If you have ever watched the TV show The Simpsons, you are undoubtedly familiar with Homer Simpson’s lifelong love affair with donuts. He isn’t alone in that sentiment. After all, who can resist a soft, fluffy ring of fried dough, coated in a sweet glaze and covered in colorful sprinkles?
Doughnuts are a universal language of happiness. Whether you prefer them chocolate-frosted, jelly-filled, or dusted with cinnamon sugar, they are a treat that brings a smile to everyone’s face.
But as delicious as they are, we can’t eat them all day long (as much as we might want to!). That is why we have compiled a list of 20 Fun Doughnut Crafts to try this year. These activities are perfect for celebrating National Donut Day, planning a bakery-themed birthday party, or just spending a rainy afternoon getting creative with the kids.
Is it Spelled “Donut” or “Doughnut”?
Before we dive into the glue and glitter, let’s settle the “great debate” that confuses writers and bakers alike. Is it Donut or Doughnut?
The answer is: They are both correct!
- Doughnut is the traditional, original English spelling. It literally describes what the item is: a knot of dough.
- Donut is the simplified, Americanized version. It gained massive popularity in the mid-20th century, largely due to the Dunkin’ Donuts brand spreading across the United States.
Regardless of how you spell it, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet—and in this case, taste just as delicious!
When is National Donut Day?
If you are looking for an excuse to craft (and eat), you actually have two chances every year:
- The First Friday in June: This is the most widely recognized date in the United States. It was established by the Salvation Army in 1938 to honor the “Donut Lassies”—brave women who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I to boost morale.
- November 5th: This is recognized by many foodies as the second National Doughnut Day.
Now that we have the history covered, let’s get to the fun part. Here are 20 calorie-free ways to celebrate!
20 Creative Doughnut Crafts for Kids
We have categorized these crafts by materials so you can easily find a project that matches what you have in your supply closet.
Paper & Cardboard Creations
1. The Classic Paper Plate Donut This is the ultimate preschool craft. It’s cheap, easy, and requires minimal supervision.
- How to do it: Take a white paper plate and cut a large hole in the center. Have the kids paint the rim “dough” color (light brown or tan). Once dry, paint a “glaze” layer in pink, chocolate, or white.
- The fun part: Let them glue on real sprinkles, sequins, or cut-up pieces of colored drinking straws to finish the look.
2. Doughnut Corner Bookmark Encourage reading with a sweet placeholder.
- How to do it: Using the basic origami corner bookmark fold, create a triangle pocket. Cut a circle of tan paper and a smaller circle of pink paper (with a wavy edge for the icing). Glue these onto the triangle flap.
- Tip: Make a whole dozen and give them out as party favors or classroom gifts!
3. 3D Cardboard Tube Donuts Don’t throw away those toilet paper rolls!
- How to do it: Cut a toilet paper roll into 1-inch rings. Cut the ring open, curl it into a tighter circle to make it look like a donut, and tape it shut. Wrap the ring in washi tape or paint it. These make great play food for a pretend grocery store.
4. Giant Cardboard Donut Props Perfect for a photo booth or theater prop.
- How to do it: Cut two large identical circles out of a cardboard shipping box. Cut a hole in the middle of each. Tape the edges together or stuff the middle with newspaper for a 3D effect. Paint large-scale sprinkles on top.
5. Watercolor Resist Donut Art A great art technique for elementary schoolers.
- How to do it: Draw a donut shape on thick watercolor paper. Use a white crayon to draw the sprinkles. Paint over the drawing with watercolors. The paint will soak into the paper but resist the wax crayon, making the sprinkles magically appear!
Textile & Fabric Crafts
6. No-Sew Sock Donuts Do you have mismatched socks? Turn them into donuts!
- How to do it: Cut the toe off a sock. Roll the sock down upon itself until it forms a tight, donut-shaped bun (similar to a sock bun for hair). Cut a piece of felt in a wavy circle shape and glue it on top for icing. Use fabric paint for sprinkles.
7. Felt Play Food Donuts For those who know how to use a needle and thread, felt food is a durable toy.
- How to do it: Cut two tan felt circles with holes in the middle. Cut one icing-colored felt piece. Sew the icing to the top tan piece. Sew the two tan pieces together using a blanket stitch, stuffing with poly-fill as you go.
8. Pom-Pom Sprinkles Pillow Make a comfy cushion for a reading nook.
- How to do it: Use soft fleece fabric to sew a large donut-shaped pillow. Instead of fabric paint, sew on small multi-colored pom-poms to act as 3D sprinkles. It adds a wonderful sensory texture.
9. Donut T-Shirt or Tote Bag Wear your love for pastries.
- How to do it: Use fabric markers or iron-on vinyl to create a donut design on a plain white tee or canvas tote bag. You can make a “Donut Worry, Be Happy” sloganshrt.
Recycled & Upcycled Crafts
10. CD Donuts In the age of streaming, old CDs and DVDs are becoming obsolete. Turn them into shiny art.
- How to do it: The CD already has a hole in the middle! Cover the CD with paper or paint. The shiny side can be used to create a “glazed” effect if you use sheer stained-glass paint.
11. Pool Noodle Giant Donuts This is a fantastic outdoor summer decoration.
- How to do it: Take a foam pool noodle and bend it into a circle, taping the ends together with strong duct tape. Spray paint the noodle tan. Use acrylic paint to add icing and sprinkles. String them together for a massive party garland.
12. Painted Rock Donuts Join the kindness rock movement.
- How to do it: Find round, smooth stones. Paint a black circle in the middle to create the illusion of a hole. Paint the rest of the rock to look like a frosted donut. Hide them around your neighborhood for people to find.
13. Bottle Cap Macarons/Mini Donuts Create miniatures for a dollhouse.
- How to do it: Paint plastic bottle caps. If you glue two back-to-back with a layer of foam in between, they look like macarons. If you drill a hole in one, it becomes a tiny donut.
Sensory & Messy Play
14. Donut Scented Slime Slime is still a rage among kids.
- How to do it: Make a standard white glue-based slime. Add vanilla or strawberry scent. Mix in foam beads or plastic sprinkles for texture. It looks like melted doughnut batter!
15. Salt Dough Ornaments Create a keepsake that lasts for years.
- How to do it: Mix flour, salt, and water to make a dough. Shape them into donuts and bake until hard. Once cooled, paint them and add a ribbon. These look adorable on a Christmas tree.
16. Playdough Mats Educational fun for toddlers.
- How to do it: Print out a laminated sheet with a blank donut outline. Give the child playdough and ask them to “decorate” the donut. Ask them to put “5 red sprinkles” or “3 blue sprinkles” to practice counting.
17. Donut Soap A clean craft that makes a great gift.
- How to do it: Use a “melt and pour” soap base. Pour it into a donut-shaped silicone mold. You can add soap colorants and scents. It makes washing hands much more fun!
Party & Decor
18. Perler Bead Keychains A pixelated, retro style craft.
- How to do it: Arrange fuse beads (Perler beads) on a circular pegboard to look like a donut. Iron them to melt the beads together. Add a keyring and attach it to a backpack.
19. Balloon Donut Garland
- How to do it: Purchase specific donut-shaped foil balloons, or create a DIY version by painting a circle of colored paper and taping it to the center of round balloons to mimic the “hole.”
20. Paper Fan Donuts
- How to do it: Accordion-fold a long strip of paper. Connect the ends to form a circle (pinwheel style). Glue a smaller circle in the center to cover the hole, painted to look like a donut center.
Why Crafting is “Sweet” for Development
While these crafts are fun, they are also secretly educational. When children engage in projects like these, they are developing essential skills:
- Fine Motor Skills: peeling stickers, using scissors, and picking up tiny sprinkles (beads) strengthen finger muscles.
- Following Instructions: Moving from Step 1 to Step 2 helps with cognitive sequencing.
- Creativity: Deciding whether a donut should be blue with pink sprinkles or purple with green stars builds artistic confidence.
Conclusion
National Donut Day is a fantastic excuse to treat yourself to a sugary snack, but the fun doesn’t have to stop when the last crumb is eaten. By trying out these 20 fun doughnut crafts, you can extend the celebration and create lasting memories with your children.
Whether you choose the simple Paper Plate Donut or the adventurous Pool Noodle decor, the most important thing is to have fun. So, grab your glue gun, get your glitter ready, and have a sweet time crafting!