How to Make a Pompal: Easy Wool Pom Pom Craft for Kids

Looking for an easy craft for kids that uses simple materials and turns into something fun to play with afterwards?

This DIY Pompal is a brilliant wool craft for children. It’s part creative activity, part toy-making project, and perfect for rainy days, school holidays, or quiet afternoons at home.

Using just cardboard, wool and a few basic craft supplies, you can create your own fluffy “pompal” character, complete with a face, personality and plenty of charm.

If you’re searching for easy kids crafts, wool crafts, or DIY toy ideas, this is a great one to try.

What You’ll Need

• Wool (any colours you like)
• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Felt
• Glue
• Felt tip pens
• 2 circular objects (one larger, one smaller) to draw around (e.g. glasses, cups or lids)

How to Make a Pompal

Step 1: Create Your Cardboard Rings

Start by placing your larger circular object onto a piece of cardboard and drawing around it to create a large circle.

Next, place your smaller circular object inside the first circle and draw around it to create a smaller inner circle.

Carefully cut out the large circle and then cut out the centre so you are left with a ring shape.

Repeat this step so you have two identical cardboard rings.

These will form the base of your pompom maker.

 

Step 2: Wrap the Wool

Take your wool and begin wrapping it around both cardboard rings together.

Keep wrapping over and over, layering the wool until the centre hole becomes smaller and smaller

You can use:

• One colour for a simple look
• Or multiple colours for a bright, patterned pompom

The more wool you use, the fuller and fluffier your Pompal will be.

Step 3: Cut and Secure the Pompom

Once your cardboard rings are fully covered and you can’t easily wrap any more wool through the centre, carefully snip the wool all the way around the outer edge between the two pieces of cardboard.

Be careful during this step, as the wool will want to spring apart slightly.

Next, take a piece of wool or string and thread it between the two cardboard discs. Tie it tightly in a knot around the centre of the pompom to secure it.

Once tied, you can gently remove the cardboard rings.

You should now have a fluffy wool pompom taking shape!

 

Step 4: Shape Your Pompom

Trim the wool carefully with scissors until your pompom becomes a neat, rounded shape.

This is where your Pompal really starts to come to life. You can make it perfectly round or slightly scruffy for a more playful look.

Step 5: Turn It Into a Pompal

Now for the fun part - giving your pompom a personality.

Use felt, cardboard, and felt tip pens to create:

• Eyes
• Mouth
• Arms
• Legs
• Hats, bows or fun accessories

Cut out your shapes and glue them onto your pompom.

Suddenly, your fluffy ball of wool becomes a Pompal - a handmade character ready for play.

Why We Love This Craft

This Pompal activity is a great example of a simple craft that turns into open-ended play.

It helps children:

• Develop fine motor skills
• Explore colour and texture
• Practice cutting and wrapping techniques
• Use imagination to create characters
• Enjoy a screen-free creative activity

It’s also a lovely introduction to simple textile crafts for children.

Top Tips

• The more wool you wrap, the fluffier your pompom will be
• Use thicker wool for faster results
• Let children choose their own colour combinations for more creative freedom
• Keep scissors sharp for a clean cut when shaping (but make sure younger kids are supervised and using age appropriate scissors!)

Looking for More Easy Kids Crafts?

If you enjoyed making this Pompal, you might also like our other easy craft ideas for children, including recycled crafts, nature crafts, and screen-free activities designed for creative play at home.

Happy making!