In an age of fast entertainment and constant scrolling, crafting stands out as a chance to unplug, focus and create something with your own hands and imagination. Crafting gives you the opportunity to put down your phone and reconnect with your creativity and inner child. It’s an activity anyone can do, regardless of talent, ranging from something as simple as paper chains to something more complex like sculpted air-dry magnets.
Crafting has taught me stress relief and enjoyment don’t have to be complicated, difficult or expensive. A common misconception about crafting is that you need artistic talent or a creative eye to do it well, but crafting is for everyone, no matter your skill level or experience. It’s about trying something new, making mistakes and having fun during the process.
Michaels, a popular chain craft store, released a Creativity Trend Report in 2025 that showed “#craftnight" was searched 25.8 million times last year. This proves crafting isn’t just a hobby, it’s a growing movement. With its rising popularity comes the opportunity for more ideas, creativity and collaboration.
Luckily, I’m not the only one hoping for more crafting and creative projects. There’s no shortage of inspiration on TikTok, Pinterest and other social media sites. In a strange way, crafting can actually help us step away from being constantly online, but one of the best ideas comes from the collaboration and creativity found in online communities. So, if you ever run out of ideas, maybe take a moment to look into online creative content makers, like “Howdy Molly” on TikTok.
Crafting has long been seen as something for children or hobbyists with extra free time. But in 2026, what if we treated crafting as a regular practice that anyone can enjoy? Embrace crafting this year with these five easy projects.
Starting on the simpler side, paper chains are a project that can be both relaxing and nostalgic, plus they make great decorations. We all remember making these in elementary school classrooms, so if you’re looking for a quick way to add whimsy to any room, paper chains are a perfect option. They’re easy to make and can be customized with different colors, patterns and shapes.
I first started making paper chains as a fun decoration for my birthday last year, and over the past few months, my room has gradually filled with them. I am obsessed with them. Even long after the celebration, they’ve become the perfect colorful, nostalgic touch to my space.
As one of the most affordable crafting materials, construction paper is perfect for a college student on a budget. It’s the holy grail of craft materials, and it can be used for a huge variety of creative activities; for starters making construction paper portraits.
This craft can be done solo or with friends and is a fun way to play with shapes and colors. By layering pieces of paper, you can create a simple yet creative cartoon version of yourself, a friend or a loved one.
I can confidently say this was a big hit among my friends for craft night. It was just the right amount of stimulating while still allowing us to relax and have conversations together. At the end of it we each got a personal portrait made by a friend.
This craft is simple, but it’s a powerful way to turn a basic item into something personalized. Starting with a plain frame, the possibilities are endless; it can be painted, glued or even sculpted with air-dry clay to add texture and depth. Charms and beads are especially effective for creating 3D textures and a bit of sparkle.
Whether they’re for a photo, a poster or a favorite quote, DIY frames encourage creativity without requiring advanced skill, making them low-pressure, hands-on projects.
This project is also very sustainable. I enjoy using old frames, whether they’re ones I already own or ones thrifted from stores like Goodwill, used frames can add a great touch to the project.
If you love hands-on projects, this one is for you. You’ll need air-dry clay, acrylic paint, a sealant like Mod Podge and small magnets.
This craft might be one of the more expensive options on the list, but it’s also one of the most practical. You can shape your clay into a variety of items like tiny animals, cute shapes or your favorite food, and then paint and seal them for a lasting finish. Once they’re dry, stick a magnet on the back, and you’ll have a personalized set of fridge decorations. It’s a simple way to add a playful touch to a plain appliance in your home, or they make the perfect gift for a loved one.
An underrated and affordable material for beginner crafters is felt. You can find it at any craft store, and it’s similar to construction paper in that it’s easy to work with and great for simple projects. Felt also has the added benefits of being soft and durable, making it perfect for projects that you want to last longer.
One craft that can be super fun and beginner-friendly is felt pennants. These are easy to make and can be customized for any theme, season or room. To make a pennant, you just cut a triangle shape out of felt, add designs using more felt or fabric glue, and then hang it on a string or ribbon.
I especially love making pennants to show school spirit. An IU-themed felt pennant feels like the perfect way to celebrate a national championship win.
Crafting isn’t about being perfect or having the most talent. It’s about taking time for yourself, experimenting and finding joy in the process of creating.
