The Top 5 Craft Kits for Kids

As parents, we all know that a busy kid is a happy kid - but keeping them busy all year long can be a challenge. One of our favorite ways to entertain children is with crafting kits. These are pre-made kits of all the supplies you need to complete a certain do-it-yourself project. This can include anything from scratch art to sponge painting to making your own soap. Kids love having a creative outlet, and parents love keeping them happy and busy. We looked through the top 40 craft kits for kids to bring you the best 5 to keep kids of all ages busy.

Creativity for Kids Grow n’ Glow Terrarium

Kids will love growing their own habitat with this STEAM-focused terrarium set

This Grow N' Glow kit is a great mix of science and art, allowing children to put together a glowing terrarium garden. It includes everything you need for two full plant cycles.

Best Overall

Find on Amazon

This terrarium kit is awesome because it includes both the ability to decorate a terrarium and everything you need to do to plant it to bring it to life. Recommended for kids ages 6+, children will learn about eco-systems, botany, and the life cycle of plants. Glow in the dark stickers are sure to delight any child, and the included chia and wheatgrass seeds can grow in as little as 3 days to satisfy the impatient child. This is the best overall option because it combines science and art, giving kids a great understanding of basic eco-systems.

Pros:

Kid tested and safe
The hard parts about making a terrarium are done for you
Helps children learn about multiple subjects
Supplies include enough seeds for two plant cycles

Cons:

We found that the stickers were hard to remove from the sheet
The included mason jar is plastic rather than glass

Klutz Lego Chain Reactions Science and Building Kit

Combine your child's love for building Lego sets with the magic of science

The Klutz Lego Chain Reactions Science and Building Kit can help your child design and build 10 amazing moving machines, complete with full instructions.

Best For Future Engineers

Find on Amazon

For the little engineer, this award-winning Lego set is a great craft kit. You will use Lego parts to build 10 moving machines, which includes 80 pages of instructions to help you figure out assembly. This kit is recommended for kids 8+ who enjoy putting things together. With your built machines you can cause dozens of different chain reactions to keep the fun going and kids curious. For example, one chain reaction allows you to ring a bell. We feel like this is a great supplemental craft kit for kids who already have Lego sets.

Pros:

Nappa Silver Award Winner
Includes parts to build 10 machines
12+ chain reactions can happen post-assembly
Projects feel very well thought out
Helps children learn about engineering and physics
Instructions were very clear and easy to follow

Cons:

Some reviewers felt you needed to have additional Lego pieces which are not included
The machines get progressively bigger, so you may need to disassemble one to make the next one

4M 5557 Crystal Growing Science Experimental Kit

Perform 7 different crystal growth experiments with this innovative craft kit

The 4M 5557 Crystal Growing Science Experimental Kit is an easy kit great for STEM learning. You can see crystals start growing overnight, which is sure to excite the little scientist in your life.

Best For Budding Scientist

Find on Amazon

We loved this timeless kit because it helped our children learn more about scientific principles, and they were rewarded quickly after seeding these crystals. Each kit comes with crystals in a variety of colors and shapes. Kids can grow 7 different kinds of crystals, and a display case is included to show off their work. This kit is recommended for kids ages 10 and up. If you discover your child is a little geologist, this brand also offers a Crystal Mining Kit for next time.

Pros:

Crystals typically start growing within 1 day and grow fully in 7 days
The crystals will last for years after being grown
Included directions will help guide you to grow your crystals
The kits include supplies to grow 7 types of crystals

Cons:

Some parents felt the directions were unclear
We were a little worried about our dog consuming the chemicals

Creativity for Kids Hide & Seek Rock Painting Kit

Rock your neighborhood with this kid-friendly painting kit

These painted rocks make great surprises to place around your city. Kids can get creative by decorating rocks and then finding places to hide them.

Most Artistic

Find on Amazon

You may have heard of the “Kindness Rocks” movement, which is basically a hide and seek rock game. You decorate a rock and hide it locally, like under a bench at a public park. Others find it, and re-home it to another secret neighborhood spot. Kids love looking for rocks, and this kit will get them started on making their own. Our kids loved that 10 rocks were included as well as waterproof paint and tracking stickers. Any beginner to the movement will enjoy doing this craft, and it’s perfect for kids ages 6 and up. They even have options for glow-in-the-dark and holiday rocks.

Pros:

3 themed versions available
8 waterproof paint colors
Non-toxic supplies
Smooth rocks for easy application

Cons:

We felt that the stickers didn’t adhere to the rocks well
Some of the included paint was dry

Klutz Make Your Own Soap Craft & Science Kit

Easy-to-make kit turns kids into soap makers

The Klutz Make Your Own Soap Craft & Science Kit is one of the most fun because kids can make their own soap and later use it at bathtime.

Most Interactive

Find on Amazon

We loved how interactive this kit was, allowing kids to make soap they can actually use themselves. This would be a good kit option for kids 6 and up. Soap stickers, soap molds, a lovely coconut papaya fragrance, and skin-safe glitter make this more fun for kids. While you wait for your soap to “cook”, there are some included soap-based experiments you can do at home. There are troubleshooting instructions to help kids out and know when to include their parents. My kids enjoyed making their soap and used the kit’s gift box and tag to give it to their dad.

Pros: