Youth Activity Archive

THIS LIST IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION – we are moving all activities from The Badge Archive to the Youth Activity Archive to make it easier to sort and find the activity you are looking for.

Hands-on projects where youth explore materials, practice techniques, and create functional or decorative items.

• Getting-to-Know-You Crafts – To help youth learn meaningful things about each other.
• Team Building Crafts – To express group identity and togetherness. Creative projects designed to promote teamwork (i.e. team flags, shared art, collaborative builds)

---

Simple Tools

Projects that use basic materials and tools.

• Cardboard Crafting – Sculptures, dioramas, or reusable crafts made from cardboard
• Clay Art – Shaping and molding to create textured designs or small sculptures in air-dried, baked, or kiln-fired clay
• Foam Printing – Printmaking with foam sheets and simple tools
• Paper Crafts – Origami, paper flowers, paper mâché, pop-ups
• Puppet Making – Various forms of puppet projects.
• Stencil Art – Using stencils with sponges or brushes
• String Art – Thread or yarn wrapped around nails to form patterns on wood, using thread to paint, or using thread as “paint”
• Toy Making – Various simple toys to craft
  • Safe Toys – Something you can play with without getting hurt or breaking things

---

Advanced Crafts

Projects that require more skill, technique, or specialized tools.

• Crochet – Looping yarn with a hook to make small items
• Embroidery – Basic stitches to create designs on fabric
• Felting – Sculpting or decorating with wool fibers
• Knitting – Stitching yarn with needles into flat or shaped pieces
• Loom Beading – Creating patterns with beads on a small loom
• Macramé – Knotting techniques for wall hangings or plant holders
• Textiles – Simple weaving or fabric dyeing with natural materials

---

Jewelry Making

Projects that combine design, fine motor skills, and personal style.

• Beaded Jewelry – Necklaces, bracelets, keychains, and more
• Friendship Bracelets – Thread or yarn knots with pattern tools
• Shrink Plastic Jewelry – Draw designs on shrink plastic to create charms
• Wire Weaving – Interlace thin wire strands to form textured, decorative patterns
• Wire Wrapping – Wrap stones or beads with wire for unique pieces

---

Artisanal Crafts

Projects that blend creativity with self-care, nature, or home use.

• Basket Weaving – Small baskets using natural or synthetic materials
• Bath Bombs – Colorful, fizzy bath creations
• Lip Balm – Melt, mix, and pour into tubes or tins
• Lotion Making – Blend oils, waxes, and butters into creamy or solid moisturizers for hands and skin
• Pressed Flower Art – Dried flowers in candles, soap, or frames
• Perfume Blending – Custom scents using essential oils
• Soap Making – Use melt-and-pour bases to create custom bars

---

Nature Crafts

Projects that use natural materials or support the natural world.

• Bird Feeders – Recycled or natural materials used to attract and nourish local birds
• Bird Houses – Simple shelters that provide nesting space for backyard birds
• Bug Hotels – Shelters for beneficial insects like bees or ladybugs
• DIY Terrariums – Tiny ecosystems in jars with soil, plants, and decor
• Nature Crafts – Uses nature directly in the process: through materials (like rocks, leaves, or soil), outdoor spaces, or natural forces (like sunlight or wind)
• Nature Inspired Crafts: Art that creates something that reflects nature’s colors, patterns, themes, or messages.
• Wind Chimes – Chimes made from natural or recycled materials

---

Science Crafts

Projects that blend crafting with STEM concepts, experimentation, or scientific principles.

• Solar Ovens – Cardboard ovens that cook simple treats using sunlight
• Wind Builds – Wind‑powered builds
• Energy Builds – Any craft that demonstrates a scientific idea of light, heat, energy, or motion.

–

For More Fun Ideas and Plans

–

Click Here -> To see information References:

Disclaimer: The information published on Youth Activity Archive and The Badge Archive is built from the references listed below. These sources demonstrate that our content is grounded in facts and research, not opinion or speculation. Readers may consult them directly when looking for additional material.

• This article draws solely on the author’s firsthand experience and does not incorporate outside sources.

• Find out how you can support The Badge Archive!
• Return to the Main Categories