Discovering creative ways to earn extra income has always excited me. The joy of transforming a simple project into a steady online business is empowering, especially when it comes to crafts made by kids. Not only do these crafts encourage young creativity, but they also lay the foundation for important financial skills. With some flexibility and a focus on balanced fun, you can help your kids (or students) start earning money—without sacrificing the little pleasures that make crafting enjoyable. Let’s dive into nine easy kids crafts with selling power that bring smiles and spark smart money habits.
1. Colorful Friendship Bracelets
Friendship bracelets are a timeless craft that kids can easily make and sell. With just colorful embroidery floss or yarn, young crafters can produce fun patterns and personalized gifts. These bracelets have consistent appeal at school events and online marketplaces like Etsy. Adding letter beads for names makes each bracelet unique, boosting their marketability. For an extra business boost, consider bundling a few styles or offering custom orders to family and friends. Check out guidelines for encouraging younger kids to earn safely while having fun with their projects.
2. Painted Rock Magnets
Painted rock magnets are budget-friendly, eco-conscious, and pack a lot of personality. Kids can collect smooth stones, paint cheerful faces or designs, and glue on magnets for instant fridge art. These are great sellers at local craft fairs or through Facebook Marketplace. Acrylic paints work best, and a quick spray sealant adds durability. For inspiration on styles and presentation, browse creative ideas from Country Living’s rock painting roundup.
3. Upcycled Jar Candle Holders
Glass jar candle holders made with old jars and a little decoration offer practical use and rustic charm. Kids can decorate them with tissue paper, paint, or twine, then add LED tea lights for safety. Sourcing jars from recycling bins keeps costs low and adds an eco-friendly selling point. These crafts perform well at holiday fairs. Dive into creative approaches in this helpful mason jar craft guide from Good Housekeeping. If your kids want to branch out, spark ideas with these simple strategies for young entrepreneurs.
4. Personalized Bookmarks
Bookmarks let kids flex their artistic side and offer a quick turnaround for selling. Using cardstock, markers, and embellishments like stickers or glitter, they can customize bookmarks for holidays, birthdays, or favorite book quotes. Laminate them for a professional finish. These are perfect for online shops, school fundraising, or as affordable gifts for teachers. Explore creative bookmarks and pricing tips from The Spruce Crafts. For older kids, turning crafts into a thriving side gig can even help kickstart goals on platforms like Fiverr.
5. Scented Play Dough Kits
Homemade scented play dough stands out in a world of plastic toys. Simple kitchen ingredients, essential oils for scent, and small jars or containers make these kits feel special. Kids can package multiple colors and include safe tools for shaping. Play dough kits sell especially well at preschool markets or among parents seeking unique party favors. For recipe inspiration and tips on safe handling, check out this playful tutorial on Parents.com. Consider marketing these craft kits as fundraiser essentials for local events.
6. Easy Sew Felt Keychains
Felt keychain crafts introduce basic sewing and offer endless shapes—think hearts, animals, or sports balls. They’re fast projects that teach valuable skills while creating something useful. With colorful felt, stuffing, needle, and thread, kids can personalize each one. Attach a metal keyring for finish. They sell well online and make great gifts for holidays or end-of-year teacher appreciation. See extra tips in this sewing roundup from Better Homes & Gardens. If you’re looking to help someone shy break into the business side, this guide for shy entrepreneurs can be surprisingly helpful.
7. Custom Button Pins
Making custom pins is a fun way to transform simple designs or favorite slogans into bestselling accessories. Pin-making kits let kids press buttons easily; decorated paper circles or fabric scraps create eye-catching results. Button pins are popular at school spirit events, book fairs, or as collectible swag online. Sell themed packs or offer custom orders for clubs and teams. For a peek at what’s trending and advice on button art, look at BuzzFeed’s DIY buttons feature. Tapping into themed ideas like pet-themed crafts can further grow a following—see ideas at this creative business guide.
8. Origami Gift Sets
Origami crafts take very little setup but can turn into beautiful, salable products. Kids can fold decorative paper into cranes, flowers, or stars and sell sets as desk art or festive party decorations. Bundling origami creations with step-by-step instruction cards or decorative envelopes adds extra value. These sets make great teacher or neighbor gifts. Explore a treasure trove of inspiration and selling ideas at Origami Resource Center and see real-world selling stories from The New York Times.
9. Hand-Painted Tote Bags
Kids’ original artwork on small canvas tote bags creates a useful product with a personal touch. Using fabric paints and simple stencils, children can design animals, initials, or seasonal scenes. These eco-friendly bags market well at school fairs and to parents looking for unique kid-made gifts. For fabric paint tips and best-selling designs, review Martha Stewart’s painted tote guide. If your young crafter thrives on teaching others, they could even explore the basics of getting paid to teach their skills online.
Helping kids turn their love of crafts into a source of income is one of the best ways to teach priceless money management skills—and spark a sense of pride in their abilities. With the right approach, these simple yet sellable crafts offer a flexible way to encourage creativity, entrepreneurship, and lasting joy. Start where it feels fun. The extra cash (and confidence) will follow.
