Summer is the perfect time for kids to get creative with fun and engaging crafts! Whether youโre looking for ways to beat the heat indoors or want to add some artistic flair to outdoor play, there are plenty of easy and exciting DIY projects to keep little hands busy. Here are the best summer craft ideas for kids to spark imagination and make lasting memories.
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The 8 Best Summer Craft Ideas for Kids
1. Seashell Painting & Crafts
If your family is heading to the beach, collect some seashells to turn into beautiful art pieces.
- Painted Seashells: Use acrylic paint to decorate shells with bright colors and fun patterns.
- Seashell Wind Chime: String painted shells onto twine and attach them to a piece of driftwood for a breezy outdoor decoration.
- Seashell Creatures: Glue googly eyes onto seashells to create cute sea animals like turtles, fish, and crabs.
2. DIY Nature Sun Catchers
Bring the beauty of nature indoors with these gorgeous sun catchers!
- What You Need: Clear contact paper, flower petals, leaves, and a paper plate.
- How to Make It: Cut out the center of a paper plate to create a frame. Stick flower petals and leaves between two sheets of contact paper, then attach them to the frame. Hang it in a sunny window for a stunning effect!
You can find clear contact paper on Amazon. We like to use this kind:
3. Tie-Dye T-Shirts & Accessories
Give old clothes a colorful upgrade with a fun tie-dye session!
- Supplies: White T-shirts, bandanas, or socks; fabric dye; rubber bands; gloves.
- How to Do It: Twist, fold, or crumple the fabric, secure with rubber bands, and apply dye. Let it sit for a few hours before rinsing and drying.
- Tip: Try using ice cubes to create a cool watercolor effect with fabric dye.
Here is a really cool Tie-Dye kit from Amazon. It has everything needed to tie-dye four shirts!
4. Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Paint
Turn your driveway or sidewalk into a canvas with DIY chalk paint!
- Ingredients: 1 cup cornstarch, 1 cup water, and food coloring.
- Directions: Mix cornstarch and water in a bowl, then divide into cups and add food coloring to each. Use paintbrushes to create colorful sidewalk art.
- Bonus Idea: Make stencils out of cardboard for cool shapes and patterns!
5. Paper Plate Ocean Scene
Create an underwater world with this simple craft.
- What You Need: Paper plates, blue paint, sand, glue, seashells, and fish cutouts.
- How to Make It: Paint a paper plate blue for the ocean, glue sand at the bottom, and add fish or seashell decorations.
- Fun Add-On: Attach a popsicle stick to a fish cutout and slide it through a small slit in the plate to make a moving fish!
6. Ice Cream Cone Pom-Poms
Nothing says summer like ice cream, and this craft is as sweet as it looks!
- Supplies: Colored pom-poms, brown construction paper, glue, and sprinkles.
- How to Make It: Cut construction paper into a cone shape, glue a pom-pom on top, and add sprinkles for extra fun.
- Display Idea: String together multiple cones to create a festive summer garland.
7. Pool Noodle Boats
Turn pool noodles into mini sailboats for water play.
- What You Need: Pool noodles, straws, paper sails, and a hot glue gun.
- How to Make It: Cut pool noodles into small pieces, insert a straw as the mast, and attach a paper sail.
- Where to Use: Float them in a kiddie pool, bathtub, or water table for endless fun!
8. Glow-in-the-Dark Firefly Jars
Make magical firefly jars to light up summer nights.
- Supplies: Clear jars, glow-in-the-dark paint, paintbrushes, and glitter.
- How to Make It: Paint small dots inside the jar using glow-in-the-dark paint, sprinkle glitter inside, and let it dry. Charge it under light and watch it glow at night!
Here are some great glow-in-the-dark puff paints from Amazon. These are perfect for creating these lanterns!
Final Thoughts
Summer crafting is all about creativity, fun, and making special memories with your kids. Whether they love painting, building, or designing, these crafts will keep them entertained all season long. Which craft will you try first? Let us know in the comments below!
Happy crafting! ๐จโ๏ธ
