Summertime is the perfect time for kids’ imaginations to run wild. That’s why we’ve compiled 55 of the cutest, easy-to-make summer crafts for kids to help them get started. Simple to make, with inexpensive materials, your kids will be inspired by the beautiful results.
1. String Art Sunshine
How happy is this sunshiny craft? Start with yellow paper plates, add construction paper rays, then string yarn and beads across the middle to make these summer crafts for kids.
Learn more: Yarn Craft Sunshine
2. Paper Flower Bracelet
Cut circles out of colorful tissue paper to create a beautiful flower. Then string a pipe cleaner through the middle and add wooden beads. Make a dozen and pass them out to your friends!
Learn more: Tissue Paper Flower Bracelet
3. Handprint Jewelry Dish
More than practical, this sweet keepsake made from craft clay will commemorate a moment in time.
Learn more: Clay Jewelry Dish
4. Monster Change Purse
All this funny craft takes is a strip of green felt folded in thirds, a button for a nose, some extra felt for features, and a needle and thread.
Learn more: Felt Change Purses
5. Batik Tote Bags
Learn the age-old craft of batik with a twist—use glue instead of wax!
Learn more: Batik Tote Bags
6. Learn to Weave
How many of us spent entire summers weaving things for our mom and dad (potholders, anyone)? This craft teaches kids the basics, from how to make a simple loom to how to create designs.
Learn more: Weaving with Kids
7. Rainbow Paper Spinner
Talk about old-fashioned fun! Create a whirligig made from colorful strips of construction paper and a small dowel, give it a few twists, and watch it fly.
Learn more: Paper Whirligig
8. Folded Paper Snake
Warning: This craft may be addicting! Once you start folding colorful pieces of construction paper together to form an interlocking garland, you may not want to stop.
Learn more: Paper Snake
9. Stained Glass Bunting
This craft requires a warm iron, so make sure a grown-up is nearby. This beautiful “stained glass” bunting is actually wax paper, cut into triangles with melted crayon shavings pressed in between.
Learn more: Stained Glass Bunting
10. Bow Tie Butterflies
No summer would be complete without a little pasta art. In this case, farfalle pasta is painted in bright hues, then glued to paper to create this whimsical scene.
Learn more: Bow Tie Butterflies
11. Starfish Garland
All you need to create this gorgeous craft is salt dough, a toothpick, and lots of patience! Best of all, it costs just pennies to create.
Learn more: Starfish Garland
12. Pet Cactus Rocks
These adorable little succulents are really just painted stones with googly eyes attached, nestled into tiny clay pots. Create your own colony- they’ll make you smile every time you see them.
Learn more: Cactus Pet Rocks
13. Layered Sand Art
Another throwback craft, layered sand art is making a comeback. This version uses food coloring or liquid watercolors to color the sand. Then, different colors are poured in layers into a clear glass bottle, creating a dreamy wave-like effect.
Learn more: Sand Art
14. Dried Bean Mosaics
Beans, beans the magical fruit … who knew they could make such pretty designs? All it takes is a few inexpensive varieties of dried beans, a little craft paint, and some glue to create these gorgeous decorations.
Learn more: Bean Mosaics
15. Bottle Cap Bugs
Little kids are buggy about bugs, and what better time than summertime for them to craft up a few of their own?
Learn more: Bottle Cap Bugs
16. Duct Tape Zipper Pouches
This ingenious craft uses ziplock bags wrapped in duct tape to create colorful pouches kids can use for pencils, hair ties, coins, and more.
Learn more: Duct Tape Zipper Pouches
17. Egg Carton Baby Turtles
These summer crafts for kids are made from recycled egg cartons, paint, construction paper, and googly eyes. The irresistible baby turtles will inspire hours of creative play.
Learn more: Baby Turtles
18. Craft Stick Flower Pots
Who knew a tin can and some colorful craft sticks would make such an adorable flower pot? Tuck a colorful plant inside and these make awesome gifts for friends, family, and neighbors.
Learn more: Craft Stick Flower Pots
19. Popsicle Stick Farm Critters
Create your own version of Old McDonald Had a Farm with these adorable (and easy!) popsicle stick critters.
Learn more: Farm Critters
20. Beaded Daisy Chain Bracelets
A DIY beaded daisy chain bracelet with seed beads is so easy and fun to make. The tutorial in the link below will walk you through each step!
Learn more: Daisy Chain Bracelets
21. Watermelon Plant Pots
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Learn more: Watermelon Pots
22. Felt Flowers
Bring out the colorful squares of felt and buttons and craft up a pretty bouquet of these happy flowers.
Learn more: Easy DIY Felt Flowers
23. Recycled Egg Carton Toadstools
How sweet are these funny little toadstools? Hard to believe they started life as an ordinary egg carton.
Learn more: Toadstools
24. Paper Bag Kite
Perfect for a blustery summer day, these colorful kites are easy (and inexpensive) to make.
Learn more: Paper Bag Kite
25. Glitter Star Mobile
This adorable DIY mobile will bring the sweetest dreams to any kid.
Learn more: Glitter Star Mobile
26. Torn Paper Ocean Scene
Torn paper ripped into strips and formed into shapes work together to create this bright ocean scene.
Learn more: Sailboat Craft
27. Beehive Pinata
This craft will have your kids buzzing with excitement! And as a bonus, you can fill it with candy for the next birthday party.
Learn more: Beehive Pinata
28. Painted Metal Washer Wind Chime
Paint washers of different sizes then string them with beads from a piece of driftwood. Then sit back and listen to the melody it makes all summer.
Learn more: Wind Chime
29. Wiggly Jellyfish
This adorable rainbow jellyfish craft is full of vibrant colors and easy to make. Pipe cleaners, googly eyes, and Styrofoam balls are all you need.
Learn more: Rainbow Jellyfish
30. Nature Dioramas
Go on a nature walk and gather natural items like pine cones, leaves, pieces of wood, etc.. Then add your own creative touch with paint and accessories to create a beautiful diorama.
Learn more: Nature Diorama
31. Kandinsky Art Study
Kandinsky loved music and color and believed colors could express feelings the same way music could. Try your hand at imitating his style.
Learn more: Kandinsky Art Study
32. Black Glue Mandalas
Watercolor paint and glue mixed with black acrylic paint combine to create these mesmerizing mandalas.
Learn more: Mandalas
33. Baby Bird Nests
How sweet are these little chirpers? Create your own flock of baby birds using simple materials.
Learn more: Bird Nests
34. Shell Salt Dough Necklaces
Preserve your seaside memories by pressing shells into homemade salt dough. Attach a leather cord and wear it all summer. You can also use pebbles or marble jewels.
Learn more: Shell Pendants
35. Wire Sculptures
One of the most fun ways to create abstract art. Simply twist and form metal wire strung with colorful beads to create your own work of art.
Learn more: Wire Sculptures
36. Cardboard Kaleidoscopes
Inspired by artist Olafur Eliasson, this fun craft is made from recyclable cardboard materials that are easily sourced.
Learn more: Cardboard Kaleidoscopes
37. Twig Boat
This simple craft is sure to bring hours of fun for your kids this summer. Make a fleet and set sail!
Learn more: Twig boat
38. Watermelon Suncatcher
Capture the sun streaming through your windows with these delightful tissue-paper watermelon slices.
Learn more: Watermelon Suncatcher
39. Pressed Flower Art
Use real flowers to create the imprint for these ink-traced beauties.
Learn more: Pressed Flower Art
40. DIY Sock Worms
You don’t even need to know how to sew to create these darling little companions.
Learn more: DIY Sock Worms
41. Craft Stick Octopus
Who knew craft sticks, pony beads and googly eyes could create something this adorable? Attach a magnet to the back and display them on your fridge.
Learn more: Craft Stick Octopus
42. Coastal Drink Coasters
Discs of wood cut from a log are decorated with swirly waves of ocean-hued paint to create these striking drink coasters.
Learn more: Coastal Coasters
43. Milk Carton Bird Houses
Recycled milk cartons can be beautifully repurposed as bird houses. Hang a whole neighborhood in your tree and enjoy the birdwatching.
Learn more: DIY Bird Houses
44. Pom Pom Macrame Plant Hanger
One step beyond your basic macrame plant hanger- this one is adorned with colorful pom pom balls.
Learn more: DIY Macrame Hanger
45. Duck Tape Tent
What a charming little getaway to indulge a little summer reading or daydreaming.
Learn more: Duck Tape Tent
46. God’s Eyes
An oldie but a goodie- God’s Eyes are the ultimate summer camp craft. All you need is two popsicle sticks and lots of yarn.
Learn more: God’s Eye Craft
47. Recycled Plastic Bottle Art
Upscale those used plastic bottles into something beautiful! Step by step tutorial in the link below.
Learn more: Recycled Plastic Bottle Art
48. Button Caterpillar
Caution: Making these sweet little caterpillars may be addicting!
Learn more: Button Caterpillar
49. Agamographs
An agamograph is a sheet of paper folded accordion style with two different pictures colored on it. Don’t worry- they’re not as complicated as they look. Learn how in the link below.
Learn more: Colorful Agamographs
50. Paper Bag Mermaid
These funny little mermaids would be the perfect props for a summer puppet theater production of the Little Mermaid.
Learn more: Paper Bag Mermaid
51. Bejeweled Stepping Stones
Add some dazzle to your garden with these bejeweled stepping stones. Use sea glass, jewels, crystal shards, buttons, or seashells. To personalize it further, have your little one press their handprint in the middle.
Learn more: Stepping Stones
52. Fruit Fans
Keep cool this summer with these super cute DIY fans made from craft sticks, colored paper and brads.
Learn more: Fruit Fans
53. Coffee Filter Ballerinas
How gorgeous are these summer crafts for kids? All you need are coffee filters, pipe cleaners, tiny elastics, and markers to make these beautiful ballerinas.
Learn more: Coffee Filter Ballerinas
54. Office Supply Jewelry
Let your kids’ imaginations run wild using the simplest of materials- office supplies. Try a paper clip necklace or a rubber band bracelet and more!
Learn more: Office Supply Jewelry
55. Paper Plate Seahorse
Made from paper plates and paint, these colorful seahorses will brighten up your summer. Check out the easy-to-follow video in the link below.
Learn more: Paper Plate Seahorse