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Make your kids’ summer an adventure-filled season by engaging them in fun activities and crafts that will banish boredom in the most enjoyable way possible. These 52 Summer Crafts for Kids+Free Printable will surely delight and excite!
Encourage them to unleash their imagination, boost their fine motor skills, and even explore the realms of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through a wide array of captivating summer crafts for kids.
The best part? Many of these crafts can be fashioned using common household items, making them both accessible and cost-effective. Prepare to be amazed by the ingenious ideas behind these projects!
If you’re on the hunt for ways to keep your little ones entertained while minimizing screen time, we’ve got you covered with over 50 of the most fantastic summer crafts for kids+free printable. Let the creativity flow, the fun begin, and watch your kids embark on a summer of endless joy and discovery!
1. Paper Loop Pufferfish Craft
Prepare for an absolute delight as kids embark on a craft adventure with this adorable and easy paper loop pufferfish craft. It’s the perfect activity for little ones who have mastered the art of using scissors and are ready for a creative challenge.
Watch their excitement soar as they create their very own charming pufferfish masterpiece, brimming with cuteness. With its simplicity and fun nature, this craft is sure to bring joy and a sense of accomplishment to your little artists.
Get ready to dive into a world of creativity and watch their imaginations flourish with this delightful paper loop pufferfish craft.
2. Popsicle Stick Bird Feeder
[Experience the perfect fusion of design and biology with a delightful popsicle stick feeder craft idea that promises endless entertainment for the kids this summer. Watch their excitement grow as they construct their very own DIY birdfeeder, creating a special place for feathered friends to dine.
Not only will they enjoy the satisfaction of checking their feeder throughout the day, but they’ll also have the opportunity to learn about the fascinating array of birds that visit for a feast.
This interactive and educational craft combines creativity, nature, and a touch of wonder, making it a wonderful summer project for the whole family to enjoy.
Get ready for a summer filled with avian delight and discovery with this captivating popsicle stick feeder craft!
3. Paper Plate Dinosaurs
[Make the most of your 30-minute craft time by creating these simple and delightful paper plate dinosaurs.
Perfect for when you’re short on time, these crafts require minimal supplies that you likely already have at home, saving you a trip to the store.
So, gather your materials, unleash your creativity, and let the crafting adventure begin! With these easy paper plate dinosaurs, you can enjoy a fun-filled craft session without any unnecessary hassle.
Get ready to bring these prehistoric creatures to life and make the most of your crafting time!
4. Handprint Flamingo Card Craft
[There’s something truly special about receiving a handmade card, and the joy it brings is unmatched.
Imagine the delight when the recipient discovers that this vibrant flamingo card is not only handcrafted but also personalized with your child’s precious handprint—a heartwarming surprise that will surely melt hearts.
The combination of creativity and personal touch makes this card an extraordinary gesture of love and thoughtfulness. Get ready to make someone’s day even more memorable with this charming and personalized flamingo card, guaranteed to bring smiles and warm feelings.
5. Suncatcher Jellyfish Craft
[Indulge in the beauty of these mesmerizing jellyfish suncatchers, perfect little projects that will bring a touch of enchantment when hung in front of a window.
These suncatchers offer a creative canvas where you can customize the array of tissue paper, allowing you to create a personalized masterpiece through a selection of colors and arrangement.
The result is a stunning and unique creation that will capture the light and fill any space with a delightful ambiance.
Let your imagination soar as you embark on this craft, and prepare to be captivated by the radiant allure of your customized jellyfish suncatchers.
6. Coffee Filter Butterflies
[These coffee filter butterflies are incredibly simple to make, and there’s nothing easier than that! Not only do they create a beautiful tie-dye effect, but watching the colors blend together is absolutely mesmerizing. For an extra touch of fun, try using scented markers to enhance the sensory experience!
7. Pool Noodle Planes
[It’s amazing what a few small adjustments can do because, believe it or not, pool noodles can actually take flight!
8. Paper Plate Unicorns
[Unicorn enthusiasts will absolutely fall in love with this enchanting and glittery paper plate unicorn. All you need are some paper plates and craft supplies to bring this whimsical creation to life.
9. Straw Weaving Bracelet
[Making their own wearables is a favorite activity for many boys and girls. This craft is perfect for them as it only requires straws, yarn, and tape. Although it may be more suitable for older kids, younger children can still have fun with it, especially with a little assistance. It’s a great way to enjoy the summer!
10. Jellyfish Salt Painting
[New to salt painting? Here’s a simple guide to get you started!
Begin by squeezing glue onto your desired design. Next, sprinkle salt over the glue and shake off the excess. Lastly, use watercolor paints or food coloring to paint over the salt. Watch as the colors spread and create a beautiful tie-dye effect.
It’s a super easy technique that demonstrates how you can use almost any medium to create art!
11. Caterpillar Craft
[These hungry caterpillars are absolutely adorable! Imagine how beautiful rainbow caterpillars would be!
To make it a fun learning experience, encourage kids to research their favorite caterpillars and recreate their colors. They can jot down both the common and scientific names on a leaf next to their caterpillar artwork. It’s a wonderful way to explore nature and unleash their creativity!
12. Pineapple Finger Painting
[If you’re open to a little messiness, or even encourage it, let your little ones dive into their artistic side with this tropical pineapple finger painting activity. It’s a fun and creative way for them to explore their artistic abilities!
13. Handprint Ice Cream Cone Craft
[Here’s another delightful handprint craft that is quick and enjoyable. While smaller kids may require assistance with cutting out their handprint and cones, once that’s taken care of, they are free to let their creativity soar and decorate to their heart’s content!
14. Coffee Filter Monsters
[Just like the coffee filter craft mentioned earlier, these coffee filter monsters are a blast to create. After decorating them, they are dampened and left to dry overnight or in the oven.
What makes these monsters even more exciting is that their frills actually dance and move when you play with them. It’s a truly mesmerizing effect that adds an extra cool factor to these little creatures!
15. Chalk Art Troll Hair
[Sometimes, even in the summer, it rains. When that happens, kids can have a creative indoor activity by exploring chalk and drawing chalk hair for paper plate trolls. It’s a fun way to let their imaginations run wild, even when they’re stuck indoors due to the rain!
16. Thumbprint Dandelion with Free Printable
Print out this printable, open up some paint, and have the kids paint a thumbprint dandelion that doubles as frameable art for your home!
17. Torn Watermelon Craft
Have your kids make this summer-y watermelon torn paper art that’s perfect for younger tots.
18. Tree Nature Craft for Kids
During a walk, encourage your kids to pick up leaves and small flowers that they like.
Have them take it home where they can shape it into a tree for a nature activity.
19. Egg Carton Flowers
Transform leftover egg cartons into adorable flowers that are easily giftable or propped in a vase.
Add glitter, stickers, and whatever you can get your hands on to personalize these eco-friendly beauts.
20. Kaleidoscope Kids Craft
You know those cool kaleidoscopes you’ve alway loved to explore as a kid?
How awesome would it be to teach your kids how to make one themselves?!
Grab a paper towel tube, card stock paper, thin plastic, translucent beads, cardboard, aluminum foil, a marker, and a glue gun to recreate this childhood favorite sensory toy.
This craft is seriously fun even for younger kids who might not be able to make it themselves who’ll love peering in and exploring the different shapes and colors inside.
21. Watermelon Suncatchers
[With minimal supplies required, these watermelon suncatchers are a fantastic decor idea and make for great summer crafts suitable for kids of all ages. Get ready to add a vibrant touch of summer to your windows with these delightful creations!
22. Fingerprint Art Glass Magnets
There’s nothing cuter than displaying your little one’s works of art and with this craft idea, their art serves a functional purpose too!
23. Watermelon Painted Rocks
[Rock painting is an enjoyable activity that allows kids to get a little messy while expressing their artistic flair. Afterward, they can have even more fun by hiding the painted rocks for others to discover, and under supervision, they can embark on an exciting rock hunting adventure!
24. Toilet Roll Stamp Flowers
Toilet papers should get a reward because these little guys are so versatile.
If you have little ones in the home, definitely save them up for craft time!
For this summer toilet paper roll craft, simply snip the ends of the roll down – you may want to do this part for younger children – then have them dunk the ends into paint and onto paper. Almost like a stamping mechanism.
25. Styrofoam Bowl Turtles
For a quick and easy craft, check out these stunning styrofoam turtles.
Just paint the styrofoam bowls then attach the head, legs, and eyes.
26. Summer Water Gun Painting
Make squirt guns productive with just a bit of paint.
This is a project where you just can’t go wrong.
27. Cardboard Tube Rainbow Blowers
Summer was made for rainbows.
This rainbow blower is great for days lacking in post-rain sunshine and it’s not just a craft, it’s a fun little activity for your kids that they can pick up to hack boredom anytime of the day.
28. Paper Bag Mermaid Puppet
I don’t know about you but I was obsessed with mermaids as a girl and these mermaid puppets would’ve done it for me.
Complete with long hair and glitter, this craft is a tough one for any little girl or boy to pass up.
Afterwards you can even read them their favorite mermaid book and use the puppet as a cute prop.
29. Q-Tip Painted Dragonfly Craft
Like the above dandelion q-tip project, this craft also uses q-tips to paint and create art.
A free printable dragonfly template is included to aid in the creative process.
30. Grow a Rainbow Experiment
[Although not typically considered a craft, the “grow a rainbow” experiment can easily be turned into one once the paper dries. The best part is that you’ll end up with a stunning rainbow paper to work on.
To conduct this fun experiment, all you need are Crayola markers, water, and two jars. It’s a simple yet captivating activity that combines science and creativity!
31. Pipe Cleaner Finger Puppets
[With minimal mess and plenty of enjoyment, these pipe cleaner finger puppets are a delightful activity for kids of all ages. Encourage them to engage in storytelling or use the puppets while reading books, fostering language skills that will benefit them for a lifetime. It’s a wonderful way to encourage creativity and imagination!
32. DIY Dream Catchers
More intricate than the other crafts listed, this DIY dream catcher is not particularly hard but it does take a bit of time and patience.
However, in the end you wind up with a really cute dream catcher perfect for hanging over their bed to catch bad dreams.
33. Paper Plate Monster Craft
Monster fanatics can now make this easy peasy paper craft monster in mere minutes.
34. Popsicle Fine Motor Craft
Have your little ones practice their fine motor skills with this fun and bright popsicle stick tissue paper craft.
35. Toilet Paper Roll Car Craft
Boys and girls alike will adore these cars made from toilet paper rolls and will spend all day playing with them, putting new characters in, and racing about.
36. Melted Crayon Turtle Suncatcher
Melt crayons for a wild watercolor style for each one of your suncatcher turtles.
37. Noodle Sunflower Craft
Make these summer-y sunflower craft that’s suitable for most ages as its easy and relatively mess-free.
38. Watermelon Paper Fan
Super easy and fun, kids will use their fine motor skills to paint a watermelon onto a paper plate then attach it to a popsicle stick to make a summer fan perfect for beating the summer heat.
39. Popsicle Stick Sunflower
If you’re windowsill is looking a bit bare, consider crafting this lovely sunflower pot with your kids (a great idea if you have not much of a green thumb).
40. Paper Plate Sunflower
Make this scrap paper plate sunflower to brighten up any kid’s room!
41. Wooden Spoon Mermaid Puppets
Want an adorable summer craft on a budget?
These wooden spoon mermaid puppets are it.
No wooden spoons? Opt for a painted plastic one for an easy swap.
42. Fork Print Sunflower Craft
There are so many possibilities when you paint with common household items and in this example a fork!
43. Recycled Plastic Flowers
Let your kids think outside of the box when it comes to reusing, reducing, and recycling with these colorful plastic flowers that are so fun to make.
While the baking section should be left to the grown-ups, have them paint and set up their new “flowers” anyway they like, framed, potted, or as a card for grandma.
44. Fingerprint Bug Jar Printable
How smart are these cute little critters made with fingerprints?
This easy summer activity will grow your little one’s imagination as they uncover how to turn their prints into a brilliant bug collection.
45. Paper Plate Taco
Does your kids love tacos?
Well, really who doesn’t?
These paper plate tacos make a great craft for a taco Tuesday and you can even have real tacos for lunch!
46. Chalk Baby Bird Craft
Black paper, chalk, and a few other supplies are all you need to bring this chalk art bird to life.
47. Popsicle Stick Shark
For kids who are shark fanatics, try making this fun popsicle shark craft with them.
You can even make different colors and varieties for each of their favorite species!
48. Shrink Film Keychains
Shrink film is such a cool way to make keepsake keychains, pendants, earrings, and more.
Simply draw and decorate the precut shrink film, punch a hole for the keychain, then bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes.
If your kids have never tried shrink film crafting, let them discover it today as they’re sure to enjoy it!
49. Glue and Glass Bead Suncatchers
[To make this stunning glue and glass bead suncatcher, gather a few simple materials: a plastic lid, glass gems, clear glue, and twine. You’ll be surprised to find that most of these items can be found right at home, maybe even in vases!
50. Watercolor Snowy Mountain Scene Craft
[Engage your kids in creating a scenic watercolor craft that you can admire throughout the entire season. While the heat may not be your best friend, this craft serves as a delightful reminder that cooler days are on their way!
51. Swimming Jellyfish Craft
[Isn’t this swimming jellyfish craft just the coolest? It’s perfect for kids who love interactive and movable creations. Your child will surely adore it!
52. Sun Catchers with Coloring Pages
[Transform their stunning coloring pages into art pieces that you can proudly display! This is a fantastic summer crafts for kids+free printable for all to enjoy!
53. Paper Plate Boat Craft
[In my family, we’ve always loved working with mixed media for crafting. It’s a wonderful way to explore the creative process and discover how different materials can contribute unique textures and sensations to an artwork.
Now, I may be getting a bit carried away, but I have to say, this paper boat craft is truly amazing! It’s the kind of creation I would proudly showcase in my home.