Summer Crafts for Kids: 50 Fun, Easy Ideas to Try Now

Find 50 summer crafts for kids that are easy, fun, and creative. These simple ideas keep children busy, inspired, and making all summer long.

Summer break has a very specific sound: the fridge opening, someone saying “I’m bored,” and mom wondering how it is only 10:17 a.m. That’s exactly where summer crafts earn their keep.

And they don’t need to be complicated or expensive.

This list is built for real life: things life paper crafts, messy ideas, and other projects kids can do at the table. Some projects are quick enough for a random weekday in July, and others feel like the kind of thing you would proudly drag home from camp.

You’ll find ideas for children of all ages, including tweens, younger crafters, and anyone who likes color, mess, and making something with their hands. As an adult, you might find yourself joining in!

Before you start, check the materials list for each tutorial. A lot of these use supplies you may already have, but craft stores are great resources when you need basics like craft paint, thread, glitter, hot glue, pipe cleaners, egg cartons, googly eyes, paper plates, and more. Keep a jar for tiny leftovers, because those scraps always become useful later.

These summer crafts are also a fun way to build fine motor skills without making it feel like homework. Whether they are painting, tying, folding, cutting, or gluing, everyone gets creative practice while having so much fun.

Oh – and the amount of time it takes (on average) for most of these is about 30 minutes to an hour.

Are you ready? Now is the perfect time to pull out the supplies, throw on something to protect the table, and let the afternoon get a little colorful and crafty. It’s a fun summer reset. Let’s get started!

Summer Craft Ideas for Kids

Easy & Indoor Crafts

1

Photo Magnets

Turn printed photos into personalized magnets that are easy, inexpensive, and perfect for gifting or displaying favorite summer memories.

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2

Kimberly McLeod

Colored Salt Jars

Color salt and layer it in a jar to create bright sand-art-style designs without needing actual sand supplies.

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3

Simple Weaving

Teach kids weaving with a simple wall hanging project! Easy, fun, and perfect for beginners.

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4

Tissue Paper Frame

Cover a frame with colorful tissue paper pieces for a quick project that adds cheerful color to any room.

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5

Toothpick Cacti

Create cute cacti with toothpicks for a trendy desert-inspired project that needs no watering afterward.

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6

Coffee Filter Flowers

Learn how to make the cutest coffee filter flowers. You can attach stems to the back of each flower to make a bouquet. These are so easy and inexpensive.

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7

Rainbow Magnets

Make rainbow fridge magnets from simple shapes and Mod Podge for a bright beginner project with cheerful results in different colors.

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8

Altoid Tin Storage

Decorate an old Altoids tin with Mod Podge to create small storage for treasures, trinkets, or craft supplies.

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9

DIY Window Clings

Use craft paint and Mod Podge to make budget-friendly window clings. These are easy and colorful reusable window decorations.

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10

Kids Art Coasters

Turn artwork into wooden coasters for an easy handmade gift parents, grandparents, and friends will actually use daily.

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11

Bottle Cap Magnets

Learn how to make DIY magnets with bottle caps! You probably have the supplies in your home already.

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12

Ice Cream Stick Photo Frame

Learn how to make a photo frame with ice cream sticks! They'll love this simple project that shows off memories.

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13

DIY Checkers Game

Make a travel checkers game with Duck Tape for an easy activity children can play after crafting anywhere.

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14

Photo Puzzle

Turn a favorite picture into a custom puzzle using an inexpensive method that also makes a sweet gift.

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Colorful Art Projects

15

Leslie Manlapig

Dip Dyed Wall Art

Use liquid watercolors or food coloring to make bold dip dyed wall art with beautiful results kids can proudly display.

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16

Cheryl Sorce

Spin Art Machine

Use a DIY spinner to fling paint in different colors, creating energetic patterns that are unpredictable and always exciting for children.

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17

Egg Carton Art

Turn egg cartons into canvas art, cutting and arranging pieces in different colors into colorful designs for a creative recycled project.

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18

Easy Suncatchers

Kids will love making these DIY suncatchers using tissue paper and recycled plastic lids! A fun, eco-friendly craft that’s bright and easy.

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19

Screen Print at Home

Use this screen printing method for DIY t shirt printing and more! Silkscreen your favorite design – all you need is an embroidery hoop, Mod Podge, and a sheer curtain.

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20

Paper Plate Sun

Turn paper plates into bright suns with craft paint, adding rays and cheerful faces for easy seasonal decor.

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21

Bubble Painting Art

Blow bubbles onto paper to create unexpected prints, turning ordinary art time into a colorful outdoor experiment outside.

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22

Painted Tree Branch Rainbow Art

Paint a tree branch in rainbow colors for a bold nature art project that brings the outdoors inside.

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Outdoor, Nature & Beach Crafts

23

Birdhouse Craft

Paint birdhouses then decorate with tissue paper for a cheerful project that keeps kids busy and brightens outdoor spaces.

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24

Clay Pot Mushrooms

Make adorable mushrooms from terra cotta pots, then paint them for whimsical garden decorations kids or adults can enjoy.

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25

Painted Rocks

Learn how to paint rocks with this simple tutorial. You probably have all of the supplies needed on hand already! Fun to leave around the neighborhood for others to find and enjoy.

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26

easttnfamilyfun.com

Painted Seashells

Paint seashells from summer trips using acrylic paint, then use them in other beachy crafts or keepsake displays in different colors.

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27

Alli Ward

Popsicle Stick Bird Feeder

Build a bird feeder from craft sticks using craft glue, then hang it outside and watch feathered visitors stop by often. Get rainbow sticks or paint plain ones any color you like.

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28

Cactus Rock Art

Collect rocks outside and paint them as cactus plants for a summer project that encourages creativity and outdoor exploring.

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29

Pool Noodle Boats

Build floating boats from pool noodles, then test them in water for a playful summer STEM activity outdoors.

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30

DIY Paper Kite

Make a kite with paper, lightweight twigs/dowels, and thread – then decorate it with different paint colors before taking it outside to fly.

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31

Styrofoam Cup Sea Crabs

Paint foam cups into sea crabs with pipe cleaners and googly eyes for a cute ocean-themed summer project.

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Messy, Sensory & Water Play

32

diycandy.com

Sand Slime

Create beach-inspired sand slime for sensory play that feels moldable, squishy, and cooler than ordinary beach sand at home.

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33

Silly Putty

Make your own homemade silly putty with just cornstarch and dish soap! Budget-friendly, screen-free fun.

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34

Steve Carrell

Sidewalk Chalk Paint

Mix three ingredients with a bit of water to create sidewalk chalk paint for a bright outdoor activity on warm afternoons.

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35

Ice Painting Cubes

Freeze colored water and paint with melting cubes, creating soft watercolor effects that change as they melt.

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36

Sponge Water Bombs

Cut sponges and tie with rubber bands to create reusable water bombs, combining crafting with outdoor play.

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37

Megan Kapple

Glow in the Dark Play Dough

Make glow in the dark play dough with three ingredients for an inexpensive sensory project kids will love.

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38

Melissa Lennig

Squirt Gun Painting

Get your littles painting AND get them outside at the same time! Squirt gun painting for kids is about as fun as it gets. Try a wide variety of colors!

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Wearable, Giftable & Pretend Play

39

Washer Necklace

Learn how to make washer necklaces using scrapbook paper and this simple tutorial! Yes, the washers are the kind you get from the hardware store.

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40

Rachel Faucett

Tie Dye Projects

Tie dye shirts, towels, or garland using rubber bands and some hot water, creating bright summer pieces kids can wear or display.

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41

DIY Pins

Make salt dough pins kids can paint, decorate, and wear on backpacks, jackets, or bags after they dry.

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42

Pipe Cleaner Flowers

Bring the sunshine with these playful pipe cleaner flowers – easy to make, fun to wear, and perfect for decor that never wilts!

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43

Leslie Manlapig

Flower Pens with Duct Tape

Make duct tape flower pens that are easy enough for kids to turn plain writing tools into blooms.

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44

Backpack Charms

Make Duck Tape backpack charms for a simple project kids can customize before school, camp, or weekend adventures.

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45

Agnes Hsu

Pretend Play Ice Cream Cones

Make pretend ice cream cones that never melt with this fun craft idea, giving kids hours of imaginative summer play.

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46

No-Sew Tote Decorating

Try this no-sew tote decorating! Just use your favorite fabrics and Mod Podge to make applique patches. Learn how to make it your own.

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47

Sarah Dees

Salt Dough Snakes

Make snakes from salt dough, then paint real patterns or completely wild colors after the shapes dry fully.

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48

Leslie Manlapig

Make Wine Cork Stamps

Instead of purchasing stamps at the store, save a couple of bucks and make your own from wine corks, foam, and craft glue. They're VERY easy and so inexpensive to make.

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49

Brandy Nelson

Sharpie Tie Dye

Use Sharpie markers and rubbing alcohol to create tie dye shirts while watching the ink spread into designs. You can do this on any cotton surface.

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50

Maggy Woodley

Easy Friendship Bracelets

Make friendship bracelets with thread or yarn for a classic summer camp activity kids can trade, wear, and give away.

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51

Handprint Crab T-Shirt

Use paint and handprints to make a crab T-shirt, adding painted googly eyes for a beachy keepsake children can wear.

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These summer crafts give children of all ages a mix of quick wins, colorful messes, and creative projects that feel right for the season. These are simple enough to make with supplies from craft stores. Pick one, check the materials list, and let children make each unique design their own.

Did you enjoy these projects? I’d love for you to let me know in the comments! I’d also love for you to visit the following kid craft posts:

Camping • Cardboard Box • Christmas • Clothespins • Crafts for Boys • Crafts for Girls • Crafts at Home • Crosses • Dragons • Easter • Halloween • Handprints • Paper Mache • Poinsettias • Superhero • Toilet Paper Rolls