When it comes to kid’s crafts, one supply is a total hero: buttons. They’re inexpensive, you probably have some lying around, and they can become just about any animal your kids can imagine.
For a crafty day, that means sweet ladybugs, charming turtles, and even silly pigs. The greatest thing? Button crafts don’t need tons of setup or fancy supplies—just a bit of creativity and a whole lot of fun.
1. Rainbow Caterpillar Button Project for Preschoolers
Image Source/Tutorial: Artsy Craftsy Mom
This project lets you build a caterpillar in all the colors of the rainbow using buttons of various shades. It’s a playful activity for preschoolers that helps with learning colors and counting.
This fun and educational craft transforms buttons into a wiggly new friend, making it a great fit for spring or nature themed fun.
2. Charming Button Elephant Tutorial
Image Source/Tutorial: Busted Button
You can create an absolutely charming elephant using colorful buttons to form its body and ears. This straightforward tutorial is a wonderful choice for kids who are big fans of animals and enjoy hands on projects.
It’s also fantastic for helping develop fine motor skills as they create a lovable elephant from basic supplies.
3. Easy DIY Button Spiders for Kids
Image Source/Tutorial: Beth A Palooza
Get ready to make some creepy crawly spiders with buttons and pipe cleaners. This is an easy and fun craft for a Halloween or nature theme.
It’s a great booster for motor skills and imaginative play, turning everyday materials into spooky or sweet eight legged buddies.
4. Creative Button and Fabric Fish Decoration
Image Source/Tutorial: Krokotak
Design a totally stylish fish with buttons and little scraps of fabric. This craft is a fantastic way to bring ocean beauty right into your home with very little effort.
It’s great for coastal themed decor or for teaching kids about marine life while they practice cutting and gluing.
5. Felt Button Butterfly Project
Image Source/Tutorial: Catholic Sprouts
Make a soft butterfly creation with pieces of felt and wings made from embroidered thread.
This gentle craft is an ideal choice for older kids and anyone who loves crafting. It combines the basics of sewing with button details to make a beautiful handmade decoration or gift.
6. Colorful Snail With Buttons and a CD
Image Source/Tutorial: I Heart Arts n Crafts
You can build a snail using a CD for its shell, buttons for the little details, and pipe cleaners for its feelers. This mixed media craft is a great way to encourage creativity and recycling.
It’s a fun project for bringing garden animals indoors while letting kids explore different textures and materials.
7. Dragonfly Craft Using Cardstock and Buttons
Image Source/Tutorial: Artsy Momma
Design your own dragonfly with wings made of cardstock, a popsicle stick body, and buttons. This insect themed craft helps kids explore different shapes and patterns while they learn about nature.
This one is perfect for summer themes or a science lesson on bugs and flying creatures.
8. Simple Starfish Craft With a Free Printable
Image Source/Tutorial: A Cultivated Nest
Use buttons along with a printable template to put together a starfish craft. This beginner friendly idea is so great for ocean lovers and for classroom activities.
Kids can glue buttons right onto the shape for amazing texture and color, perfect for Cactus Day or any beach themed learning.
9. Super Easy Pig Craft With Pom Poms
Image Source/Tutorial: The Pinterested Parent
I just love how simple this one is! Make a sweet little pig with a pom pom body and buttons for its eyes and nose. This is a quick craft that’s perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.
It encourages creativity and storytelling while celebrating farm animals in a soft, cuddly way.
10. Easy Egg Carton Turtle Craft
Image Source/Tutorial: It’s Munchkin Time
Turn egg cartons into adorable turtles and then add buttons for their faces and other details. This eco friendly craft is wonderful for little hands and gives creativity a nice boost.
It’s a fun way to celebrate ocean animals while you reuse materials to make cute, educational crafts.
11. Recycled CD and Button Turtle Craft
Image Source/Tutorial: Fireflies And Mudpies
Make a really cute turtle from old CDs and add buttons for the shell and face. This fun recycled craft is a great opportunity to teach kids about sea animals while encouraging their creativity.
It’s a fantastic way to reuse materials and turn them into adorable ocean life art that’s perfect for home or the classroom.
12. Beautiful Button Ladybug Decoration
Image Source/Tutorial: Little Miss Celebration
You can craft a decorative ladybug with buttons, glue, and some paper. This festive craft turns into a lovely keepsake or a cute item for home decor.
It’s an ideal activity for springtime, nature lessons, or just a fun weekend project that celebrates tiny garden creatures.
13. Cute Antelope Head Decoration
Image Source/Tutorial: The Portable Artist
Make an adorable antelope head using buttons for its eyes and horns. This safari animal craft will add charm to any wall or shelf space.
It is a creative and educational project that blends art with wildlife learning in a hands on, fun way.
14. Starfish Craft With Buttons and Paper
Image Source/Tutorial: A Little Pinch Of Perfect
Create your own starfish by gluing buttons onto a paper base. This is a very calming craft that is great for kids who love all kinds of sea life.
It’s perfect for an ocean unit, sensory play, or as part of a larger underwater scene made completely from craft supplies.
15. Easy Ladybug Button Art for Kids
Image Source/Tutorial: Easy Peasy And Fun
Make a friendly looking ladybug with red and black buttons. This simple craft is great for supporting fine motor development and color matching.
It’s a perfect fit for bug lovers and preschoolers who are exploring insects through a playful, hands on craft.
16. Easy Button Jellyfish Decoration
Image Source/Tutorial: I Heart Arts N Crafts
You can make a floating jellyfish that uses buttons for the bell part and ribbons for its tentacles. This simple craft helps with fine motor practice and learning about the ocean.
It provides a fun and colorful way to decorate windows or walls with some friendly sea creatures.
So grab your button collection, some glue, and let your little artists create their own animal kingdom! This collection of crafts gives kids the freedom to play with color, shapes, and imagination.
It’s the kind of fun that works whether you have just a few minutes or a whole afternoon—it’s flexible, creative, and totally smile-worthy.