12 Simple Paper Cutting Art And Craft Ideas For Kids

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Paper cutting craft ideas for kids keep children occupied in their free time. They encourage them to develop their interest in arts and crafts as they engage in fun school projects and create unique origami collections on their own. Art and craft helps children improve their fine motor skills, creativity, imagination, problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, social skills, and more (1). Paper crafting is one such activity that helps improve children’s creativity and motor skills and can become one of their favorite hobbies. Keep scrolling to find some cool papercraft ideas your kids can engage in and create something new and exciting during fun-filled weekends and holidays. You can also join your children in these crafts and strengthen your bond with them.

12 Easy Paper Cutting Art And Craft Ideas For Kids

Check out these simple yet creative paper-cutting arts and crafts project ideas and watch your kid spend hours in creative pursuits—something way better than watching cartoons on TV. You can also help them out with the activities. Each project can be made simpler or more challenging depending on your child’s age and skills. Add colors, textures, or different materials to make the crafts more fun!

Did you know?

Fine motor skills, a key physical skill, can be improved through art and craft activities since various muscles in their fingers, wrists, and hands are used.

1. Zigzag paper strips

One of the best and simplest ways to enhance your kid’s cutting skills is to get a pair of zigzag or wave-shaped scissors and ask your kid to cut along a straight line. This will create wonderful decorative paper strips that will make your kid go creative with ideas.

2. Cutting simple shapes

The best way to introduce your kid to paper cutting craft ideas is to draw large, simple shapes on different pieces of colorful paper and get them to cut them out along the outline. You can then use these cut-outs to create a scene and ask your kid to decorate and stick them on their room’s wall.

3. Paper linked objects

Here’s another cool paper cutting art for kids to try and learn. Fold a sheet of paper that is horizontally long. Draw a simple object so your kid doesn’t cut it out from the ‘folded’ edge- this will help create a link between the identical objects. These linked objects are easy to make and will get your kid all buzzing with energy over their creations.

4. Simple Christmas tree

Cut triangles of decreasing sizes from green color paper. You may ask the child to trace the triangles first to get the sizes right. Once cut, stick the triangles one after the other, the largest towards the bottom and the smallest on the top, on a large sheet of white paper. This becomes the leaves of the Christmas tree. Cut a thin, rectangular section from a brown or red sheet of paper. This will be the trunk. Stick it at the end of the largest green triangle. Decorate the tree with sparkling colors to complete the Christmas tree look.

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5. Hand cut-outs

This is a cool trick to try, and it also helps your child get trained in cutting along curvy edges. Help them trace their hand on a sheet of paper and then cut it out following the outline. These can then serve as bookmarks or other card decorations for future use. See your kid go bonkers with this easy paper cut-out art activity.

6. Popsicle puppets

For this adorable paper animal craft for kids, trace some animal shapes on card paper, then let your child cut them out and decorate them by adding details like eyes, noses, and other features. Now get your kid to paint a used popsicle stick and paste these animal faces on it!

7. Cute school book labels

Here’s another constructive way to get your kid busy and experiment with creative stuff. Using different shapes as templates, help your kid cut out school labels for their new school year books and decorate them. Add their name and include other details. Your child will feel proud of their creation. It is one of the simple paper cutting patterns.

8. Christmas masks

Draw Santa’s beard and cap on a sheet of paper and ask your kid to cut it out along the lines. They can then decorate it using cello tape. Secure a thin stick at the back to hold this mask. This can be considered one of the best cutting and pasting activities for kids.

9. Paper collage

A simple paper collage is enough to keep your kid busy. Get them different pieces of colored paper. Ask them to create a collage using different objects cut from different pieces of paper and then stick them on a sheet. It is a simple paper cutting design your kid can easily do.

10. Photo frame cut-out

If you’re looking for ideas that make your child create something they could use, there’s nothing better than this one. Trace this outline on card paper and ask your kid to cut it carefully. Now cut a large-sized photo of your kid such that it fits the middle area, and ask them to stick it and decorate it.

11. Halloween paper bats

This is an easy way to put up spooky decor during Halloween. Draw and cut out a simple bat shape out of white paper and let your child use it as a template. Let them trace it on stiff black paper and cut them to get as many bats you wish to have. Poke hole in the bat’s tail to tie a thread so that you may hang it upside down.

12. Monster corner bookmarks

Get your child different colored paper and monster stickers and let them cut the paper into 6”X6” pieces. Make them fold the paper in half diagonally twice over and then unfold it. They must cut off one of the triangles that can be seen after unfolding the paper. Make them fold the two side flap triangles over the central triangle. Glue down one of the flaps to get a triangular pocket. The corner of a book page goes inside this pocket. Lastly, let your child decorate the bookmark with monster stickers of their choice.

Safety Precautions To Follow

While your child learns about different crafting techniques, it’s important to ensure their safety. Here are a few safety tips you can follow for a hassle-free and safe experience (2).

1. Child-safe materials: Ensure the scissors have rounded edges and are easy to grip so your child does not accidentally hurt themselves. Also, consider non-toxic paints, glues, markers, and other art supplies. Look for ASTM-certified art materials, and avoid tiny beads and buttons to prevent choking hazards.
2. Proper tool handling: Teach your child how to hold and use scissors and other cutting tools correctly. Ask them to be patient, mindful, and slow when working on these projects.
3. Designated craft station: Arrange a safe, stable, and clean workspace for your child so they can focus on the artwork comfortably. Encourage them to clean up after themselves and not create a mess.
4. Adult supervision: Supervise your child and the crafting space at all times to prevent accidents and mess. Keep sharp objects and hot glue guns away from their reach.

Infographic: How Art And Craft Activities Help Your Child

Arts and crafts activities stimulate the mind of the children and aid in the learning process. Despite their physical nature, they also promote creativity and other mental skills. Scroll through the infographic below to learn more about the benefits of introducing your child to arts and crafts activities.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Simple Paper Cutting Art And Craft Ideas For Kids

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

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Erin DeCarloCraftsperson

Erin DeCarlo is an avid crafter and greeting card business owner. Her expertise lies in creating handmade paper crafts and DIY home decor. She has sold handmade greeting cards and gifts on Etsy and in local stores over the last nine years.

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