35+ Around the World Crafts for Kids That Inspire Creativity and Cultural Curiosity in 2025

14 hours agoLast Updated: 22/10/2025

Kids making around the world crafts colorful multicultural art project

Imagine your child traveling the globe—without ever leaving the craft table! ✈️ With Around the World crafts for kids, every glue stick and paintbrush becomes a passport to creativity. These hands-on projects spark curiosity, teach global awareness, and make learning about different cultures genuinely fun.

In this guide, we’ll explore all around the world crafts for kids that bring geography, art, and culture to life. From designing African tribal masks and Japanese origami cranes to creating colorful Mexican papel picado or Australian dot paintings, these activities turn ordinary craft time into a cultural adventure.

Whether you’re planning an around the world classroom theme, teaching cultural diversity, or simply looking for educational fun at home, these ideas will help kids connect with the beauty of our global community. Get ready to inspire little hands and big imaginations—with crafts that teach, unite, and celebrate the world we share. 🌍✨

Exploring the World Through Crafts: Why Global Art Projects Matter

Content Summery

In 2025, creativity and cultural awareness go hand in hand. With so much global connection happening through technology, introducing kids to different cultures early helps them appreciate diversity, empathy, and creativity.

Around the world crafts for kids are more than just fun art projects — they’re tiny windows into the traditions, colors, and stories of the world. Whether in an around the world classroom theme or during at-home family craft time, these projects encourage kids to explore how people express joy, belief, and identity across continents.

From vibrant Mexican papel picado to delicate Japanese origami, each project below brings a piece of the world to your craft table.

🌍 North America: Celebrating Heritage and Color

1. Mexican Papel Picado Banners

Bright, festive, and easy to make, papel picado (meaning “perforated paper”) are traditional Mexican decorations used for celebrations like Día de los Muertos and fiestas.

Materials: Tissue paper, scissors, string, glue
How to Make: Fold colorful tissue paper, cut small designs with scissors, and unfold to reveal intricate patterns. Glue pieces onto a string to hang.
Learning Element: Discuss how colors and patterns in Mexican culture symbolize celebration and community.

2. Native American Dreamcatchers

Teach children the meaning behind dreamcatchers — symbols of protection and good dreams.

Materials: Paper plates, yarn, beads, feathers
Instructions: Cut a circle from a paper plate’s center, weave yarn across the hole to form a web, and decorate with feathers and beads.
Educational Focus: Talk about Native American heritage and the importance of respect and symbolism in their art.

3. Canadian Inukshuk Stone Art

The Inukshuk, made of stacked stones, was used by the Inuit as a guidepost or marker.

Materials: Smooth stones, glue, paint
How to Make: Kids can paint small rocks and stack them carefully to create their own Inukshuk sculptures.
Cultural Connection: Discuss how art and landscape are connected in Canada’s Arctic regions.

4. American Quilting Squares

Introduce kids to traditional quilting as a storytelling art form in America.

Materials: Fabric scraps or paper squares, glue, markers
Activity Idea: Each child designs a quilt square representing something they love. Combine all squares into one big “classroom quilt.”
Lesson: Explore how quilts tell stories across generations and regions.

🌎 South America: Bright Patterns and Traditional Textures

5. Brazilian Carnival Masks

Nothing says color and fun like Carnival in Brazil!

Materials: Mask templates, sequins, feathers, glue, and markers
How to Make: Let kids design their own elaborate mask using bright decorations.
Discussion Point: Explore the history of Carnival and its African and Portuguese cultural influences.

6. Peruvian Textile Weaving

Peru’s woven textiles are famous for their vibrant colors and intricate designs.

Materials: Cardboard looms, yarn, and beads
Activity: Show kids how to create simple woven patterns using yarn.
Learning Value: Explain how ancient civilizations like the Inca used weaving to tell stories and record history.

7. Chilean Moai Stone Sculptures (Easter Island)

These mysterious statues are iconic symbols of Chile’s Rapa Nui culture.

Materials: Clay or playdough, carving tools, gray paint
Craft Tip: Sculpt mini “stone” heads and paint them with muted tones for authenticity.
Learning Element: Talk about how art connects to spiritual beliefs and ancestors.

🌍 Europe: Timeless Art and Festive Traditions

8. Italian Mosaic Tiles

Kids can bring a touch of ancient Rome into the classroom!

Materials: Colored paper squares or foam tiles, cardboard, glue
How to Make: Arrange tiles into patterns or pictures, glue them down, and let dry.
Cultural Note: Share how Romans used mosaics to decorate homes and public spaces.

9. French Impressionist Painting for Kids

Introduce young artists to Monet’s world of color and light.

Materials: Sponges, paint, canvas or paper
Technique: Dip sponges in pastel paint colors and gently dab to mimic brush strokes.
Lesson: Discuss how art captures emotion and the feeling of a moment.

10. Dutch Windmill Crafts

A great tie-in for geography lessons!

Materials: Paper towel rolls, construction paper, brads for spinning blades

Activity: Assemble the windmill and decorate it with Dutch blue-and-white patterns.
Educational Link: Explain how windmills help with farming and land drainage in the Netherlands.

11. Ukrainian Pysanky Eggs

Bring this Easter tradition into your classroom craft time.

Materials: Plastic eggs, markers, wax crayons, dye
How to Make: Draw geometric designs on the eggs and color with bright dyes.

Learning Moment: Explore how symbolism plays a role in Eastern European art.

🌍 Africa: Patterns, Rhythm, and Storytelling Through Art

12. African Tribal Masks

Introduce kids to African art through expressive mask-making.

Materials: Paper plates, paint, beads, feathers, yarn
How to Make: Paint the plates in earthy tones and decorate with patterns inspired by African culture.
Learning Focus: Talk about how masks are used in ceremonies to represent animals, spirits, and ancestors.

13. Egyptian Papyrus Art

Turn recycled brown paper into ancient Egyptian “papyrus.”

Materials: Brown paper bags, markers, black paint
Activity: Kids draw hieroglyphics or Egyptian gods, mimicking ancient scrolls.
Fun Fact: Explain how Egyptians recorded stories using papyrus scrolls thousands of years ago.

14. Kenyan Bead Necklaces

Bright and beautiful, African beadwork is a vibrant symbol of heritage.

Materials: Colorful beads, string, straws (cut into beads for a budget-friendly version)
Project Tip: Let kids create patterns inspired by Maasai jewelry.
Cultural Insight: Discuss how color and pattern convey meaning in African fashion.

15. South African Ndebele House Painting

Inspired by bold geometric patterns, this activity turns any piece of cardboard into art.

Materials: Cardboard, paint, rulers
Instructions: Draw geometric designs with sharp lines and fill them with bright colors.
Lesson Connection: Teach about how Ndebele women decorate their homes with these symbolic designs.

🌏 Asia: Delicate Art Forms and Symbolic Color

16. Japanese Origami Cranes

A timeless symbol of peace and hope.

Materials: Origami paper, markers
How to Make: Fold paper following origami crane instructions; decorate with small details.
Cultural Note: Talk about the story of Sadako and the thousand paper cranes.

17. Indian Rangoli Sand Art

Rangoli designs are created during festivals like Diwali to welcome positivity.

Materials: Colored sand, glue, white paper
Activity: Draw simple mandala-like patterns with glue and sprinkle sand over them.
Learning Moment: Explore how color and geometry are used in Indian traditions.

18. Chinese Paper Lanterns

Perfect for Lunar New Year celebrations.

Materials: Red paper, scissors, glue, gold ribbon
Instructions: Fold and cut paper to make a lantern shape, decorate with gold details.

Educational Tie-In: Discuss how lanterns symbolize luck and unity.

19. Thai Floating Flower Boats (Krathongs)

Inspired by Thailand’s Loy Krathong festival.

Materials: Banana leaves (or paper plates), flowers, candles (LED for safety)
Activity: Create mini boats and float them in a water basin.
Lesson: Talk about gratitude and letting go of negativity — the heart of the festival.

20. Korean Hanbok Paper Dolls

A fashion-forward craft with cultural flair!

Materials: Construction paper, markers, scissors, glue
How to Make: Cut dolls and design traditional hanbok outfits.
Discussion: Explore how clothing reflects identity and celebration.

🌏 Australia & Oceania: Nature, Patterns, and Storytelling

21. Aboriginal Dot Painting

Teach kids about one of the world’s oldest art forms.

Materials: Cotton swabs, paint, brown or black cardstock
Instructions: Use the swabs to create dotted animal shapes and geometric patterns.

Cultural Lesson: Share how dot painting tells stories through symbols and colors.

22. New Zealand Māori Tribal Tattoos (Temporary Art)

Celebrate Māori culture through symbolic patterns.

Materials: Washable markers or face paint
How to Make: Draw simple spirals and lines on paper or skin safely.
Learning Focus: Discuss how each design has personal and ancestral meaning.

23. Fijian Tapa Cloth Prints

Traditional barkcloth patterns inspire this fun project.

Materials: Brown paper, black and white paint, sponges
Activity: Create geometric prints using simple stamps.
Educational Link: Explain how art can record stories and identity through texture and repetition.

🌍 Europe Meets Asia: Cross-Cultural Inspiration Projects

24. Russian Matryoshka Doll Painting

Layered nesting dolls are a great symbol of family and tradition.

Materials: Paper templates or wood blanks, paint, markers
How to Make: Decorate each “doll” with patterns and faces, stacking smallest to largest.

Lesson Idea: Discuss how different cultures express family values in their art.

25. Turkish Mosaic Lanterns

These lanterns light up beautifully and are a wonderful sensory craft.

Materials: Clear jars, tissue paper squares, glue, LED tea lights

How to Make: Stick colored tissue on jars and add gold trim for detail.
Learning Element: Introduce Islamic geometric art and symmetry.

🌎 Global Crafts for the Classroom Theme

26. World Flag Garland

Perfect for decorating an around the world classroom theme!

Materials: String, paper flags, markers
Activity: Assign each student a country to research and draw its flag.
Educational Angle: Connect art to geography lessons and cultural pride.

27. “Passport to the World” Craft

Make a pretend passport for every child as they “travel” to each country through crafts.

Materials: Construction paper, stamps, stickers
Fun Element: Add “country stamps” after each craft project to mark progress.

28. Cultural Paper Dolls Display

Create a visual showcase of global clothing and styles.

Materials: Cardstock, fabric scraps, glue
How to Make: Kids design paper dolls dressed in traditional outfits from different countries.

29. Classroom Globe Collage

An artistic way to celebrate unity.

Materials: Large poster board, magazine cutouts, glue
Activity: Kids fill a globe outline with pictures representing world cultures, food, and landmarks.

🌍 Hands-On Geography and Global Festivals

30. Festival of Lights Poster (Global Edition)

Celebrate Diwali, Hanukkah, and Christmas together!

Materials: Glitter paper, markers, LED stickers
Activity: Create a poster showing how different cultures use light in celebrations.

31. Japanese Koinobori Fish Kites

Symbolic of strength and courage in Japan.

Materials: Paper, markers, streamers, string
How to Make: Decorate fish templates, tape streamers as tails, and hang them up.

32. Greek Laurel Wreaths

Inspired by ancient Olympic traditions.

Materials: Green construction paper, glue, gold paint
Activity: Kids cut out leaves, paint edges gold, and form them into a wreath.

33. African Drum Craft

Bring rhythm and culture together.

Materials: Cardboard tubes, fabric, rubber bands
How to Make: Stretch fabric over one end of the tube and secure. Decorate with tribal designs.

🌍 Cultural Storytelling and Art Fusion Projects

34. “My Heritage Collage”

Encourage kids to represent their own family background and traditions.

Materials: Magazines, photos, glue, colored paper
Activity: Create a collage that shows foods, clothes, and landmarks meaningful to their family.
Learning Focus: Celebrate classroom diversity and identity.

35. “Around the World Art Gallery” Display

Turn your classroom into a global museum!

How It Works: Dedicate a wall to hang all finished crafts, labeling each with its country and a fun fact.
Outcome: A stunning, educational visual of world creativity.

36. Unity Handprint Mural (Bonus Craft)

End your global journey with a classroom mural representing unity.

Materials: Paint, large paper roll
Activity: Each child paints their handprint and signs their name under the message “We Are the World.”

🌟 Tips for Teachers and Parents: Bringing the World to Your Craft Table

Integrate Music: Play traditional music from each country while crafting to enhance the experience.
Pair with Books: Read children’s books from or about the country you’re crafting about.

Add Geography: Show kids where each culture is located on a classroom map or globe.
Celebrate Inclusivity: Encourage children to share their family’s heritage crafts or traditions.
Reuse & Recycle: Many global art forms use natural or recycled materials — a great sustainability lesson!

Final Thoughts,

Exploring around the world crafts for kids is more than an art activity—it’s a journey of imagination, empathy, and discovery. These creative projects bring global traditions to life, helping children understand that beauty and creativity come in many forms and colors.

Whether you’re decorating your classroom with an around the world theme or enjoying a weekend of cultural crafting at home, these ideas are easy to adapt for any age, skill level, or budget. All it takes is curiosity and a few simple supplies to make something meaningful.

So grab those craft tools and get ready to explore—one country, one culture, and one colorful creation at a time! 🌏🎨