Dream catchers, those beautiful woven circles with feathers and beads, are more than just wall decorations. Rooted in Native American traditions, they symbolize protection from bad dreams and nightmares.
For kids, a dream catcher hanging by their bed can be a source of comfort and a reminder of happy dreams.
But dream catchers can be even more special when kids get involved in making them! Here are 20 dream catcher ideas for kids, with options for all ages and crafting abilities.
DIY Dream Catchers for Little Hands (Ages 3-6):
Paper Plate Dream Catchers:
This is a classic and easy craft for little ones. Paint or decorate a paper plate, then punch holes around the rim. Help your child weave yarn through the holes, creating a simple web. Decorate with colorful felt circles, buttons, or stickers.
Doily Dream Catchers:
Repurpose doilies into beautiful dream catchers! Make a hole in the center and use yarn to create a web. Let your child decorate with colorful pom poms, sequins, and pipe cleaner shapes.
Nature Dream Catchers:
Take a nature walk and collect some treasures! Use a twig as the dream catcher hoop and tie yarn around it. Decorate with leaves, acorns, and colorful feathers found on your walk.
Cupcake Liner Dream Catchers:
Cupcake liners come in so many fun colors and patterns! Glue them together to create a flower-shaped dream catcher base. Thread yarn through the center to make a web, and decorate with buttons or pipe cleaner butterflies.
Sensory Dream Catchers:
Engage all the senses with this unique dream catcher! Use a wire hoop and cover it with a piece of felt. Let your child glue on different textures like buttons, sandpaper, and felt squares. Decorate with yarn and jingle bells for a touch of sound.
Creative Dream Catchers for Older Kids (Ages 7-12):
Pom Pom Dream Catchers:
Pom poms add a playful touch to any dream catcher. Make your own pom poms in different sizes and colors, then tie them onto a yarn web strung on a hoop.
Rainbow Dream Catchers:
Embrace the magic of rainbows with this colorful dream catcher. Use colorful yarn to create a web with sections in different rainbow colors. Add beads and feathers that match the color scheme.
Friendship Bracelet Dream Catchers:
Put those friendship bracelet skills to good use! Create a dream catcher web using colorful friendship bracelets woven together. Add a few beads or charms for an extra touch.
Washi Tape Dream Catchers:
Washi tape comes in endless patterns and designs, making it perfect for dream catchers. Decorate a hoop with washi tape stripes or patterns, then weave a yarn web in a contrasting color. Add feathers or small wooden shapes for a finishing touch.
Macrame Dream Catchers:
Introduce older kids to the art of macrame with a simple dream catcher project. Use basic macrame knots to create a web on a hoop, then add beads and feathers for a boho-chic look.
Themed Dream Catchers for Every Interest:
Unicorn Dream Catcher:
For the unicorn-loving kid, create a magical dream catcher! Use a white hoop and white yarn for the web. Decorate with felt or paper unicorns, sparkly beads, and glittery pipe cleaner stars.
Under the Sea Dream Catcher:
Dive into an ocean adventure with this dream catcher. Use a blue hoop and yarn to create a web. Decorate with felt fish, seahorse shapes, and colorful plastic pearls.
Space Dream Catcher:
Reach for the stars with a space-themed dream catcher. Use a black hoop and dark blue yarn for the web. Decorate with felt planets, stars, and small toy rockets.
Dino Dream Catcher:
Let your little paleontologist create a dino dream catcher! Use a brown hoop and brown yarn for the web. Decorate with felt dinosaur shapes, green yarn for grass, and plastic toy dinosaur figures.
Fairy Dream Catcher:
Make dreams extra sweet with a fairy dream catcher. Use a white hoop and light pink yarn for the web. Decorate with felt flowers, glittery beads, and small plastic fairies.
Dream Catchers for Every Season:
Spring Dream Catcher:
Celebrate springtime with a floral dream catcher. Use a green hoop and light green yarn for the web. Decorate with felt flowers in different colors and shapes, adding small butterflies or ladybugs.
Summer Dream Catcher:
Bring on the sunshine with this vibrant dream catcher. Use a yellow hoop and bright colored yarn for the web. Decorate with felt suns, beach balls, and colorful seashells. You can even add small flip-flop charms for a playful touch.
Autumn Dream Catcher:
Embrace the fall colors with this beautiful dream catcher. Use a brown hoop and different shades of orange, yellow, and red yarn for the web. Decorate with felt leaves in fall colors and small pinecones.
Winter Dream Catcher:
Let it snow with a winter wonderland dream catcher! Use a white hoop and white yarn for the web. Decorate with felt snowflakes, silver beads, and small toy snowmen or penguins.
Holiday Dream Catchers:
Get ready for the holidays with a festive dream catcher! Use a red and green color scheme for the yarn web and decorate with felt ornaments, jingle bells, and miniature candy canes.
Bonus Ideas:
- Personalized Dream Catchers: Let your child add a personal touch to their dream catcher! They can write their name on a small piece of fabric and glue it in the center, or add beads that spell out a special word.
- Upcycled Dream Catchers: Repurpose old materials for a unique and eco-friendly dream catcher. Use a coat hanger as the hoop, an old CD as the base, or leftover fabric scraps for decorations.
- Glow-in-the-Dark Dream Catchers: Make nighttime extra magical with a glow-in-the-dark dream catcher! Use glow-in-the-dark yarn for the web or paint the hoop with glow-in-the-dark paint.
No matter what your child’s age or interests, there’s a perfect dream catcher waiting to be created. So gather your supplies, unleash your creativity, and get ready to make some sweet dreams come true!
Additional Tips:
- Safety first! For younger children, use blunt-tipped needles or yarn and avoid small beads that could be a choking hazard.
- Get inspired! Browse online for dream catcher ideas or visit your local craft store for inspiration.
- Make it a family activity! Turn dream catcher making into a fun family night. Everyone can create their own dream catcher or help each other out.
- Most importantly, have fun! The process of creating a dream catcher is just as important as the finished product.
