Arts and crafts is a popular hobby for children of all ages, but as they reach the tween stage, it can be difficult to think of the right projects for them to work on. The types of crafts they previously enjoyed might no longer be interesting enough as they reach the age of around 9 and onwards. That’s why we have searched the web for the very best DIY crafts for tweens and brought you 20 of the best picks here.
These kits come with everything necessary to complete the craft project, and there are kits that can help tweens learn new skills. For example, we have kits about crochet, sewing, calligraphy, and much more. So, if your tween is looking to try something different, there is sure to be a kit here to suit them. First, we have some considerations to help guide your search towards a suitable kit.
Considerations When Choosing Crafts for Tweens
When buying sets for doing crafts for 9 yr old girl, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you pick something appropriate and fun. Of course, the age should be the main consideration. Check with the manufacturer which age the kit is suitable for, as this will give an idea if it is suitable for their current level of development or not. The types of arts and crafts for 7 year olds might no longer be able to hold their interest. Also, think about their interests. Perhaps they are looking to develop an existing skill, or maybe they’d prefer to learn a new one. Consider the type of craft and pick a kit accordingly.
Top 20 Craft Kits for Tweens
Let’s now take a look at 20 of the best arts and crafts projects for kids in the 9 – 12 years age range. There is sure to be something here to appeal to everyone!
1. Klutz Animal Sewing
Our first pick of the best arts and crafts for 12 year olds and under is this lovely sewing kit from Klutz. It is perfect for boys and girls who are keen to learn to sew as no previous experience of sewing is required. The kit comes with colored sheets of felt, embroidery floss, stuffing, needles, eyes and cheeks, and templates for cutting the pieces of each animal. Klutz is well-known for its excellent instructions in each kit and this one is no exception. It comes with a book with almost 50 pages showing exactly how to make each project. There are 12 to make and each is small so they don’t take long to make.
2. Craft Crush Bracelet Kit
Jewelry making is one of the most popular crafts for 12 yr old girl and if she is looking to give it a try, she might be interested in this bracelet kit from Craft Crush. This set comes with all she needs to make eight stylish bracelets that she will love to wear or gift to her best friends! The bracelets are made in different styles, so there are a few different skills to be learned by working on these, such as wrapping and braiding. The finished bracelets have complementary colors, so they look great when worn together, as well as on their own. The kit includes plastic and wooden beads, suede and elastic cords, thread, metal rings to fasten, and more. Girls will be so proud of their finished creations and will love wearing them every day!
3. Modern Calligraphy Book
If you’re looking for fun crafts for tweens that are a little bit different, how about this book that teaches them all about modern calligraphy? It is perfect for beginners and can be used to learn five different lettering styles, both uppercase and lowercase in each. There are in-depth instructions on each style of writing as well as 15 different projects to work on after learning the basic skills. Tweens can learn the different terminology used in calligraphy and there is space to practice writing each letter as well as some practice words. Once they know how to write each letter style, tweens can put their skills together to create their own works of art to display in their bedroom or gift to special friends. They will love learning this fun and useful new skills.
4. Klutz Make Your Own Bath Bombs
Tweens love making things they can actually use, and many Klutz kits allow them to do just that. This one is used to make their own bath bombs, which is not only a fun project to do, but also makes bathtime a whole lot more fun! The finished bath bombs also make lovely gifts – everyone appreciates something homemade! The bath bombs are easy to make, and they are made here using safe, child-friendly materials, unlike some other bath bomb tutorials found online. There are five molds included, so five different styles can be made, and each will have a strawberry-kiwi scent. There are three primary colors included, so they can be blended to create other colors too. Klutz makes some of the best crafts for 10 year olds, and this kit doesn’t disappoint.
5. Make It Real Bracelet Kit
If you’re looking for easy yet fun crafts for 9 year olds, you might be thinking bracelet making is a good choice. In this case, you’d be right. This kit is suggested for ages 8+ and it comes with almost 200 pieces that can be used to make some lovely, bright and colorful bracelets. There are ten different bracelets to be made from this kit, so girls will have hours of fun coming up with different combinations to wear and share with friends. Some of the fun pieces included in this set are pom-pom charms, neon tassels and beads, colorful cords, and cute charms featuring designs such as a taco and a llama.
6. Craft-Tastic Yarn Tree
Craft-tastic makes some of the best art kits for tweens and this yarn tree kit is just one great example. It’s perfect for tweens who are looking to try new skills. Everything that is needed to create a stunning yarn-wrapped tree sculpture is included, and when finished, the tree makes the perfect place to keep all her jewelry safe and well-organized. Not to mention, it looks beautiful! The tree is 18 inches high and is really easy to make, despite how lovely it looks. The tree begins as a wire frame, and there are many colors of yarn included to wrap around it to make it colorful. It’s perfect for brightening up her bedroom and she will have loads of fun making it.
7. Klutz Mini Bake Shop
Working with modeling clay is really fun, and these Mini Bakes will put your tween’s skills to the test! It’s another excellent kit from Klutz, so it comes with full instructions to make 12 clay treats, as well as everything needed to do so. This includes eight colors of air-dry clay, glaze, glitter, beads, tools and even paper pieces to display the finished models. The finished treats are adorable and will look great on display in your tween’s bedroom. They will love learning new skills as they work on the more advanced projects.
8. Klutz String Art
We have already seen many fun Klutz craft ideas for tweens and this String Art kit is another project they are sure to love working on. There are 20 possible design ideas to make in the included book, and six boards to display them on. There are also different colorful background papers to use to coordinate with the design being made. Everything else is also included – over 500 pins, eight colors of strings, and a tool to help push the pins in to the boards. There are loads of lovely designs to choose from and they are sure to appeal to both boys and to girls. Some of the possibilities include a fox, a whale, a star, or a butterfly. Tweens will love hanging their finished works of art on their walls!
9. Craft-Tastic Empower Poster
When it comes to crafts for 9 year old girls, something to make them feel good about themselves is always an excellent choice. That’s why we love this Empower Poster, in which kids can create a poster showing their personality and everything they are. Every poster will be one-of-a-kind and tells everyone why your child is unique and wonderful! Kids will learn how to do decoupage with this kit, using colorful tissue paper and glue. There are two pages of personality traits that your child can use to finish off their poster to show the things they are. The finished poster is slightly bigger than A4 size and will look great hanging on their wall.
10. Flower Origami Kit
Origami is a fun skill for tweens to learn, and this kit allows them to do just that, by making their own paper flowers. There are 30 different projects to work on in this kit, and enough paper, stems, buttons, and jewels to make each different design. The projects have different levels from beginner to advanced, so kids can learn and practice their skills on the simpler projects before advancing to the more advanced ones. Hours of fun will be had with this kit!
11. Pendant Making Kit
We’ve already seen how jewelry making is one of the best craft ideas for 10 year olds and this kit allows them to make eight stunning pendants. There are enough supplies to make eight different necklaces, and there are 200 images to choose from so tweens can pick their favorites. There are four different shapes of pendants to make, so this is a good kit for using at a tween’s birthday party – each guest can make one to take home.
12. Craft Crush Terrariums Kit
If you’re looking for slightly different crafts for 11 year olds, how about this kit that can be used to make three cool terrariums? The kit comes with everything needed to make them, as well as making the succulents to decorate them with from felt. This is ideal for tweens because they won’t have to remember to water their plants! The finished terrariums look stylish and modern and are sure to brighten up your tween’s room.
13. Craft-Tastic Glitter Bowls
Many of our kits featured so far allow tweens to make something useful, and our next pick also does this. The Craft-Tastic kit can be used to make three cute glittery bowls that are excellent for keeping little trinkets such as jewelry and hair accessories or coins. The kit comes with everything needed, including models in three different sizes, glitter, a brush, and glue. The finished bowls are small so they are perfect for keeping tiny treasures safe!
14. Craftivity Dare to Dream Board
Mood boards are fun projects for tweens to make and are a great way to help them display their special mementos and photographs, rather than keeping them stored digitally as is often the case. This kit comes with the pieces to assemble a board and decorate it, then tweens can choose photos, tickets, and other souvenirs to finish off their board and make it one-of-a-kind. Tweens can learn the decoupage technique to decorate their board – instructions are included to teach them this.
15. Yarn Elephants Kit
We’ve already seen some excellent art sets for 11 year olds from the brand Craft-Tastic, and here we have another fun pick from this great brand. This set comes with everything needed to make two adorable yarn elephants – cardboard pieces cut in the shapes of the elephants, bright, colorful yarn, adhesive, felt, and more. Tweens will need to be patient when working on this project, but the end result is worth it. They will love learning some new skills and are sure to be proud of the finished product.
16. Paint Your Own Stepping Stones
Painting is a fun craft activity for kids of all ages. But, if they are looking for something a bit different from painting on paper or a canvas, your tween might enjoy painting these stepping stones instead. But first, they have to make the stepping stones using the included mix! They can make any designs they like on the stones, or even make handprints on them. The stones are 7 inches in diameter and enough supplies are included to make four of them. The set also comes with paints, stickers, and gems for decorating. Protective gloves and a mask are also included for safety when making the stones. They can be displayed inside or outside, but should be coated in varnish first if left outdoors. This is one of the best summer crafts for tweens – perfect for brightening up the back yard!
17. 4M Crochet Kit
Our next pick is another that is ideal for tweens looking to learn a new skill – this one teaches them how to crochet! The kit teaches some basic stitches and other essential skills by showing tweens how to make three different projects. Two crochet hooks are included as well as a plastic needle for finishing off and seven stunning colors of yarn to work with. The projects to make with this kit are a bag, a placemat, a belt, and a coaster. Kids will have to choose their three favorites, as there isn’t enough yarn to make all four, however. Once they have mastered the basic stitches, tweens will be able to go on to make anything they like by purchasing more yarn and looking up patterns.
18. Craftivity Aroma Jewelry
This next pick of crafts for 8-10 year olds is something a little different – this kit allows users to make wooden charms for necklaces or keychains and infuse them with essential oils. There are enough supplies to make three necklaces and one keychain and there are three different oils that can be used on their own or blended to make unique aromas. The scents are lavender, orange, and peppermint. There are also colorful tassels to decorate the necklaces and make them more fun to wear.
19. Kawaii Doodle Book
Nearing the end of our guide to fun crafts for 12 year old girls we have this fun drawing book. It shows tweens how to draw super-cute doodles such as foods, monsters, clouds, and more! There are step-by-step instructions to drawing 75 adorable characters in all, and there is a guide to giving the characters different expressions. Tweens will love filling their notebooks with these cute doodles! If you are looking for drawing ideas for 11 year olds, you can’t go wrong with this book!
20. Craftivity Flower Fairy Lights
Our final pick of the best art projects for tweens is quite unique – a kit that allows teens to make their own fairy lights! Everything that is needed to make a 10-foot long chain of cherry blossom lights is included in the kit – 30 LED lights, powered by a USB cable, flowers, buds, sparkles, tassels, and more. Girls will love hanging the finished fairy lights in their bedroom to create a welcoming environment to chill out and relax in! Parents will love how they don’t have to keep replacing the batteries, too!
Best Buy
After looking at 20 of the best crafts for 12 year olds and under, we have picked out the very best of all for you. We love the Klutz animal sewing kit as it is an excellent introduction to learning how to sew – an important skill for kids to learn. They will love working on the 12 different projects and they will be so proud of the finished results – they are super cute to display in their room! Klutz kits are great because they come with easy-to-follow instructions as well as all the supplies needed to complete the craft. So, there is no need to buy anything else. This is great for parents, and the kit will also keep tweens busy for a long time – they won’t be complaining they are bored for a while!
Best Budget Pick
If you are looking for a cheap and cheerful tween crafts activity, how about the Klutz clay mini bakes set? It is one of the best crafts for 10 year old girls as it will challenge them to learn new skills, and it produces lovely finished results – any tween is sure to find the sweet treats super cute! The clay doesn’t need baking, so it’s safer for kids to use, not to mention it is loads of fun! The set even comes with paper pieces to display the finished crafts so they can be shown off proudly.
