As a mom of two creative little girls, I’m always on the lookout for fun, hands-on crafts that keep them entertained while sparking their imagination. One of our favorite materials to work with? Clothespins! These simple wooden clips can be transformed into endless adorable creations, from animals to vehicles to holiday decorations.
Today, I’m sharing 20 extremely creative clothespin craft ideas that your kids will love making! These crafts are easy, fun, and use common household materials. Plus, I’m including step-by-step instructions to help you get started.
And if your little ones love crafting, be sure to check out these related projects:
- Turning Egg Cartons Into Stunning Handmade Flowers – Free Printable Guide Inside!
- DIY Mini Fairy Gardens: A Magical Outdoor Craft for Kids
Let’s dive into these amazing clothespin craft ideas!
1. Clothespin Butterflies
Materials: Wooden clothespins, coffee filters, watercolor paint, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, glue
Instructions:
- Have your child paint the coffee filters with watercolor paint and let them dry.
- Pinch the coffee filter in the center and clip it with the clothespin to create wings.
- Glue on googly eyes and attach pipe cleaners as antennae.
- Let them dry and display your colorful butterflies!
2. Clothespin Caterpillars
Materials: Clothespins, small pom-poms, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, glue
Instructions:
- Glue small pom-poms along the length of the clothespin.
- Attach two googly eyes to the front.
- Curl a small piece of pipe cleaner and glue it on as antennae.
- Let dry and enjoy your fuzzy caterpillar!
3. Clothespin Airplanes
Materials: Clothespins, craft sticks, paint, glue, markers
Instructions:
- Paint the clothespin and craft sticks in bright colors.
- Glue two craft sticks across the top and bottom for wings.
- Attach a small craft stick to the back as the tail.
- Use markers to add cockpit windows and details.
4. Clothespin Dragonflies
Materials: Clothespins, pipe cleaners, transparent plastic, glue, glitter
Instructions:
- Paint or decorate the clothespin.
- Cut four transparent plastic wings and attach them with glue.
- Wrap a pipe cleaner around the top as antennae.
- Sprinkle glitter for a magical touch.
5. Clothespin Puppets
Materials: Clothespins, felt, yarn, glue, markers
Instructions:
- Cut small felt pieces to create clothes and accessories.
- Draw faces on the top part of the clothespin.
- Attach yarn for hair.
- Decorate with small fabric or paper accessories.
6. Clothespin Mermaid Tails
Photo credit: Dine Dream Discover
Materials: Clothespins, glitter paper, paint, glue, sequins
Instructions:
- Cut mermaid tails from glitter paper.
- Paint the clothespin and glue on the tail.
- Add sequins or stickers for extra sparkle.
- Use them as fun decorative clips!
7. Clothespin Rocket Ships
Materials: Clothespins, cardstock, tissue paper, paint, glue
Instructions:
- Paint the clothespin silver or red.
- Cut a triangle from cardstock and glue it as the nose cone.
- Attach tissue paper at the bottom for flames.
- Decorate with stickers or stars.
8. Clothespin Reindeer
Materials: Clothespins, brown paint, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, red pom-poms
Instructions:
- Paint the clothespin brown.
- Attach pipe cleaners as antlers.
- Glue on googly eyes and a red pom-pom nose.
- Perfect for holiday decorations!
9. Clothespin Snowflakes
Materials: Clothespins, white paint, glitter, glue
Instructions:
- Take apart six clothespins and glue them back-to-back.
- Arrange them in a star shape and glue them together.
- Paint them white and sprinkle glitter before drying.
- Hang as beautiful holiday decor!
10. Clothespin Flower Clips
Materials: Clothespins, craft paper, paint, glue, buttons
Instructions:
- Cut flower shapes from colored craft paper.
- Glue them to the top of the clothespin.
- Add a button in the center for extra detail.
- Use them to clip artwork, notes, or photos!
11. Clothespin Alligators
Photo credit: Thrifty Fun
Materials: Clothespins, green paint, googly eyes, felt, glue
Instructions:
- Paint the clothespin green and let dry.
- Cut small felt teeth and glue inside the opening.
- Attach googly eyes to the top.
- Use them as fun bite-action toys!
12. Clothespin Cars Materials: Clothespins, small wooden wheels, craft sticks, paint, glue, markers
Instructions:
- Paint the clothespin in your child’s favorite car color and let it dry.
- Attach small wooden wheels to the sides with glue.
- Use a craft stick to form a spoiler or roof and glue it to the back.
- Draw windows, headlights, and racing stripes with markers.
- Let dry and race them around the house!
13. Clothespin Bird Feeders
Materials: Clothespins, twine, peanut butter, birdseed, popsicle sticks, glue
Instructions:
- Clip several clothespins onto a popsicle stick base to form a feeding platform.
- Tie twine to the top for hanging.
- Spread peanut butter over the platform and sprinkle birdseed on top.
- Hang outside and watch the birds enjoy their treat!
14. Clothespin Frogs
Materials: Clothespins, green paint, googly eyes, felt, glue, markers
Instructions:
- Paint the clothespin green and let it dry.
- Cut out small felt pieces to make webbed feet and glue them on the bottom.
- Attach googly eyes to the top of the clothespin.
- Use a red marker to draw a long tongue inside the opening.
15. Clothespin Snakes
Materials: Clothespins, green paint, markers, felt, glue
Instructions:
- Paint the clothespin in green or brown and let it dry.
- Draw scales along the sides with a marker.
- Cut a small felt tongue and glue it inside the opening.
- Add googly eyes or draw them with a marker.
16. Clothespin Monsters
Photo credit to: The Word Rocks Project
Materials: Clothespins, paint, googly eyes, felt, pipe cleaners, glue
Instructions:
- Paint the clothespin in bright colors.
- Glue on multiple googly eyes.
- Cut felt shapes for mouths, teeth, and hair and attach them.
- Bend pipe cleaners into fun shapes for antennae and glue them on top.
17. Clothespin Owls
Materials: Clothespins, brown paint, felt, googly eyes, glue, markers
Instructions:
- Paint the clothespin brown and let it dry.
- Cut out small felt wings and a beak and glue them on.
- Attach googly eyes to the top.
- Use a marker to draw feather details.
18. Clothespin Jellyfish
Materials: Clothespins, paint, yarn, glue, googly eyes
Instructions:
- Paint the clothespin in pastel or neon colors and let it dry.
- Glue googly eyes on the front.
- Cut several strands of yarn and attach them to the bottom as tentacles.
- Let dry and display your wobbly jellyfish!
19. Clothespin Christmas Trees
Materials: Clothespins, green paint, small beads, glue, glitter
Instructions:
- Paint the clothespin green and let it dry.
- Glue small beads onto the surface as ornaments.
- Sprinkle glitter over the top for a sparkly effect.
- Clip them onto gifts or use them as festive decorations!
20. Clothespin Picture Holders
Materials: Clothespins, paint, decorative paper, magnets, glue
Instructions:
- Paint or decorate the clothespin with patterned paper.
- Attach a small magnet to the back for fridge display.
- Clip in small photos or notes.
- Enjoy your personalized picture holder!
Conclusion
Crafting with clothespins is a great way to foster creativity and make fun memories with your kids. I hope these ideas inspire you to create something special together!
Have you tried any of these crafts? Share your creations in the comments below or tag me on Pinterest—I’d love to see them!
