From sunny beach trips to backyard parties, summer is full of fun and adventure. It’s the perfect season for kids to explore, imagine, and create.
But on those slower, rainy days—or when the summer heat gets too intense—craft time is the perfect way to keep little hands busy and minds active.
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Summer crafts for kids are not only fun, but they also help spark creativity and turn long days into magical moments.
From quick and simple projects to more involved ideas, there’s something here for every age and skill level.
Whether you’re crafting with supplies from nature or using everyday items at home, these ideas will keep the boredom at bay.
Simple & Easy Summer Crafts
Suncatchers
Create colorful suncatchers using tissue paper, craft foam, or treasures found on nature walks like leaves and flower petals. Hang them in the window and watch the sunlight shine through.
Paper Plate Art
Transform paper plates into cheerful animals, insects, or even pretend ice cream cones. Just add paint, googly eyes, and a little imagination!
Nature Crafts
Head outside and collect pinecones, rocks, feathers, or leaves. Turn them into pinecone creatures, leafy collages, or painted stones for garden décor.
DIY Wind Chimes
Recycle jars, tin cans, or old cutlery to make bright, clinking wind chimes. Hang them on the porch and let the summer breeze do the rest.
Tie-Dye Fun
Make unique tie-dye patterns on shirts, socks, or pillowcases. It’s a fun, colorful mess that kids will love.
Homemade Sidewalk Chalk
Mix plaster of Paris, food coloring, and water to make your own chalk. Let kids draw all over the sidewalk with their custom colors.
Creative Crafts for Older Kids
Jewelry Making
Use beads, yarn, or elastic to create colorful bracelets, necklaces, and even earrings. It’s a great way to encourage personal style and fine motor skills.
Fabric Projects
Craft bookmarks, simple drawstring pouches, or cute fabric flowers using scraps from old clothes.
Paper Crafts
Fold, cut, and glue your way through origami shapes, paper mache animals, or festive paper plate masks.
Sand Art
Use colored sand to fill jars, decorate bottles, or layer designs on paper. The bright colors make it a perfect summer project.
Homemade Playdough
Mix flour, salt, water, and food coloring to make soft playdough. Then mold it into fun shapes, creatures, or even pretend food.
Summer-Themed Crafts
Ice Cream Crafts
Make pretend ice cream cones from paper plates, popsicle sticks, or felt. You can even try making real colorful ice cream in a bag with a little kitchen magic.
Butterfly Crafts
Create pretty butterflies using coffee filters, paper plates, or craft sticks. You can even make wearable butterfly wings!
Ocean Crafts
Bring the sea home by making jellyfish from paper plates, sea creatures from sand art, or even a jellyfish windsock that dances in the wind.
Campfire Crafts
Build pretend campfires with tissue paper and plastic cups. You can even add fairy lights for a cozy glow that feels like a real campsite.
Straw Rockets
For a bit of STEM fun, help kids make tiny rockets from paper and straws. Blow through the straw and watch them fly!
With so many options—ranging from nature-based crafts to colorful paper creations—summer crafts are a wonderful way to bring joy, creativity, and learning into each day. Whether it’s a quick suncatcher or a detailed DIY disco ball, these activities turn free time into fun time. Let the creativity soar!