Updated May 8, 2024
Kids love books.
They love to be read to and to read things themselves if they can.
And many characters quickly become favorites.
Kids will love these 10 book crafts for kids.
10 Book Crafts For Kids
DIY Sensory Puzzle – Brown Bear Brown Bear Activity by Lil Tigers
Eric Carle’s watercolor animals are a familiar sight to kids and parents alike.
This sensory craft brings in a brown bear in an activity kids will love.
Pigeon Paper Plate Craft And Printable Template by A Little Pinch of Perfect
Mo Willems has exploded onto the kid’s book scene fairly recently with his well-written stories and interesting characters.
His recalcitrant Pigeon makes an appearance in this paper plate craft.
Fox In Socks Activity & Printable by Two Pink Peonies
Obviously, Dr. Seuss is a well-known name in kid’s books.
It would be harder to find people who haven’t heard of him at this point.
Fox in Socks isn’t his most popular character, but after designing a set of socks for him, kids might take a new interest.
Hermit Crab Bookish Play by Little Ladoo
Another Eric Carle entry, features the hermit crab character.
Kids can go wild with paint on paper to bring the hermit crab to life.
Pete The Cat Headband Craft by Simple Everyday Mom
Pete the Cat is a fun-loving little blue cat that is always up to one adventure or another.
Kids can pretend to have their own adventures with him while wearing these Pete the Cat headbands, which come from the included template.
A Miniature Peter Rabbit Garden by Barley & Birch
This garden playset is the perfect place for the classic character Peter Rabbit to play.
Even better, the included template means it will turn out well.
Clifford The Big Red Dog Craft by Mama of Minis
Clifford is a giant red dog. How did he get so big?
That’s not entirely clear.
But he is, and he’s lots of fun to be around.
These paper bag puppets are not difficult to make, and kids will enjoy playing with them.
Muffin Tin Monoprints + Circle by U Ready, Teddy?
This is such an interesting craft idea.
The rolled ink with the template really harkens back to the visual appeal of Circles, Squares, and Triangles from the Shape Trilogy.
Cat in the Hat Craft Idea with Popsicle Stick by The Purple Yarn
The template, a popsicle stick, and some felt are all it takes to make this Cat in the Hat puppet.
And getting up to wild adventures with him will fill an entire afternoon once he’s ready.
Dr. Seuss Bookmarks – Thing 1 & Thing 2 by Red Ted Art
Corner bookmarks are such a cute idea, and encourage kids to read.
Plus Thing 1 and Thing 2 make perfect subjects for these bookmarks.
Additional Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers
- Storytime Theater: Encourage kids to act out their favorite stories with homemade props and costumes. They can reenact scenes from beloved books or even create their own theatrical adaptations!
- Character Dress-Up: Choose a character from a favorite book and have kids dress up as them using items from around the house. It’s a great way to bring stories to life and spark imaginative play.
- Book-themed Cooking: Get creative in the kitchen by making snacks inspired by children’s books. For example, you could bake bear-shaped cookies after reading “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle.
- Book Club for Kids: Start a book club for young readers where they can discuss their favorite stories, share book recommendations, and participate in book-related activities together. It’s a fantastic way to foster a love of reading and social interaction.
- Story Stones: Decorate smooth stones with images of characters, objects, or scenes from popular children’s books. Then, use the stones to inspire storytelling and imaginative play.
Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers:
- “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle: Follow the journey of a ravenous caterpillar as it eats its way through various foods before transforming into a beautiful butterfly. With its vibrant illustrations and simple text, this classic tale is a hit with young children.
- “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown: Join a little bunny as they bid goodnight to the familiar objects and characters in their room. This soothing bedtime story has been capturing hearts for generations with its rhythmic prose and cozy illustrations.
- “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault: Watch the alphabet come to life as lowercase letters race to the top of a coconut tree, with hilarious consequences. This rollicking rhyming tale is perfect for teaching young children their ABCs.
- “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak: Follows the adventures of Max as he sails to an island inhabited by wild creatures, becoming their king before ultimately returning home to a warm meal. Maurice Sendak’s imaginative story and striking illustrations make this a timeless classic.
- “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats: Join Peter as he explores his neighborhood on a snowy day, delighting in the simple joys of sledding, making snow angels, and leaving footprints in the snow. This groundbreaking picture book celebrates the wonder of childhood and the beauty of winter.
