Yarn Art Invitation to Create Activity

Set up an invitation to create for kids of all ages to make yarn art using lots of colorful yarn glued to paper.

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An invitation to create is a fun open-ended activity for kids of all ages. Adults set up the supplies in a workspace, and kids have fun making whatever they like. You can offer guidance, but exploring creativity is the goal!

This yarn art is easy to prep with just a few supplies – paper, yarn, and glue.

Kids will love creating their own artwork using colorful yarn to “draw” or “paint” a picture. This is also a great activity to help younger kids practice skills like cutting and gluing, fine motor skills, and spatial reasoning.

Exploring the texture of yarn and watercolor paper is a great sensory activity. Add more textures by including a variety of other materials. We’ve included some ideas below.

You could plan this as an activity after learning about famous artists, or as a stand-alone project. Be sure to check out even more fun yarn crafts for kids to make!

Yarn art craft tips

• Protect your workspace.
  Yarn art isn’t too messy, but it’s a good idea to protect the table where you’re crafting. Try putting a plastic party tablecloth on the table; you can even tape it down on the underside.
• Add mixed media supplies.
  Keep it simple with just yarn, or add other materials too. Try different yarn sizes and textures, ribbons, buttons, or even crayons for coloring between the yarn pieces.
• Plan yarn art designs.
  Part of the fun is making it up as you go and seeing what happens, but you can sketch a design on watercolor paper as a guide if you like.
• Easy cleanup.
  We love Elmer’s glue because it’s safe for kids and easily washes off of surfaces, clothes, and hands. Check other products before beginning for cleanup instructions.

How to make yarn art

Supplies

• scissors
• 9×12-inch watercolor paper
• Elmer’s glue sticks or white glue
• cotton yarn in multiple colors

Instructions

1. Set up an invitation to craft.

Set up a table with all the supplies your kids will need for crafting. Cut the watercolor paper in half or quarters. Pre-cut pieces of yarn to different lengths. Set out scissors and yarn skeins so kids can add more pieces. Glue sticks go fast, so you’ll probably need one for each crafter.

2. Add glue to paper.

Start the yarn art project by spreading a generous amount of glue on the watercolor paper. We recommend only covering small sections at a time. The purple Elmer’s glue shows exactly where you’ve put it, then disappears when it’s dry.

3. Place yarn on glue sections.

Then take pieces of yarn and stick them to the glue sections. Gently press down on the yarn so it sticks. If you need to reposition, it’s easy to peel up and move. You can place pieces right up against each other or leave space the way we did.

4. Repeat to fill the paper.

Add more glue and yarn pieces until you’re happy with the design. You can fill the whole paper or just do a design in the center. Finally, let the glue dry completely.

Printable instructions

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