Fun and Easy Examples of 3 Simple Paper Crafts for Kids (Plus More!)

The Best Examples of 3 Simple Paper Crafts for Kids to Start With

Let’s start with three tried-and-true winners. These are real examples of 3 examples of simple paper crafts for kids that work in classrooms, after-school programs, and living rooms everywhere. No fancy tools, no drama.

Example of Simple Paper Craft #1: Paper Chain Story Garland

Paper chains are the classic example of a simple paper craft, but we’re going to give them a 2024 twist and turn them into story garlands.

Instead of just looping strips together, each link becomes a tiny storytelling prompt or memory. This makes it a fun literacy-friendly craft for early readers and a calm, repetitive activity that can help kids unwind. The U.S. Department of Education encourages everyday reading and storytelling, and this is a low-pressure way to build that habit.

How it works in real life
Cut colorful paper into strips. On each strip, kids draw a tiny picture or write a word: “dog,” “park,” “pizza,” “rainbow,” “dragon,” “best day,” “my friend,” and so on. As they tape or glue each strip into a ring and link them together, they’re building a visual story. Once finished, hang the chain across a wall, a window, or above a bed.

Why it’s one of the best examples for younger kids

• Great for ages 4–8 with help, and 8–10 independently.
• Builds fine motor skills with all that cutting and looping.
• Encourages storytelling and vocabulary without feeling like homework.

If you’re looking for examples of 3 examples of simple paper crafts for kids that double as decor, this one is a winner. You can theme the chain for seasons, holidays, or even favorite books.

Example of Simple Paper Craft #2: Fold-and-Fly Paper Airplane Lab

Paper airplanes are one of the most iconic examples of simple paper crafts for kids, and they’re still wildly popular in 2024–2025 thanks to all the STEM and maker trends. Kids love them because they fly. Adults love them because they secretly teach problem-solving and basic physics.

Set it up like a mini “lab”
Give each child a few sheets of printer paper. Show them a basic airplane fold (or let them invent their own). Then turn it into a simple experiment:

• Mark a starting line on the floor with tape.
• Have kids predict which design will fly farthest.
• Let them test, measure the distance in feet, and record results.

This turns a simple craft into a light STEM activity. The Smithsonian’s STEM resources encourage this kind of hands-on play, and paper airplanes are the perfect low-cost example.

Why this is one of the best examples of simple paper crafts for kids

• Uses only paper (and maybe crayons or markers to decorate).
• Works well for ages 6–12.
• Easy to adjust: younger kids focus on folding and decorating, older kids focus on testing and improving their designs.

If you need examples of 3 examples of simple paper crafts for kids that keep kids moving instead of just sitting and gluing, this is your go-to.

Example of Simple Paper Craft #3: Paper Crown & Badge Kit

The third example of our core three is a paper crown and badge kit. It’s simple, but it opens the door to pretend play, which is huge for kids’ social and emotional development. The CDC notes that pretend play helps kids practice communication, problem-solving, and emotional skills.

How to make it
Cut long strips of construction paper to fit around a child’s head. Kids cut triangles, circles, or zigzags to decorate the top, then color, glue on paper “jewels,” or add drawn-on stars. For badges, cut circles or shield shapes, let kids decorate them with their name and “job” (King of Snacks, Dinosaur Trainer, Book Detective), and tape a safety pin or loop of tape on the back.

Why this example works so well

• Great for birthday parties, classroom role-play, and rainy-day drama time.
• Encourages kids to act out stories with their new identities.
• Super flexible: it can become a superhero mask set, a scientist badge, or a nature ranger kit.

If you’re building a short list of the best examples of 3 examples of simple paper crafts for kids, this crown-and-badge combo absolutely belongs on it.

More Real Examples of Simple Paper Crafts Kids Love in 2024–2025

Once you’ve tried those three, it’s easy to expand. Here are more real examples of simple paper crafts for kids that are trending in classrooms, libraries, and after-school clubs.

Interactive Fortune Tellers (Cootie Catchers)

Yes, the classic playground fortune teller is still going strong. Kids love the secret messages, and it’s a fantastic example of how one square of paper can become an interactive toy.

You can:

• Fill them with silly dares like “make a funny face” or “hop like a frog.”
• Turn them into study helpers with math facts or vocabulary words.
• Use them as conversation starters: questions like “What made you smile today?”

Teachers often use these as low-pressure review tools, and kids barely notice they’re learning.

Simple Paper Puppets for Story Time

Paper puppets are another example of simple paper crafts that kids can actually play with afterward. All you need is paper, markers, and tape or glue.

Kids draw characters (animals, superheroes, family members), cut them out, and tape them to strips of paper or craft sticks. Then you’re ready for a puppet show behind a couch or table.

You can:

• Retell favorite picture books.
• Act out social scenarios (sharing toys, trying something new).
• Let kids improvise wild, silly stories.

This craft supports language, creativity, and social skills—without feeling like a lesson.

Paper Mosaic Collages

For kids who love color and texture, paper mosaics are one of the best examples of calm, focused paper crafts. Tear or cut small pieces of colored paper and glue them onto a base sheet to form a picture.

Try themes like:

• Ocean animals
• Space scenes
• Favorite foods
• City skylines

This is a nice example of a screen-free, almost meditative activity. It can also be adapted for different ages: big pieces for preschoolers, tiny details for older kids.

Paper “Stained Glass” Window Art

Here’s a modern favorite that looks impressive but is surprisingly simple. Cut a shape (like a heart, star, or leaf) out of black or dark-colored paper, leaving a frame. Then fill the empty space with small pieces of colored tissue paper.

Tape the finished piece to a sunny window and you’ve got a colorful “stained glass” effect. It’s one of the most popular examples of simple paper crafts for kids on social media right now because it photographs beautifully and doubles as decor.

Simple Paper Spinners and Whirligigs

Kids are really into fidget toys, and paper spinners are the low-tech answer. Cut a circle, decorate it, poke a small hole in the center, and thread it onto a string. Twist the string and watch it spin.

This is a fun example of how a simple paper craft can sneak in science: kids can notice how symmetry and color patterns look when spinning, and how twisting more or less changes the motion.

How to Choose the Best Examples of Simple Paper Crafts for Your Kids

When people ask for examples of 3 examples of simple paper crafts for kids, what they’re really asking is: What will actually work for my specific kids, right now, with the time and energy I have?

Here’s a quick way to decide.

Match the Craft to the Age and Mood

• Ages 3–5: Go for big movements and big pieces. Paper chains, mosaic collages with large scraps, and simple crowns are perfect examples. Focus on tearing, gluing, and naming colors or shapes.
• Ages 6–8: This is the sweet spot for most of the examples of 3 examples of simple paper crafts for kids. They can handle folding airplanes, making fortune tellers, and designing badges and puppets.
• Ages 9–12: Older kids often enjoy “upgrading” simple crafts—turning paper airplanes into experiments, puppets into full shows, or mosaics into detailed art pieces.

Keep Supplies Simple and Visible

You don’t need a craft room. A shoebox with paper, scissors, tape, glue, and crayons is enough for all the examples mentioned here.

The Harvard Graduate School of Education highlights the power of play for learning; having a simple, ready-to-go craft box makes it more likely you’ll actually say “yes” when kids ask to make something.

Use Themes Kids Already Love

If your child is obsessed with dinosaurs, turn paper crowns into “dino explorer hats.” If they love space, make a paper chain of planets or a mosaic galaxy. The best examples of simple paper crafts for kids are the ones that plug into what they’re already excited about.

FAQ: Real-World Questions About Simple Paper Crafts for Kids

Q: What are some quick examples of simple paper crafts for kids I can do in under 15 minutes?
A: Fast examples include paper airplanes, fortune tellers, basic paper crowns, and simple puppets drawn on paper and taped to sticks. These are all examples of 3 examples of simple paper crafts for kids that don’t need drying time or complicated steps.

Q: Can you give an example of a paper craft that works well for a group or classroom?
A: A collaborative paper chain story garland is a great example of a group-friendly craft. Each child designs a few links, and you connect them into one long chain to hang in the classroom or playroom.

Q: What examples include a bit of learning without feeling like schoolwork?
A: Paper airplanes (for simple STEM and measurement), fortune tellers with vocabulary words, and paper mosaics that explore shapes and patterns are all strong examples. These examples of simple paper crafts for kids blend creativity with light academic skills.

Q: Are paper crafts okay for kids who get frustrated easily?
A: Yes—just choose low-pressure projects. Tearing paper for mosaics, coloring paper crowns, or making very simple puppets are great examples. Avoid super-precise folding at first; once they feel confident, you can introduce more detailed crafts like fortune tellers.

Q: What are the best examples of 3 examples of simple paper crafts for kids to start a new crafter?
A: Start with a paper chain story garland, a basic fold-and-fly paper airplane, and a simple paper crown. These three examples of 3 examples of simple paper crafts for kids are easy wins: they look impressive, kids can personalize them, and they don’t require perfect cutting or folding.

When you put it all together, the strongest examples of 3 examples of simple paper crafts for kids are the ones that are easy to start, quick to clean up, and flexible enough to fit your child’s interests. Try one or two from this list today, see what clicks, and then build from there. Once kids realize they can turn a plain sheet of paper into a toy, a story, or a piece of art, you’ll never look at your recycling bin the same way again.