardstock
• Colorful Card Stock
• Watercolor Paper
• Corrugated Paper
• Tissue Paper
• Paper Straws (I’m obsessed with these jumbo sized straws for building!)
• Crepe Paper
• Paper Plates
• Newsprint

For more paper types, hole punches and cool paper craft supplies head to our  supply list on Amazon!

Paper Building Techniques

Several years ago I created this simple paper crafts technique board and I use it often in our classes and camps. A visual resource like this is perfect for kids who need a little inspiration on the many ways to build with paper. I based mine off some images I saw on Pinterest.

Paper Craft Books

I am an avid collector of paper crafting books so instead of sharing ALL of them here with you I’ve selected three good ones to get you started:

Easy Paper Projects

Red Ted Art is a must-know resource if you love working with paper and creator Maggy Woodley has written a lovely book with easy crafts for kids to try!

Paper Inventions

If you have older kids who want to use paper to build and make machines with, this is a great resource.

Paper Toys Play Pack

Our ebook featuring 7 paper toys to make and play with. Download and print these today.

60+ Paper Crafts

Colorful Paper Art

Paper of course is the classic canvas for kids’ art projects. It’s inexpensive and readily available and absorbs color beautifully. If you want to try some offbeat ideas for paper art check these out:

Easy Toddler Made Garland 

Tissue Paper Stained Glass 

Crumpled Paper Art

Marbled Milk Paper

Fold & Dye Tissue Art

Suminagashi 

Tie Dye Gift Wrap 

Origami & More 3D Paper Magic

Most people think of paper as a 2 dimensional material that we write or draw on, but paper is a wonderful base for 3D art projects! It can be folded, twisted, cut, and shaped into marvelous 3D creations! Check out some ideas for turning this 2D material into 3D paper magic!

3D Geometric Paper Shapes 

Doodle Cubes 

Paper Fan Garland 

Rolled Paper Sculptures

String Craft Stars 

Calder Inspired Sculptures

Tissue Paper Hearts 

Corner Bookmarks

Origami Paper Twirlers 

Fortune Tellers

Paper Pinches 

Paper Lanterns

Paper Pinwheels 

Origami Star Boxes

Paper Looping Activity 

Easy Paper Flowers 

Amusing Paper Toys

Another wonderful paper crafts idea is to turn this humble material into toys! Yes, DIY toys that can be created out of sheets of paper…it’s true! Keep these handy when you need activities in a pinch!

From top and left to right:

Paper Houses 

Flextangles

Paper Craft Superheros

Paper Plate Maracas 

Paper Pinwheel Helicopters 

Paper Helicopters 

Paper Tops 

Paper Bag Crowns 

Paper Printable Pack

Paper Building Blocks 

 Paper Dolls House 

Pretty Printables

It’s amazing what you can print on paper beyond worksheets…Here are some clever printables that challenge kids to think creatively.

From top and left to right:

Decotropes 

Zentangle Patterns Starter Sheets 

Fun Printable Grids 

Printable Paint Palette

Printable Shapes

Camouflage Coloring Pages 

Monster Drawing Prompts 

Mondrian Lego Art

Color Wheels

Paper Crafts:

Creative Cutting

Not only is cutting a simple way to transform paper, it’s also a wonderful fine motor activity for kids of all ages. Adults, too love kirigami so get cutting!

From top and left to right:

Paper Tassles

Wrapping Paper Pom Poms 

Easy Notan Paper Project

Kirigami Water Blossoms

Kirigami Flowers

Paper Strip Monogram Art

GIANT Kirigami Webs 

Paper Making Basics

If you have ever wanted to try making your own paper here are three ways to do it! Making paper is an involved process BUT the results are always lovely and it’s the perfect way to teach kids about creative reuse of materials.

From top and left to right:

Handmade Paper Shapes

How to Make Paper on Babble Dabble Do

How to Make Paper on Tinkerlab

Juicy Journals

Journaling is a wonderful way to not only collect thoughts and ideas but to get creative! Make your own journals and then fill them with your daydreams and doodles!

From top and left to right:

Easiest Bookbinding Ever 

DIY Art Journals with Drawing Prompts 

My Important Book

Bubble Print Journals 

Sketchbook Basics 

Mini Art Books

Paper Bag Art Journal

Simple Handmade Books

Paper Crafts:

Awesome Paper Mache

When I was a kid there was nothing that fascinated me more than paper mache. The method of taking wet paper and glue and turning it into a hard sculpture blew my mind!

From top and left to right:

Tissue Paper Nest

Paper Mache Ice Cream

Paper Mache Bananas

Paper Mache & Chipboard Cuckoo Clocks 

Paper Mache Treehouses

Paper Pulp Bowls

Tissue Paper Balloon Bowls

Paper Mache Puppets

Sculptamold Fruit Bowls

Sweet Paper Jewelry

Did you ever think of wearing paper? Yup, a paper craft worth trying is making colorful jewelry!

Paper Scrap Necklace

Crepe Paper Bracelets 

Folded Paper Bracelets

Paper Circle Necklace

Paper Pulp Pendant 

Fabric & Paper Straw Bracelets

Paper Ring

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