Whether it’s paper, cardboard, or a handful of seaside treasures, crafting with different materials can lead to the most delightful makes. Here you’ll find simple, inspiring ideas that turn everyday bits and bobs into something beautifully handmade — perfect for a quiet afternoon of easy crafts to do at home.
In the mood to get crafty? You don’t need cupboards full of supplies — many of the nicest easy crafts to do at home start with what’s already around you. A touch of upcycling goes a long way: things that seem past their best can become something entirely new with a bit of imagination. There’s no need to follow strict instructions, either; part of the joy lies in exploring your own ideas and seeing where a handful of crafting with simple materials can take you.
Start by collecting whatever you have nearby — it’s often all you need for small, creative makes. Here are a few ideas to get you going:
- Nature finds: shells, twigs, stones, and pine cones make lovely additions to material crafts and bring beautiful texture to your projects.
- Upcycling bits: empty bottles, yoghurt pots and old packaging are ideal when you want to craft with waste materials and give everyday items a second life.
- Fabric scraps: leftover pieces from old clothes can add colour or detail to simple projects.
- Paper & card: cereal boxes, brown paper bags or spare plates are perfect when you’re after simple crafting ideas that need nothing more than basic supplies you already own.
With a few toilet-roll tubes, you can create fun, quirky characters that children love to make — a brilliant example of crafting simple ideas that don’t need much at all. You might also fancy building a fearsome pirate boat from an egg carton or charming beach houses from popsicle sticks. They’re quick to put together and leave plenty of room for imagination.
Working with just one material can feel a little limiting. The real magic happens when you combine different textures and surfaces — that’s where projects become more interesting and full of character. Trying out crafting with different materials helps you discover new effects and lets each piece develop its own charm.
- Create contrast: pair smooth surfaces like plastic or card with the rough textures of leaves, stones, or shells.
- Balance strength and flexibility: card or wood offer a sturdy base, while fabric or paper allow finer details.
- Use colour wisely: a bit of paint can change not only the look, but also how a material feels within your design.
- Add decorative touches: feathers, pipe cleaners, felt or googly eyes bring your creation to life.
You’ll be surprised how beautifully different materials work together. Pair a few autumn leaves with tracing paper, and you can turn them into a gentle, glowing lantern that fills the room with warm colour — a lovely way to enjoy simple crafting ideas on a cosy afternoon.
And if you’ve brought home a few shells from your last seaside trip, they needn’t gather dust. With a bit of thread and a few cheerful shapes, you can turn them into a breezy garland that brings a hint of coastal charm into any room. It’s a light, enjoyable make, and a lovely option when you’re after material craft ideas that feel fresh and decorative.
The right glue depends on the materials you're working with. Pritt Glue Stick is ideal for lightweight craft materials such as paper, cardboard, cork and felt. It’s water-based and solvent-free and easy for little hands to hold — and it’s also available as colourful Pritt Colour Sticks for an extra touch of fun.
When you want to attach decorative pieces such as pasta or feathers, Pritt Multipurpose Glue is the best fit. It bonds card, fabric, wood, and many other craft materials with ease, dries clear and stays reliably in place — perfect for detailed work or material crafts with mixed elements.
Alongside your materials and the right glue, it helps to have a few tools ready — most of them are things you’ll likely already have tucked away at home:
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Acrylic or water-based paint
- A selection of brushes
- Pencil
- Felt-tip pens
- String or ribbon
- Tools such as a hole punch, stapler, and pegs
- Decorative extras like pipe cleaners, googly eyes, feathers, and gems
Always supervise children when using sharp tools.