Easy Printable Paper Crafts for Kids: 5 Projects to Try at Home

Printable paper houses, bird finger puppets, 3D turtles, birdhouses, and cut-and-paste animals are five paper crafts children can try at home. Start with a printable template, paper, scissors, and glue, then choose a project based on how much cutting and assembly your child is comfortable doing.

A quiet afternoon can turn into a miniature village or a puppet show with just a few supplies. These five ColorWiseStudio projects give children something to make, decorate, and play with afterward.

What do you need for printable paper crafts?

Gather these supplies before you start:

• A printer and the downloaded template.
• Paper in the size specified by the file.
• Child-friendly scissors.
• A glue stick or the adhesive recommended in the instructions.
• Crayons, colored pencils, or markers.
• A mat or scrap paper to protect the table.

Adult help is recommended for cutting and tricky assembly steps. You can prepare the pieces yourself and let younger children take charge of coloring and arranging them.

The projects below are paid digital downloads. No physical craft kit or supplies are shipped.

1. Build a miniature paper village

Paper houses are a good choice for children who enjoy decorating and building. Start with one house, then add more buildings whenever you want to expand the village.

The Printable Paper Houses Craft includes eight A4 house templates: four pre-designed houses and four blank templates to decorate. The files are supplied as JPEGs in two ZIP folders, with a download and printing help file.

How to get started

1. Download and unzip the files.
2. Print one house template on A4 paper or suitable cardstock.
3. Color the house while the sheet is flat.
4. Cut out the template, keeping the assembly tabs.
5. Fold and assemble the house using glue or tape.

Try this: Turn a blank house into a bakery, library, or pet shop. Arrange several houses on a large sheet of paper and draw roads between them.

2. Make bird finger puppets for a story

Finger puppets give children a reason to keep playing after craft time ends. Make one bird first, name it, and invent a little adventure.

The Printable Bird Finger Puppets include four bird designs in ready-colored and color-your-own versions. Both A4 and US Letter PDFs are provided, along with written instructions and a visual assembly guide.

How to get started

1. Choose the PDF that matches your paper size.
2. Print at 100% or Actual Size and check the scale guide.
3. Color the black-and-white bird, or choose a ready-colored version.
4. Cut out the pieces.
5. Follow the included guide to glue the puppet together.

Try this: Use a folded piece of cardboard as a small stage. Ask your child, “Where is your bird going today?” and let the story grow from there.

3. Create a turtle with a raised paper shell

This turtle project turns a flat printable into a craft with a raised shell. It suits children who want to try a simple assembly project with an adult nearby.

The 3D Turtle Paper Craft includes A4 and US Letter PDFs and step-by-step instructions.

How to get started

1. Print the template for your paper size.
2. Color the turtle and its shell.
3. Cut out the pieces with adult help as needed.
4. Follow the supplied instructions to assemble the raised shell.
5. Let the glue dry before moving the turtle.

Try this: Draw a pond on another sheet of paper and add paper rocks or leaves around your turtle.

4. Make paper birds and a decorative birdhouse

Choose this project when your child would like to make something to display. You can work on one bird at a time rather than completing the whole set in one sitting.

The Paper Birds and Birdhouse Craft contains four bird designs and a decorative birdhouse template. The ZIP folder includes printable JPG files, SVG files, an instruction sheet, and a help file.

How to get started

1. Download and unzip the folder.
2. Print the JPG templates on A4 paper or suitable cardstock.
3. Color and cut out the pieces.
4. Assemble them following the instruction sheet.
5. Arrange the finished birds beside the birdhouse.

Try this: Create a shelf display with a paper garden underneath. This is a decorative paper birdhouse, intended for indoor craft play.

5. Assemble cut-and-paste animals

For a first project, try a flat cut-and-paste activity. Children can arrange the pieces before gluing, making it easy to move something if they change their minds.

The Cut and Paste Animals Worksheets contain 16 printable animal worksheets.

How to get started

1. Choose one worksheet and print it.
2. Cut out the animal pieces.
3. Place the pieces in position before adding glue.
4. Glue them down once your child is happy with the arrangement.

Try this: Ask your child to name the animal and draw a place for it to live. Younger children can arrange pieces that an adult has already cut out.

Tips for printing and assembling paper crafts

Match the file to your paper. Use the A4 or US Letter version when provided. The paper-house and birdhouse projects specify A4.

Check the instructions before changing print scale. Pieces that fit together need consistent sizing. The bird finger puppets specifically require 100% or Actual Size.

Check your printer's paper limits. Cardstock can make a sturdier model, but only use a weight your printer supports. Ordinary paper is easier to fold.

Color before cutting. A full sheet is easier to hold than small loose pieces.

Use a little glue at a time. Too much can soften the paper. Hold joins gently and allow them to dry.

Frequently asked questions

Which printable paper craft should beginners try?

A flat cut-and-paste animal is a useful starting point because it involves arranging and gluing pieces without building a standing model. Adults can prepare the cutouts for children who are still learning to use scissors.

Can you make these crafts with ordinary printer paper?

Yes, ordinary paper works for many coloring, cutting, and folding activities. Cardstock can provide more support for standing models and puppets, provided your printer can handle it. Follow each template's instructions.

Do you need a Cricut or Silhouette machine?

No. The projects described here can be made with printed templates and scissors. The birdhouse pack also includes SVG files, but you can use its printable JPG files for hand cutting.

Should children color the templates before or after cutting?

Coloring before cutting is usually easier because the pieces remain on a full sheet. Let markers dry before folding or gluing.

Can I use the templates in a classroom?

Check the usage terms for the specific product before printing for a group. Personal-use permissions and classroom permissions can differ.

Choose your next craft

Start with one project and keep the supplies simple. Whether your child wants to build a village, put on a bird puppet show, or make a turtle, there is plenty of room to add their own colors and ideas.

Explore the projects linked above and choose a printable to make together.