Cat crafts are perfect for keeping children entertained on rainy days, during school breaks, or anytime creativity strikes. These simple projects use materials you likely already have at home and are designed to be easy enough for little hands while creating adorable keepsakes.

Let’s explore some wonderful easy crafts for kids with a feline theme!

1. Paper Plate Cat Faces

These cat crafts for toddlers are perfect because there’s no “wrong” way to make them! Black cat crafts for kids are especially popular and make great Halloween decorations too.

A cat face made with a paper plate.

Materials:

  • Paper plates
  • Construction paper (various colors)
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
  • Markers
  • Pipe cleaners (optional for whiskers)

Instructions:

  1. Color the paper plate any cat color you like (white, orange, gray, black)
  2. Cut triangular ears from construction paper
  3. Glue ears to the top of the plate
  4. Draw eyes, nose, and mouth with markers
  5. Add whiskers with pipe cleaners or draw them on

2. Toilet Paper Roll Cats

Empty cardboard tubes make excellent crafting materials. Preschool cat crafts like these help develop fine motor skills while encouraging creativity.

Cat crafts made by kids with toilet paper rolls.

Materials:

  • Empty toilet paper rolls
  • Paint or colored paper
  • Googly eyes (or draw them)
  • Construction paper
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • Markers

Instructions:

  1. Cover the toilet paper roll with paint or colored paper
  2. Cut ears from construction paper and glue to the top
  3. Add googly eyes or draw them on
  4. Draw a nose, mouth, and whiskers
  5. Cut small strips of paper for the tail and glue to the back

3. Handprint Cats

Handprint art and crafts for kids easy projects create sentimental keepsakes that capture a moment in time. Pro tip: Have wet wipes ready before little painted hands start waving around!

A shape of a cat made with kids handprints and some painting.

Materials:

  • Paper (white or colored)
  • Paint (black, white, or any cat color)
  • Markers for details
  • Paintbrush
  • Wet wipes

Instructions:

  1. Paint your child’s palm and fingers (not the thumb)
  2. Press hand onto paper with fingers pointing up (fingers become the ears and face)
  3. Once dry, add eyes, nose, mouth, and whiskers
  4. Add other details like spots or stripes if desired

4. Paper Bag Cat Puppets

These diy cat crafts are perfect for dramatic play and storytelling, extending the craft experience into hours of imaginative fun.

A cat puppets made with a paper bag.

Materials:

  • Paper lunch bags
  • Construction paper
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • Markers or crayons
  • Yarn (optional for whiskers)

Instructions:

  1. Place the paper bag with the flap at the bottom
  2. Decorate the flap area as the cat’s face
  3. Cut ears, eyes, and other features from construction paper
  4. Glue all pieces to create your cat face
  5. Let dry, then insert hand to make your puppet talk

5. Cat Rock Painting

Beach rocks and garden stones make perfect canvas for creating colorful cat characters. These cat arts and crafts make wonderful garden decorations or thoughtful handmade gifts.

Three small rocks painted with cat faces.

Materials:

  • Smooth rocks
  • Acrylic paint
  • Small paintbrushes
  • Clear sealer (optional)
  • Markers (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Clean and dry rocks completely
  2. Paint the entire rock a solid color for your cat’s body
  3. Once dry, add facial features with paint or markers
  4. Paint ears, whiskers, and any patterns
  5. Seal with clear sealer if you want them to last longer

6. Origami Cats

When you need easy paper crafts for kids simple enough for little fingers but still engaging, origami cats are perfect! They require no glue or scissors, making them ideal for travel or quick activities.

An origami cute cat.

Materials:

  • Square paper (origami paper works best, but any paper cut into a square will do)
  • Markers for facial features

Instructions:

  1. Fold paper in half diagonally to make a triangle
  2. Fold the pointed corners of the triangle toward the top point, leaving some space
  3. Flip over and draw a cat face
  4. Optional: fold the tip back for ears

7. Cotton Ball Cat Collages

This tactile craft combines art and texture for a sensory-rich experience. They embrace creative expression while building fine motor skills.

A cat made with cotton balls and color construction paper.

Materials:

  • Paper
  • Cotton balls
  • Glue
  • Construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Markers

Instructions:

  1. Draw a simple cat outline on paper
  2. Have kids glue cotton balls inside the outline
  3. Cut ears, eyes, nose, and mouth from construction paper
  4. Glue facial features on top of the cotton ball “fur”
  5. Add final details with markers

8. Cat Masks

These halloween cat crafts preschool projects work year-round, not just during spooky season. Easy arts and crafts for kids preschool activities like this combine art with dramatic play.

A cat mask made by a kid.

Materials:

  • Paper plates
  • Scissors (adult help needed)
  • Elastic string
  • Paint or markers
  • Construction paper
  • Hole punch
  • Glue

Instructions:

  1. Cut eye holes in the paper plate (adult job)
  2. Let kids decorate the plate as a cat face
  3. Cut and glue on construction paper ears
  4. Punch holes on both sides
  5. Attach elastic string through the holes

9. Clothespin Cats

These functional cat crafts can be used as bookmarks, memo holders, or bag clips. They also make practical gifts and functional decorations.

Clothespins painted and crafted in the shape of a cat.

Materials:

  • Wooden clothespins
  • Paint
  • Small googly eyes
  • Felt or construction paper
  • Glue
  • Pipe cleaners (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Paint the clothespin (entire or just the top part)
  2. Glue small triangular ears cut from felt or paper
  3. Add googly eyes and draw a nose and mouth
  4. Optional: add pipe cleaner whiskers or a tail

10. Yarn Ball Cats

Soft, squeezable pom-pom cats are irresistibly cute and fun to make. They make adorable desk companions or gentle toys for imaginative play.

A pink yarn ball representing a cat´s face.

Materials:

  • Yarn (any color)
  • Cardboard circle with hole in center
  • Scissors
  • Felt for ears and facial features
  • Glue

Instructions:

  1. Wrap yarn around cardboard ring until very full
  2. Carefully cut outer edges of yarn
  3. Tie a piece of yarn tightly around the middle
  4. Remove from cardboard and fluff into a ball
  5. Trim to shape and glue on felt features

11. “The Cat in the Hat” Paper Hats

These cat in the hat crafts for preschoolers make reading more interactive and memorable. They extend the reading experience into hands-on learning.

A "Cat in the Hat" made of red and white construction paper.

Materials:

  • Red and white construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue or tape
  • Stapler
  • Black construction paper (for bow tie)

Instructions:

  1. Cut strips of red and white paper
  2. Glue or tape alternating colors in a circle large enough for child’s head
  3. Cut two triangles from white paper for ears
  4. Attach ears to inside of hat
  5. Create a simple bow tie from black paper

12. Clay Cat Figures

Three-dimensional crafts help children develop spatial awareness and sculpting skills. These clay crafts cat figures make wonderful shelf decorations and lasting keepsakes.

A cute cat made of clay

Materials:

  • Air-dry clay or salt dough
  • Small tools for details (toothpicks work well)
  • Paint
  • Clear sealer (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Shape a ball of clay for the body
  2. Add a smaller ball for the head
  3. Create pointed ears and a tail
  4. Use tools to add facial features and details
  5. Let dry completely before painting

13. Cardboard Box Cat Houses

Upcycle shipping boxes into playhouses for stuffed animals or imaginative play. These cardboard cat crafts encourage hours of creative play after the crafting is complete.

A cardboard box painted and decorated as a cat´s face.

Materials:

  • Cardboard box
  • Scissors or craft knife (adult use only)
  • Paint or markers
  • Construction paper
  • Glue
  • Optional decorations (stickers, buttons, etc.)

Instructions:

  1. Cut a door and windows in the box (adult job)
  2. Let kids decorate the outside with paint or markers
  3. Add paper curtains to windows
  4. Draw or create cat faces to peek out windows
  5. Create a sign for the cat house

14. Popsicle Stick Cat Puppets

Small puppets make great take-along toys and creative storytelling props. These easy cat crafts activities build fine motor skills while creating toys children can play with immediately.

A cat puppet made with popsicle sticks,

Materials:

  • Popsicle sticks
  • Paint or markers
  • Construction paper
  • Googly eyes (optional)
  • Glue
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Paint or color the popsicle stick
  2. Cut triangle ears and other features from paper
  3. Glue ears to the top of the stick
  4. Add eyes, nose, and mouth
  5. Optional: glue yarn for whiskers

15. Cat Food Can Pencil Holders

These cat food can crafts give new life to items that would otherwise be discarded, teaching children about creative reuse.

A kid´s cat craft made with a can, construction paper and pipe cleaners.

Materials:

  • Clean, empty cat food cans (with no sharp edges)
  • Construction paper or felt
  • Googly eyes
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Glue
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Cover the can with construction paper or felt
  2. Create and attach paper ears at the top
  3. Add googly eyes, nose, and mouth
  4. Use pipe cleaners for whiskers
  5. Fill with pencils, small plants, or other treasures

16. Sock Cats

Transform mismatched socks into cute cat crafts—soft, huggable toys with minimal sewing.

A sock stuffed in a cat´s shape.

Materials:

  • Single socks
  • Rice or stuffing
  • Rubber bands
  • Buttons or felt for eyes
  • Needle and thread or fabric glue
  • Ribbons (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Fill the sock with rice or stuffing
  2. Use rubber bands to create sections for head and body
  3. Add buttons or felt pieces for eyes, nose, and mouth
  4. Tie a ribbon around the neck (optional)
  5. Use extra felt for ears

17. Wooden Spoon Cats

Kitchen utensils transform into puppet characters with just a few simple additions. These cat wood crafts make great dramatic play props that are durable enough for regular use.

A painted wooden spoon in form of a cat's face.

Materials:

  • Wooden spoons
  • Paint
  • Small felt pieces
  • Googly eyes
  • Glue
  • Yarn or string

Instructions:

  1. Paint the spoon bowl as the cat’s face
  2. Add googly eyes or paint them on
  3. Glue small triangular felt pieces for ears
  4. Draw or paint on a nose and mouth
  5. Add yarn for whiskers

18. Cat Greeting Cards

Handmade cards add a personal touch to any occasion and showcase children’s creativity. These can make wonderful Valentine’s cards, birthday cards, or anytime greetings.

A greeting card with a crafted cat´s face.

Materials:

  • Folded cardstock or construction paper
  • Markers or crayons
  • Googly eyes
  • Yarn or string
  • Glue
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Fold paper in half to create a card
  2. Cut out simple cat shapes from contrasting paper
  3. Glue the cat shapes to the front of the card
  4. Add details like googly eyes, yarn whiskers
  5. Write a message inside

Additional Ideas for Cat-Loving Crafters

  • Pete the Cat Crafts for Toddlers: Create blue cats based on the popular book character using any of the methods above.
  • Cat and the Hat Crafts: Combine striped hats with cat crafts for a Dr. Seuss theme.
  • Easy Crafts for Kids with Paper: Make origami cats in various sizes to create cat families.
  • Cat in the Hat Preschool Crafts: Add red bow ties to any cat craft for an instant story connection.
  • Pete the Cat Crafts Preschool: Focus on colorful shoes alongside your cat creations.
  • Easy Crafts for Kids to Make at Home: Choose projects based on materials you already have on hand.
  • Diy Crafts for Kids Easy at Home: Select crafts that require minimal special supplies.
  • Fun Easy Crafts for Kids Simple: Start with the paper plate or paper bag crafts for guaranteed success.

Final Thoughts

Cat crafts for kids offer endless possibilities for creativity, from simple paper projects to more elaborate creations. The best part about these crafts is that they encourage imagination and provide a sense of accomplishment when completed.

Remember, the point isn’t perfection—it’s the process. Some of the most cherished crafts are those with uneven ears or slightly crossed eyes. They capture that moment in time when little hands were learning and creating.

With these easy arts and crafts for kids, you’ll have plenty of options to keep creative sessions flowing. Whether you’re looking for art crafts for kids easy enough for toddlers or more detailed projects for older children, these cat-themed activities are sure to please.

Happy crafting!

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