7 Inspirational Craft Books and Work Packs To Keep Your Kids Entertained

Come rain or shine, craft sessions are a great way to keep your kids entertained outside of school hours.

But when you’ve already done a thousand potato prints, or your pre-teen thinks they’re “too old” for paper planes, where do you go?

Keep reading for a countdown of our 7 favorite craft books, work packs, and rainy-day activities for all kids of ages…

First up, why is crafting so important?

Kids love crafts. It’s an opportunity to get creative (and maybe a little messy!) and they’re lots of fun.

But crafts aren’t just an entertaining activity to break up the school day. Crafting — whether it’s cutting, pasting, painting, modeling, or sewing — helps children to develop a range of really important skills.

Firstly, working with their hands improves fine motor skills, dexterity, and hand-eye coordination. All of this gets little hands prepped for writing neatly and with control.

Secondly, getting creative with crafts can boost a child’s self-esteem while allowing them to express themselves. Unlike with math or grammar, there’s no right or wrong answer in art.

Lastly, there are all sorts of other school subjects you can tie into craftwork. Whether it’s using shapes, colors, or patterns, subjects like math and science often go hand in hand with creativity. And that’s just as true whether your student is 5 or 15.

How can a craft book help?

It’s not always easy to come up with engaging and original craft ideas for your students. It takes time and imagination, which aren’t always in plentiful supply — especially towards the end of a busy week.

While you can give kids a pile of paper off-cuts and ask them to get modeling, if you really want to spark their imaginations and help them to create things they can be really proud of, they need some initial input.

The best craft books provide kids with endless inspiration and ideas — easy enough for the littlest crafters to manage, but messy and exciting enough that pre-teens won’t feel they’re “passed it”.

Here are our top picks for incredible kids’ crafts books and work packs to get creative juices flowing.

7 of the best kids’ crafts books and work packs

1.   365 Things to Make and Do by Fiona Watt

A craft idea for every day of the year! This bumper craft book for kids (which is ring bound and lies flat) includes colorful illustrations and easy step by step instructions.

Bear in mind that 365 Things is an introduction to crafting — so if your kids are a bit older you may find that you’ve already been there, made that.

However, with lots of wonderfully simple craft ideas, from bunting and “spoon people” to leaf printing and door signs, there’s lots of new inspiration for younger crafters.

2.   Origami craftwork pack

Origami — the Japanese art of folding paper — is a great craft for kids to try.

All you need is a few sheets of paper. But with designs taking anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to complete, there’s something for every age group and concentration level.

Another added bonus: it’s really easy to incorporate math concepts like geometry and fractions into origami. And, of course, it provides the perfect jumping-off point for an exploration of Japanese culture.

These origami worksheets guide kids to make a range of beautiful, folded paper classics including the crane and the flower.

3.   The Joy Journal for Magical Everyday Play by Laura Brand

A craft book for kids with a difference, The Joy Journal combines craft ideas with nature. Using easy to source items from around the home, classroom, or garden, kids can make everything from flower wands to nature crowns, to squishy soap, to moon sand.

As well as rainy day activities, there are plenty of craft ideas that will get kids out into the great outdoors, collecting their resources before working on their mini nature craft projects.

An inspiring option for outdoorsy parents, forest schools, and outdoor learning sessions!

4.   Color craftwork pack

Crayons at the ready! These color craft worksheets explore all aspects of color.

There’s lots to learn about the science of color and the cultural perception of different colors around the world. Plus hands-on activities sure to engage and excite your kids.  

Get your students coloring in, mixing colors, and crayon etching as they discover a rainbow of colorful activities — no matter their age.

5.   Kid Made Modern by Todd Oldham

Ready for some incredible craft ideas? And a bit of art history, too? This craft book for kids bases how-tos on the work of famous artists and designers.

There are mobiles made from foam, light cubes made from paper, and a potato printed scarf for kids to try their hands at.

All 52 ideas in Kid Made Modern are totally original and well-suited to teachers, parents, or kids with a keen eye for design.

6.   Circus themed craftwork pack

Roll up! Roll up! Enjoy all the fun of the circus with these amazing craft worksheets. Kids get to learn all about the history of the circus and recreate elements of the greatest show on earth.

Craft activities include cutting and pasting, creating a circus collage, and designing their own circus show. This is a craftwork pack sure to capture kids’ imaginations!

7.   Red Ted Art: Cute and Easy Crafts for Kids by Maggy Woodley

Containing over 60 cute and easy ideas, this craft book for kids makes a wonderful addition to the classroom library.

Finger puppets, egg carton fairy lights, stick men, and fabric-mâché bowls are just a few of the ideas you’ll find within these pages. The instructions are also super-easy to follow, so you may find that kids are able to work away with very little input.

Happy crafting!

Now you’re full of ideas and inspiration: get crafting!

And if you want to make the most of your kids’ engagement, be sure to check out the KidsKonnect library for more quality worksheets and expert help with any — and all — subjects you want to teach alongside.