Family Day is a beautiful reminder that the best moments don’t need to be big or expensive. Sometimes, the sweetest memories come from a kitchen table, a few simple supplies, and a little time together.
If you’re looking for Family Day activities that feel meaningful without turning into a huge project, crafts are a perfect fit. They give kids something to create, help everyone slow down, and offer a natural way to connect through conversation and laughter. And when you keep the setup simple, you can enjoy the moment instead of managing a mess.
Below are three fun and easy Family Day crafts you can do at home with minimal supplies. Each one includes simple steps, plus age-friendly adaptations so it works whether you have a busy three-year-old, a curious preschooler, or older kids who want a bit more creative challenge.
Quick Prep for Craft Time
A little prep makes everything smoother especially when you’re crafting with kids. The goal is to create a “yes space” where kids can explore without you worrying about every tiny spill.
Start by covering the table with an old towel, a disposable tablecloth, or even a flattened cardboard box. Keep a small “supply tray” in the middle (glue, scissors, markers, tape), and a “quick clean” item nearby (baby wipes or a damp cloth). If you have aprons, great. If not, an old T-shirt works just as well.
Most importantly, set the expectation that crafts are about the process, not perfection. When kids feel free to experiment, they enjoy it more and the whole experience becomes calmer for everyone.
Craft #1: A Personalized Family Tree
Family Day is all about connection, and a family tree craft turns that into something kids can see and hold. It’s also a wonderful way to build conversations: who’s in our family, what do we love doing together, and what traditions make us feel like “us.”
This is a keepsake craft that works beautifully across ages because it can be as simple or detailed as you want.
Why kids love it
Kids love seeing familiar faces, pointing to people they know, and hearing stories that go with each photo. It helps them understand family relationships in a gentle, age-appropriate way. And it becomes something they’re proud to show because it’s personal.
What you’ll need
You don’t need fancy materials. A large sheet of paper or cardstock is perfect. Add glue (a glue stick is easiest), kid-safe scissors, markers or crayons, and a few printed photos. If you don’t have photos available, kids can draw faces instead. Stickers, construction paper leaves, or stamp markers are optional.
How to make it (simple steps)
Start by drawing a big tree trunk with branches. Keep the shape simple and bold so there’s space to add photos. Next, place the family photos on the branches. If you want a simple structure, you can place older generations higher on the tree and kids lower like “roots and branches” of a family.
Once the photos are glued down, add names near each photo. Younger kids can help by tracing letters or adding small decorations. Finish by decorating the tree: leaves, hearts, flowers, or seasonal colours that feel warm and happy.
Easy version for ages 3–5
For younger children, keep it short and sweet. Choose just a few key photos (parents, siblings, grandparents). Use large, easy-to-hold markers. Let the child decorate the tree with fingerprint “leaves” using washable paint, dot markers, or stickers. The goal is recognition and connection, not accuracy.
More detailed version for ages 6–12
Older kids can add “extra meaning” layers. They can write one fun fact about each person (“loves pancakes,” “plays hockey,” “gives the best hugs”). They can add a small tradition on the side (“Family Day hot chocolate,” “movie night,” “Sunday park walks”). Some kids enjoy drawing symbols near each photo to show personality or hobbies.
This craft often sparks surprisingly sweet conversations, especially when kids start asking questions like “What was mom like as a kid?” or “What games did dad play when he was little?”
Craft #2: Treasure Rocks
This one is perfect if you want a craft that includes movement and a little adventure. Treasure rocks combine outdoor time, creativity, and play and it’s easy to build a mini Family Day tradition around it.
Kids get the joy of collecting something, transforming it with paint, and then turning it into a game. It also works beautifully in winter because you can do the collection portion on a short walk and then craft indoors with warm drinks.
Why it works
Treasure rocks keep kids engaged because they feel like a mission. Even children who are usually “not into crafts” often love painting rocks because it feels different than paper crafts and the rocks become special objects they can keep or hide.
What you’ll need
You’ll need a few smooth rocks, a brush, and paint. Washable paint works fine for indoor play. Acrylic paint lasts longer if you want to keep the rocks outside or reuse them for a scavenger hunt later. A sealant is optional, but not necessary for a one-day activity.
How to make it (simple steps)
Start by collecting a few smooth rocks. If it’s too cold or snowy, you can use store-bought smooth stones or even substitute with painted cardboard “rock shapes.” Once you have the rocks, wash and dry them so the paint sticks better.
Paint each rock with bright colours or simple designs. Hearts, stars, smiley faces, stripes, and dots are all perfect. Let them dry fully before using them for a game.
Turn it into a “Family Day Treasure Hunt”
Once the rocks are dry, hide them around your home. Then give simple clues to your child:
“Find one near something soft.”
“Find one by a door.”
“Find one under something you sit on.”
The scavenger hunt can be quick—just five minutes is enough to make it exciting. When they find all the rocks, celebrate with something cozy, like hot chocolate, story time, or a family photo together.
Simple version for age 3
For three-year-olds, keep the painting super simple. Choose one or two colours, use big brush strokes, and let them enjoy the sensory feeling of painting. Once dry, you can add a sticker or a dot of glitter glue as a finishing touch.
More creative version for ages 6–12: “Story Stones”
Older kids can turn treasure rocks into “story stones.” Paint simple symbols on each rock like a sun, a house, a tree, a heart, a cat, or a star. Then take turns pulling a few rocks and making up a family story using the symbols you chose.
This is a wonderful bonding activity because it invites laughter and imagination without pressure. Everyone can participate, and you end up with a craft plus a family game you can reuse anytime.
Craft #3: Salt Dough Handprints
If you want one craft that becomes a true keepsake, this is it. Salt dough handprints are one of those crafts families hold onto for years because they capture a moment in time. They’re also tactile and sensory, which makes them extra fun for young children.
You don’t need special materials just pantry basics. And once you’ve made it once, it’s the kind of craft you can repeat every year as a Family Day tradition.
Why families love this one
Handprints are powerful. They remind you how fast children grow. Even if you don’t consider yourself a “crafty” parent, this one is worth doing because it’s simple and meaningful.
What you’ll need
You’ll need flour, salt, and water for the dough. A rolling pin is helpful, but a bottle works too. If you want to make ornaments, you’ll need a straw to create a small hole for hanging. You’ll also need a baking sheet, and paint for decorating once it’s dry.
How to make it (simple steps)
Mix one cup of salt, two cups of flour, and one cup of water. Stir until it forms a dough, then knead it for a minute or two until it feels smooth. Roll it out into a flat slab. Press your child’s hand firmly into the dough, then lift gently.
If you want an ornament, use a straw to make a hole near the top. Bake until hard and let it cool completely. Once it’s cool, paint it. Add your child’s name and the year. You can keep it simple with one colour and a few dots, or make it more detailed if your child enjoys decorating.
Easy version for ages 3–5
For preschoolers, the handprint is the main event. Keep decorating simple. One colour, maybe a few fingerprints as dots, and a name/year is more than enough. They’ll love it even if it’s not “perfect.”
More detailed version for ages 6–12
Older kids can personalise theirs with patterns, layered paint, or a short message about family. Some children like writing one sentence on the back like “I love my family because…” or “Family Day 2026.” If you make more than one ornament, you can create a mini tradition where each family member makes one.
3 Fun & Easy Crafts for Family Day at Home
If you want the simplest plan for the day, this is it:
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Make a photo family tree collage
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Paint treasure rocks and do a mini scavenger hunt
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Create a salt dough handprint keepsake
You can do all three, or choose just one. Even one simple craft can turn Family Day into something your child remembers.
Easy Crafts to Do at Home
If your family finishes early and your child still wants more, you can keep going without making it complicated.
One easy idea is a kindness garland. Cut strips of paper, and on each strip write one thing you love about your family. Then tape or staple the strips into a paper chain and hang it somewhere visible. It becomes a sweet reminder of connection, and kids love seeing their words on display.
Another quick option is a handprint card for grandparents or a favourite relative. A simple painted handprint with a short message is meaningful and takes only minutes.
These bonus ideas aren’t necessary, but they’re a lovely way to extend the day if your child is in a creative mood.
Easy Crafts to Do at Home to Sell
Family Day crafts are best when they’re just for fun. But if your family enjoys making extra crafts for a small fundraiser, school fair, or community table, a few of these projects can become “sellable” with adult help.
Painted rocks can be turned into paperweights or garden stones with simple designs. Salt dough ornaments can become seasonal keepsakes if you add names and dates. Handmade greeting cards (especially thank-you cards or “I love my family” cards) can also be a simple option for older kids.
If you do this, keep it age-appropriate and make sure adults supervise. The goal should still feel positive and creative not like a chore.
Chapter1 Daycare: Where Creativity and Family Life Come Together
At Chapter1 Daycare, we create the kind of warm, nurturing environment where children feel safe to explore, create, and grow because we know those early experiences shape confidence for years to come.
With two Calgary locations (Cedarbrae and Royal Oak), we offer play-based learning and flexible care for infants (3–18 months), toddlers (19 months–3 years), preschoolers (3–4.5 years), and pre-kindergarten children (4–6 years).
Our days include daily crafts and hands-on activities, outdoor play, and nutritious meals, supported by caring educators and clear parent communication. We also support real working-family schedules with extended hours, plus night and weekend childcare options.
If you enjoyed today’s craft ideas, you may also want to read our related blogs “What to Pack for Daycare” and “Benefits of Colouring for Kids” both are great for building smoother routines at home while supporting creativity, fine motor skills, and school readiness.
A warm Family Day reminder
Family Day doesn’t need to be perfect to be special. A simple craft, a shared laugh, and a little time together can be enough to create the kind of memory your child carries for years.
FAQs: Family Day Crafts and Easy At-Home Ideas
What are easy crafts for 3–5 year olds?
Easy crafts for 3–5 year olds include photo collages, painting rocks with simple designs, sticker crafts, and handprint keepsakes. Keep steps short, supplies simple, and focus on fun rather than neatness.
What are simple crafts for 3 year olds to do at home?
Three-year-olds do best with crafts that are sensory and quick: big brush painting, sticker decorating, simple collage gluing, and handprints. A treasure rock or salt dough handprint is often a perfect match.
What are good crafts for 6–12 year olds?
Kids 6–12 often enjoy crafts with more creativity and “ownership,” like a detailed family tree with fun facts, story stones for storytelling games, and salt dough ornaments with patterns, messages, and painted details.
What are easy crafts to do at home?
Easy crafts to do at home include collages, painting rocks, making a paper chain garland, handprint cards, and simple salt dough projects. The best crafts use supplies you already have and don’t require complicated steps.
What are easy crafts to do at home to sell?
Simple crafts that can be sold (with adult help) include handmade greeting cards, painted rock paperweights, and salt dough ornaments with names and dates. Keep the process enjoyable and age-appropriate.
How do I keep Family Day crafts low-mess?
Use washable supplies when possible, cover your table, keep wipes nearby, and choose crafts with minimal cutting and small pieces. Prep a supply tray so kids aren’t searching through drawers mid-craft.
What supplies should I keep on hand for kids’ crafts?
A small kit with paper, washable markers, glue sticks, kid scissors, tape, stickers, and paint will cover most easy crafts. Adding a few “extras” like googly eyes or dot markers can make crafts feel exciting without much mess.
How long should a craft take for toddlers vs older kids?
Toddlers often do best with crafts that take 5–15 minutes. Preschoolers may enjoy 15–25 minutes. Older kids can happily spend 30–60 minutes if the project feels meaningful and creative.