If you’re looking for a fun, affordable way to spark creativity in kids, tissue paper is the perfect place to start. Its bright colors, easy-to-tear texture, and endless versatility make it a craft room favorite. In this list, you’ll find totally unique tissue paper crafts—from glowing sunsets to silly snails and even dinosaurs—each one full of color, creativity, and kid-friendly fun.

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What are tissue paper crafts?

    • Tissue paper crafts are creative projects that use thin, colorful tissue paper as the main material.

    • Kids can tear, crumple, glue, or layer the paper to make art, decorations, and hands-on creations.

  • Is there a certain tissue paper to buy?

    • Look for standard craft or gift tissue paper in a variety of colors.

    • Avoid plastic-based or coated tissue paper, which won’t work well for crafts like suncatchers or dye-based projects.

    • “Bleeding” tissue paper is best for crafts that involve water or color transfer.

  • Where do you get your tissue paper?

    • The dollar store is a great, budget-friendly place to stock up.

    • You can also find tissue paper at craft stores, big box stores, or save it from gift bags and packaging.

Tissue Paper Crafts for Kids

Tissue paper is a fun, colorful material that’s easy for kids to work with and perfect for all kinds of creative projects. These tissue paper crafts are great for building fine motor skills, exploring color, and keeping little hands busy with minimal mess.

1. Glowing Sunset

Kids layer warm-toned tissue paper to create a glowing sunset scene on wax or contact paper. The overlapping colors look especially beautiful when held up to a window. From a Little Pinch of Perfect.

2. Rainbow Bottle

Transform an empty soda bottle into a vibrant rainbow by wrapping it with strips of tissue paper. It’s a great mix of fine motor skills and color exploration. Also, from A Little Pinch of Perfect.

3. Heart Wreath

This sweet wreath is made by crumpling and gluing tissue paper onto a heart-shaped base. It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day or a handmade gift. From Mom Does Reviews.

4. Tissue Owls

Decorate owl cutouts with layers of tissue paper for a feathery, colorful look. Add googly eyes and a beak to bring your owl to life.  Also from Mom Does Reviews.

5. Paper Flowers

Stack, twist, and fluff tissue paper to make bright blossoms that never wilt. A fun spring or Mother’s Day project. From The Crafty Blog Stalker.

6. Tissue Rainbow

Kids arrange tissue paper in rainbow order to create a cheerful, colorful arch. It’s a great craft for practicing color recognition and it includes a free template.

Tissue Rainbow Craft finished-min

7. Tissue Eggs

Use bleeding tissue paper to “dye” Easter eggs in bright, tie-dye colors. It’s a mess-free twist on traditional egg decorating. Also from The Crafty Blog Stalker.

8. Walrus Craft

Kids use tissue paper to fill in a walrus template with texture and color. Add tusks, eyes, and a snout for a fun Arctic friend. From Simple Everyday Mom.

9. Dino Craft

With a printable dinosaur template, kids glue torn tissue pieces to create a scaly, colorful prehistoric creature. Perfect for dino lovers. Also, from Simple Everyday Mom.

10. Truffula Trees

Make whimsical trees by attaching fluffy tissue paper tops to toilet paper roll trunks. A fun tribute to Dr. Seuss’s world. From Rock Your Homeschool.

11. Candle Holder

Wrap a glass jar in layered tissue paper, seal it with glue, and drop in a flameless candle. The result is a glowing stained-glass effect.

LED Candle Holders (2)

12. Paper Apple

Use paper mache techniques and red tissue paper to form a 3D apple. This classic back-to-school or fall craft is great for older kids. From Barley and Birch.

13. Colorful Snail

Kids decorate snail shells with a swirl of colorful tissue paper bits. It’s a playful and creative way to explore textures and color combinations. From This Tiny Blue House.

14. Magic Craft

Using tissue paper and water, kids “paint” on paper and reveal hidden shapes or letters underneath. It feels like magic and encourages creative play. From Digicative.

15. Bookmark

Create unique bookmarks by gluing colorful tissue paper onto cardstock, then laminating or covering them with clear tape. A fun and functional craft for little readers. From Darcy and Brian.

16. Mini Piñata

Make a small piñata by covering a paper shape in layers of fringed tissue paper. Great for parties, classroom fun, or holidays.

tissue paper pinata

17. Photo Frame

Decorate a craft photo frame with torn tissue paper for a bright, personal touch. Add a favorite photo and it becomes a sweet keepsake. Also from Darcy and Brian.

18. Tissue Pumpkin

Crumple and glue orange tissue paper onto a pumpkin shape and add a green stem. A simple and festive fall activity. From Ginger Casa.

19. Apple Suncatcher

Kids fill in an apple-shaped frame with red, yellow, and green tissue paper squares. Hang it in the window for a glowing back-to-school craft. Includes free template.

Apple suncatcher craft hanging on a window.

20. Popcorn Card

Glue crumpled yellow tissue paper “popcorn” into a popcorn bucket cutout for a Father’s Day card or movie night theme. It’s simple, silly, and full of texture.

Tissue Paper Crafts

Tissue paper crafts are the perfect combination of easy, inexpensive, and endlessly creative. Whether your kids are crafting a cheerful rainbow, a silly snail, or a heartfelt gift, each project offers a chance to explore textures, colors, and fun. Save this list for rainy days, themed lessons, or anytime you want to bring more creativity into your home or classroom.