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28 Fun and Affordable Crafts for Teens to Try

If you’re on the lookout for some budget-friendly craft ideas that will keep teens entertained without breaking the bank, you’ve come to the right place. This collection of cheap fun crafts is perfect for those lazy afternoons or weekend hangouts.

Whether you’re flying solo or hanging with friends, these projects are easy to gather supplies for and offer a chance to unleash your creativity while having a blast!

Affordable Crafts for Teens

Homemade Friendship Bracelets

Colorful strings ready for making friendship bracelets

Making friendship bracelets is a fun and easy craft that teens can enjoy together. All you need is some colorful string or embroidery floss to get started. It’s a great way to share a little piece of your creativity with friends!

Scrapbook Memory Pages

A scrapbook open to memory pages with photos and decorations scattered around.

Creating scrapbook memory pages can be a fun way to preserve special moments. You can use photos, stickers, and colorful paper to make each page unique. It’s a simple craft that allows you to express your creativity and share your favorite memories with friends.

Upcycled T-shirt Pillows

A yellow t-shirt pillow on a bed with colorful bedding.

Transforming old t-shirts into fun pillows is a simple and enjoyable craft project for teens. Just cut and sew up the edges, fill them with some soft stuffing, and you’ve got a cozy decoration for your room. It’s a creative way to give those worn-out tees a new life while adding a personal touch to your space!

DIY Tie-Dye T-Shirts

Colorful tie-dye t-shirts hanging on a clothesline

Making tie-dye t-shirts is super fun and easy! You only need a few supplies like plain shirts, fabric dye, and rubber bands. Get creative with different colors and patterns, and you’ll have a cool shirt to wear in no time!

DIY Beaded Keychains

A hand crafting colorful beaded keychains with various beads and charms.

Making beaded keychains is a fun and easy craft that teens can enjoy. You only need some colorful beads, keychain rings, and a little creativity to get started. These keychains are perfect for personalizing your bags or sharing with friends!

Paper Mache Sculptures

A teen working on a paper mache sculpture made from newspapers and glue.

Making paper mache sculptures is a fun way to express creativity without spending a lot. You just need some old newspapers, glue, and a bit of imagination. It’s a messy, enjoyable project that lets you create anything from animals to unique figures!

Painted Rock Designs

Colorful painted rocks with various designs placed among pebbles and green plants.

Painting rocks is a fun and easy craft that teens can enjoy. Just grab some smooth stones, acrylic paints, and let your creativity flow! You can create cute animals, flowers, or even simple patterns to brighten up your garden or room.

Customized Canvas Tote Bags

A person holding a customized canvas tote bag with colorful designs in a creative workspace.

Making customized canvas tote bags is a fun and easy craft for teens. Grab some fabric paint and let your creativity flow with unique designs that show off your personality. These bags are perfect for carrying books, groceries, or whatever you need, and they make great gifts too!

Handmade Greeting Cards

A collection of colorful handmade greeting cards with envelopes and a rose.

Making handmade greeting cards is a fun way for teens to express creativity. All you need are some basic supplies like paper, markers, and envelopes. It’s a great way to add a personal touch to any occasion!

Painted Terracotta Pots

Colorful painted terracotta pots with flowers on a table

Painting terracotta pots is a fun way to express creativity and brighten up your space. You can use simple acrylic paints and let your imagination run wild with patterns and colors. Plus, these colorful pots make perfect gifts or room decor!

Felted Wool Crafts

A young boy focused on creating felted wool crafts with colorful materials on a table.

Felted wool crafts are a fun way to get creative without spending much. You can use colorful wool to make cute shapes or accessories, like little animals or flowers. Grab some basic supplies, and let your imagination run wild!

Nature-Inspired Dream Catchers

A handmade dream catcher with feathers and beads, hanging in a sunlit room.

Making dream catchers can be a fun way to connect with nature. Use twigs, feathers, and beads to create a unique design that reflects your style. This craft is not only enjoyable but also allows you to express your creativity and have something special to hang in your room.

Personalized Phone Cases

A teen holding a personalized phone case decorated with colorful stickers.

Making your own phone case is a fun way to show off your style. Grab some stickers, markers, or even photos, and get creative! It’s a simple, affordable craft that lets you express yourself every time you pick up your phone.

Mason Jar Lanterns

Mason jars filled with string lights, glowing softly on a wooden table outdoors.

Mason jar lanterns are a fun and easy craft that teens will love. All you need are some jars, string lights, and a little creativity. They make a cozy addition to any outdoor hangout or room decor.

Homemade Candles

Various homemade candles with ingredients like wax, essential oils, and decorative items

Making homemade candles is a fun way to get creative and relax. You just need some wax, wicks, and your favorite scents to get started. Plus, you can customize them to match your room or give them as cool gifts to friends!

DIY Stamped Wrapping Paper

A creative workspace with various wrapping papers, stamps, and ink pads for DIY stamped wrapping paper.

Create your own unique wrapping paper by using stamps and some plain paper. Grab some colors and designs you love, then get stamping! This is a fun way to add a personal touch to any gift without spending a lot.

Recycled Magazine Collage Art

A colorful collage made from various magazine cutouts, showcasing different images and text.

If you have old magazines lying around, turn them into fun collage art! Just cut out colorful images and words that inspire you, then glue them onto a canvas or paper. This is a cool way to express yourself while recycling materials and having a blast!

Fabric Scrap Bookmarks

Colorful fabric scraps arranged as bookmarks next to an open book.

Making fabric scrap bookmarks is a fun way to use leftover materials. Just cut your scraps into fun shapes and sew or glue them together. You’ll have unique bookmarks that not only keep your place but also show off your personal style!

Origami Paper Creations

A variety of origami paper creations, including colorful animals and shapes, displayed on a table.

Origami is a fun way for teens to express their creativity using just paper. With a few folds, you can turn a simple sheet into colorful animals or shapes that are both cool and satisfying to make. It’s a low-cost craft that can easily keep you entertained for hours!

Homemade Soap Bars

A variety of colorful homemade soap bars displayed with natural elements.

Making homemade soap bars is a fun way to get creative and have some hands-on fun. You can experiment with different colors, scents, and shapes using simple materials you might already have at home. Plus, these personalized soaps make great gifts for friends and family!

Simple Sewing Projects

A sewing machine with pink polka dot fabric and spools of thread

Sewing is a fun way to get creative and make something cool. You can start with small projects like making scrunchies or simple bags. Grab some colorful fabric and let your imagination run wild!

Altered Picture Frames

A collection of various picture frames in different colors and styles, some with photos inside.

Giving old picture frames a new look is a fun craft that teens can enjoy. Grab some paint, beads, or even fabric scraps to personalize your frames and make them unique. This project not only spruces up your space but also adds a personal touch to your photos!

DIY Bath Bombs

A basket filled with colorful DIY bath bombs

Making DIY bath bombs is a fun way to relax and get creative. You can mix colors and scents to make each one unique, and they make great gifts too. Grab some simple ingredients, and you’ll be ready to enjoy a bubbly bath in no time!

Bottle Cap Magnets

A collection of colorful bottle cap magnets displayed on a magnetic surface.

Making bottle cap magnets is a fun and easy craft that teens will love. Just gather some colorful caps, glue on a magnet, and you’re good to go! These little creations can brighten up any fridge or magnetic board.

Funky Hair Accessories

A collection of colorful hair accessories including bows and headbands on a pink background.

Making funky hair accessories is a fun way for teens to express their style. With just some fabric, ribbons, and a few simple tools, you can create cute bows and headbands. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon while adding some flair to your look!

Seasonal Decor Crafts

A cozy display of fall-themed crafts including pumpkins, flowers, and a colorful garland.

Seasonal decor crafts are a fun way for teens to get creative with their surroundings. They can make colorful garlands, cute painted pumpkins, and even simple flower arrangements to brighten up their space. Plus, these crafts are easy on the wallet, making them a perfect option for any budget!

DIY String Art

A colorful string art piece depicting the letters H, E, and T made of yarn on a wooden background.

String art is a fun and creative way to express yourself. All you need is some yarn, a piece of wood, and a few nails to get started. You can create cool designs or even spell out your name with colorful threads!

Personalized Journals

A child decorating a blank journal with stickers and drawings.

Making personalized journals is a fun and simple craft for teens. Grab some plain notebooks and let your creativity shine with stickers, drawings, and colorful pens. It’s a great way to express yourself and have a unique place to jot down your thoughts and ideas.