10 Kids Summer Crafts Ideas That Are Super Cute, Totally Easy, and 100% Fun
Introduction to Summer Crafts
Summer is the perfect time to get creative and have fun with summer crafts. With the kids out of school and the weather warm, it’s an ideal opportunity to spend quality time together and make some amazing memories. Summer crafts for kids are a great way to keep them entertained and engaged during the summer months. From easy summer crafts like paper plate crafts to more complex projects like DIY sprinklers, there’s something for every age and skill level. In this article, we’ll explore some of the cutest summer crafts, including recycled material crafts, seasonal crafts, and crafts using simple materials like construction paper, tissue paper, and pipe cleaners.
1) DIY Tulipiere Flower Vase
Alright, let’s get crafty! We’re talking about a classic vase with a twist: a tulipiere, which is just a fancy word for a vase made to show off flowers.
All we need are three vases of different heights—nothing too wild, just whatever mismatched ones we can find in the house.
We fill each vase with cold water and pop in a bunch of fresh, colorful flowers.
It’s simple, totally doable, and brings the summer vibes home.
Need ideas for your tulip flower vase? Check out this super easy peasy summer crafts DIY tulipiere project!
2) Garden Suncatcher Craft
Ready to bring a little sparkle to our backyard? Let’s try a garden suncatcher craft!
We just need some simple materials like flower petals, clear contact paper, and old Mason jar lids. Seriously, this is so easy—no Pinterest fails here.
We can let the kids pick their favorite blooms and get a little messy.
Check out this garden suncatcher idea for inspo if you want a quick peek at our collection!
These look so cute when you hang them from a porch or window. Instant sunshine vibes!
3) Cheerios Play Sand
Okay, moms and dads, let’s be real—sometimes we just gotta embrace the mess, especially when it involves one little project with our little ones right?
That’s where one little project lik edible Cheerios play sand totally wins. All we need is a box of Cheerios and a blender, both inexpensive items and we’ve got instant sensory fun.
Kids can dig, scoop, and even taste it (because you know they will) without worry.
You can check out an easy step-by-step guide for making Cheerios play sand.
Trust us, our kitchen has never looked better covered in “sand” from a fun craft.
4) Lino Printing Art
Alright, let’s talk about lino printing! We get to roll up our sleeves, grab those rollers, and use our wildest ideas to create super cool prints in different colors.
The process is messy in the best way. We just sketch a design, carve it onto the lino block (kid-friendly blocks are a must!), roll on some paint, and press. Kids can watch their prints fly off the page with excitement.
It works for any design—rainbows, dinos, or your kiddo’s pet rock.
Check out some fun inspiration over at these lino printing craft ideas, including those for different sizes.
5) Paper Plate Animal Masks
Let’s be real—paper plate animal masks are totally a lifesaver when we need a quick craft win.
All we need are some paper plates, crayons or paint, and a little imagination.
Cut out holes for eyes, add ears, and boom—instant lion, bunny, or tiger vibes.
Kids can pick any animal, and there’s zero pressure for perfection.
If someone’s tiger has glittery spots, we’re here for it. We also love how this craft doubles as a pretend play idea later, allowing kids to wear these masks for their imaginative adventures.
For more animal mask inspiration, check out these easy paper plate animal masks.
6) Monster Change Purse
Okay, who doesn’t love a purse that looks like a little monster?
We’re talking silly eyes, wild felt hair, and zippers for goofy grins, perfect for those sunny days in the summer sun. All it takes is felt, some basic sewing, and a dash of creativity. Kids can even add glow-in-the-dark elements to make their monster purses extra special.
This is one of those crafts that lets us go a little wild and messy!
We can totally make it our own, and it’s perfect for holding coins or tiny treasures.
If you want a simple step-by-step, check out this monster purse DIY guide for inspiration.
7) Tie Dye T-Shirts
Let’s be real—tie dye days are wild, but totally worth it for those crazy cool results, making it the perfect summertime activity for creativity.
We can grab plain white tees, twist them up with our kids, and go crazy with colors.
The swirling pattern is always a surprise, and every shirt becomes its own one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
Cleanup might get a teeny bit messy, but that’s half the fun.
If you need an easy guide and the right materials, we like to twist from the center and use rubber bands to keep the spiral tight, just like it shows at The Artful Parent’s tie dye shirts tutorial.
8) Friendship Bracelets with Cardboard Loom
Okay, our new fav craft alert! We can whip up friendship bracelets using just some yarn and a piece of cardboard—no fancy supplies needed.
Making friendship bracelets can be a part of summer fun activities, keeping kids engaged and creative.
It’s honestly kind of magic how a simple DIY cardboard loom gets those threads all twisty and cute.
This is the perfect craft for lazy summer afternoons or a girls’ sleepover.
If we mess up? No big deal—just laugh and redo it together!
We all get new bracelets and a good giggle.
9) Painting Rocks
Okay, Rock painting is honestly the cutest craft ever and it’s perfect for any wild beach summer day, providing hours of fun. Kids can collect rocks during a nature walk for painting.
We just grab some smooth rocks from the yard (or the dollar store if we’re living that extra life) and go wild with bright paints.
We can doodle fun faces, write silly messages, or create a little garden full of painted pets.
Looking for the cutest inspo? Check out these summer rock painting ideas for all ages.
10) Pom-Pom Critters
Who knew little fluffy balls could be this cute?
We just grab some tissue paper, pompoms, googly eyes, and a bit of glue, then let the wild animal making begin!
You can make silly birds, sweet bunnies, or whatever our creative kids dream up.
Pompom critters are perfect for all ages and require almost no setup.
If you want more fun ideas, check out these adorable pompom crafts for kids.
Let’s get those hands sticky and imaginations rolling together!
Recycled Material Crafts
Recycled material crafts are a great way to get creative and reduce waste. One fun craft is to make a bird feeder using a plastic bottle, peanut butter, and birdseed. Another idea is to create a wind chime using old keys, washers, and a metal ring. You can also make a beautiful mosaic using old CDs, glass, and hot glue. These crafts are not only easy and fun but also teach kids about the importance of recycling and taking care of the environment. For example, you can use old egg cartons to make a cute ladybug craft or transform old jars into beautiful sea glass vases.
Seasonal Crafts
Seasonal crafts are a great way to celebrate the summer season. One popular craft is to make a summer-themed wreath using flowers, leaves, and other natural materials. You can also create a beautiful sun catcher using colored paper, glue, and a hoop. Another idea is to make a handmade card using construction paper, scissors, and glue. These crafts are perfect for kids of all ages and can be adapted to fit different themes and interests. For instance, you can make a cute paper bag puppet or create a beautiful garden using popsicle sticks and glue.
Craft Materials and Techniques
When it comes to summer crafts, the materials and techniques are endless. Some popular materials include paper plates, construction paper, tissue paper, pipe cleaners, and glue. You can also use natural materials like leaves, flowers, and branches to create beautiful and unique crafts. One technique is to use hot glue to attach materials like glitter, shells, and sand to create a beautiful and textured effect. Another technique is to use yarn and string to create a colorful and intricate design. For example, you can make a cute paper plate butterfly or create a beautiful flower crown using real flowers and greenery.
Why Summer Crafts Are Magic For Kids
Summer crafts give us the chance to connect through summer crafts, get creative, and maybe become inventors of future masterpieces (or just make very glittery messes).
When kids dive into arts and crafts, they’re building new skills While we get a front-row seat to their wild imaginations—and yes, sometimes to the aftermath on the kitchen table—but we could ask for a better time!
Sparking Creativity (Even If The Glitter Gets Everywhere)
You know that look kids get when they’re totally focused, which is fun to watch slapping googly eyes onto everything in sight? That’s pure creative magic.
Summer crafts let kids go wild with their ideas—turning pasta into jewelry, cardboard into castles, and paper plates into wild animal masks. The best part? There aren’t any strict rules.
Our kids can color outside the lines, invent creatures that don’t exist, and nobody is grading them. That means less pressure and more freedom, which helps boost their confidence and imagination.
Simple projects like making suncatchers or bubble painting are super easy but still make kids feel like serious artists. And all those wonky pipe cleaner creatures? We call them home decor (well, for the summer at least).
Easy Mess Management Hacks For Parents
Let’s get real: the only thing messier than summer crafts is the aftermath. But we can totally create and handle it (and save our sanity) with a little planning.
We like to set up a craft zone by throwing down an old tablecloth or shower curtain liner before the chaos starts. It’s magic for catching stray paint and glitter.
If we’re painting or doing something sticky, muffin tins make adorable containers to keep supplies separated (and hopefully out of the carpet). Baby wipes and baking soda are our secret weapons for stain patrol.
The biggest hack? Moving crafts outside whenever we can. Nature doesn’t care about glitter explosions.
Having a dedicated clean-up bucket nearby helps us swoop in like superheroes when art turns into a total mess. Teamwork, snacks, and a sense of humor get us through every time.
Making Craft Time Stress-Free And Fun
We know the idea of crafts sometimes makes us picture glue in hair and glitter everywhere. But with a little setup and some teamwork, we can actually keep it pretty chill (and still super fun).
Setting Up The Ultimate Crafting Space
Let’s talk crafting zones. We’ve learned that picking one spot—like the kitchen table or even a big blanket on the floor—makes cleanup a breeze.
Keeping a little basket or box just for craft supplies saves time and tantrums later. We throw in glue sticks, scissors, crayons, colored paper, and, yes, a pack of wipes for sticky fingers.
Having an easy-to-reach trash bin nearby means scraps get tossed, not dropped. If we’re worried about stains or mess, an old tablecloth or a plastic shower curtain under everything has our back.
For extra sanity points, we try using trays or muffin tins to sort beads, buttons, and sequins. This way, we aren’t finding runaway craft bits under the couch for weeks.
If we want to cut down on sibling squabbles, we lay out everyone’s supplies ahead of time. A little music helps, too—it makes everything feel more chill and can inspire using pipe cleaners in our crafts .
We can even let the kids pick a playlist for bonus smiles.
Getting Siblings And Friends In On The Fun
If we’ve got more than one kid or some friends over, crafts are an awesome way to get everyone working together. To keep drama down, we stick with crafts that aren’t too competitive or complicated for all ages , like making paper plate animals or designing straw rockets, as seen in these creative summer craft ideas.
We set basic ground rules up front—like “it’s okay if things look different.” Everyone gets a turn with the googly eyes, even if someone’s dying to use them all. When one kid finishes early, we usually ask them to help a brother or friend. It’s a sneaky way to build up those team skills, honestly.
Sometimes, we turn crafting time into a little party. We add snacks, let the kids show off their masterpieces, or take goofy group photos.
We celebrate the effort, not just the end result. Everyone’s project is a win and can brighten our day —no matter how much glitter ends up on the dog.
