Discover stylish and free printable paper crafts designed for adults and teens. Perfect for relaxing afternoons, unique décor, or fun handmade gifts.
Sometimes the most enjoyable crafts are the ones that don’t require a long shopping list or expensive tools; just a printer, some paper, and a pair of scissors. That’s what makes printable paper crafts so appealing: they’re quick to start, easy on the budget, and you end up with something that feels fun, creative, and even a little impressive. Whether you’re after a relaxing way to spend an afternoon, a seasonal project to decorate your home, or something creative to share with teens, printables are a perfect choice.
In this roundup, I’ve pulled together my favourite free printable crafts, including a mix from my blogs and some brilliant ideas from other makers. From festive ornaments and nostalgic vintage projects to stylish 3D designs, every tutorial includes a ready-to-use template.
Chic Printable Paper Crafts
Turn a blank sheet of paper into art: dive into our favourite printable crafts designed with teens and adults in mind, ready to print and play
Free Printable Paper Fruit Ornaments You’ll Love
Add a pop of colour to your décor with these free printable 3D paper fruit ornaments made from vintage fruit illustrations. There are nine free printable fruits to choose from, including apples, pears, lemons, oranges, strawberries, peaches, figs and avocados.
Printable Christmas Ornaments for a Retro Look
Cut, fold, and glue printable house-shaped ornaments using gorgeous vintage patterns and art. Add a beaded hanger and tassel for seriously unique holiday décor.
DIY Paper Plants: Mini Tropical House Plants
Turn vintage botanical illustrations into quirky little paper plants that never need watering. Just print, cut, wire, and pot them in champagne corks or tiny DIY containers, instant jungle vibes!
DIY Geometric Bowls
These modern origami-style bowls are made using a free printable folding template. Just print it on scrapbook paper, cut, fold, and glue to create chic little organisers. Perfect for corralling paper clips, washi tape, or jewellery, they’re stylish and entirely machine-free!
Free Colourful Chinese Printable Paper Lantern Templates
These free printable lantern templates make it super easy to upcycle small jars into glowing tea-light holders. Print, cut, and wrap for a colourful paper craft that doubles as festive décor.
Fun Parrot Decor For An IKEA Glass Cloche
Free printable parrot illustrations (by Edward Lear, no less) make colourful cut-outs to display under a cloche. It’s tropical, a little whimsical, and guaranteed to spark joy.
Paper Craft Fun: Kaleidocycles Patterns
These mesmerizing kaleidocycle (also known as flextangle) templates let you color, fold, and craft a spinning hexagonalThese mesmerising kaleidocycle (also known as flextangle) templates let you colour, fold, and craft a spinning hexagonal paper toy that reveals new patterns as you twist it. It feels like watching a kaleidoscope come alive in your hands. The downloadable set includes five unique designs plus a blank template to create your own, complete with an instruction booklet and video tutorial to guide your creativity.
How To Make A Scandinavian Flower Doodle Decoration
These charming Marimekko-inspired flower doodles come with a free printable template. Stick them into a birch stump or wood slice for a whimsical, forever-in-bloom display that’s as fun to make as it is to show off.
How To Craft With Free Vintage Seed Packets Art
These gorgeous vintage seed packet templates feature botanical illustrations from the “Golden Age” of seed catalogue art (1880s–1900s) turned into downloadable envelope-style packets. Print, cut, fold, and glue to create charming keepsakes, or decoupage them onto tin can planters for a whimsical, rustic-craft vibe.
3D Printable Map Star Decorations
This free printable template lets you transform maps to build 3D star decorations that feel both stylish and nostalgic. With a bit of cutting, scoring, folding, and gluing, each star takes shape as a geo-inspired ornament perfect for display or hanging.
DIY Tea Light Lanterns With Pretty Images
This delightful upcycle uses printable vellum paper and repurposed jam‑jar lids to create charming mini tea‑light lanterns using gorgeous vintage images, all changeable whenever you fancy a new look.
How to make a Christmas Ornament | Free Template
The craft offers a lovingly illustrated, downloadable template that lets you colour, cut, fold, and glue your own charming 3D Christmas ornament, no fancy tools required. Hang to brighten your tree or use as whimsical holiday décor.
DIY: Paper House Luminaries
These charming miniature paper houses come with free printable patterns. Drop a battery-powered LED tea light underneath, and you've got a magical, fairy‑house display that works as enchanting decor or part of a whimsical holiday village
Paper Owl Box
This adorable paper owl box comes with a free downloadable template. Print on sturdy card, score the fold lines, cut, and glue together to make a charming gift box shaped like a little owl. The head acts as a detachable lid, so it's functional and delightfully whimsical!
DIY: Printable Birch Shadow Box
Using a free printable template, you can hand-cut and fold layers of cardstock into a beautiful birch tree shadow box. The finished piece feels like a little window into the woods and makes a simple, elegant bit of DIY décor.
Free printable photo ornament
This nostalgic DIY transforms a retro-inspired printable frame into a personalised photo ornament. It’s a beautiful blend of vintage charm and modern sentiment, inviting you to make your tree a timeline of treasured moments.
DIY Super Cute Halloween Treat Bags 3 ways
These free printable templates let you make adorable pumpkin, ghost, and bat‑shaped treat bags, perfect for holding treats or doubling as playful garland décor. Just print, cut, and stitch (or glue!) together for an easy, festive craft that’s as fun to give as it is to make.
How To Make An Advent Calendar With An Old Dictionary
This charming DIY turns pages from an old or outdated dictionary into 24 printable envelope templates. Each printed with a vintage illustration and then filled with a small treat or sweet surprise. Fold, glue, number, and string them from a painted coat hanger for a nostalgic, eco-friendly advent calendar that’s both decorative and delightfully personal.
How to Make Sunny and Delightful Paper Peonies
With the free printable template, you can cut and layer petals to make gorgeous paper peonies that look way fancier than they are. They’re easy, budget-friendly, and such a pretty way to bring everlasting blooms into your home.
3D Butterflies with a Scandinavian Folk Art Feel
These printable templates let you colour and assemble gorgeous 3D butterflies with a Scandinavian folk art vibe, making a charming butterfly craft that feels both creative and meditative. They’re surprisingly simple to fold and glue, plus you get five unique designs in three different sizes to mix and match wherever you’d like that fluttering touch.
Vintage Paper Dolls
Time travel via paper! These free printable vintage paper dolls come with beautifully detailed outfits, print, cut, and dress them up for nostalgic crafting, journaling, or decoupage magic.
Printable Gingerbread House for Colouring
With a free downloadable template, you and anyone from crafty teens to grown-ups can colour, cut, fold, and glue your very own 3D gingerbread house. It even doubles as a darling gift box, turning a cosy colouring moment into festive décor or a sweet homemade treat!
Paper Butterflies Crafts!
These charming butterfly crafts come with a free printable template that you can print, cut, and layer to create lovely 3D paper butterflies, ideal for adding a touch of whimsical butterfly crafts to your décor or gifting.
Pride and Prejudice Puzzle Purse
Elegant and whimsical, this printable Victorian puzzle purse folds into a multi-layered, flower-like square inspired by Regency-era charm. It’s all paper, folds, and delight. No fancy tools needed, making it perfect for gifting or sprinkling a little Austen magic into your crafts.
How To Make Map Paper Moths Art – Fun Faux Taxidermy
These delightful faux moths use free printable wing templates, cut, and optionally stitch around the edges for that lovely stitched detail. Combine the wings with a rolled-body and craft wire antennae, then frame or cluster them for whimsical, nature-inspired wall art.
Printable paper crafts do prove that creativity doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a few simple supplies, you can make something that feels special, whether it’s for everyday décor, a seasonal celebration, or simply the joy of crafting.
If you’ve enjoyed this roundup, you might also love exploring my collection of book page crafts, diving into more Christmas paper craft ideas, or checking out my favourite paper crafts for home décor.



Donna @ Modern on Monticello
Tuesday 26th of August 2025
I love so many of the ideas you shared. I also need to make a few of them for a Christmas tree fundraiser event Iam participating in this Fall. Thanks for sharing the ideas, and this post will be a feature this week. #HomeMattersParty
Claire Armstrong
Thursday 28th of August 2025
Thank you so much. Hope they work out well for your fundraiser!
Joanne
Friday 22nd of August 2025
Those paper plants look so real!
Claire Armstrong
Monday 25th of August 2025
Thank you so much. Yeah they look just as good in person.