18 Fun and Easy Summer Crafts for Kids

Summer vibes only.

By Elizabeth Mulvahill
May 31, 2022

Summertime is the perfect time for kids’ imaginations to run wild. That’s why we’ve compiled 18 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. Paper Plate Sunshine

Yellow paper plate with colored paper shaped like rays of the sun around the border and yarn and beads strung across the middle, as an example of summer crafts for kids

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: iHeartCraftyThings

2. Tissue Paper Flower Bracelet

A blue and yellow bracelet made from tissue paper and wooden beads, as an example of summer crafts for kids

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: Buggy and Buddy

3. Handprint Clay Jewelry Dish

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Jewelry holder made from a casting of a child's hand

More than practical, this sweet keepsake made from craft clay will commemorate a moment in time.

Learn more: Simple as That

4. Monster Change Purse

4 coins tumble from a change purse made from green felt folded in thirds, with a red button nose and googly eyes and white fangs made from felt., as an example of summer crafts for kids

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: Red Ted Art

5. Glue Batik

six small tote bags with brightly colored batik designs printed on them, as an example of summer crafts for kids

Learn the age-old craft of batik with a twist—use glue instead of wax!

Learn more: Babble Dabble Do

6. Learn to Weave

a piece of cardboard with strings strung in rows vertically and a popsicle stick with yarn tied to the end woven into the top section of the strings

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: Tate Kids

7. Rainbow Paper Spinner

a whirligig made from colorful paper strips and a stick, as an example of summer crafts for kids

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: Teach Beside Me

8. Folded Paper Garland

a colorful garland of paper squares folded together, as an example of summer crafts for kids

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: Minieco

9. Stained-Glass Bunting

colorful bunting made from wax paper cut into triangular shapes with crayon shavings pressed in between, as an example of summer crafts for kids

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: Artful Parent

10. Bow-Tie Noodle Butterflies

A colorful drawing with bow tie pasta painted bright colors and fashioned as butterflies flitting across the paper

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: Crafty Morning

11. Salt Dough Starfish 

white clay starfish strung together along a fence

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: Chickabug

12. Pet Cactus Rocks

tiny clay pots with rocks painted green to look like cactus plants and googly eyes glued on to each plant

These adorable little succulents are really just painted stones with googly eyes attached, nestled into tiny clay pots. Create your own colony that will make you smile every time you see them.

Learn more: The Best Ideas for Kids

13. Sand Art Bottles

six slim glass bottles filled with layers of colored sand inside

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: Art Bar

14. Bean Mosaics

six paper plates with bean mosaic designs glued to each one

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: The Pretty Life Girls

15. Bottle Cap Bugs

colorful bugs made from bottle caps sitting on a piece of driftwood

Little kids are buggy about bugs, and what better time than summertime for them to craft up a few of their own?

Learn more: This Grandma Is Fun! Artzy Creations

16. No-Sew Duct Tape Zipper Pouches

two zipper pouches, one with bright polka dots and one with gold and white stripes, made from duct tape

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: Happiness Is Homemade

17. Egg Carton Baby Turtles

tiny baby turtles made from one section of an egg carton painted green, with green construction paper flippers and googly eyes on its face

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: Emma Owl

18. Craft-Stick Flower Pots

flower pot made from colorful craft sticks glued around a tin can, with colorful flower planted inside, as an example of summer crafts for kids

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: Typically Simple

Plus, Inspire Your Kids’ Creativity With These 12 Online Art Resources.

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18 Fun and Easy Summer Crafts for Kids