Okay, be honest. Are you staring out the window at the first green buds, feeling that restless itch to create something new? You’re not alone. Winter’s cozy hibernation mode is officially over, and our brains are craving color, light, and a little bit of joyful mess. But where do you even start? I used to feel the same way until I realized the best spring arts and crafts aren’t about perfection—they’re about capturing that feeling of sunshine on your skin. So, I’ve gathered a whole garden of ideas, from five-minute projects to weekend masterpieces, guaranteed to bring the season indoors.
1. Pressed Flower Lanterns
Capture spring’s fleeting beauty in a glowing masterpiece. Gather delicate blooms like pansies, violets, or cherry blossoms and press them between book pages for a week. Then, use Mod Podge to carefully adhere them to the outside of a clean glass jar.
The magic happens at night. Pop a battery-operated tea light inside, and watch your floral art cast the softest, most romantic shadows. It’s a gorgeous way to preserve those first flowers of the season and create ambient patio lighting.
2. Upcycled Bird Feeder from a Teacup
Got a chipped teacup or a lone saucer hiding in the cupboard? Give it a charming second life. This is one of those spring arts and crafts that feels both thrifty and delightfully fancy. Simply use a strong waterproof adhesive to glue the cup to its saucer, tipping it at a slight angle.
Once it’s fully cured, fill the cup with birdseed and hang it from a tree branch with some sturdy twine. The birds get a five-star dining experience, and you get to enjoy a daily dose of garden theater.
3. Wind Chimes from Sea Glass & Shells
Bring the soothing sound of the coast to your porch, even if you’re miles inland. Collect sea glass, shells, or even painted wooden beads. Drill small holes (carefully!) or look for pieces with natural holes.
Then, assemble your chime on a found branch or an embroidery hoop using fishing line. The varying lengths create a soft, random melody. Every breeze will sound like a gentle reminder of warmer, slower days ahead.
4. Leaf Print Burlap Table Runner
Forget store-bought decor. Make a custom table runner that screams “spring gathering.” Head outside and collect leaves with interesting shapes and strong veins—maple, fern, or even large herbs work wonderfully.
Lay a length of natural burlap on a protected surface, arrange your leaves, and use fabric paint and a sponge roller to create beautiful prints. Peel the leaves away to reveal your botanical masterpiece. It’s rustic, personal, and washable!
5. Painted Rock Garden Markers
Are you the type who forgets what you planted where? (Guilty.) Solve the problem with a dose of creativity. Find smooth, flat stones in your yard or at a craft store. Clean them thoroughly and let them dry.
Then, use acrylic paints and a fine brush to paint the names or simple images of your herbs and veggies—a tiny tomato, a sprig of rosemary. Seal them with outdoor Mod Podge and nestle them in your garden beds. Functional and cute? That’s a win-win.
6. Decoupage Easter Eggs (That Last Forever)
Tired of the annual boiled-egg smell? Use wooden or plastic craft eggs for a keepsake decoration. Tear pieces of colorful tissue paper, patterned napkins, or even pages from an old botanical book.
Using a decoupage medium, layer the pieces onto the egg, smoothing out wrinkles as you go. You can create elegant, vintage-looking eggs or wildly colorful abstract ones. Display them in a bowl or hang them from a spring branch centerpiece.
7. DIY Seed Bombs for Guerrilla Gardening
Become a secret agent of beauty. Mix air-dry clay, potting soil, and native wildflower seeds (like poppies or cosmos) with a bit of water. Roll the mixture into marble-sized balls and let them dry completely.
Then, take a walk and gently toss them into neglected patches of dirt or your own garden borders. When the rain comes, they’ll dissolve and sprout a surprise burst of color. It’s one of the most rewarding spring arts and crafts for community-minded creators.
8. Citrus Slice Coasters
Infuse your home with a hit of sunny, citrusy cheer. Slice lemons, limes, and oranges thinly and dehydrate them in a low oven until completely dry. This concentrates their vibrant color.
Arrange the slices on plain cork or wooden coasters and seal them in place with a thick, clear resin or several coats of decoupage glue. They’re a practical, fragrant way to protect your tables in style.
9. Butterfly Wing Bookmarks
Encourage the young (or young-at-heart) readers in your life. Cut bookmark-sized shapes from sturdy cardstock. Let the kids go wild painting them in symmetrical, brilliant butterfly patterns—think monarch orange, swallowtail blue.
Punch a hole at the top and tie a ribbon tassel through it. It’s a simple project that adds a flutter of joy to any book, making reading time feel just a bit more magical.
10. Rainy Day Puddle Art
When April showers arrive, don’t just watch them—make them part of the art. Have kids (or yourself, no judgment) draw on sturdy watercolor paper with washable markers. Simple shapes, flowers, and patterns work best.
Then, carefully place the paper on a protected porch or sidewalk where the rain can sprinkle it. Watch as the colors blur, bleed, and create stunning, unpredictable watercolor effects. Bring it inside to dry once you love the look.
11. Hanging Macramé Planters for Succulents
Bring some boho texture to your spring greenery. Macramé might look complicated, but a simple square knot is all you need to start. Use natural cotton cord and follow a basic tutorial for a small hanging basket.
Once knotted, drop a small plastic pot with a succulent or trailing ivy inside. Hang it in a sunny window. The combination of the textured cord and the living plant is effortlessly chic.
12. Egg Carton Seed Starters
Turn trash into the very first step of your garden. This is the ultimate eco-friendly spring craft. Cut the lid off a cardboard egg carton, fill each cup with potting soil, and plant your seeds according to the packet instructions.
Label each cup with a popsicle stick. When your seedlings are ready to transplant, you can tear the individual cups off and plant the whole thing—the cardboard will decompose. Easy, cheap, and genius.
13. Sun Catcher with Beads
Create a prism of light without any special skills. Grab an old metal embroidery hoop or a wire wreath form. String clear, plastic pony beads (the kind you melt) onto fishing line in rainbow gradients or random patterns.
Tie each strand to the hoop at varying lengths. When the sun hits it, your window will explode with tiny, dancing rainbows all over the room. It’s pure, simple joy.
14. Painted Garden Gnomes or Fairies
Add a touch of whimsy to your flower beds. Pick up unfinished wooden gnome or fairy cutouts from a craft store. This is where you can let your personality run wild.
Paint them with classic red hats, or give them punk rock mohawks and galaxy-themed cloaks. Seal them with outdoor varnish and stake them among your plants. They’re the quirky guardians of your spring blooms.
15. Fabric Scrap Wind Socks
Use up those leftover fabric scraps in a breezy, beautiful way. Cut long, thin strips of various patterned fabrics. Attach them to a sturdy ribbon or the bottom edge of a plastic embroidery hoop.
Hang your wind sock from a porch eave or tree branch. On a windy spring day, it will dance and twirl, showing off all its colors and patterns. It’s like a flag celebrating the end of gloomy weather.
16. Nature Weaving on a Branch Loom
Take a walk and come back with art supplies. Find a sturdy, Y-shaped branch. Wrap yarn or string between the two prongs to create a simple loom. Then, head back out.
Weave in long grasses, feathers, thin twigs, and strips of colorful fabric you find or bring. There’s no wrong way to do it. The result is a beautiful, textural wall hanging that literally contains pieces of the season.
17. Clay Impress Leaf Dishes
Make elegant little catch-alls for jewelry, keys, or trinkets. Roll out air-dry clay to about 1/4-inch thickness. Press a large, veiny leaf (like a hosta or magnolia) firmly into the clay and peel it away to reveal the intricate imprint.
Cut around the leaf shape or into a circle, and gently form the edges upward to create a shallow dish. Let it dry, then paint or leave it natural. The organic detail is stunning.
18. DIY Pollinator “Bug Hotel”
Craft a five-star insect Airbnb. Take a small wooden box or a section of a cleaned-out tin can. Fill it with different natural materials: hollow bamboo sticks, pine cones, drilled logs, and bundles of twigs.
Mount it in a sheltered spot in your garden. Solitary bees, ladybugs, and other beneficial insects will move in, helping your garden thrive. It’s a craft that gives back to the ecosystem.
19. Marbled Paper with Shaving Cream
This is the messiest, most satisfying craft on the list—perfect for a sunny afternoon outdoors. Spray a layer of shaving cream on a tray and smooth it out. Drop liquid watercolors or food coloring on top and swirl with a stick.
Lay a sheet of paper on top, press gently, lift, and scrape off the shaving cream with a squeegee. Underneath, you’ll reveal incredible, unique marbled patterns. Use it for gift wrap, journal covers, or framed art.
20. Painted Terracotta Pot Herb Garden
Elevate the humble terracotta pot. Grab a set of small pots and some acrylic paint. Paint geometric patterns, funny faces, or simple stripes. Don’t forget to seal the inside rim with a clear sealant if you’re painting it.
Once dry, plant them with basil, mint, chives, and parsley. Line them up on your kitchen windowsill. You’ve just created a functional piece of art that you can literally taste.
21. Rainbow Bubble Wrap Printing
You know that bubble wrap is good for stress relief, but it’s also a fantastic art tool. Cut a piece of bubble wrap and paint over the bubbles with different colors of washable paint in a rainbow pattern.
Press it, paint-side down, onto a large sheet of paper or a canvas tote bag. Lift it up to reveal a perfect, textured honeycomb of color. It’s instant, satisfying, and looks way more complex than it is.
22. Fairy Door for a Tree
Spark imagination in your backyard. Use a piece of bark, a flat stone, or craft wood to create a tiny door. Paint on details like hinges, a knob, and maybe even a tiny welcome mat.
Use waterproof glue to attach it to the base of a large tree in your yard. Add a few pebble “steps” leading up to it. Watch as kids (and you) start wondering about the magical residents inside.
23. Washi Tape Window Panes
Add temporary, removable color to your windows. Washi tape comes in every color and pattern imaginable. Create geometric stained-glass designs on your window panes.
When the sun shines through, it casts beautiful colored shadows on your floor. The best part? It peels right off without residue when you’re ready for a change. It’s instant, rent-friendly spring decor.
24. Sock Bunny Plushies
Rescue that lonely sock missing its partner. Fill the toe end with rice or stuffing to make a head, tie a string for the neck, and use the cuff to make floppy ears. Stitch on buttons for eyes and a little pink felt nose.
You’ve just upcycled laundry fail into an adorable, huggable bunny. No sewing machine? Fabric glue works in a pinch. These make sweet Easter gifts or shelf companions.
25. Chalkboard Paint Plant Tags
For the gardener who likes to change their mind. Cut simple shapes from scrap wood or buy plain wooden tags. Give them a coat or two of chalkboard paint.
Use chalk or a chalk marker to label your plants. The beauty? When you rotate crops or move things around next season, you can just wipe the tag clean and relabel it. Practical and endlessly reusable.
26. Paper Bag Kites
Conjure up a breezy afternoon of fun in five minutes. Decorate a brown paper lunch bag with markers, stickers, and streamers. Punch two holes near the open end and tie a long string through them.
Run across the yard and watch your simple bag catch the wind and soar. They’re surprisingly effective, and if they crash (or get eaten by a tree), you’re only out a bag and some string. Easy come, easy go!
27. “Grow a Rainbow” Capillary Action Experiment
Part science, part stunning art. Fold a paper towel in half lengthwise and cut it into a rainbow arch shape. At each end, place small cups of water dyed with food coloring in rainbow order.
Drape the ends of the paper towel arch into the water. Watch as the colors slowly creep up the paper towel and meet in the middle, blending to create a full, vibrant rainbow. It’s a mesmerizing display of color and science that perfectly captures the wonder of spring.
So, there you have it—27 spring arts and crafts to fill your days with color, texture, and that irreplaceable feeling of making something with your own two hands. The real magic isn’t in a perfect finished product (though that’s always nice). It’s in the process: the feel of paint on your fingers, the smell of damp soil, the quiet focus of tying a knot, or the shared laughter with a kid over a goofy painted rock.
Spring is the universe’s way of hitting the refresh button. Why not take the cue? Grab the closest idea that made you smile, clear off a corner of the table, and just start. The sunshine and your creativity are your only required supplies. Now go make something wonderful 😊.