Can you pronounce ‘Kal’ia’iou’amaa’aaa’eiou’? How about ‘humuhumunukunukuapua’a’?
Not easy, is it? Ironically, these tongue-twisters come from a place famous for having some of the most easy-going, relaxed people in the world – Hawaii!
In case you are wondering, the first of those words is a street name in Hawaii, while the second is the reef triggerfish, Hawaii’s official state fish. As soon as we hear the name ‘Hawaii’, we instantly think of bright colors, hibiscus flowers, sunshine, and pure happiness. But there is a lot more to this island state than just tourism!
With National Hawaii Day approaching on July 5th, there is no better time to bring the “Aloha Spirit” into your home or classroom. Whether you are planning a summer luau party, looking for a geography lesson supplement, or just want to keep the little ones busy, these crafts are perfect.
Below, we have compiled 20 Heavenly Hawaii Crafts for Kids, along with some fascinating educational facts to share while you glue and paint.
Fun Facts About Hawaii: Learn Before You Craft
Before we dive into the glitter and glue, let’s set the scene. Teaching kids about the culture and geography behind the craft makes the activity much more meaningful. Here are some incredible facts about the 50th state:
- Isolation Station: Hawaii is the most isolated island chain on Earth. It is located roughly 2,390 miles from California on one side and 3,850 miles from Japan on the other. This isolation is why Hawaii has so many unique plants and animals found nowhere else!
- The Eight Islands: While there are many tiny islets, Hawaii primarily consists of eight main islands: Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Kahoʻolawe, and the Big Island of Hawai‘i.
- The Four Counties: Administratively, the state is divided into four counties: Honolulu, Maui, Kauaʻi, and Hawai‘i.
- A Deep Motto: Hawaii’s official state motto is ‘Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono‘. This beautiful phrase translates to “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.” It speaks to the deep respect the Hawaiian people have for nature.
- Historical Note: The famous explorer Captain James Cook is believed to have been shot and killed in Kealakekua Bay in Hawaii.
- Presidents and Stars: Hawaii is the birthplace of former U.S. President Barack Obama, as well as stars like Bruno Mars, Nicole Kidman, and Jason Momoa.
- Hollywood’s Backdrop: If you love movies like Jurassic Park or Avatar, you have seen the Hawaiian landscape in action!
Did you know all of these facts? Now that we are educated on the geography and history, let’s get creative!
The Ultimate List: 20 Hawaii Crafts for Kids
We have categorized these crafts to help you find exactly what you need, from dressing up to decorating your room with tropical vibes.
Category 1: Dress Up & Aloha Fashion
To truly feel the Hawaiian spirit, you have to look the part. These crafts focus on wearable art.
1. The Classic DIY Paper Flower Lei You can’t have a Hawaii theme without a Lei! While real ones use fresh flowers, kids can make lasting ones using colorful tissue paper or crepe paper. simply cut flower shapes, punch a hole in the center, and string them onto yarn, separating each “flower” with a cut piece of drinking straw to give it spacing and fluffiness.
2. Grass Hula Skirt (The Eco-Friendly Way) Skip the plastic store-bought skirts. You can make a fantastic hula skirt using green paper streamers or even upcycled green trash bags cut into strips. Attach the strips to a ribbon measured to the child’s waist. It’s perfect for a dance party!
3. “Haku” Leaf Headbands In Hawaii, flower crowns are popular, but so are greenery crowns (Haku). Use a strip of brown kraft paper measured to the head size. Have the kids cut out various leaf shapes from different shades of green construction paper and glue them on in layers.
4. Macaroni Seashell Necklaces If you don’t have real seashells, use shell-shaped pasta! Let the kids paint the dry pasta in vibrant turquoise, coral, and yellow. Once dry, string them together for a jewelry piece worthy of the beach.
5. Paper Plate Sun Visors Hawaii is sunny! Cut a crescent shape out of a paper plate to create a visor. Punch holes on the sides for elastic string. The fun part is decorating the visor with stickers, glitter, and drawings of surfboards.
Category 2: Tropical Fruits & Flora
If there had to be a single fruit to represent the entire state of Hawaii, there is no doubt that the pineapple would be the one! Introduced in the 18th century, it thrived in the tropical climate.
6. Bubble Wrap Pineapple Stamp This is great for toddlers. Cut a piece of bubble wrap into an oval shape. Paint the bubbles yellow and stamp it onto white paper to create the pineapple’s texture. Add green paper handprints at the top for the crown.
7. 3D Paper Palm Trees Using empty toilet paper rolls as the trunk (paint them brown!), cut strips of green paper for the palm fronds. Curl the paper strips around a pencil to make them droop realistically like a palm tree swaying in the breeze.
8. Fingerprint Hibiscus Cards The yellow hibiscus is the state flower. Draw a simple flower outline and let kids fill in the petals using their fingerprints dipped in red, yellow, or pink paint. These make great greeting cards.
9. The “Handprint” Pineapple Similar to the stamp, but using the child’s body! Paint the child’s palm and fingers yellow to make the body of the fruit, and use green paint for the “crown” leaves on top.
10. Tissue Paper Coconut Coconuts are essential to island life. Inflate a small brown balloon and have kids use brown tissue paper and glue (papier-mâché style) to cover it. Once dry, you have a light, decorative coconut!
Category 3: Tiki Culture & History
Tikis are representative of Polynesian mythology and often have distinct appearances with large eyes and mouths that cross between a grin and a grimace.
11. Toilet Paper Roll Tiki Masks This is a classic upcycling project. Take empty toilet paper rolls and let the imagination run wild. Use markers to draw fierce or funny faces. Glue on bright feathers, sequins, or yarn for hair. These look great lined up on a windowsill.
12. Cardboard Totem Poles Save up your cereal boxes! Stack them to create a totem pole. Each box can represent a different “spirit” or animal. This is a great group project where each child decorates one box, and then you assemble the whole class’s work into one tall tower.
13. Clay “Poi” Pounders In ancient Hawaii, poi (taro root paste) was made using stone pounders. Kids can model their own mini pounders using air-dry clay. It’s a great tactile sensory activity.
14. Polynesian Tattoos (on Paper) Polynesian culture is famous for intricate tattoo patterns using geometric shapes. Print out outlines of arms or legs and let older kids design their own “tattoos” using black markers, teaching them about patterns and symmetry.
Category 4: Ocean Life & The Beach
Hawaii is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, teeming with wildlife.
15. The State Fish Collage Remember the humuhumunukunukuapua’a? Print a template of a reef triggerfish. Have kids tear up small pieces of colored paper (mosaic style) to fill in the fish. It mimics the scales and vibrant colors of the real animal.
16. Paper Plate Sea Turtles (Honu) Green Sea Turtles are sacred in Hawaii. Paint a paper plate green for the shell. Cut out legs, a head, and a tail from green cardstock. Use a dark green marker to draw the hexagon patterns on the shell.
17. Jellyfish Suncatchers Cut a semicircle from clear contact paper or a plastic sheet. Let kids stick colorful tissue paper squares onto it. Hang streamers from the bottom for tentacles. When hung in the window, the sun shines through beautifully.
18. Surfboard Bookmarks Surfing was invented in Hawaii! Cut surfboard shapes out of stiff cardboard or cardstock. Let the kids design their own board graphics with sharpies. Add a tassel at the top, and you have a summer reading companion.
19. Ocean Slime Kids love slime. Make a batch of clear blue slime and add biodegradable glitter and small plastic fish toys. It represents the crystal clear waters of Waikiki.
20. Origami Boats Teach the kids to fold simple paper boats. You can talk about the ancient Polynesian voyagers who navigated the stars to find the islands. Float them in a tub of water for a race!
Why Crafts Are Great for Development
While we are focusing on the fun of National Hawaii Day, these activities serve a dual purpose. Crafting helps children develop:
- Fine Motor Skills: Cutting, gluing, and threading beads improve hand-eye coordination.
- Cultural Awareness: It opens a dialogue about different people, places, and traditions.
- Creativity: There is no “wrong” way to paint a Tiki mask, allowing for self-expression.
Conclusion
Hawaii represents more than just a vacation destination; it is a hub of culture, history, and incredible biodiversity. By engaging in these 20 Heavenly Hawaii Crafts, you aren’t just passing time—you are transporting your children to the Pacific and teaching them about the “Aloha” spirit.
Whether you are making a simple paper lei or constructing a cardboard totem pole, the goal is to have fun and celebrate the 50th state. So, grab your glue sticks, put on some ukulele music, and have a happy National Hawaii Day!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: When is National Hawaii Day? A: National Hawaii Day is celebrated annually on July 5th. It is a day to recognize the history, culture, and beauty of the Aloha State.
Q: What is the easiest Hawaiian craft for toddlers? A: The Bubble Wrap Pineapple Stamp or the Fingerprint Hibiscus card are best for toddlers. They require minimal cutting and focus on sensory painting.
Q: Do I need special supplies for these crafts? A: No! Most of these crafts use standard household items like toilet paper rolls, paper plates, construction paper, glue, and scissors.