These 15 10-Minute Projects Are Perfect To Do With Your Grandchild When You Are Short On Time

Grandmas and fun, hands-on projects with the grandkids go hand in hand, but sometimes, you don’t have the time to complete anything too complicated. What are a crafty grandma and grandchild to do in these situations? 

A 10-minute project, of course!

As the name suggests, 10-minute projects are short and sweet activities that take a small amount of time but still pack a big punch. To get you started, check out these 15 that you and your grandchild are sure to love: 

1. Glitter jars

A magical experience, these shimmering jars capture a universe of swirling glitter. They’re relaxing to watch and equally fun to make.

Supplies:

• Clear jar with a tight-fitting lid
• Water
• Glitter (various colors)
• Glycerin

Steps:

1. Fill the jar ¾ full with water.
2. Add a teaspoon of glycerin to make the glitter fall slowly.
3. Pour in your chosen glitter.
4. Tightly seal the lid and give it a majestic shake!

2. Paper plate masks

Unleash the inner theater artist! Create delightful masks, be it a roaring lion or a mysterious masquerade disguise.

Supplies:

• Paper plates
• Markers/crayons
• Yarn or colored paper
• Glue
• Craft sticks

Steps:

1. Draw a face or design on the plate.
2. Add yarn for hair or paper shapes for added flair.
3. Glue a craft stick at the bottom as a handle.
4. Let the dramatics begin!

3. Coffee filter butterflies

These vibrant butterflies flutter into life with a burst of color, making for an easy and aesthetic craft!

Supplies:

• Coffee filters
• Washable markers
• Spray bottle with water
• Clothespins or pipe cleaners

Steps:

1. Flatten a coffee filter and color it using markers.
2. Spray a light mist of water to blend the colors.
3. Once slightly dry, gather it in the center and secure with a clothespin or pipe cleaner.

4. String art

Dive into abstract art by dragging paint-soaked strings across paper. The resulting patterns are mesmerizing!

Supplies:

• Thick paper or cardstock
• Paint (various colors)
• Strings or yarn

Steps:

1. Dip a piece of string into a paint color of your choice.
2. Lay it in a swirl or zig-zag pattern on the paper.
3. Press lightly, then pull the string to reveal unique patterns.

5. Bead bracelets

Showcase your style! Craft chic bracelets with sparkling beads to wear or share.

Supplies:

• Stretchy bracelet string
• Beads (assorted colors and shapes)
• Scissors

Steps:

1. Decide on a bracelet pattern.
2. Thread beads onto the stretchy string.
3. Knot securely and trim excess.

6. Rock painting

From cute ladybugs to inspirational words, let your creativity shine by turning ordinary rocks into artful treasures.

Supplies:

• Smooth, clean rocks
• Acrylic paint
• Brushes

Steps:

1. Decide on a design.
2. Paint the rock with a base color, if desired.
3. Add your design or details and let dry.

7. Straw rockets

Science meets fun when you design paper rockets and watch them soar when launched from a straw.

Supplies:

• Stiff paper or cardstock
• Scissors
• Straws
• Tape

Steps:

1. Cut a small rocket shape from paper.
2. Tape the flat base of the rocket to one end of the straw.
3. Blow through the straw’s opposite end to launch!

8. Nature rubbings

Nature offers the best textures. Capture the essence of leaves, bark, or other surfaces using this classic technique.

Supplies:

• Leaves, bark, or textured items
• Thin paper
• Crayons or colored pencils

Steps:

1. Place paper over the chosen texture.
2. Rub a crayon gently over the area to capture the imprint.

9. Popsicle stick puzzles

Craft your own jigsaw puzzle when you draw or paste an image onto popsicle sticks and then rearrange it to solve.

Supplies:

• Popsicle sticks
• Tape
• Markers, crayons, or a printed image
• Glue (if using an image)

Steps:

1. Line up popsicle sticks and secure with tape.
2. Draw or glue an image onto the front.
3. Remove tape, scramble, and solve!

10. Paper helicopters

These simple helicopters spin and whirl as they descend. Talk about an engineer flying marvel!

Supplies:

• Paper
• Scissors

Steps:

1. Cut a rectangle and further shape it to resemble a helicopter blade design.
2. Fold according to design to create blades.
3. Drop from a height and watch it spin!

11. Watercolor bookmarks

Mark your reading journey with splashes of color. Personalized and artistic, these are perfect for bookworms.

Supplies:

• Watercolor paper
• Watercolor paints
• Brushes

Steps:

1. Wet the watercolor paper slightly.
2. Apply soft washes of color.
3. Once dry, cut into bookmark shapes.

12. Pipe cleaner sculptures

From dazzling flowers to whimsical creatures, these fun and easy-to-customize sculptures will let your imagination rule.

Supplies:

• Pipe cleaners in various colors

Steps:

1. Decide on what to craft.
2. Bend, twist, and shape pipe cleaners accordingly.

13. Foil art

With foil art, embossing is made easy! Create textured designs and patterns that gleam and glow.

Supplies:

• Aluminum foil
• Cardboard
• Yarn or string
• Glue

Steps:

1. Glue yarn or string designs onto cardboard.
2. Gently press foil over, molding around the design.
3. Smooth out and display!

14. Homemade playdough

Squishy, moldable fun that’s safe and non-toxic… what more can you want?!

Supplies:

• Flour
• Water
• Salt
• Food coloring

Steps:

1. Mix equal parts flour and salt. Add water slowly until moldable.
2. Split into batches and knead in food coloring.

15. Quick collage art

Dive into a world of colors, patterns, and scenes by combining cutouts to create something new and imaginative.

Supplies:

• Old magazines or printed images
• Scissors
• Glue
• Large paper or cardstock

Steps:

1. Choose a theme or idea.
2. Cut out images, patterns, or colors that fit.
3. Arrange and glue onto the paper.

Conclusion

Who says you need an entire afternoon to do a project with your grandbaby? I hope you enjoy these fun and fast projects as much as we do. Oh, and let’s talk again soon!