Older kids can find their creative side with fun crafts for teenagers. These craft projects go beyond the basic painting and gluing common in kids crafts to inspire teenagers.
Scrapbook Projects
The abundance of scrapbook materials at most craft stores gives plenty of opportunities for teens to enjoy crafting. Because they are older, teenagers can create their own projects.
Homemade Cards
Scrapbook materials work well to create one of a kind greeting cards for birthdays and holidays. Blank cards and envelopes are sold at craft stores. Decorative scrapbook papers, embellishments, stickers and rubber stamps are used to create the design of the cards. Encourage the teenage crafters to use creativity when designing their own greeting cards.
Memory Books
School memory books in the scrapbook style make a customized keepsake for the school year. Let the teens create page layouts to highlight the events of the school year. Add a section at the back for signatures.
Collage
The scrapbook materials work equally well for a wall collage. Start with an artist's canvas. Cut out interesting shapes or patterns from scrapbook paper. Decoupage medium works well to attach the pieces to the canvas. Add embellishments, photos or inspirational sayings to complete the collage. The finished product is a personalized piece of wall art perfect as a bedroom wall hanging or a gift for a friend.
Wearable Crafts
Wearable crafts for teens allow them to show off their creativity long after the crafting is done.
Jewelry
The wide range of styles and colors available in beads allows teens to create customized jewelry for themselves and friends. All of the necessary jewelry making materials are available at craft stores. Teens can create their own necklaces, bracelets and other beaded jewelry by mixing and matching beads.
Customized Flip Flops
Basic plastic flip flops take on a new look with fun embellishments. Any number of craft materials and everyday items work to embellish the straps of the flip flops. Simply attach the embellishments to the straps using a low temperature hot glue gun. Consider these embellishment options for fun flip flops:
- Buttons
- Beads
- Strips of fabric or string tied to the straps
- Ribbons covering the straps
- Sea shells
- Silk flowers
- Crocheted flowers
- Faux fur
Beauty Crafts
Beauty crafts are particularly appealing to teenage girls, especially those who enjoy spas and makeup. These crafts let them customize their beauty products.
Sugar Scrub
Sugar scrubs are a fun pampering product. The supplies to make the scrubs are items that you likely have in the kitchen. For the basic sugar scrub, combine one cup of white sugar with a half cup of oil. Olive oil, sweet almond oil or coconut oil work well. The ingredients are mixed together and stored in a jar. For a customized sugar scrub, consider these options:
- Add essential oils to the sugar scrub in your favorite scent.
- Stir in crushed peppermint candies for a holiday scrub.
- Substitute half of the white sugar with brown sugar.
- Add a few teaspoons of cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice.
Salt Scrub
Salt scrubs are an alternative to the sugar scrubs. They use sea salt or Epsom salt in place of the sugar. The basic recipe involves stirring together 3 cups of salt and 1 cup of olive oil. As with the sugar scrub, other oils work well in the mixture. Essential oils also work to scent the salt scrub. Both the sugar and salt scrubs make a simple and inexpensive gift. Teens can make their own custom scrubs and give them to friends. A decorative jar is used as the container. A ribbon or other embellishments round out the gift.
Lip Gloss
Homemade lip gloss is another easy beauty craft for teenagers. There are several options for the gloss. Experimenting with different combinations may result in the perfect lip gloss. The basic steps involve melting the base material, which is usually shortening or petroleum jelly. The microwave or a double boiler both work for melting the lip gloss base. Avoid overheating the materials. Old lip gloss containers or empty baby food jars work well to store the end product. These lip gloss recipes will get you started.
- Melt shortening and mix in flavored drink mix. This adds color, flavor and scent to the lip gloss.
- Melt 2 parts grated beeswax, one part lipstick and one part petroleum jelly. Add essential oils if desired.
- Make chocolate lip gloss by combining and melting shortening and petroleum jelly in equal parts. Add enough cocoa powder to achieve the desired color and flavor.
Other Teen Crafts
If you still haven't found a craft that catches your attention, consider these artistic options:
- Sewing from a pattern
- Woodworking or painted wood projects
- Homemade garden stepping stones
- Painting on canvases
Get Started With Fun Crafts for Teenagers
The key to planning fun crafts for teenagers is to use their interests and hobbies as a guide. Craft projects encourage creativity and a sense of pride in the completed project.
