Unicorns are probably the sweetest mythological creatures that even kids love! They evoke feelings of love, innocence, and kindness—things that are getting increasingly rare in this world. As Umberto Eco once mused, even though we aren’t sure of their origin, the human heart simply wishes they were real.
If you have a little one at home who is obsessed with all things pastel, glittery, and horned, get ready to celebrate. Unicorn Day is coming up on April 9th! Yes, you read that right. The unicorn completely deserves its own day, and what better way to celebrate than by getting messy with glue and paper?
Spread some magic around with these 25 unique unicorn crafts for kids. From recycled cardboard creations to sensory slime, we have compiled the ultimate list to keep your little dreamers busy.
Why We Love Unicorn Crafts (And You Should Too!)
Before we dive into the glitter, let’s talk about why these crafts are so beneficial. Aside from being undeniably cute, unicorn-themed art projects are excellent for:
- Color Recognition: Unicorns are rarely just white; they are rainbows! This helps toddlers learn about color blending.
- Fine Motor Skills: Cutting out spirals for horns or gluing yarn for manes strengthens little fingers.
- Imaginative Play: A craft isn’t just a decoration; it often becomes a toy, a puppet, or a mask that sparks hours of storytelling.
The Ultimate List: 25 Magical Unicorn Crafts
We have categorized these crafts to help you find exactly what you need, whether you are looking for a quick paper project or a recycled masterpiece.
Section 1: Paper & Cardstock Creations
Simple, low-mess crafts perfect for classrooms or rainy afternoons.
1. The Paper Heart Unicorn
Is your heart a unicorn? Well, you can definitely turn a paper heart into a pretty unicorn! This is perfect for Valentine’s Day or just to show love.
- How to: Cut a large heart from white cardstock (this is the face). Cut smaller hearts for ears. Glue on a gold paper triangle for the horn and draw sleepy eyes with a marker.
2. 3D Paper Strip Unicorns
Use strips of colorful construction paper to create a 3D ball shape for the body and head. It’s a great lesson in geometry and structure for older kids.
3. Unicorn Corner Bookmarks
Encourage reading with a magical buddy. Fold a square piece of paper into a corner bookmark, add a tiny horn and ears, and your child will never lose their page again.
4. Handprint Unicorn Keepsake
Trace your child’s hand on paper. Turn it upside down—the fingers become the legs and the thumb is the neck/head. Add a yarn tail and a drawn-on horn. These make amazing gifts for grandparents.
5. Paper Plate Rocking Unicorn
Fold a paper plate in half so it rocks back and forth. Decorate the semi-circle as a unicorn body. When you tap it, it looks like the unicorn is galloping!
6. Tissue Paper Suncatchers
Cut a unicorn silhouette out of black cardstock and stick it to contact paper. Let kids fill the empty space with torn pieces of pastel tissue paper. Hang it in the window and watch the sun glow through.
7. Accordion Leg Unicorns
Make a simple paper body, but fold long strips of paper accordion-style (zig-zag) for the legs. This gives the craft a fun, bouncy movement.
Section 2: Recycled Material Marvels
Don’t throw away that trash! Upcycle it into treasure.
8. Toilet Roll Unicorns
The classic craft staple. Paint a cardboard tube white. Glue on yarn for a mane and a tail. These stand up on their own and are great for small world play.
9. Egg Carton Unicorn Masks
Cut out two cups from an egg carton. These can be painted and used as the “snout” of the unicorn on a larger cardboard mask base.
10. Tin Can Pencil Holders
Save your baked bean tins! Wash them out (tape any sharp edges), paint them white, and wrap gold pipe cleaners around the top. It’s the perfect desk accessory for homework time.
11. Cereal Box Hobby Horse
A project for the ambitious parent! Cut a large unicorn head shape out of a cereal box. Paint it, attach it to a broom handle or a long cardboard tube, and your child can gallop around the garden.
12. Paper Bag Puppets
Use a white paper lunch bag. The flap becomes the face. Add a horn and googly eyes. Put your hand inside and put on a puppet show!
13. Bubble Wrap Printed Unicorns
Dip bubble wrap in paint and press it onto paper cut in the shape of a unicorn. It creates a cool, scaly texture that looks mythical and unique.
Section 3: Wearable Unicorn Magic
Because sometimes you don’t just want to make a unicorn, you want to BE one.
14. DIY Unicorn Headbands
Buy cheap plastic headbands. Wrap them in ribbon. Create a horn using felt stuffed with cotton, and wrap gold ribbon around it. Glue it to the center. Instant magic!
15. Unicorn Horn Party Hats
Roll cardstock into a cone. Punch holes for elastic. Instead of a plain party hat, decorate it with flowers at the base and glitter all the way up.
16. Pasta Necklaces
Dye rigatoni pasta in rainbow colors using food coloring and vinegar. String them onto yarn with a central paper charm shaped like a unicorn.
17. Yarn Mane Masks
Cut a mask shape from a paper plate. Punch holes along the top and tie long strands of rainbow yarn through them to create a flowing mane that tickles the child’s shoulders.
Section 4: Sensory & Messy Play
Get your hands dirty with these tactile experiences.
18. Fluffy Unicorn Slime
Mix white glue, baking soda, and contact lens solution. Add shaving cream for “fluffiness” and toss in pink and blue glitter. It’s like playing with a melted cloud.
19. Unicorn Playdough
Make a batch of homemade playdough. Separate it into three balls: pink, blue, and yellow. Twist them together (don’t fully mix) to create a swirled effect. Add star confetti.
20. Sensory Bottles
Fill a water bottle with water, clear glue, and fine glitter. Add unicorn-themed sequins. Glue the lid shut. It’s a calming “time-out” tool that swirls magically when shaken.
21. Painted Rocks
Find smooth stones in the garden. Paint them white and draw a unicorn face. Hide them around your neighborhood for other kids to find on Unicorn Day.
Section 5: Popsicle Stick Projects
The humble craft stick is a versatile tool.
22. Popsicle Stick Unicorn Face
Line up 5-6 popsicle sticks and glue them together to form a square. Paint it white. This forms the canvas for the face. Add a foam horn and flower stickers.
23. Unicorn Garden Fence
Paint popsicle sticks in rainbow colors. Glue them together to make a small fence for a fairy garden where your toy unicorns can graze.
24. Triangle Ornament
Glue three sticks into a triangle. Turn it upside down—it looks like a unicorn face! The point at the bottom is the chin. Simple enough for toddlers.
25. Stick Puppets
Simply paint a single jumbo craft stick, add a tiny paper horn and some yarn hair. These are great for sticking into potted plants as decoration.
Spotlight Tutorial: The “Heart Unicorn” Card
Since we mentioned how special this one is, here is a quick step-by-step guide to the easiest craft on the list.
Supplies Needed:
- Pink, White, and Gold Craft Paper
- Scissors
- Glue Stick
- Black Marker
- Optional: Glitter glue
Instructions:
- Cut the Base: Cut a large heart out of the white paper. Keep the pointy end facing down—this is the unicorn’s face.
- The Horn: Cut a long, slender triangle from the gold paper. Glue it to the top center of the heart (in the dip).
- The Ears: Cut two smaller hearts from white paper and two even smaller hearts from pink paper. Glue the pink inside the white, and attach them to the top of the head.
- The Face: Use the black marker to draw two curved lines (u-shape) for sleepy eyelashes.
- The Cheeks: Cut two tiny pink circles and glue them as cheeks.
- Decorate: Add flowers or glitter around the horn!
Essential Supplies for Your Unicorn Craft Kit
To ensure you are ready for April 9th, here is a checklist of items to have in your craft drawer. Having these on hand means you can whip up a craft whenever boredom strikes.
- Glitter: Gold, silver, and iridescent are must-haves.
- Yarn: A skein of variegated rainbow yarn is cheaper than buying individual colors.
- Cardstock: White, pink, purple, and turquoise.
- Googly Eyes: The bigger, the better.
- Flowers: Small paper or silk flowers (often found in the wedding aisle of dollar stores) add a 3D element to unicorn crowns.
Final Thoughts
Crafting with kids is about the process, not the perfection. Who cares if the unicorn’s horn is crooked or if the mane is a little sparse? The joy is in the shared time, the sticky fingers, and the sparkle in your child’s eyes.
This Unicorn Day, take a moment to unplug from the digital world and create something tangible. These 25 unique unicorn crafts are designed to bring a little bit of fantasy into your living room. Whether you make a simple bookmark or a complex cardboard hobby horse, you are making memories.
So, grab your glue gun and let the magic begin!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: When is Unicorn Day? A: National Unicorn Day is celebrated every year on April 9th. It is a day to celebrate creativity, color, and fantasy.
Q: Are these crafts suitable for toddlers? A: Many of them are! The Handprint Unicorn, Paper Plate Rocking Unicorn, and Sensory Bottles are perfect for toddlers (with supervision). For crafts involving small parts like beads or googly eyes, adult supervision is required.
Q: Where can I find materials for unicorn crafts? A: You don’t need expensive supplies. Most of these crafts use items found in your recycling bin (toilet rolls, egg cartons) or basic stationery supplies like paper, scissors, and glue.
Q: How can I make the crafts eco-friendly? A: Opt for biodegradable glitter (made from plants) and focus on the “Recycled Material Marvels” section of our list. Using cardboard and paper is much better for the planet than buying plastic craft kits.
