We’re letting you know that this post contains sponsored links which Your Savvy Purse receives compensation for, which may impact their order of appearance.
Family nights are the perfect opportunity to unplug from screens, bond, and get creative together. Whether you’re looking for a fun way to spend a rainy evening or just want to make lasting memories with your loved ones, crafting can be a great way to bring everyone together. The best part? You don’t need a ton of fancy supplies to have a blast. With a little imagination, you can transform a simple night in into an evening full of laughter, learning, and crafty fun.
Here are 12 crafty activities to try on your next family night. Get ready for a night of creativity, teamwork, and maybe a little bit of mess (but it’s totally worth it!).
1. DIY T-Shirt Tie-Dye
Tie-dyeing is a timeless activity that everyone from toddlers to teens can enjoy. All you need are plain white t-shirts, fabric dye (or even food coloring), and rubber bands. Pick your favorite colors, twist and tie your shirts in different patterns, and then watch them come to life as you dip them in the dye. The best part? You can wear your creations the next day as a family keepsake!
Supplies Needed: White t-shirts, fabric dye or food coloring, rubber bands, plastic squeeze bottles, gloves.
Pro Tip: Lay out old towels or garbage bags to keep the mess contained!
2. Painted Rock Pets
Turn smooth rocks into adorable pets or creatures with a little paint and imagination. Kids can paint their favorite animals or create fantastical creatures, and you can even add googly eyes or little accessories to make them come to life. These painted rocks make for cute decorations or even thoughtful gifts for friends and family.
Supplies Needed: Smooth rocks, acrylic paint, paintbrushes, googly eyes (optional), clear sealant spray.
3. Family Portraits with Pipe Cleaners
Create a fun, 3D version of your family by using pipe cleaners, googly eyes, and markers to make tiny family figures. Each person can create their own mini version of themselves or add a creative twist by making silly versions of each family member. These little pipe cleaner figures will make for fun keepsakes.
Supplies Needed: Pipe cleaners, googly eyes, markers, scissors.
Pro Tip: Add pom-poms, buttons, or felt to create clothes or accessories!
4. Cardboard Tube Creatures
Save up your toilet paper or paper towel rolls and turn them into quirky creatures. With some scissors, glue, and your imagination, you can make anything from animals to aliens. Paint or decorate your creations with markers, stickers, or colored paper to give them a personal touch.
Supplies Needed: Empty cardboard tubes (toilet paper or paper towel rolls), scissors, paint or markers, googly eyes, glue.
5. DIY Picture Frames
Turn a regular photo frame into a colorful masterpiece by decorating it with buttons, beads, fabric, or shells. You can either make frames from scratch using craft sticks or repurpose old frames you have lying around. Then, fill your new creation with a favorite family photo to treasure.
Supplies Needed: Craft sticks, glue, buttons, beads, paint, old frames (optional), family photos.
6. Slime Time!
Make homemade slime with simple ingredients like glue, baking soda, and contact lens solution. Mix in glitter, food coloring, or essential oils for an added sensory experience. Once it’s ready, you’ll have a stretchy, squishy, and totally fun slime to play with together!
Supplies Needed: White glue, baking soda, contact lens solution, food coloring or glitter (optional).
Pro Tip: Make different colors or textures and have a slime party!
7. DIY Bird Feeders
Take a nature walk to collect pinecones, then turn them into bird feeders! Spread peanut butter over the pinecone, roll it in birdseed, and hang it outside. You’ll have fun crafting and also help local wildlife, making it a win-win for your family.
Supplies Needed: Pinecones, peanut butter, birdseed, string (optional).
8. Custom Mugs with Sharpies
Grab a few plain ceramic mugs and some permanent markers (Sharpies work great!). Everyone can design their own mug by drawing fun patterns, quotes, or designs. After baking the mugs in the oven, you’ll have a dishwasher-safe mug to use every day, plus a keepsake to cherish.
Supplies Needed: Plain ceramic mugs, Sharpie permanent markers, oven.
Pro Tip: Bake your mugs at 350°F for 30 minutes to set the design.
9. Clay Handprint Art
Create personalized handprint art using air-dry clay. Roll out the clay, press your handprints into it, and then let it dry. Once dry, you can paint and decorate it however you’d like. These handprint crafts make meaningful keepsakes for years to come.
Supplies Needed: Air-dry clay, rolling pin, paint, paintbrushes.
10. Pom-Pom Garland
Make a colorful pom-pom garland by creating your own pom-poms using yarn. Once you’ve made a bunch of them, simply thread them together with a needle and string. This activity is easy to customize with colors that match your home décor or seasonal celebrations.
Supplies Needed: Yarn, scissors, needle, thread.
Pro Tip: Use pom-poms to decorate your tree or hang them up in your child’s room!
11. Paper Plate Animals
All you need for this classic craft are paper plates, paint, and a little creativity! Cut out ears, noses, and other animal features from construction paper, and glue them to the paper plate to create fun animal faces. This is a great craft for younger kids and can be easily adapted for different animals.
Supplies Needed: Paper plates, construction paper, glue, paint, scissors.
12. DIY Greeting Cards
Make your own greeting cards for family and friends. Cut and fold blank pieces of paper, then decorate them with drawings, stamps, or cut-out designs. You can make birthday cards, thank-you notes, or even holiday cards for an upcoming celebration. Plus, this is a great way to use up leftover craft materials from other projects.
Supplies Needed: Blank paper, markers, stickers, stamps, glitter, glue.
Pro Tip: Use card-making kits or templates if you’re looking for extra inspiration!
Final Thoughts
Family nights are all about spending time together, and what better way to bond than by getting creative with a fun craft project? These 12 activities are simple, affordable, and perfect for all ages—making them ideal for your next family night. Whether you’re making slime, creating custom mugs, or designing your own greeting cards, you’ll be sure to have a blast while making memories and new creations.
So gather the family, set up a crafting station, and let your creativity run wild! Happy crafting!
