Years ago, I threw a bag of pipe cleaners in my diaper bag on my way out the door to bring to a sit-down restaurant. I watched in awe as my kids sat quietly at the table for the ENTIRE meal because they were busy making pipe cleaner crafts the whole time. This craft supply is pure genius!
Pipe cleaner crafts are such a fantastic no-fuss hands-on activity for kids that help to strengthen fine motor skills, creativity, focus and boost independent play. This idea inspired me to create a list of the absolute cutest and simplest everyday pipe cleaner crafts, Halloween pipe cleaner crafts and even pipe cleaner Christmas crafts for all of your upcoming seasonal festivities!
RELATED: Fine motor activities are so important for boosting your child’s growth, development, and confidence!
What are pipe cleaner crafts?
Pipe cleaner crafts are simple art projects you can do with your preschooler at home. Typically you would need just a few colorful pipe cleaners, depending on the craft, to create sweet little works of art. Pipe cleaner crafts require almost no prep or clean up, and use very minimal supplies — which is why they are a favorite in our home!
Fine motor development is so important in the early years. And pipe cleaner crafts are an excellent way to help to improve fine motor skills in creative ways:
- Bending
- Cutting
- Folding
- Gluing
- Pincer grip practice
- Stringing beads
- Twisting
RELATED: Pom poms are another one of our favorite versatile craft-making activities. Don’t miss our list of 20+ Pom Pom Crafts and Activities!
The best pipe cleaners
So what are the best pipe cleaners for crafts? We’re so glad you asked! Pipe cleaners for crafts are typically longer, thicker, and more durable than pipe cleaners used for cleaning, since they are made out of polyester and nylon pile.
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Our favorite pipe cleaners for crafts are these ones below!
Pipe Cleaners
Grab this colorful pack of pipe cleaners for the crafts and easy activities listed in this post.
RELATED: Pipe cleaner crafts are the perfect rainy day activity!
Where can I buy pipe cleaners?
You can easily find pipe cleaners for crafts at any craft supplies store. If you happen to be roaming aimlessly around Target, you can usually find them in their school and craft supplies aisle. And just like everything else these days, you can always find them on Amazon.
There are so many adorable pipe cleaner craft ideas! Check out our list of our favorite everyday pipe cleaner crafts, Halloween pipe cleaner crafts, and pipe cleaner Christmas crafts below.
5 simple pipe cleaner crafts
Pipe Cleaner Stick Wands
After a quick demonstration of how to wrap each pipe cleaner, he was off! My six-year-old had a blast making these pipe cleaner stick wands.
DIY Pipe Cleaner and Bead Snake Craft
Develop fine motor skills by stringing beads together and gluing googly eyes while making these adorable little pipe cleaner snakes.
Pipe Cleaner Finger Puppets
These easy pipe cleaner finger puppets are quick and simple to make using pipe cleaners, pom poms, and googly eyes. Your toddler will love using them for pretend play once they are done!
Pipe Cleaner Flower Stamping Preschool Art
Create sweet little flower stamps out of pipe cleaners and then use them to make beautiful garden art using tempura paint.
Pipe Cleaner Rainbow
Build and display a beautiful 3D rainbow using pipe cleaners and cotton balls as your toddler learns and recognizes the color order of the rainbow.
Pipe Cleaner Animals
Okay, if you are keeping count, these pipe cleaner animals make activity number six. But they needed to make the list!
5 Halloween pipe cleaner crafts
Save the orange, green, and brown pipe cleaners from your multipack to whip up some sweet pumpkins, spider rings, and broomsticks. (Ready for Halloween? Here are 31 ways to play in October.)
Beaded Pumpkin Craft for Kids
These awesome pumpkin crafts using pipe cleaners and beads are not only a great fine motor activity but also make for a cute decoration to set out for the entire Halloween season.
DIY Spider Ring
Wearable art is the best! These spooky little spider rings are simple to make and fun to use for dress up throughout the Halloween season.
Halloween Necklace and Bracelet Craft for Kids
Another fun pipe cleaner craft that can be used as wearable jewelry. Help your preschooler practice fine motor development as they make their own Halloween-themed necklaces and bracelets.
Spooky Pipe Cleaner Trees
Create and build spooky Halloween trees using pipe cleaners with your toddler! These are great to use for pretend play or as a part of your Halloween decorations.
Witch’s Broomstick Fine Motor Activity
Use pipe cleaners, beads, and construction paper to make colorful and cute witch’s broomsticks while boosting fine motor skills and development.
5 Pipe cleaner Christmas crafts
You guessed it! Now it is time to use up the red, green, and other colorful pipe cleaners to create easy Christmas decorations. (Is Christmas on your mind? Here are 40 Christmas Activities for Kids.)
Bead and Pipe Cleaner Christmas Trees
Handmade ornaments are truly the best! Fill your Christmas tree this year with these easy-to-make Christmas tree ornaments made out of pipe cleaners and strung beads.
Decorate the Christmas Tree: Easy Fine Motor Activity for Kids
This Christmas tree-themed fine motor bead activity can be used as an adorable little decoration for your home once your toddler is done.
DIY Pipe Cleaner Christmas Cards
Create handmade one-of-a-kind cards this holiday season with your preschooler using pipe cleaners, lots of creativity, and fine motor skills practice.
Pipe Cleaner Wreath Ornament Craft
Your toddler will love making and decorating these no-fuss wreath ornaments to get into the holiday spirit! Improve fine motor skills as they cut, bead, and wrap wreaths to hang on the tree.
Snowflake Pipe Cleaner Craft
Decorate your Christmas tree with these simple winter-themed snowflake pipe cleaner ornaments that your preschooler will LOVE making.
Pipe cleaners are underrated
There are endless possibilities when it comes to pipe cleaner crafts! The countless ideas and ways that your toddler or preschooler will learn to create one-of-a-kind hands-on crafts using pipe cleaners will amaze you! Your kids will be so proud of their little works of art — which is why it’s so important to display your child’s art in your home!
Craving a calmer morning?
Breakfast Invitations are simple learning games to begin the day with play.
Pipe cleaner craft FAQ
Pipe cleaner crafts are simple art projects that your preschooler can make using minimal supplies and require little prep or clean-up.
I like to make animals, stamps, jewelry, and holiday decorations out of pipe cleaners.
You can buy pipe cleaners for crafts at any art supply store, Target or online at Amazon.
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