Can you pronounce ‘Kal’ia’iou’amaa’aaa’eiou’? How about ‘humuhumunukunukuapua’a’?
If your tongue is twisted just trying to read those, don’t worry! Ironically, these complex words come from a place known for having the most laid-back and easy-going people in the world: Hawaii!
(In case you are wondering, the first word is a street name, and the second is the reef triggerfish, Hawaii’s official state fish).
When we hear the word “Hawaii,” our minds instantly drift to white sandy beaches, crystal clear blue water, hula dancers, and the warm “Aloha” spirit. But the 50th state is so much more than just a vacation destination. It is a land rich in Polynesian history, fascinating volcanic geology, and unique biodiversity.
With National Hawaii Day approaching on July 5th, there is no better time to bring the island vibes into your home or classroom. We have compiled a list of 20 heavenly Hawaii crafts for kids that will help you celebrate the islands while keeping little hands busy.
Fun Facts About Hawaii to Share With Kids
Before you break out the glue sticks and glitter, turn your crafting session into a learning opportunity! Here are some fascinating facts about the Aloha State:
- The Most Isolated Place: Hawaii is the most isolated population center on Earth. It is located 2,390 miles from California and 3,850 miles from Japan. That is a lot of ocean!
- The 8 Islands: While there are many tiny islets, Hawaii mainly consists of eight major islands: Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Kahoʻolawe, and the “Big Island” of Hawai‘i.
- A Royal History: Hawaii is the only state in the U.S. that was once a royal kingdom with its own Kings and Queens. The Iolani Palace in Honolulu is the only royal palace on US soil.
- The State Motto: Hawaii’s motto is ‘Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono‘, which translates to “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.”
- Volcanic Origins: Every inch of Hawaii was created by volcanoes. In fact, the Big Island is still growing today thanks to the active Kilauea volcano!
Now that you know the history, let’s get creative!
20 Colorful Hawaii Crafts for Kids
We have curated a list of crafts that range from cultural symbols like Tikis and Leis to fun representations of island life like surfboards and pineapples.
1. DIY Paper Flower Leis
In Hawaii, a Lei (garland of flowers) is a symbol of affection, welcome, and celebration.
- The Craft: You don’t need real orchids to make one! Cut flower shapes out of colorful construction paper or tissue paper. Punch a hole in the center of each flower. Using plastic straws cut into one-inch segments as “spacers,” thread the flowers onto yarn, alternating between a flower and a straw piece.
- Why it’s great: It works on fine motor skills (threading) and results in a wearable costume piece.
2. Toilet Roll Tiki Masks
Tikis represent Polynesian gods and usually feature large eyes and expressive mouths.
- The Craft: Save your empty toilet paper rolls! Squeeze the top of the roll to give it a slightly rectangular shape. Paint the base brown or tan. Use markers or paint to draw fierce or funny faces. You can add bright feathers to the top or construction paper headpieces.
- Educational Moment: Explain that different Tiki carvings represented different powers, like strength or ocean navigation.
3. Bubble Wrap Pineapple Art
If one fruit represents Hawaii, it is the pineapple.
- The Craft: Cut a pineapple oval shape out of yellow paper. Glue a piece of bubble wrap (cut to the same shape) on top. Paint the bubble wrap yellow and orange for a textured look. Add green handprints at the top to act as the spiky crown.
- Fun Fact: Hawaii was once the world’s leading producer of canned pineapples!
4. Popsicle Stick Surfboards
Surfing, or he’e nalu, was invented in Hawaii. It was once a sport reserved only for royalty!
- The Craft: Take jumbo popsicle sticks and file the ends slightly so they are rounded like a surfboard. Let the kids paint them with stripes, hibiscus flowers, or shark bite designs. You can glue a small fin (made of cardstock) to the bottom to make them realistic.
5. The “Honu” (Sea Turtle) Paper Plate
Green Sea Turtles, known as Honu, are sacred in Hawaii and represent good luck.
- The Craft: Paint a paper plate green. Cut out hexagons from darker green paper and glue them to the back of the plate to create the shell pattern. Add head, legs, and a tail using cardstock.
- Tip: Add googly eyes to give your Honu some personality.
6. Erupting Paper Mache Volcano
You can’t talk about Hawaii without talking about lava!
- The Craft: Build a small mountain around a plastic cup using playdough or paper mache. Paint it brown and black.
- The Science: Add baking soda inside the cup. When you are ready for the “eruption,” pour in vinegar mixed with red food coloring. It’s a messy, exciting geology lesson!
7. Hula Grass Skirts
Get ready to dance!
- The Craft: Measure a piece of ribbon or elastic around your child’s waist. Cut long strips of green crepe paper or even green plastic tablecloths. Knot or tape the strips onto the waistline ribbon until it is full and fluffy.
- Activity: Put on some Hawaiian music and teach the kids basic hula hand movements, like “waves” or “rain.”
8. Fingerprint Coconut Tree
Palm trees are a staple of the island landscape.
- The Craft: Draw a simple trunk on a piece of paper. Let the kids dip their fingers in green paint to create the palm fronds (leaves) and brown paint to create the coconuts clustered at the top.
9. Cardboard Ukulele
Music is the heartbeat of the islands.
- The Craft: Cut a ukulele shape out of a cereal box. Paint it brown. Use rubber bands stretched over the sound hole to create “strings.” While it might not play a perfect tune, it’s a fantastic prop for imaginative play.
10. Colorful Paper Hibiscus
The Yellow Hibiscus is the state flower.
- The Craft: Use bright tissue paper (red, yellow, pink) to twist into flower shapes. Use a yellow pipe cleaner for the stamen in the center. These can be glued onto hair clips or headbands for a festive accessory.
11. Shave Ice Cotton Ball Art
“Shave Ice” is the most popular dessert in Hawaii (don’t call it a snow cone!).
- The Craft: Draw a cone shape on paper. Glue cotton balls on top to simulate the ice. Use watered-down watercolors or food coloring in droppers to drip “syrup” onto the cotton balls, watching the colors blend.
12. Minion Hula Party
Kids love Minions, and they look hilarious in Hawaiian gear.
- The Craft: Use yellow construction paper to make the Minion bodies. Dress them up with tiny green paper grass skirts, coconut bras drawn with markers, and flower leis.
13. Tapa Cloth Designs
Tapa is a traditional bark cloth used across Polynesia, often decorated with geometric patterns.
- The Craft: Crumple up a brown paper bag to give it a soft, fabric-like texture. Flatten it out and use black and brown markers to draw repeating geometric patterns (triangles, diamonds, and lines).
14. Origami Outrigger Canoe
Polynesians were master navigators who crossed the ocean in canoes.
- The Craft: Fold a simple paper boat. Attach a smaller “float” (a rolled-up piece of paper) to the side using two toothpicks or straws. This stabilizer is what makes it an “outrigger.”
15. Rainbow Suncatchers
Hawaii is known as the “Rainbow State” because the mix of rain and sun creates frequent rainbows.
- The Craft: Cut a rainbow arc shape out of clear contact paper. Let kids stick varied colors of tissue paper onto the sticky side. Seal it and hang it in the window to catch the light.
16. Seashell Necklaces
Moana made these popular, but they have always been a classic.
- The Craft: If you have seashells with holes (or can drill them), let kids paint them and string them onto hemp cord. If not, pasta shells painted with pearlescent paint make a great substitute!
17. Vibrant Reef Triggerfish
Celebrate the state fish with the long name!
- The Craft: Draw the outline of a fish. Instead of coloring it, let kids tear up small pieces of bright neon paper and glue them on to create a mosaic effect. This mimics the vibrant scales of tropical fish.
18. Tiki Torch Process Art
- The Craft: Use cardboard tubes as the torch handle. Stuff yellow and orange tissue paper into the top to look like flames. These make great decorations for a luau-themed party.
19. “Aloha” Welcome Sign
- The Craft: Use a large piece of cardboard or wood. Let the kids paint “ALOHA” in big bright letters. Decorate the edges with the paper hibiscus flowers or sea turtles you made in the previous steps.
20. Message in a Bottle
- The Craft: Use a clean plastic water bottle. Have the child write a note or draw a picture on paper, roll it up, and place it inside. Add a little sand and some small shells. It’s a fun way to capture a summer memory.
Conclusion: Living the Aloha Life
Celebrating National Hawaii Day is about more than just crafts; it is about embracing the spirit of Aloha, which means love, peace, and compassion.
Whether you are making a dashboard hula dancer or constructing your own volcano, these activities provide a wonderful opportunity to teach children about a unique culture and ecosystem. The best part about these Hawaii crafts for kids is that they use simple, everyday materials to create something magical.