Looking for cool paper crafts for bored tweens? The following is a list of cool and fun projects that any pre-teen would enjoy. It includes ideas for gifts, decor, and art projects. Keep them busy, while having fun and learning different kinds of paper craft skills. While there are a few projects that need special supplies, the majority of them can be made with items that are typically found around the house!
1. Flower Envelope
Create these adorable envelopes using two-dimensional flower cutouts. Using bright colored paper, tweens can get create adding different layers and shapes to make a unique gift for friends!
Learn More: Make Your Mark with Mark Montano
2. Paper Weaving
This is a great rain day art project and all you need is some paper, scissors, and your imagination! Using their favorite colors, they can create beautiful woven paper art…with no artistic talent needed!
Learn More: A Faithful Attempt
3. Paper Flowers
These flowers are a great homemade craft for gifting! Using a pencil, some paper folding, and a dab of glue, they can create their own beautiful bouquet that never wilts!
Learn More: One Little Project
4. Photo Frame
This fun frame makes a cool DIY photo gift. Using any paper you have around the house and a picture frame, they will roll and twists paper into creative and colorful swirls. Then simply glue it to the frame!
Learn More: Instructables
5. Fruity Bookmark
With some bright colors of paper, you can make these one-of-a-kind and cool-looking bookmarks! They are unique because they are not like your traditional bookmark, but they fit onto the corner of the page.
Learn More: Frugal Mom Eh!
6. Coffee Filter Flowers
Using some basic materials, coffee filter papers, dye, and straws, tweens can make chic flowers. Using a simply cut and fold technique these are an easy and fun activity.
Learn More: Messy Little Monster
7. Flextangle
This is a super cool craft idea! For this paper activity, you just need a printout and some colors. Once you fold and form the paper, you have this ever-moving shape of colors and shapes! Makes for a quiet fidget too!
Learn More: Babble Dabble Do
8. Unicorn
This canvas string art project used cardboard paper in the shape of a unicorn that you paint. Then you add yarn to make her hair! You can also get creative and create other shapes like clouds with rain or a willow tree!
Learn More: Etsy
9. Marbled Paper
This is the perfect craft for tweens who enjoy art, but maybe don’t have that “artist’s eye”. It has a simple supply list of paper, paint, shaving cream, and something to swirl the paint with. Tweens can have endless fun using different colors and techniques to create this beautiful art!
Learn More: Hip 2 Save
10. Lantern
This is a fun craft that you can make a bunch of for table decor at a party or decorate your room! These little lanterns are the perfect alternative to real candles. Pop in a battery-powered tea light and voila! You have a safe, yet cool candlelit room!
Learn More: The Joy Sharing
11. Fan
While this paper fan is quite simple, it is a cute project idea for tweens when it is warming up outside. All you need is some paper, colors, and popsicle sticks. But feel free to let them get creative and give them some glitter or tissue paper or other crafting supplies to make some awesome fans.
Learn More: Gluesticks
12. Tissue Paper Bleed
An easy 15-Minute kids’ craft! Using paper, a white crayon, and some torn-up tissue paper, tweens can make this beautiful craft that mimics watercolor work.
Learn More: S&S Blog
13. Strip Art
Need a cheap craft? Scissors, glue, and an old magazine is all you need! Using thin strips of the magazine, they simply glue the pieces to a shape (in this case a bird), then trim the excess, and there you have it!
Learn More: Running with Sisters
14. Phone Holder
An awesome craft for any tween – we know how much they cherish their phones! Using paper rolls, any crafting supplies you have laying around, and four thumbtacks, they can create a one-of-a-kind phone holder!
Learn More: Easy Peasy Creative
15. Paper Chain Decor
This is one of the coolest paper crafts and the easiest! Determine a pattern of color – ombre, rainbow, etc – then begin creating chains at varying lengths to make this awesome piece of decor for their room!
Learn More: Design Improvised
16. Twirling Butterfly
This is a fun one because not only do they get to make a paper craft, but they can play with it too! These little butterflies will actually fly! Make a bunch of them and set them off at once!
Learn More: Instructables Craft
17. Dreamcatcher
Tweens love dreamcatchers so rather than buy one, let them make their own. You can also have them read online about them to learn more and why they are important to native peoples.
Learn More: Moms Crafters
18. Bracelet
These awesome paper bracelets look difficult, but are easy to make! Once you learn the one folding technique, you hook them together. You can even make them with candy wrappers like Starburst!
Learn More: Pickle Bums
19. Fortune Cookies
This is fun for tweens to share with their friends They can all write down different fortunes and then pick from the “cookies” to see what they get! Make the paper folded cookies on fun patterned card stock or have them design their own!
Learn More: Unsophisticook
20. Paper Garland
You literally just need paper and glue for this one! Using sheets of paper, fold them into a fan. Glue each side with a different color paper and create this neat garland!
Learn More: Ice Cream Off Paper Plates
21. Paper Bookmark
These awesome bookmarks use a braiding technique, similar to friendship bracelets, but with paper! Tweens can make a bunch to trade with friends or make themed ones for different holidays or celebrations.
Learn More: Easy Handmaid Ideas
22. Crumbled Paper Art
This paper art is cool with it can be paired with the book Ish, or done independently. Using only watercolors and paper, tweens can make beautiful paper art that keeps them busy for hours while they make different designs and play with color.
Learn More: Buggy and Buddy
23. Canvas Art
Making 3D paper art can seem overwhelming for a tween, but not with this project! All they need to do is follow along with the simple circular pattern drawn on paper and glue colorful triangles of card stock.
Learn More: Makezine
24. Confetti Bowl
This project is great for when you need to use up some time. While the supplies are simple, it does take some time. Using paper that they have punched they will modge podge it to a balloon to create a festive bowl.
Learn More: Mod Podge Rocks
24. Headband
These fun and gorgeous paper flower headbands will be a hit! Using simple cutting, folding, and rolling, tweens can create these fun headpieces!
Learn More: Oh Happy Day
26. Paper Twirler
A very simple project, it makes for some fun! Using different colors of paper strips and a stick, children can create a twirler. When finished they rub their hands to create a colorful illusion.
Learn More: Teach Beside Me
27. Paper Beads
Make colorful bracelets with paper beads! Take some old magazines and cut out triangular strips. Then rub some glue and roll it around a toothpick. Let them dry and you can bead them on a string or add some charms with them and make a charm bracelet!
Learn More: Mod Podge Rocks
28. Infinity Cube
This is a cool DIY project for students who like stems or moving parts. Using colorful paper cardstock and some tape, you fold boxes and then tape them together, carefully following the directions. Then the cubes will move with the flow!
Learn More: Teach Starter
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