13 Home Craft Projects That Are Surprisingly Dangerous for Kids

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DIY and crafting have become household staples, let’s be honest. And why not? It’s a creative thing to do, and often you come out with something beautiful or useful in the end. However, sometimes, that seemingly innocent crafting project can be hiding a few dangers, especially for kids. And what looks like harmless fun, actually involves tools, materials, and processes—things that, in the hands of tiny people, can result in more chaos than creativity.

If you’re about to pull out the glitter and glue to do a crafty fun weekend project, let’s have a look at some of these unexpected hazardous crafts for kids to avoid. Of course, these crafts aren’t inherently evil, but they do need to be handled with a certain amount of caution.

Using Hot Glue Guns

These tools can be fascinating to kids, and it’s easy for kids to reach the nozzle without realizing it’s very hot. Even the slightest contact can result in painful burns. Kids also find it difficult to quickly and safely handle when hot glue starts dripping, which may have some of your little ones screaming ‘ouch!’

Resin Art

A Couple Holding Resin Coasters — Photo Credit: Thirdman/Pexels

Resin is popular right now in the DIY scene but it’s not something you would want your kids to play with. Resin can release fumes that are dangerous to kids, so they have to be handled in good ventilation with a mask on. Fumes can also have adverse effects on kids and their skin may react to resin exposure, which can make for rashes or chemical burns.

Sewing Projects With Needles

sewing with needle and thread — Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

Sewing can be a fun activity as you develop a skill but the sharp needles can be hazardous. Because younger kids tend to have problems with fine motor skills, it’s easy to accidentally get their fingers pricked. Those things can hurt, and they’ll turn into tiny blood spots on fabric.

Tie-Dyeing

Closeup of pleated cloth with colorful paints and threads representing Japanese tie dye technique on blurred background — Photo Credit: Pexels

Sure, tie dye may be fun and bright but some fabric dyes aren’t exactly on the gentle side for your body. Although many dyes are not toxic, the chemicals in many dyes can irritate or cause allergic reactions if kids put them on their hands. Tie dye also tends to be messy and while it doesn’t dye as deeply as regular fabric dyes, it can dye furniture, clothes, and skin for a couple days.

Soap Making

Unique Ways to Remove Sticker Residue From Glass — mage Credit: Liudmila Chernetska / iStock Photos

Homemade soap might sound like a great family project, but they are typically made with lye, a dangerous, hazardous chemical that you shouldn’t expose kids to or inhale. Protective goggles and gloves are often a necessity when making proper soap. Pre made soap kits may be the wiser way for younger kids.

Candle Making

Waste Not: Things to Keep and Creative Ideas to Reimagine Them — Image by Fabio Issao fabioissao via Wikimedia Commons

Candle making might seem like a charming, pleasant craft, but most of the time you are melting wax on the stove. Spilled hot wax can give you severe burns, and kids don’t always pay attention to temperature. Also, wicks placed incorrectly can make candles fire hazards in seconds.

Origami With Sharp Scissors

scissors in hand — Photo Credit: Deposit Photos

Playing with origami is fun, but it’s usually best played with sharp scissors when cutting intricate shapes. Kids aren’t careful with scissors and thus the small fingers get at risk of cuts and paper cuts are almost inevitable. Some intricate origami projects require precision that can drive young crafters crazy, resulting in cuts.

Polymer Clay – Clay Sculpting

Crafting with polymer clay means you have to bake your sculptures. Which means putting creations in a hot oven — something that young children can’t handle unassisted. According to PolyPediaOnlineExpress polymer clay also emit fumes when baked – fumes that can be harmful if the area isn’t well vented. Nobody wants a crafty piece to turn into a potential health hazard.

Small Embellishments in Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking may seem innocent, but often there are small embellishments such as beads, buttons, and sequins. These tiny items can easily end up in younger children’s mouths which means they could be choking hazards. There’s also the fact that many of the glues used in scrapbooking are also not exactly kid safe, making it all the more of a risk.

Sharp Tools for Woodworking

In wood working, even small projects usually demand sharp tools: saws, knives, hammers etc. It’s a good thing to do with kids who are old enough, but not always safe for younger hands. Deep cuts can come from the use of sharp tools. I would suggest saving these until kids have more control.

Small Needles and Beads

Beaded Bracelet With A Handwritten Letter — Photo Credit: Pexels

There’s beading, which is popular but it’s a very fine craft indeed, involving beads and fine needles and they’re very hard for little hands to manage. Sharp needles aren’t the only hazard, the small beads are dangerous for younger kids to choke on too. Beads also can roll off table onto the floor, adding slipping hazards to the floor.

Glue or Flour Mixtures paper Mâché

Blue and Red Paper Mache Dino Bank — Image Credit: Red Ted Art

Paper mâché is messy fun, but you have to use glue or flour water which can develop bacteria if left out for a long time. Kids may also want to try the mixture, especially if it’s made with flour, which isn’t safe to eat raw. It also means you’ll find yourself having to clean flour paste up from places you didn’t realize was possible.

Painting With Acrylic Paints

Acrylic paints are in nearly every craft project but aren’t exactly kid friendly. It is often hard to wash off the paint, and it can irritate skin when not handled correctly. Some acrylics also have chemicals that aren’t safe if swallowed accidentally, so it’s not the safest option is for young children who might not know any better.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.