Buttons! Those little circles of colorful joy often end up in a forgotten jar, waiting for a second life.
Well, wait no more! Buttons are a treasure trove of crafting potential, perfect for keeping kids entertained and unleashing their creativity.
From adorable critters to dazzling decorations, the possibilities are endless.
So, dig out your button stash (or hit the thrift store for a colorful haul) and get ready to craft with these 25 fun and engaging button projects for kids!
Easy & Adorable:
Button Buddies:
Glue buttons of various sizes together to create cute and quirky characters. Add pipe cleaner limbs, googly eyes, and felt details for extra personality.
Button Bouquet:
Transform cardboard into a flower pot, then hot glue buttons onto pipe cleaners to create whimsical button flowers. Perfect for brightening up a room!
Smiling Sun:
Paint a bright yellow circle on cardboard and arrange buttons around the edges like sunshine rays. Add a felt face for a cheerful sun decoration.
Button Sea Creatures:
Craft a blue construction paper ocean scene and glue on buttons for colorful fish, playful dolphins, or even a majestic octopus made with larger buttons.
Button Bookmarks:
Decorate plain bookmarks with colorful buttons arranged in patterns, shapes, or even words. Add a touch of ribbon or yarn for a finishing touch.
Let’s Get Crafty:
Button Magnets:
Glue flat buttons onto small magnets for a fun and functional fridge decoration. Let your child design their own patterns or create personalized magnets with messages or names.
Button Bracelets & Necklaces:
String colorful buttons onto elastic cord or yarn to create charming bracelets or necklaces. Experiment with different button sizes and colors for unique designs.
Button Coasters:
Cut felt circles and decorate them with a vibrant mosaic of buttons glued securely in place. These colorful coasters will add a touch of whimsy to any coffee table.
Button Tree:
Draw a bare tree on cardboard and glue buttons of various sizes and colors onto the branches for a vibrant and textured tree. This is a great project for practicing color sorting and fine motor skills.
Button Tic-Tac-Toe:
Decorate a small piece of cardboard or wood with a tic-tac-toe grid. Glue on two sets of contrasting buttons (X’s and O’s) for a portable and stylish game.
Going for the Glam:
Button Picture Frame:
Take a plain picture frame and transform it with a beautiful button collage. Arrange buttons by color, size, or even create a specific design like a flower or a butterfly.
Button Headbands:
Wrap a simple headband with colorful ribbon and hot glue buttons in a playful arrangement. Perfect for adding a touch of flair to any outfit.
Button Hair Clips:
Decorate plain hair clips with a cluster of colorful buttons securely glued on. This is a quick and easy way to add a touch of personality to everyday hairstyles.
Button Coasters (Glam Version):
Upcycle old CD cases by hot gluing a layer of felt onto the shiny side. Then, create a dazzling mosaic with buttons glued on securely. These glamorous coasters will add a touch of sparkle to any table.
Button Mirror:
Find a plain mirror and use a hot glue gun to create a dazzling border with buttons of various sizes and colors. This is a stunning project that adds instant personality to a bedroom or playroom.
Button Adventures:
Button Sensory Board:
Mount a sturdy piece of cardboard or wood and create different textures with buttons, felt squares, sandpaper pieces, and other materials. This sensory board is a great way to encourage exploration and tactile learning for young children.
Button Matching Game:
Cut out large construction paper circles and glue different buttons onto each one. Create duplicates and have your child match the buttons by color, size, or design.
Button Counting Game:
Glue numbered squares onto a piece of cardboard. Provide a bowl of buttons and ask your child to sort them by placing the correct number of buttons on each square. This is a fun way to practice counting skills.
Button Treasure Hunt:
Hide buttons around the house or garden and let your child embark on a treasure hunt with a map or clues. This is a fun way to encourage exploration and problem-solving skills.
Button Memory Game:
Create memory cards using cardboard squares decorated with matching pairs of buttons. Flip the cards over and try to find the matching pairs. This classic game helps with memory, concentration, and turn-taking skills.
Button Decorations:
Button Garland:
String colorful buttons onto yarn or twine to create a whimsical garland for a birthday party, classroom, or playroom.
Button Wind Chimes:
Hang buttons of various sizes and materials onto strings of different lengths. Attach them to a wooden hoop or a sturdy branch and enjoy the soft tinkling sound in the breeze.
Button Mobile:
Create a mobile for a baby’s nursery or a playroom by hanging colorful buttons from a wooden or plastic ring. You can even add ribbons, bells, or other lightweight objects for extra visual and auditory stimulation.
Button Wall Art:
Design a picture or pattern on a piece of canvas or cardboard. Use buttons of various sizes and colors to fill in the design, creating a unique and textured piece of art. This is a great project for older children who can get creative with their designs.
Button Bowl Covers:
Upcycle old bowls or tins by hot gluing buttons onto the outside in a colorful and textured mosaic. This is a great way to hide away small toys, trinkets, or even use them as decorative storage containers.
Bonus Tips:
- Adult Supervision: Always supervise young children when using craft materials like glue and scissors.
- Get Creative!: These are just a few ideas to get you started. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different materials, techniques, and button combinations.
- Recycle & Upcycle: Raid your button jar, thrift stores, or grandma’s sewing box for a treasure trove of crafting materials. Upcycle old picture frames, headbands, or even CD cases to give them a new lease on life.
- Make it a Gift: Button crafts make wonderful homemade gifts for friends, family, or even teachers.
- Most Importantly, Have Fun! Crafting with buttons is a fantastic opportunity for kids to express their creativity, develop fine motor skills, and have a blast in the process.
So, gather your buttons, unleash your imagination, and get ready to craft! With a little creativity, you and your kids can transform these humble buttons into beautiful decorations, charming toys, and unique keepsakes.