Sometimes, the couch is too comfy, and the screens are way too loud. But hey, you and the kiddo need a little more than back-to-back cartoons or another round of video games. Enter the good ol’ DIY project. It’s a sneaky way to spend quality time together without forcing anything too.. “educational.” No judgment if you’re not exactly crafty. This list isn’t about being Pinterest perfect.
Each of these 17 DIY projects is doable, low-key fun, and a solid way to keep your hands busy while sneaking in a few laughs (and maybe some glitter).
1. Make a cardboard or wooden house
Grab those delivery boxes from your last snack order and give them a second life. Cut, fold, tape, and suddenly you’re zoning out while your kid builds skyscrapers and pizza joints out of cardboard.
Don’t overthink the architecture. It can be a little lopsided, and that just makes it charming. Toss in some markers or crayons, maybe a toy car or two, and you’ve got your own downtown chaos in the living room.
2. Create a sock puppet show
Odds are you’ve got a few solo socks that lost their partners to the laundry void. Perfect. Time to turn them into characters with googly eyes, buttons, or a sharpie face if you’re feeling lazy.
Once they’re all dolled up, throw together a show. The plot doesn’t need to make sense. Just go with whatever your kid says. Giant purple socks fighting crime? Yes. We’re rolling with it.
3. Build a blanket fort
It’s the oldest trick in the book. Couch cushions, bedsheets, and whatever random clips you can find. Stack it, drape it, and boom, you’re in business. Toss in a flashlight and snacks and suddenly you’ve got a hideout.
Honestly, the kid will be psyched before it’s even finished. You might get stuck inside for a while, but hey, that’s half the fun. Bring a book or a snack stash of your own. You’ll thank yourself.
4. Paint rocks like little weirdos
Go find some rocks outside. Yes, actual rocks. Smooth ones work best, but weird lumpy ones are fun too. Clean them off, lay out some paints, and start slapping on color.
Paint them like bugs. Or food. Or just weird little guys with big eyes. They don’t need to be masterpieces. They just need to make your kid laugh. Bonus points if you name them ridiculous things.
5. Make a bird feeder with peanut butter and cereal
All you need is a toilet paper roll, some peanut butter, and cereal with holes in it. Smear on the peanut butter (prepare for stickiness), then roll it in cereal. Hang it outside.
Wait for birds to show up like you’re a wildlife documentary narrator. Or at least pretend you’re being watched by a very judgmental squirrel. That’s fun too.
6. Bake something questionable
Doesn’t have to be fancy. Muffins, cookies, or even “weird shape” pancakes. Let your kid toss in way too many chocolate chips. It’s fine. You’ll survive.
The process matters more than the product. Even if what comes out looks like it escaped from a science experiment, it’ll still taste decent. Probably.
7. Craft a time capsule
Grab an old shoe box, stuff it with current pictures, notes, small toys, and maybe a drawing or two. Then seal it up and stash it somewhere weird like under the bed or in a closet.
Your kid will forget about it, but that’s kinda the point. One day, five years from now, they’ll open it and get hit with a mini memory bomb. It’s low effort, high future value.
8. Make a paper airplane battalion
Not just one or two. Go full factory mode. Different models, colors, wing styles. YouTube some tricks if you’re feeling fancy. Line them up and test fly them down the hallway.
You’ll end up ducking a lot, but your kid will think they’re a pilot. Or a paper engineer. Or just really good at throwing stuff. It’s a win either way.
9. Try homemade slime
Yes, it’s gooey. Yes, it’s slightly annoying. But your kid will be obsessed with it, so buckle up. All you need is glue, baking soda, and contact solution. Look up the exact ratio. You’ll thank yourself.
Once you’ve made the goop, the fun starts. Color it, stretch it, squish it. Then let the chaos commence. Just maybe keep it off the carpet.
10. Decorate plant pots
Grab a couple of cheap pots or even plastic cups. Break out the paints, stickers, or markers, and let your kid go wild. The more outrageous, the better.
Then, plant something together. Maybe a tiny cactus or some grass seed. Watch it grow or watch it die slowly while you both pretend it’s fine. Either way, it’s something to check on together.
11. Build a Cardboard Plane
As dusk settles, park your cardboard planes for a quick layover and set up a flashlight runway against the wall. Cut out pilot-shaped puppets, winged beasts, or anything that belongs in the skies (or your kid’s imagination). Can’t find scissors? Hand-fly some shadow creatures instead.
Before you know it, your little captain might launch a full shadow show. You? You’re the VIP passenger in the front row, popcorn in hand, enjoying the in-flight entertainment.
12. Make silly hats from paper
Fold, tape, or staple your way into some glorious headwear. Pirate hats, wizard hats, pointy hats that defy physics. No rules here. Just make sure it stays on long enough to snap a photo.
You’ll probably get roped into wearing one too. Just go with it. The hat makes the dad. Or something like that.
13. Build a mini catapult
This one’s fun if you’ve got some popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and a plastic spoon lying around. It sounds more complicated than it is. Just stack, bind, and launch marshmallows across the table.
Test it out together, then challenge your kid to knock over little paper cup towers. Science? Kind of. Fun? Definitely.
14. Design a treasure hunt
Hide a few toys or snacks around the house. Write some goofy clues or draw maps that barely make sense. Let your kid play detective while you chuckle at their wild guesses.
It’ll feel like a full-on adventure. Even if the grand prize is a granola bar, the journey is weirdly exciting. Just don’t forget where you hid stuff.
15. DIY musical instruments
Rice in a bottle, rubber bands over a tissue box, or spoons clanking together. Instant band. Try not to wince too much. The noise is temporary. The memory? Surprisingly loud in a good way.
Let your kid name the band. Even if it’s something ridiculous like “The Screaming Socks,” you’re now the drummer. Congrats.
16. Make friendship bracelets
Don’t knock it ‘til you try it. Grab some string or yarn, maybe beads if you’re fancy, and teach your kid a basic knot. Messy hands make the best bracelets.
Give them silly names like “Super Power Wrist Rope” or “Alien Tracker.” You’ll both wear them for like, a day. But still, it counts.
17. Make your own board game
Start with a big sheet of paper. Draw some wacky paths, create rules that make no sense, and toss in challenges like “spin in a circle” or “do a chicken dance.”
It won’t be fair. Someone will cheat. Someone else will quit halfway through. That’s fine. Making the game is the game.
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