What is the best craft for a grade school girl?

This answer will vary from girl to girl, depending on what is available to them as well as their hobbies and interests. "My kids always loved the wooden crafts and papier-mâché products you can paint and decorate, like jewelry boxes and heart-shaped boxes," says Grono. "They've kept the ones they made for years and even painted over and redecorated them," she adds, showing the longevity and reusability of certain types of crafts. For young kids, Brady says less is more. "Young grade-schoolers are still developing their fine motor skills and have low attention spans so resist the urge to make complicated projects. I love easy beading projects, basic tie-dye, paper, and coloring crafts for young children," she shares.

What is the best craft for a teenage girl?

This again will depend on the teenager, but they will often gravitate towards something a bit more complicated or trendy. "My girls are often attracted to 'fad' crafts they see on social media, like resin casting, pour painting, marble art, and things like that," says Grono of the ever-changing world of craft trends and the influence of social media. Brady likes to give a bit more creative freedom when it comes to crafts for teens. "My favorite teenager crafts allow them to show off their personalities with customizations, like custom pencil totes, T-shirts, accessories, or room decorations," she says.

What are the benefits of crafting?

There are so many benefits to crafting, from building confidence and creativity to fostering fine motor skills and tactile hobbies. One of Grono's benefits that she shares has to do with how crafts can make you feel. "Crafts can be relaxing, helping kids (and adults) to zone out for a while while they create. It can be calming," she shares. Brady knows that crafting together with a child has its benefits as well. "Outside of the practical fine motor skills and learning to follow directions, crafts are a fun and low-stress way to connect with children and foster their appreciation of the arts," she adds.

The 12 Best Craft Kits for Girls

Crafting is a perfect way for girls of all ages to relieve stress, practice a new skill, and unleash their creativity to produce something new. To make things even easier, craft kits often come with detailed instructions and everything you need to get started.

When purchasing a craft kit for a daughter, niece, or friend, consider her age and interests before investing. Some craft kits are simple enough for toddlers, while others are a bit more complicated and would better suit a teenager or adult. Also, try to find one that matches her interests so she can enjoy the end result for as long as possible. Lastly, be sure you have all of the supplies required for a specific craft before buying to avoid any meltdowns or frustrated parents.

Graphic Designers and The Craft Train Blogger Kate Grono prefers crafts with some creative freedom. "I always look for crafts that have some creative room to move, because these are less rigid and more fun," she says. She also likes that fact that they're often less complicated and require less 'hand holding', or help from a parent or carer.

"When deciding on a craft for a child, it's important to keep in mind your kid's skill level and interest," says Craft Blogger Vanessa Brady. "Being realistic about your child's needs will prevent you from wasting money on a kit that they have little ability or interest in completing." Finding crafts targeted at your kids' interests ensure longevity and completion every time.

Here, the best craft kits for girls of all ages.

Our Top Picks

Best for Grade School Girls:

4M Magnetic Mini Tile Art at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Tweens :

Craft-tastic Inspire Poster Kit at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Teens :

RM Studio DIY String Art Kit at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Jewelry Kit:

Creativity for Kids Butterfly Necklaces at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Preschool Girls:

ALEX Toys Discover My Giant Busy Box at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Sewing:

Klutz Sew Mini Treats at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Science-Themed:

MindWare Science Academy Bath Bomb Lab at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Quilting:

ALEX Toys Knot A Quilt Kit at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Book :

Adventure Girls! at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for a Group:

Creativity for Kids Flower Crowns Craft Kit at Amazon

Jump to Review

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Suitable for various ages
Can use other mediums on the tiles
Magnets are strong

What We Don't Like

Some users found the tiles smaller than expected

This craft kit lets girls express themselves on magnetic tiles, which they can then display on their lockers, on the refrigerator, or on any other metal surface. From unicorns to hearts, they can create images and put them on display. Designed for grade school girls (the magnets can be a choking hazard for younger kids), it comes with everything little girls need to create various 2-inch square tiles including the magnets, paint, and a paintbrush.

Customers say girls love this tile art kit, and that the final projects make great gifts for girls to give to their friends and families. They also like that the paint easily wipes off of the tiles before it dries, so mistakes can easily be corrected.

_{Medium: Magnets, Paint | Recommended Age: 8 years and up}

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Suitable for various ages
Lots of materials to decorate with

What We Don't Like

Included adhesive is not very strong

Perfect for tweens, this craft kit helps them make a super cool and inspiring piece of wall art. It comes with all sorts of items they can use to decorate the 22 small boxes, including feathers, hearts, pom poms, card stock, and more. The real stars of the project, however, are the pre-printed, inspirational quotes crafters can arrange, including those such as “Collect moments, not things,” "Rise by lifting others,” “Dream big,” and more meaningful messages. Once complete, they can hang it on their walls to remind themselves of these important ideas daily.

_{Medium: Craft Supplies | Recommended Age: 8 years and up}

RM Studio

View On Amazon

What We Like

Results in home decor piece
Included manual with string techniques
Suitable for beginners

What We Don't Like

Instructions are not super detailed

Teens may be more likely to get into crafting when it results in a new and trendy piece of wall art for their room or college dorm. With a natural wood frame and spokes in your desired shape, teen girls use the included string to wrap around the spokes in whatever pattern they desire to achieve their creation that can be hung on the wall or stood up as a frame. Choose from the design that speaks to you most from a pineapple or cactus to a candy cane or rainbow for the perfect craft kit for every teen.

_{Medium: String | Recommended Age: 8 years and up}

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Great for parties
Quick and simple
Room for creativity

What We Don't Like

Some users found the necklaces not suitable for long time wear

For floaty, fashionable fun, girls can create these sweet butterfly necklaces. The 80-piece kit has everything needed to make six necklaces that can be as sparkly, simple, or swanky as they like. There are dangling charms, rhinestones, glue and more. Girls can make multiple necklaces to match their various outfits and occasions or give them to others as friendship tokens. The jewelry making kit also makes a fun activity for playdates and sleepovers, with everyone getting a fun, wearable takeaway.

_{Medium: Jewelry Supplies | Pieces: 80 | Recommended Age: 7 years and up}

Courtesy of environmentalcontrolexpert.xyz

View On Amazon

What We Like

Perfect for toddlers
Multiple activities in one
Lasts a long time

What We Don't Like

Some of the activities don't have clear instructions

For the smallest crafters, this box of craft projects from Alex Discovery provides options aplenty for creative crafts. Perfect for toddlers, it comes with everything they need to make 16 different projects, including buttons, feathers, glue, crayons, doilies, and more. Project options include farm animal collages, tissue art, and paper bag puppets.

It’s a great activity to bring out for playdates or on those days when it’s too hot, rainy, or cold to go outside. Parents say kids love this kit and that it provides hours of entertainment. The say the quality of the materials is good, and they like that the supplies for each craft are bagged separately, which helps keep things organized.

_{Medium: Craft supplies | Recommended Age: 3 years and up}

Courtesy of Maxima Center

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Barnesandnoble.com

What We Like

Detailed instructions
Generous amount of supplies
Long lasting craft

What We Don't Like

Might be too difficult for young crafters

This craft kit from Klutz is so awesome for girls who want to start working on their stitches. Even if they’ve never sewed before, they can use this kit to create 18 adorable little food-themed plushies including a donut, bacon, a cupcake, and more. It comes with all the felt, floss, needles, stuffing, patterns, and other pieces they need, as well as step-by-step instructions to create each plushie.

Parents say younger children may need help, but once they get the hang of it, they can do it by themselves. Reviewers say the instructions are nice and easy to follow and that the finished stuffed characters are adorable.

_{Medium: Sewing supplies | Recommended Age: 10 years and up}

Courtesy of MindWare

View On Amazon

What We Like

STEM-based
Includes goggles and gloves
Easy to follow

What We Don't Like

Some users found the bath bombs smaller than expected

Creativity meets science for an explosion of fun in this bath-bomb making kit. While girls are making the yummy-scented bath bombs, they’re also learning about the chemical reactions that make for the fizzy fun. There are multiple recipe options for them to experiment with too, as they change up the colors, scents, sizes, and more.

The kit includes everything girls need including beakers, fragrance, and coloring. For safety, there are gloves and goggles in there too, as well as instructions. According to users, the instructions are simple to follow and a hit with girls of various ages.

_{Medium: Bath Bomb Supplies | Recommended Age: 8 years and up}

Crafting & Scrapbooking Products

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Suitable for kids and adults
Stress relieving activity
Great bonding activity

What We Don't Like

Requires a lot of patience

For a pop of color on your couch or a bed, there’s this great kit that lets girls make a cozy quilt. There’s no sewing or cutting required; it all comes together with simple knots. The kit comes with pre-cut squares in six bright colors that children can tie together in various patterns. When they finish, they’ll have a soft, cozy quilt that measure 3.5 x 4.5 feet.

This is a simple yet satisfying craft and makes for a fun gift for grandparents or other relatives. Parents say it’s a fun way to keep kids occupied, and that it’s easy enough they can make the blanket entirely on their own.

_{Medium: Fleece | Recommended Age: 3 years and up}

The 8 Best Knitting Books for Beginners of 2023

Nicole Duggan

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Bookshop.org

What We Like

Highlights remarkable women
Multiple activities in one
Educational and engaging

What We Don't Like

Supplies for the crafts are not included

A book like this will ensure your little one never runs out of awesome stuff to create and explore. Adventure Girls! by Nicole Duggan offers activities and crafts aimed at girls that center around construction, science, gardening, bird watching, and more active and outdoorsy concepts. Luckily, most of the activities can be done with things found around the house or in nature, since the supplies are not included. Even better, the book also highlights remarkable women in their field, making this book functional and educational.

_{Medium: Book | Recommended Age: 6 years and up}

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Fosters creativity
Adjustable crowns
High-quality materials

What We Don't Like

Some users wished there were more flowers

When the girls are all gathered for a sleepover, sleep is usually the last thing on their minds. Having a cute craft on hand is a great way for them to have some creative fun, and these flower crowns are sure to be a hit. One kit contains enough materials to make four flower crowns adorned with paper roses, glitter, garland, and more. Their creativity will drive the designs and they’ll love sporting their unique creations. The crowns can even be adjusted in size to fit everyone from toddlers to adults.

Parents say the quality of the materials is good and girls love making them. The finished products make for some adorable party pictures too.

_{Medium: Flowers, glitter, garland, and more | Recommended Age: 7 years and up}

The 7 Best Craft Subscription Boxes of 2023

Courtesy of Stick Together

View On Letsticktogether.com

What We Like

Simple concept
Results in a piece of wall art
Can be done together or solo

What We Don't Like

Requires patience

Let's Stick Together makes unique designs into simple mosaics that any young girl can complete, both solo or with friends and family. Similar to a paint by numbers, girls stick the small squares to the corresponding numbers on the image to create a beautiful unicorn poster to hang in their room and admire their hard work. This could be an exciting challenge for a first-time crafter or a stress reliving activity for a teenager or adult.

_{Medium: Stickers | Recommended Age: 5 years and up}

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Easy to follow instructions
Can mix dyes to produce any color desired
Can choose soap mold

What We Don't Like

Some users wished the molds were easier to reuse

While many kits in this list can also be enjoyed by adults, this soap making kit is perfect for any women who want to get into crafting but also produce something functional out of it. This kit eases you into the process of making soap at home with a soap base, scents, dyes, molds, stirring sticks, and more, already included. It also comes with two different molds so you can choose the shape you want for using in your bathroom or gifting to a friend. And with supervision, this kit can be enjoyed with kids as well!

_{Medium: Soap | Recommended Age: Not Listed}

Recommended Age

Be sure to find the perfect craft kit for your girl based on her age. Toddlers will need something simple that they can let their creativity unleash on, and older kids will be ready for detailed projects that might have more structure and guidelines, like a piece of decor or special keepsake. Many of these kits can be used by girls well above the recommended age, but if they are younger, the craft may result in frustration.

Grono explains how a budget may differ depending on the age of the crafter. "As far as price goes, that's up to the individual and their budget," she says. "You don't need to pay a lot to keep the kids busy, but for older kids especially, it can be worth paying a bit more for a better-quality product."

Hobbies or Interests

Crafts come in so many different varieties, but it is wise to find one that matches your girl's interests. Maybe they enjoy painting or drawing over crocheting or knitting. Sometimes, they may love a certain design or color and care less about the project that they are completing. If they loved stuffed animals or new posters to hang on their walls, find a craft that results in something they can utilize for years to come.

Supplies

The great thing about craft kits is many come with all of the supplies you will need for the project. Magnet making crafts, for example, offer the freedom to add in your own art supplies for additional customization, if so desired. Others, like a crafting book, require you to provide all of the necessary materials. This is why it is helpful to consider what supplies you have on hand before committing to a crafting kit for yourself or a loved one. Some basic craft supplies that are useful to have on hand include scissors, glue, paints or markers, and tape. If you don't have these items, opt for a kit that comes with everything for that specific project.

FAQ

What is the best craft for a grade school girl?

This answer will vary from girl to girl, depending on what is available to them as well as their hobbies and interests. "My kids always loved the wooden crafts and papier-mâché products you can paint and decorate, like jewelry boxes and heart-shaped boxes," says Grono. "They've kept the ones they made for years and even painted over and redecorated them," she adds, showing the longevity and reusability of certain types of crafts.
For young kids, Brady says less is more. "Young grade-schoolers are still developing their fine motor skills and have low attention spans so resist the urge to make complicated projects. I love easy beading projects, basic tie-dye, paper, and coloring crafts for young children," she shares.
What is the best craft for a teenage girl?

This again will depend on the teenager, but they will often gravitate towards something a bit more complicated or trendy. "My girls are often attracted to 'fad' crafts they see on social media, like resin casting, pour painting, marble art, and things like that," says Grono of the ever-changing world of craft trends and the influence of social media.
Brady likes to give a bit more creative freedom when it comes to crafts for teens. "My favorite teenager crafts allow them to show off their personalities with customizations, like custom pencil totes, T-shirts, accessories, or room decorations," she says.
What are the benefits of crafting?

There are so many benefits to crafting, from building confidence and creativity to fostering fine motor skills and tactile hobbies. One of Grono's benefits that she shares has to do with how crafts can make you feel. "Crafts can be relaxing, helping kids (and adults) to zone out for a while while they create. It can be calming," she shares.
Brady knows that crafting together with a child has its benefits as well. "Outside of the practical fine motor skills and learning to follow directions, crafts are a fun and low-stress way to connect with children and foster their appreciation of the arts," she adds.

This article was written by Julie Evans, a freelance writer who has contributed to The Spruce brands since 2017. Her work has appeared in several leading publications. To make this list, she considered each pick's strength, type, and application. Additional reporting was done by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce brands covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays. She's also covered similar topics in other roles, including toy reviews, product roundups, interviews with expert-focused articles, and more.

Expert advice was provided by Craft Blogger Vanessa Brady and Graphic Designers and The Craft Train Blogger Kate Grono.