There’s a moment most parents know well. The table’s already sticky. Someone’s lost a hair bobble. Someone else insists they need a purple one, not pink, because pink is suddenly unacceptable. You could order another pack online. Or you could lean into the chaos and make something instead.
That’s where at-home hair accessory crafts come in.
They’re small projects with a clear finish and don’t need fancy tools. And when they work, kids wear the results with an odd kind of pride. Even if the glue’s showing. Especially if the glue’s showing.
Over the years, through rainy weekends, half-term boredom, and those long Sunday afternoons where time stretches oddly, I’ve seen which crafts actually hold attention and which ones get abandoned halfway through. 10 of the best at-home crafts for kids’ hair accessories aren’t perfect. They’re doable. They forgive mistakes. And they leave you with something that doesn’t end up straight in the bin.
Here are the ones that genuinely earn their keep.
Ribbon-Wrapped Hair Clips
How to make them
Start with plain snap clips and a strip of ribbon that’s a bit longer than the clip itself. Add a small line of glue at one end, press the ribbon down, then slowly wrap it around the clip, smoothing as you go.
Every few turns, pause and press so it sticks properly. Trim the excess at the end and glue it flat if there’s still energy left; a tiny button or felt dot on top finishes it off.
Why kids like this one
It feels tidy. Almost grown-up. There’s something satisfying about wrapping something neatly and watching it change bit by bit. Mistakes don’t stand out, which helps. Slight overlaps look deliberate. And when it’s done, the clip feels wearable straight away, not like a “craft project”.
Also Read – Making Your Own Handbag at Home
Button Barrettes That Tell a Story
How to make them
Lay out flat metal barrettes and a small pile of buttons. Let kids sort first. By colour, size, or just instinct. Once they’ve chosen, glue the buttons onto the barrette in whatever order feels right to them. Leave it flat to dry before trying it in hair, even if they’re impatient.
Why kids like this one
Buttons feel important. Like they’ve come from somewhere else. Kids start explaining why one goes first or why two have to sit together. There’s no right answer, which takes the pressure off. And if a button ends up crooked, it becomes part of the design rather than a problem.
Felt Flower Hair Slides
How to make them
Cut simple flower shapes from felt. They don’t need to be perfect. Stack two or three layers if you want more depth, then glue or stitch a small circle in the middle. Once it’s dry, attach the flower to a hair slide or clip with a strong dab of glue.
Why kids like this one
Felt behaves. It cuts easily and doesn’t unravel. Colours stay bold. Kids can go bright or soft without anything clashing. Younger ones enjoy sticking pieces together, while older kids get into layering and detail. Everyone gets something that looks finished.
Pom-Pom Hair Ties That Bounce
How to make them
Use shop-bought pom-poms or make your own if you’ve got the patience. Once you’ve got them, thread a hair elastic through the centre or glue the pom-pom securely on top. Let it dry properly before stretching the elastic.
Why kids like this one
Movement. Pom-poms wobble, and they bounce when kids walk. That alone makes them fun. They also forgive everything. Uneven shapes still look cute; slightly loose knots don’t matter. It’s one of those crafts where nothing really goes wrong.
Beaded Hair Elastics for Quiet Afternoons
How to make them
Cut a length of elastic slightly smaller than the wrist. Thread beads onto it slowly, then tie a tight knot once it fits comfortably. A tiny dab of glue on the knot keeps it secure. For younger kids, bigger beads save frustration.
Why kids like this one
It slows things down. Threading beads takes focus, and some kids really settle into it. Others do a short burst and move on, which is fine. When it’s finished, it feels polished. Like something you’d buy, but better because they made it.
Fabric Scrunchies Without a Machine
How to make them
Cut a strip of fabric, fold it lengthways, and glue the edges together to form a tube. Thread elastic through, knot it, then glue the opening closed. Old shirts, soft cotton, or leftover fabric all work.
Why kids like this one
Choosing the fabric is half the fun. Something familiar. Something soft. When it’s done, scrunchies get claimed fast. They’re practical, wearable, and feel like a proper accessory rather than just a craft experiment.
Decorated Headbands That Go Big
How to make them
Grab a plain plastic headband. The boring kind. Set it on the table and see what happens. Most kids start wrapping before you even finish explaining. The ribbon goes on first, usually a bit crooked. That’s fine. A dab of glue, a wrap, another dab, another wrap.
Once it’s covered, bits get stuck on. You can stick anything, like felt shapes or stickers. The odd gem, if it hasn’t already vanished under the sofa. Leave it somewhere high to dry, because someone will try it on too soon. Always.
Why kids love this one
This is the loud craft. No one’s whispering about neat edges or matching colours. Bigger feels better here. Kids who don’t enjoy being corrected relax when they realise there isn’t much to get wrong.
Even if the headband only gets worn once, the memory of making it stays. That matters more than how often it leaves the house.
Yarn-Tied Hair Wraps
How to make them
Tie a bit of yarn onto a hair elastic or clip. Any colour. Then wrap it around and around. Change colours halfway if the mood shifts.
Tie it off at the end and cut the loose bits. If beads are nearby, they’ll probably get added. If not, no one complains.
Why kids love this one
It’s repetitive in a good way. Hands stay busy without rushing. Some kids chatter while they wrap. Others go quiet. Both are fine.
There’s something calming about doing the same small movement over and over, especially on a day that’s felt a bit noisy already.
Also Read – My Messy Journey with a DIY Jewellery Making Kit
Seasonal Hair Accessories That Come Out Once a Year
How to make them
Cut shapes from felt. Simple ones. No one’s aiming for perfection. Glue them onto clips and leave them alone to dry. Once they’re done, they get worn for the season they belong to. Then they go into a box. Out of sight. Out of mind. Until next time.
Why kids love this one
These feel tied to moments. A holiday. A change in the weather. When they come back out the next year, kids remember making them.
They’ll point out which one they did. Which colour did they choose? It gives the craft a second life without doing anything extra.
Mixed-Material Creations That Break the Rules
How to make them
Put everything on the table. Buttons. Ribbon scraps. Felt bits. Pom-poms. Don’t explain too much.
Let them pick things up and glue them down in whatever order feels right. Some pieces will fall off. Some won’t hold together at all. Leave it.
Why kids love this one
There’s no plan to follow and no one hovering. That freedom changes how kids behave. They experiment more, and they take risks. Some results are unwearable, and that’s totally fine. That’s part of it.
Honestly, some of the best at-home crafts for kids’ hair accessories show up when no one’s trying to make anything sensible.
Also Read – DIY Lip Scrub with Vaseline
What Actually Makes These Crafts Work
It’s not about having the right supplies or doing anything clever. It’s about size. Hair accessories are small enough to finish before attention drifts. There’s a clear start, a clear end, and a moment where a child can hold something up and say, “That’s mine,” without waiting days or losing interest halfway through. That’s really what sits underneath 10 Of The Best At-Home Crafts For Kids’ Hair Accessories. They’re built for quick wins.
They’re personal in a quiet way. Colour choices matter. Shape choices matter. Even the slightly wonky bits matter, because they belong to the person who made them. That sense of ownership lasts longer than the craft itself ever will.
And they don’t need to survive forever. They just need to be worn for a while, admired once or twice, maybe lost, maybe found again in a drawer months later. That’s enough. These crafts aren’t about keeping things pristine. They’re about making something, enjoying it, and moving on. Honestly, that’s a pretty good lesson to learn early on, isn’t it?
FAQs Parents Always Ask
Are these crafts safe for younger kids?
With supervision, yes. Use blunt scissors and non-toxic glue, and keep beads away from toddlers.
Do they really wear what they make?
More often than you’d expect. Especially if they chose everything themselves.
How long do these projects take?
Most finish in under 30 minutes. That’s part of the appeal.
Do I need special tools?
No. If you’ve got glue, scissors, and patience, you’re set.
Why hair accessories specifically?
Because they’re small wins. And kids notice small wins.
There’s glue on the table. Ribbon stuck to your sleeve. Someone is asking if they can make “just one more”. The best at-home crafts for kids’ hair accessories aren’t about perfect results. They’re about busy hands, quiet minds, and that moment when a child puts something in their hair and grins at the mirror.
Worth the mess, really.
Sources and References
- AppleGreen Cottage – DIY Hair Accessories for Kids
- DIY Hair Accessories & Craft Inspiration
- Creative Hair Accessories Activities
- How to Make Beaded Hair Accessories
- Craft Supplies for Hair Accessories
- Crafting Headband & Hair Band Projects
