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 easy pipe cleaner crafts the whole time. Pipe cleaner crafts are a fantastic, no-fuss, hands-on activity for kids that helps to strengthen fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, focus, and independent play. Kids of all ages enjoy tinkering or creating a finished product with this simple craft supply.
RELATED: Fine motor activities boost your child’s growth, development, and confidence!
What are pipe cleaner crafts?
Pipe cleaner crafts (similar to craft sticks) are simple art projects you can do with your preschooler at home. Depending on the craft, you would typically need just a few colorful pipe cleaners to create sweet little works of art. Pipe cleaner crafts require almost no prep or clean-up and use minimal supplies—so they are a favorite in our home!
Fine motor development is so important in the early years. Pipe cleaner crafts are a fun way to help younger kids 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 those used for cleaning since they are made of polyester and nylon pile. Fun fact: Another name for pipe cleaners is chenille stems. (Fancy, right?!)
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Pipe Cleaners
Grab this colorful pack of pipe cleaners, which includes different colors 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?
Pipe cleaners for crafts can be easily found at any craft store. If you happen to be roaming around Target or the Dollar Store, you can usually find them in their school and craft supplies aisle. And just like everything else, you can always find them on Amazon.
5 simple pipe cleaner crafts
Pipe Cleaner Stick Wands
He was off after a quick demonstration of how to wrap each pipe cleaner! 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 plastic beads 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 a pair of googly eyes. Once they are done, little hands will love using these little guys for pretend play.
Pipe Cleaner Flower Stamping
Create sweet little flower stamps from pipe cleaners and then use them to make beautiful garden art using tempura paint. Learn how to make easy pipe cleaner daffodils in this post.
Pipe Cleaner Rainbow
Build a bundle of rainbow pipe cleaners. Using pipe cleaners and cotton balls, display a beautiful 3D rainbow as your toddler learns and recognizes the color order of the rainbow.
Pipe Cleaner Animals
Okay, if you keep count, these pipe cleaner cute animals make activity number six. But they needed to make the list! These are a little more involved, and the post includes step-by-step instructions.
5 Halloween pipe cleaner craft ideas
Save your multipack’s orange, brown, and green pipe cleaners to make 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 a great fine motor activity and make for a cute decoration to set out for the entire Halloween season. Use orange or colorful beads to make a seasonal pumpkin.
DIY Spider Ring
Wearable art is the best! These spooky little spider rings are simple to make and fun to use for dressing up throughout the Halloween season. Collect the black pipe cleaners to get started.
Halloween Necklace and Bracelet Craft for Kids
This easy craft can be used as wearable jewelry. Help your preschooler practice fine motor development as they make their Halloween-themed necklaces and bracelets. Materials include wooden beads or paper straws.
Spooky Pipe Cleaner Trees
Create and build spooky Halloween trees using pipe cleaners with your toddler! Creative crafts are great for pretend play or for your Halloween decorations. Include other supplies such as a cardboard tube or simple materials to bring the play to life.
Witch’s Broomstick Fine Motor Activity
Use pipe cleaners, beads, and construction paper to make colorful and cute witch broomsticks. If you have a fall birthday, these make a great party favor or little project to keep kids busy.
5 Pipe cleaner Christmas crafts
You guessed it! Now it’s time to use 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 Tree
Handmade ornaments are truly the best! Fill your Christmas trees this year with these easy-to-make ornaments made from pipe cleaners and pony beads.
Decorate the Christmas Tree
This Christmas tree-themed fine motor bead activity can be used as an adorable little decoration for your home once your child is done. This is an ideal project for winter break.
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. This is a great activity for a grandparent gift.
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 your child 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 that 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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