Inside: Crafting is for grown-ups too. It’s good for the soul and has proven to spark joy. Here are 53 easy adult crafts ideas to get you started.
Let’s admit the whole point of crafting is to “spark joy” by the adult doing the actual craft or if it’s a gift for the person receiving your precious make. Many of us stay home and can’t go out to the shops. I have curated a collection of easy cool adult craft ideas. Many use waste material you might have at home already.
Adult Crafting and Joy
I have talked about the psychological benefits of upcycling before. The therapeutic aspects of crafting are well known.
Crafting is not just a boredom buster. Creating something beautiful is such a positive activity in this currently hostile world. It can be a comforting activity when we must stay home and can’t go out.
Being absorbed in a creative task while using your hands can be soothing. It is just the tonic you need for a mental pick-me-up. Adult crafting helps with depression and stress and can help keep your mind sharp. Doing things with your hands helps prevent declining age-related cognitive and fine motor skills.
Share the joy of crafting by making things for others. Nothing is more personal than a handmade gift; it makes me smile when I get one. Handmade crafts are an affordable and joyful way to decorate and make a home unique.
Before you start, you might want to ensure these crafting essentials are in your cupboard. And have a rummage through your bin for these waste material crafts.

Materials That You Are Likely To Have To Hand
You might be sold on the benefits of crafting and think the next step is to go to the craft store to get supplies. Well, for some of us, that’s not possible now.
With many of these adult craft ideas, I have chosen projects that use things you will likely have around the house.
Free things you can upcycle craft include cardboard from Amazon packaging, toilet roll holders, plastic bottles, tin cans, and yoghurt containers.
1. Waste Paper
Scrap paper is a good resource for many grown-up crafts, e.g. newspapers, magazines, sheet music, tissue paper, paper napkins, paper doilies and old maps. Newspapers are great for paper mache crafts.
Old maps are one of my sources for crafting papers. They are very affordable, add interest and personalize your makes if you use maps of places unique to you.
If you don’t have a particular map you want to use, you can easily download and print free vintage maps to use.
2. Fabric Scraps
You can make many adult crafts with fabric scraps; they don’t have to involve sewing. Fabrics are a great way of adding pattern and texture to an upcycled craft.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a stash of craft fabric; there are so many ways you can use upcycled materials. Fabrics include old sweaters, sheets, tea towels, denim, shirts and blouses. With these adult craft ideas, you need a few scraps of material and not yards.
3. Natural Materials
If you have a garden or manage to go out for a walk in your local park, you can gather many free natural materials for your adult craft projects. These include items such as rocks, twigs, acorns, and pinecones.
4. Other Free Crafting Resources
Can I substitute if you have everything on the material lists for a particular adult craft project and can’t get to the shop? Say a craft needs beads; maybe you can repurpose some from an old necklace or make paper beads.
For example, many of the crafts call for Mod Podge decoupage glue. If you don’t have any, try experimenting with another white glue. White glue (PVA glue) is versatile and can be used on most crafting jobs. It also makes an excellent top coat varnish too!
Did you know you can print onto paper napkins and tissue paper on an inkjet printer? Print your own if a craft calls for a patterned paper napkin you don’t have.
Check out these nifty Christmas craft ideas for more seasonal adult craft ideas.
Easy Adult Craft Ideas To Spark Joy
Denim Feather Wall Decor
These gorgeous denim feathers are so simple to make and require no sewing. All you need is some scraps of denim and a bit of twine. These are a great craft to do in front of a Netflix box set as it doesn't require too much concentration,
Simple but Beautiful Map Roses
The gorgeous roses are made with old road maps; however, if you don't have any old maps, you can use newspapers or sheet music instead.
Feathers From Upcycled Fabric Scraps
I have made it very similar to my trendy denim feathers. But these colourful feathers are made with scraps of tartan and plaid fabrics, giving them lovely patterns and colours. This is an addictive feather craft; soon, you'll want to make feathers out of your old plaid shirts.
Recycled CD Coasters: put those old CD's and DVD's to a new use!
Who listens to CDs anymore? Dust off those old unwanted discs and turn them into colourful coasters to brighten up the coffee table.
Pretty Upcycled Denim Flowers Bouquet
The pretty upcycled denim flowers are made from scraps of fabric from old jeans. You can create a lovely bouquet of denim roses using jeans of different shades of indigo. Make gorgeous napkin rings from single denim roses.
Easy Acrylic Fluid Art
This fun and simple paint-pouring technique teaches you how to make your own easy acrylic fluid art pieces.
Scandinavian Embroidered Hearts Decorations
This is a straightforward and affordable craft to make cute embroidered hearts for Valentine's Day—a tutorial on displaying them creatively on your mantle using sticks and branches.
Plastic Bottle Faux Succulents Terrarium
Plastic soda bottles are melted to make mini succulents; the cloches are Nutella jars.
“Stained Glass” Insects
Another craft idea using soda bottles this time to make these gorgeous "stained glass" insects.
How To Make Decoupage Paper Mache Teacups
All you need is an old newspaper and some glue for paper mache. Use it to make these cute vintage teacups for your home.
How To Make A Scandinavian Flower Doodle Decoration
These colourful doodle flowers only take 20 minutes to make and are very easy. You can also use adult colouring books for this craft too.
How to Make String Art | Beautiful Rainbow Thread Heart Tutorial
String art is a relaxing craft for adults that needs a few materials, such are balls of yarn or thread and some pins or nails.
DIY Jewelry - Upcycled Silk Scarf Necklace
Make yourself some jewellery with an old scarf. This would make a lovely gift for someone. This tutorial includes instructions for making denim beads.
Make a DIY Knot Necklace
This necklace would look great and is made from upcycled t-shirt yarn. You'll find many more adult yarn crafts here.
Everything you need to know about Mandala Rock Painting (Beginners Guide)
Collect some rocks and paint some beautiful mandala designs on them.
A Cool Map Rock Keychain
Another rock craft this one involves printing maps onto rocks. It makes a lovely gift.
How To Make DIY Fabric Mushrooms - Free Pattern
Not only are these fabric mushrooms a cool thing to make, but they are also fun. Once you start, you won't be able to stop.
A Repurposed Felt Succulent Garden
A succulent garden you can't kill. The materials used are old sweaters, a denim waistband and a tin can. Complete step-by-step instructions to make each faux plant. A great, fun adult craft project.
Scandi Woven Hearts Garland
Another craft that uses denim and sweater scraps, and these woven hearts are a trendy decoration in Scandinavia.
Gorgeous Fabric Birdhouses For Your Home
These birdhouses are made with cardboard from Amazon packaging and scraps of fabric. You could use old blouses and shirts to make these even more personal.
Tutorial For A Gorgeous Scrap Fabric Birdcage
The cages are made using wire coathangers wrapped in fabric scraps. As with the birdhouses you could use old cotton shirts and blouses to make these.
Coiled Magazine Page Dish With Lid
What a fabulous way to repurpose old magazines; the magazine print creates a beautiful pattern with these handy bowls.
Paper towel roll art
Can you believe this beautiful wall art is made with cardboard tubes like the ones you get with toilet rolls and paper towels?
Map Art How to Make a Unique Pet Portrait
A step-by-step tutorial on creating a portrait of your pet in old maps; I think that this will work with other papers, such as sheet music.
Paper Parrot Decor For An IKEA Glass Cloche
This gorgeous papercraft is a free printable. The parrots look great inside and outside the cloche, so you can still make this if you don't have one.
How To Make A Gorgeous Anthropologie Inspired Rabbit Head
This is a fun paper mache craft to create an Anthropologie-inspired animal head.
Pinecone Flower Heart Decoration
This would be one if there were an incentive to collect pine cones—a straightforward nature craft.
Make Your Own Pine Cone Succulents - Running With Sisters
Collect a variety of pine cones to make some pretty faux succulent gardens.
How To Make A Decoupage Tin Can Wind Chime
Keep your old food cans for crafting. You can make many cool things with them, such as this cute wind chime.
Easy Upcycled Marimekko Decorative Tin Can Planters
Brighten up your garden with some gorgeous decoupage tin can planters.
How to Make Gorgeous Free Printable Map Star Decorations
All you need is a printer, scissors and paper glue to make these paper stars.
Hanging Denim Mason Jar Vase
Upcycled denim wall hanging mason jar vases- a simple and cheap craft is a great way to display faux flowers. Note no mason jars were harmed in the making of this craft.
Boho Flower Wall Hanging made from Egg Cartons
This craft is for you if you’re looking for cheap and easy DIY home decor! Seriously this DIY Boho Flower Wall Hanging I created using egg cartons is one to take the cake! It's on-trend, looks fantastic and was fun to make.
How To Make Fun Faux Framed Moth Taxidermy
A fun way to craft with denim and fabric scraps and an excellent project for nature lovers.
How To Make A Paper Flower Wall Decoration
Try this fun craft if you can get some coloured crepe paper. It will certainly brighten up your home.
Paper succulent tutorial
These paper succulents look so real. Full step-by-step tutorial.
DIY cardboard cacti
Another use for your cardboard packaging. Turn it into an extraordinary cacti display.
How To Make Rainbow DIY Pom-Pom Flowers Decoration
This craft is a great yarn stash buster and fun to make. The pom-pom flowers are inspired by the famous Marimekko Unikko poppy design. The colourful rainbow flowers will brighten up any home. You'll find more easy adult yarn crafts here.
How To Make Tassels From Repurposed Denim
Turn your denim scraps into cute tassels. Then, add color with some cute DIY pom-poms and embroidery thread.
How To Make Unique Shibori Indigo Planters
Shibori dye kits are readily available online. They make for a fun afternoon indigo dying fabrics in the garden on a sunny day. These planters are made with tin cans and old socks.
Cool Marimekko Plastic Bottle Planters
Not only do these herb planters look great they are self-draining too. All made from upcycled rubbish.
Make Fabric Flowers From Old Bed Sheets
This is an incredible way to upcycle old bedsheets into flowers. The way the petals are coloured is fun too.
Paper Embroidery and How To Make Dictionary Art
Hand embroidery on book pages is such an excellent adult craft. Use the technique to make some unique dictionary art.
Repurposed Pom Pom Jeans Flowers
Use your old jeans to make a gorgeous bouquet of indigo flowers for your mantle. This craft is a very affordable, fun denim upcycle. It can be either a sew or no-sew denim craft.
Make A Paper Mache Bowl With Decoupage
All you need is some newspaper and glue to make these Anthropologie-inspired Nature Table paper mache bowls.
How To Make A Cute Fabric Mushroom Display
These super cute, whimsical fabric mushrooms are printed on a bedsheet using an inkjet printer.
Upcycled Denim Patchwork Quilted Stars Decoration
This fun sewing craft uses those denim scraps from other projects.
How To Make An Embroidered Heart Denim Decoration
These look great on the wall or as a bag charm. They are made from scraps of denim and yarn with simple stitching.
Heart Shaped Felt Brooch
A straightforward tutorial for making a fun heart-shaped brooch. The colourful pin is made of small felt flowers from scraps—a simple and affordable craft for either Valentine's day or Mother's day.
How To Make Map Paper Moths Art
All you need are old road maps to make this fun faux taxidermy. You can make them even more special by using maps of your favourite places.
How To Make A Unique DIY Felt Lampshade
It's easier to make than it looks to make this modern tropical lampshade. The applique could be used for a pillow instead of a lampshade.
How to Make Embroidery On Canvas Wall Art
A hanging plant you can't kill! With this craft, you will learn how easy it is to embroider on a stretched canvas.
How To Make Shrinky Dink Earrings
Shrinky dinks are a retro craft that is just as fun for adults as it is for kids. Use shrink plastic to make fabulous designer earrings such as Marimekko.
DIY Glitter Wine Glasses
Great wine glasses, to make for a bridal shower or other fun celebrations.

If you like these craft ideas for grown-ups, don’t forget to check out these;
- wonderful feather-themed crafts and DIYs
- Christmas embroidery crafts
- Valentine’s crafts
- Hexagon-shaped crafts.
- Adult decoupage crafts
For more seasonal crafting, check out these Easter DIYs for adults and cool Christmas crafts.
Donna @ Modern on Monticello
Tuesday 14th of April 2020
Fabulous list of great crafts and ideas. I totally agree that crafting or making something with your hands is therapeutic for these times. Thanks for sharing each week at #HomeMattersParty. I look forward to your post next week.
Claire Armstrong
Wednesday 15th of April 2020
Thank you, and thanks for hosting. I will be back this week.
Dee | Grammy's Grid
Saturday 11th of April 2020
These are all interesting but love the ones made of denim!!
Claire Armstrong
Sunday 12th of April 2020
Thank you so much, me too.
Michelle Leslie
Saturday 11th of April 2020
Stunning roundup Claire. Thank you, it's just what I needed right now
Claire Armstrong
Sunday 12th of April 2020
Thank you, Michelle. Hope you are keeping well.
Lisa | Handmade in Israel
Friday 10th of April 2020
Love the denim feathers. Going to look how to make them right now! So many great ideas here. Thank you!
Claire Armstrong
Sunday 12th of April 2020
Thank you, they are a lovely relaxing craft to make. They don't require too much concentration.