Explore 60 awesome craft ideas for adults with step-by-step tutorials. Create beautiful DIY projects and decorative pieces with ease!
Crafting isn’t just a pastime; it’s a fun way to spark joy, whether for the adult doing the craft or as a gift for someone special. With many of us staying home and unable to visit stores, I’ve curated a collection of easy crafts and cool paper crafts you can create using materials you likely already have at home.
Adult Crafting and Joy
Crafting offers numerous psychological benefits, especially when using upcycled materials. It’s not just a boredom buster; creating beautiful home decor and decorative pieces is a positive and comforting activity in today’s world. Engaging in creative craft ideas can be soothing, providing a mental pick-me-up. Adult crafting can help alleviate depression and stress, and it can also keep your mind sharp by preventing age-related cognitive decline and fine motor skill deterioration.
Sharing the joy of crafting by making great gifts for others is another beautiful aspect. There’s nothing more personal than a handmade gift, which brings a smile to my face whenever I receive one. Handmade crafts are an affordable and joyful way to decorate and make a home unique.
Before you start, ensure these crafting essentials are in your cupboard and check your recycling bin for materials you can upcycle.
Materials That You Are Likely To Have To Hand
You might be excited about these easy adult crafts and think the next step is to visit the craft store. However, with these adult craft ideas, you can use items you likely have around the house.
Free things you can upcycle craft include cardboard from Amazon packaging, toilet roll holders, plastic bottles, tin cans, and yoghurt containers.
1. Waste Paper
Scrap paper is perfect for many grown-up crafts. Examples include newspapers, magazines, sheet music, tissue paper, paper napkins, paper doilies, and old maps. Newspapers are great for paper mache projects, and old maps add interest and personalization to your makes.
If you don’t have a particular map you want to use, you can easily download and print free vintage maps to use.
2. Fabric Scraps
Fabric scraps can be used in numerous crafts and don’t always require a sewing machine. Old sweaters, sheets, tea towels, denim, shirts, and blouses can all be repurposed. For these craft projects, you only need small pieces of fabric, not yards.
3. Natural Materials
If you have a garden or can visit a local park, you can gather free natural materials for your craft tutorials. Look for rocks, twigs, acorns, and pinecones.
4. Other Free Crafting Resources
If you lack specific materials for a project, consider substitutes. For example, repurpose beads from an old necklace or make paper beads. If a craft calls for Mod Podge decoupage glue and you don’t have any, try using white glue (PVA glue) instead. It’s versatile and can be used for most crafting jobs, including as a top coat varnish.
If you need patterned paper napkins, you can even print onto paper napkins and tissue paper using an inkjet printer.
Check out these nifty Christmas craft ideas for more seasonal adult craft ideas.
Get Crafting!
Explore these easy craft ideas and enjoy the perfect way to spend your time at home. From fun summer crafts to creative DIY projects for special occasions, there’s something for every level of skill. Whether you’re looking for a new hobby or a way to create unique home decor, these step-by-step instructions will guide you through each project.
Easy Adult Craft Ideas To Spark Joy
Denim Feather Wall Decor
These gorgeous denim feathers are so simple to make and require no sewing. All you need is some scraps of denim and a bit of twine. These are a great craft to do in front of a Netflix box set as it doesn't require too much concentration,
Simple but Beautiful Map Roses
The gorgeous roses are made with old road maps; however, if you don't have any old maps, you can use newspapers or sheet music instead.
Unique & Chic: Create Your Own Embroidered Clay Pendants
Learn how to embroider on clay to create unique handmade necklaces. Follow our easy tutorial for a particular craft project!
Feathers From Upcycled Fabric Scraps
I have made it very similar to my trendy denim feathers. But these colourful feathers are made with scraps of tartan and plaid fabrics, giving them lovely patterns and colours. This is an addictive feather craft; soon, you'll want to make feathers out of your old plaid shirts.
Recycled CD Coasters: put those old CD's and DVD's to a new use!
Who listens to CDs anymore? Dust off those old unwanted discs and turn them into colourful coasters to brighten up the coffee table.
Pretty Upcycled Denim Flowers Bouquet
The pretty upcycled denim flowers are made from scraps of fabric from old jeans. You can create a lovely bouquet of denim roses using jeans of different shades of indigo. Make gorgeous napkin rings from single denim roses.
Easy Acrylic Fluid Art
This fun and simple paint-pouring technique teaches you how to make your own easy acrylic fluid art pieces.
Watercolor Flower Bouquet
This is a fun craft idea, the step-by-step tutorial shows you how to create a beautiful watercolour bouquet of flowers that will last forever.
Scandinavian Embroidered Hearts Decorations
This is a straightforward and affordable craft to make cute embroidered hearts for Valentine's Day—a tutorial on displaying them creatively on your mantle using sticks and branches.
Papier-Mache Vase
No particular skill level is needed to make a designer upcycled vase, just some scrapbook paper and acrylic paint.
Plastic Bottle Faux Succulents Terrarium
Plastic soda bottles are melted to make mini succulents; the cloches are Nutella jars.
How To Make Decoupage Paper Mache Teacups
All you need is an old newspaper and some glue for paper mache. Use it to make these cute vintage teacups for your home.
How To Make A Scandinavian Flower Doodle Decoration
These colourful doodle flowers only take 20 minutes to make and are very easy. You can also use adult colouring books for this craft too.
How to Make String Art | Beautiful Rainbow Thread Heart Tutorial
String art is a relaxing craft for adults that needs a few materials, such are balls of yarn or thread and some pins or nails.
DIY Jewelry - Upcycled Silk Scarf Necklace
Make yourself some jewellery with an old scarf. This would make a lovely gift for someone. This tutorial includes instructions for making denim beads.
Make a DIY Knot Necklace
This necklace would look great and is made from upcycled t-shirt yarn. You'll find many more adult yarn crafts here.
Everything you need to know about Mandala Rock Painting (Beginners Guide)
Collect some rocks and paint some beautiful mandala designs on them.
A Cool Map Rock Keychain
Another rock craft this one involves printing maps onto rocks. It makes a lovely gift.
How To Make DIY Fabric Mushrooms - Free Pattern
Not only are these fabric mushrooms a cool thing to make, but they are also fun. Once you start, you won't be able to stop.
Anthropologie-inspired Clay Mushroom Plant Stakes
Mushroom crafts are fun crafts to make and these clay ones look gorgeous on a table scape.
A Repurposed Felt Succulent Garden
A succulent garden you can't kill. The materials used are old sweaters, a denim waistband and a tin can. Complete step-by-step instructions to make each faux plant. A great, fun adult craft project.
Scandi Woven Hearts Garland
Another craft that uses denim and sweater scraps, and these woven hearts are a trendy decoration in Scandinavia.
Gorgeous Fabric Birdhouses For Your Home
These birdhouses are made with cardboard from Amazon packaging and scraps of fabric. You could use old blouses and shirts to make these even more personal.
Tutorial For A Gorgeous Scrap Fabric Birdcage
The cages are made using wire coathangers wrapped in fabric scraps. As with the birdhouses you could use old cotton shirts and blouses to make these.
Coiled Magazine Page Dish With Lid
What a fabulous way to repurpose old magazines; the magazine print creates a beautiful pattern with these handy bowls.
Paper towel roll art
Can you believe this beautiful wall art is made with cardboard tubes like the ones you get with toilet rolls and paper towels?
Map Art How to Make a Unique Pet Portrait
A step-by-step tutorial on creating a portrait of your pet in old maps; I think that this will work with other papers, such as sheet music.
Paper Parrot Decor For An IKEA Glass Cloche
This gorgeous papercraft is a free printable. The parrots look great inside and outside the cloche, so you can still make this if you don't have one.
How To Make A Gorgeous Anthropologie Inspired Rabbit Head
This is a fun paper mache craft to create an Anthropologie-inspired animal head.
Pinecone Flower Heart Decoration
This would be one if there were an incentive to collect pine cones—a straightforward nature craft.
Make Your Own Pine Cone Succulents - Running With Sisters
Collect a variety of pine cones to make some pretty faux succulent gardens.
How To Make A Decoupage Tin Can Wind Chime
Keep your old food cans for crafting. You can make many cool things with them, such as this cute wind chime.
Easy Upcycled Marimekko Decorative Tin Can Planters
Brighten up your garden with some gorgeous decoupage tin can planters.
How to Make Gorgeous Free Printable Map Star Decorations
All you need is a printer, scissors and paper glue to make these paper stars.
Hanging Denim Mason Jar Vase
Upcycled denim wall hanging mason jar vases- a simple and cheap craft is a great way to display faux flowers. Note no mason jars were harmed in the making of this craft.
Boho Flower Wall Hanging made from Egg Cartons
This craft is for you if you’re looking for cheap and easy DIY home decor! Seriously this DIY Boho Flower Wall Hanging I created using egg cartons is one to take the cake! It's on-trend, looks fantastic and was fun to make.
How To Make Fun Faux Framed Moth Taxidermy
A fun way to craft with denim and fabric scraps and an excellent project for nature lovers.
How To Make A Paper Flower Wall Decoration
Try this fun craft if you can get some coloured crepe paper. It will certainly brighten up your home.
Paper succulent tutorial
These paper succulents look so real. Full step-by-step tutorial.
DIY cardboard cacti
Another use for your cardboard packaging. Turn it into an extraordinary cacti display.
How To Make Rainbow DIY Pom-Pom Flowers Decoration
This craft is a great yarn stash buster and fun to make. The pom-pom flowers are inspired by the famous Marimekko Unikko poppy design. The colourful rainbow flowers will brighten up any home. You'll find more easy adult yarn crafts here.
How To Make Tassels From Repurposed Denim
Turn your denim scraps into cute tassels. Then, add color with some cute DIY pom-poms and embroidery thread.
How To Make Unique Shibori Indigo Planters
Shibori dye kits are readily available online. They make for a fun afternoon indigo dying fabrics in the garden on a sunny day. These planters are made with tin cans and old socks.
Cool Marimekko Plastic Bottle Planters
Not only do these herb planters look great they are self-draining too. All made from upcycled rubbish.
Make Fabric Flowers From Old Bed Sheets
This is an incredible way to upcycle old bedsheets into flowers. The way the petals are coloured is fun too.
Paper Embroidery and How To Make Dictionary Art
Hand embroidery on book pages is such an excellent adult craft. Use the technique to make some unique dictionary art.
Repurposed Pom Pom Jeans Flowers
Use your old jeans to make a gorgeous bouquet of indigo flowers for your mantle. This craft is a very affordable, fun denim upcycle. It can be either a sew or no-sew denim craft.
Make A Paper Mache Bowl With Decoupage
All you need is some newspaper and glue to make these Anthropologie-inspired Nature Table paper mache bowls.
How To Make A Cute Fabric Mushroom Display
These super cute, whimsical fabric mushrooms are printed on a bedsheet using an inkjet printer.
Upcycled Denim Patchwork Quilted Stars Decoration
This fun sewing craft uses those denim scraps from other projects.
How To Make An Embroidered Heart Denim Decoration
These look great on the wall or as a bag charm. They are made from scraps of denim and yarn with simple stitching.
Heart Shaped Felt Brooch
A straightforward tutorial for making a fun heart-shaped brooch. The colourful pin is made of small felt flowers from scraps—a simple and affordable craft for either Valentine's day or Mother's day.
How To Make Map Paper Moths Art
All you need are old road maps to make this fun faux taxidermy. You can make them even more special by using maps of your favourite places.
How To Make A Unique DIY Felt Lampshade
It's easier to make than it looks to make this modern tropical lampshade. The applique could be used for a pillow instead of a lampshade.
How to Make Embroidery On Canvas Wall Art
A hanging plant you can't kill! With this craft, you will learn how easy it is to embroider on a stretched canvas.
How To Make Shrinky Dink Earrings
Shrinky dinks are a retro craft that is just as fun for adults as it is for kids. Use shrink plastic to make fabulous designer earrings such as Marimekko.
Shadow Box Ideas To Unleash Your Creativity
Shadow boxes are fun decor to make for your walls or mantles and many can be made simply from old cardboard packaging and objects you have lying around the home.
DIY Glitter Wine Glasses
Great wine glasses, to make for a bridal shower or other fun celebrations.
Beautiful DIY Air Dry Clay Ornaments
This is another fabulous air dry clay craft using cookie cutters and decoupage to create beautiful vintage style ornaments for the tree.
Boho Japanese Denim Koinobori Windsocks
These are fun to make from your old jeans and you can either stitch the scales or paint them. They make a unique decorative item for the home or garden.
If you like these craft ideas for grown-ups, don’t forget to check out these;
- wonderful feather-themed crafts and DIYs
- Christmas embroidery crafts
- Valentine’s crafts
- Hexagon-shaped crafts.
- Adult decoupage crafts
For more seasonal crafting, check out these Easter DIYs for adults, adult summer crafts and cool Christmas crafts.
Annie Fetzer
Sunday 18th of February 2024
I’ve been working with adults in Rosary Hill Home, a hospice facility in Hawthorne NY and I am so careful not to give them childish projects to do. What a wonderful collection of creative ideas for my patients!! Thank you for the age appropriate projects! Annie
Claire Armstrong
Monday 19th of February 2024
Thank you, that's really love to hear that they have been useful ideas.
Donna @ Modern on Monticello
Tuesday 14th of April 2020
Fabulous list of great crafts and ideas. I totally agree that crafting or making something with your hands is therapeutic for these times. Thanks for sharing each week at #HomeMattersParty. I look forward to your post next week.
Claire Armstrong
Wednesday 15th of April 2020
Thank you, and thanks for hosting. I will be back this week.
Dee | Grammy's Grid
Saturday 11th of April 2020
These are all interesting but love the ones made of denim!!
Claire Armstrong
Sunday 12th of April 2020
Thank you so much, me too.
Michelle Leslie
Saturday 11th of April 2020
Stunning roundup Claire. Thank you, it's just what I needed right now
Claire Armstrong
Sunday 12th of April 2020
Thank you, Michelle. Hope you are keeping well.
Lisa | Handmade in Israel
Friday 10th of April 2020
Love the denim feathers. Going to look how to make them right now! So many great ideas here. Thank you!
Claire Armstrong
Sunday 12th of April 2020
Thank you, they are a lovely relaxing craft to make. They don't require too much concentration.