These are some of the best summer craft ideas for kids and most can be made with basic craft supplies and household items you already have on hand.
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Summer is the perfect time for kids to get messy, have fun, and explore their creativity. I’ve rounded up the best colorful summer craft ideas for kids of all ages.
Most of these can be done with basic arts and craft supplies, plus some everyday household items you probably already have at home.
Summer craft ideas
Homemade Playdough | Easy Budget Recipes
Playdough is a kids activity staple and its surprisingly easy to make your own. This playdough recipe calls for a few pantry ingredients and you can easily make a whole rainbow of colors using different food coloring combos.
Repurposed Wind Chime | Ideas for the Home
This simple wind chime is made from recycled materials and old keys. Check your junk drawer to see how many odd keys you have that no longer go to anything.
Garden Rock Caterpillar | Nellie Bellie
Rock painting is an easy summer craft that’s fun for all ages. You can even make it a day project by going on a walk to look for the perfect rocks. This garden rock caterpillar is super cute and would be a colorful addition to your flowerbed decor.
Wooden Whistle | Growing Family
This woodcarving craft requires a bit more adult supervision than most on my list, but making a wooden whistle is a great beginner project for kids.
CD Suncatcher | Mess for Less
If you’ve got a bunch of old CDs, this suncatcher craft is a great way to upcycle them into something new. Discs are already nice and shiny, and they can be decorated with plastic gems, beads, or other embellishments.
Paracord Bracelets | Happiness is Homemade
Paracord is a durable yet lightweight rope that can be handy for camping and other survivalist activities. It comes in tons of colors and a paracord bracelet is a great kids craft.
Coffee Filter Butterfly | Honey and Lime
Coffee filter butterflies are almost two crafts in one. First, the kids can break out the watercolors and paint each filter in a unique design. Then, they can put together a whole kaleidoscope of butterflies to display.
Washi Tape Summer Art | The Idea Room
If you’ve got a stash of washi tape and don’t know what to do with it, this washi tape summer art project is perfect. It’s super easy for kids and works with any colors and prints that you have on hand.
Colorful Button Birdhouse | Mod Podge Rocks
These button birdhouses are so cute and cheerful looking! This would be a fun summer playdate activity. And this is a craft that adults would enjoy doing too.
Straw Weaving | Suzy’s Sitcom
Weaving is a great old-fashioned craft and doesn’t require a loom or other fancy tools to get started. Teach the kids how to do straw weaving to make bracelets, headbands, bookmarks, and more.
Dip Dyed Wall Art | DIY Candy
This dip-dye technique is similar to tie-dying but less messy. Experiment with different colors and patterns to create a colorful collage of artwork. Frame a few or make a whole gallery of dip-dyed wall art.
Hair Scrunchie | Crafts by Amanda
Making a scrunchie is a great beginner sewing project for kids. Plus, this is something the kids will enjoy all summer to keep hair up out of the way when it’s hot outside.
Rainbow Friendship Bracelets | One Mama’s Daily Drama
Friendship bracelets are a fun group activity for a playdate or party. All you need for this tutorial is some thread but you can also add beads, buttons, or charms to dress them up.
Craft Stick Flower Pots | Typically Simple
Make a few craft stick flower pots, and then plant a few seeds to start a windowsill garden. Herbs are easy to grow indoors or you could start bigger plants to transplant outdoors later in the summer.
Popsicle Stick Picture Frame | Sustain My Craft Habit
These painted craft sticks make a unique way to display photos of summer activities. Using paint in “families” really turns these popsicle stick picture frames into a statement piece, whether you display them on the fridge or the wall.
Ocean in a Bottle | Happy Hooligans
This fun kids craft idea doubles as a science experiment too. Make an ocean in a bottle with a few household supplies. The result is mesmerizing and fun to watch.
Paper Tube Kaleidoscope | The Crafting Chicks
Make your own kaleidoscope using mostly recycled materials. There are two ways to make these and both look awesome.
Homemade Sidewalk Chalk | My Frugal Adventures
Making your own homemade sidewalk chalk is easy with this simple recipe. Whip up a batch in a rainbow of colors, then head outside for hours of fun drawing and playing on the sidewalk or driveway.
Bird Feeders | Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom
Make a simple homemade bird feeder and hang it near a window. Kids will love watching for visitors and identifying the birds can even be an added activity.
Bubble Wands | Red Ted Art
What’s summertime without sitting outdoors and blowing bubbles to watch them float in the breeze? Kids will love making these simple bubble wands with pipe cleaner and beads.
Check out some other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:
- How to Make Recycled Crayons
- 30 Kids Craft Supplies to Stock Up on For Summer
- Our Favorite Summer Activity Books for Kids
If you like this kids’ activity, you’ll love Backyard Summer Camp! It’s your go-to resource for planning and organizing fun kids’ activities with tons of simple crafts, play ideas, and fun learning resources for kids of all ages. Get the Family Summer Staycation Planner and have the best summer ever in your own backyard!
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