Who needs new-fangled ideas when your kids will love these retro crafts that have stood the test of time for suppling hours of entertainment and offer apple opportunity for creativity! And they are perfect indoor activities for tweens when they complain of boredom!
Your children may think what they really want to do is play the hottest new video games but these fun, old-fashioned crafts and art activities will make them turn their iPad into a how-to video creation station. Plus, you can relive your childhood while watching them put their own spin on these super retro crafts for kids.
Best of all, the variety of retro crafts is seemingly bottomless. There are art ideas, crafts that teach science, paper cutting and folding activities, yarn crafts and more. For each retro craft idea below I’ve included a how-to video but if you want to teach your kids without the screen, even better!
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Thaumatrope
A thaumatrope is an old-school craft with a science twist! All you need are some basic art supplies.
You need:
- Straws
- Paper
- Markers
- Tape
- Vivacity
If you don’t have straws you can use chopsticks, pencils, or even a stick you find outdoors.
Pinch Pot
A pinch pot is one of the easiest clay art projects out there and perfect for beginners. This retro craft for kids can be made with traditional clay but if you don’t have that lying around make your own air-dry clay out of cornstarch and baking soda!
You need:
- Air dry clay
- Wiggly fingers
God’s Eye
A God’s Eye is a classic summer camp craft, but kids will enjoy making this super retro craft any time of year. Head outside to find some lovely sticks then break out the yarn and get weaving!
You need:
- Yarn in assorted colors
- Sticks
- Beads (optional)
- Dexterity
PomPoms
No list of retro crafts for kids would be complete without pompoms! Making pompoms takes a little patience at first, but it’s not difficult and once you get the hang of it you won’t be able to stop making them! Use them to make garlands, adorn pillows or hats, keychains, zipper pulls, anything you can think of!
You need:
- Yarn in assorted colors
- Fork
- Scissors
- Enthusiasm
Whirlygig
I love crafts that you do something with, rather than stare at them sitting on a shelft. A whirlygig is not just a fun retro craft, it’s an old fashioned toy children have been playing with for centuries! Steve Spangler puts a science twist on the classic whirlygig and turns it into a into a color theory project.
You need:
- String
- Cardboard
- Scissors
- Markers
- Creativity
Paper Helicopter
After kids craft these simple paper helicopters they will love spending time experimenting with flight! Maybe they can even figure out a way to make them work better, spin faster or fly farther!
You need:
- Paper
- Scissors
- Paperclips
Finger Knitting
Finger knitting is the ultimate retro craft and requires no special tools other than your own hands and a bit of yarn. If the kids enjoy finger knitting, they can locate tons of YouTube tutorials from finger-knit butterflies to hats!
What you need:
- Yarn
- A few fingers
Paper Doll Chain
Want an old-fashioned paper craft that offers endless possibilities? Make a paper doll chain. And don’t limit the chain to peoples. Try stars, flowers, animals and more! Kids will love experimenting to see what kinds of shapes they can make.
What you need:
- Paper
- Scissors
- A willingness to try
Branch Weaving
There are all kinds of weaving projects for kids out there. Making loom potholders, paper weaving, basket weaving, are just a few of the retro weaving crafts. I love this gorgeous twist from Art Bar. She uses branches and string to make an organic loom. You could even weave in other natural objects like leaves, flowers and feather, or those pompoms you made earlier!
What you need:
- Branches
- Yarn in assorted colors
- Beads
- An excuse to get outside to hunt for the perfect branch
Friendship Bracelets
Welcome to the 1980s! Friendship bracelets were once all the rage and they can be again. Make dozens for yourself, too. That way everyone will assume you are super popular!
What you need:
- Embroidery floss
- Friends
Paper Airplane
Paper airplanes never get boring! And there are so many ways to fold one. Everyone seems to know the secret to the longest glider, the fastest flyer, the trickiest loop-the-looper! Best of all, the experimentation never ends.
What you need:
- Paper
- Pilot ambitions
Paper Mâché
Paper mâché is such a classic craft and offers so much flexibility once you learn the basic technique. Okay, it’s a bit messier and more involved than the other retro crafts on this list, but don’t shy away from this rewarding activity. Kids can make bowls, piñata, sculptures, or whatever their imagination inspires.
The following video show two different recipes for the paste so you can use what you already have at home!
More to love:
- Old-fashioned games for kids
- Get outside with these 10 tag game variations
- The milk carton candle craft that every child should make
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