Fun craft ideas for girls ages 8 to 12 range from drawing and puppetry to weaving, jewelry making, and clay work. The best fit depends on the child’s interests, experience, and readiness for the materials—not on gender. Seattle Children’s recommendations cover ages 9–12, while Crayola labels its paper-plate puppet project for ages 8 and up, so treat age ranges as starting points rather than guarantees.
Choose a craft by the kind of making she enjoys
For ages 9–12, Seattle Children’s suggests offering varied art materials and techniques, from drawing and painting to sewing and woodworking. These are options to explore, not a checklist every child needs to complete.
| Craft style | Examples | What the child can make | Practical considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drawing and mixed media | Crayons, paints, markers, pencils, stencils, chalk, pastels, sketch pads, and art paper | Pictures, patterns, illustrated stories, or designs to develop further | Choose materials by their labels; water-based options are generally preferable to solvent-containing ones. Paints and inks still need to be checked. |
| Sculptural and modelled work | Clay, pottery, plaster of Paris, and papier-mâché | Three-dimensional forms, figures, or objects | Follow the material’s instructions and match any tools or processes to the child’s experience. |
| Wearable and fiber crafts | Sewing, knitting, embroidery, crochet, weaving, jewelry making, leatherwork, braiding, and basket weaving | Wearable items, woven pieces, or small handmade objects | Start with a technique and materials the child can manage; supervise tools as appropriate. |
| Paper, pattern, and construction | Design or pattern kits using wood, paper, cloth, beads, or tiles; paper puppets and kites | Things to display, play with, or build on | Kits and projects differ in their materials and tool needs; check instructions and age guidance. |
| Nature-inspired art | Artwork made with natural materials such as leaves, twigs, and feathers | An individual creation shaped by observation and experimentation | Adapt group activities for home, assess risks, and supervise appropriately. |
The options in Seattle Children’s age-specific list are for 9–12-year-olds; the source does not make that list an age-8 recommendation. A child’s own interest and experience are more useful guides than assuming any craft is right for every girl.
Try a paper-plate puppet for a simple starting project
Crayola’s “Puppets and Pals” project is labeled for ages 8 and up. It uses a small paper plate as a face and leaves plenty of room to invent a character.
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Materials
- Small paper plates
- Crayons
- Yarn
- Ribbon, if wanted
- School glue
- Craft sticks
Make the puppet
- Draw a face on a small paper plate with crayons.
- Arrange yarn as hair and attach it with school glue. Add ribbon if desired.
- Shape the face by tearing away excess plate. An adult should cut yarn or help with any cutting as needed.
- Glue a craft stick to the back as a handle. Let the glue air-dry before playing with the puppet.
Children can vary the face, hair, and character to make the project their own. Supervise glue and cutting, and follow the labels on the materials.
Check labels and supervise art supplies
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends looking for art materials labeled “conforms to ASTM [American Society for Testing and Materials] D4236” and carrying an Approved Product seal from the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI). The AAP says the seal is not a guarantee of complete safety, but is a better choice than a Cautionary Label. Its article, by Sophie J. Balk, MD, FAAP, and Ruth A. Etzel, MD, PhD, FAAP, was last updated July 16, 2024.
Rank #2
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- Avoid supplies labeled “Keep Out of Reach of Children” or “Not for Use by Children,” and products carrying hazard words such as “Poison,” “Danger,” “Warning,” or “Caution.”
- Prefer water-based supplies over products containing chemical solvents, but do not treat “water-based” as proof that a product is safe. The AAP recommends formaldehyde-free paints and unscented water-based markers instead of permanent or dry-erase markers.
- Use supplies in their original, fully labeled containers; avoid found or donated materials if their labels are missing.
- Supervise children using art materials, prevent ingestion, wash hands with soap and water after projects, and store supplies with their labels.
- Assess project risks and provide appropriate adult supervision. Ventilate when using glue or solvents, supervise scissors, and store sharp objects securely.
The AAP’s label advice and Scouts UK’s activity guidance are practical checks, not a claim that all children need the same level of help. Adapt each project to the child and the materials at hand.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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