Must-Try Easy Summer Crafts for Kids at Home

Summer is a time for kids to enjoy the sun, have fun, and get creative. And what better way to do that than with some easy DIY summer crafts? Whether you’re looking for a fun activity to do at home or a way to just keep the kids entertained, these crafts are sure to be a hit.

If you add Better Life Maids as a part of your summer routine you’ll save an average of 7 hours a week. That extra time can be used to spend more time with family and friends. Try some of these fun craft ideas to spend more time with a little one in your life.

Crafting is not only a great way to pass the time, but it also allows kids to express their creativity and develop their artistic and fine motor skills. From painting and cutting to gluing and decorating, these crafts provide endless opportunities for kids to explore their imaginations and create something unique.

One of the best things about summer crafts is that they can be done with materials you likely already have at home or can easily find at a craft store. From paper plates and popsicle sticks to salt dough and tissue paper, the possibilities are endless. And the best part? Many of these crafts can be done with minimal supervision, allowing kids to work independently and take pride in their creations.

So whether you’re looking for a fun way to spend a rainy day, a creative project to do on a lazy summer afternoon, or a unique gift idea for a loved one, these easy summer crafts for kids are a must-try. Get ready to have some fun in the sun with these creative and engaging activities!

1. DIY Watercolor Bookmarks

Are you looking for a fun and creative way to encourage your child’s love for reading? DIY watercolor bookmarks are the perfect summer craft! Here’s how you can make them:

• Gather your supplies, including cardstock paper, watercolors, paintbrushes, and a hole punch.
• Cut the cardstock paper into bookmark-sized strips.
• Let your child unleash their creativity by painting the bookmarks with liquid watercolors in fun colors.
• Once the bookmarks are dry, punch a hole in the top and add a ribbon or twine for extra flair.

Not only are these bookmarks a great way to keep your child’s place in their favorite book, but they also make fantastic gifts for friends and family. Get ready to see your child’s love for reading soar with these fun and easy DIY watercolor bookmarks!

2. Homemade Playdough Creations

Another fun and easy summer craft for kids is making homemade playdough creations. Here’s how you can do it:

• Mix together 2 C flour, 3/4 C salt, 2 C water, 4 tsp Cream of tartar, and 2 tbsp oil to create a salt dough.
• Cook dough in a heat safe pot until thickened.
• Divide the dough into smaller portions and add different colors using food coloring or liquid watercolors.
• Let your child’s imagination run wild as they shape and mold the playdough into their desired creations.
• Once the creations are complete, let them air dry to harden or store dough in an airtight container.

Not only is making homemade playdough a fun craft activity, but it also provides sensory play and helps develop fine motor skills. Plus, your child will have a blast playing with their homemade creations for hours on end!

3. Ice Cream Stick Photo Frames

Looking for a fun and creative way to display your favorite summer memories? Ice cream stick photo frames are the perfect solution! Here’s how you can make them:

• Gather your supplies, including popsicle sticks, craft glue, googly eyes, and mod podge, paint, and other decorative additions.
• Arrange the popsicle sticks in the shape of a frame and glue them together.
• Decorate the frame with googly eyes, paint, or other embellishments to give it a personal touch.
• Once the frame is dry, add your favorite summer photo and seal it with mod podge to protect it.

These ice cream stick photo frames not only make great keepsakes for your own memories but also make wonderful gifts for friends and family. Get ready to showcase your summer adventures in style with these adorable DIY frames!

4. Ocean-Inspired Mason Jar Aquariums

Bring the beauty of the ocean into your home with these ocean-inspired mason jar aquariums. Here’s how you can make them:

• Fill a clean mason jar with water and add a few drops of blue food coloring to create the look of ocean water.
• Add small sea shells, plastic fish, and other ocean-inspired decorations to the jar.
• Seal the jar tightly and shake it gently to create a mesmerizing underwater effect.
• Non- ocean themes jars can also be fun. Get creative with your water color and jar additives.

These mason jar aquariums are not only a fun and creative summer activity but also make beautiful decorations for your home. Display them on a windowsill or bookshelf and let the summer vibes flow!

5. Nature Collage Suncatchers

Capture the beauty of nature with these nature collage suncatchers. Here’s how you can make them:

• Gather your supplies, including clear contact paper, tissue paper in different colors, and nature items such as leaves, flowers, and grass.
• Cut two rectangles of clear contact paper and remove the backing from one of them.
• Arrange the nature items and tissue paper on the sticky side of the contact paper, creating a colorful collage.
• Place the second rectangle of contact paper on top, sticky side down, and press firmly to seal the collage.

These nature collage suncatchers are a great way to bring the beauty of summer indoors. Hang them in a sunny window and watch as the sunlight shines through, creating a vibrant display of colors.

6. Salt Painting Art Projects

Get creative with salt painting art projects. Here’s how you can do it:

• Create a salt painting canvas by covering a piece of cardstock or watercolor paper with glue.
• Sprinkle salt all over the glued surface, making sure to cover it completely.
• Prepare a mixture of water and food coloring in different colors.
• Use a paintbrush to drop the colored water onto the salt, watching as it spreads and creates beautiful patterns.

Salt painting is a fun and unique art project that allows kids to explore their creativity and experiment with different colors and patterns. The end result is a stunning masterpiece that they can proudly display or give as a gift.

7. Custom Handprint T-Shirts

Create adorable custom handprint t-shirts to commemorate your summer adventures. Here’s how you can do it:

• Start with a plain t-shirt in a color of your choice and some fabric paints
• Dip your child’s hand in fabric paint and make a handprint on the front or back of the t-shirt.
• Let the handprint dry completely before adding any additional designs or embellishments with fabric paint or markers.

These custom handprint t-shirts are a fun and personalized way to remember your summer experiences. Wear them to summer camp or on family outings to show off your creativity and unique style.

8. Recycled Bottle Cap Magnets

Turn recycled bottle caps into cute and functional magnets. Here’s how you can do it:

• Gather bottle caps and clean them thoroughly.
• Decorate the caps however you see fit. Add colors and textures or replicate animals and insects!
• Use craft glue or mod podge to adhere the paper or fabric to the inside of the bottle caps.
• Attach magnet strips to the back of the bottle caps using craft glue.

These recycled bottle cap magnets are a great way to repurpose materials and create something useful. Use them to display artwork or important reminders on your fridge or magnetic board.

9. Hand Painted Doormat

Create a beautiful custom doormat that symbolizes you and your family, here’s how you can do it:

• Get a blank doormat, some paint brushes, outdoor acrylic paint, and stencils if desired.
• Go to town! Paint the doormat with whatever you would like! fun images, phrases, family names, handprints, anything goes!

These fun doormats will bring your smiles all summer long. Since doormats eventually wear out it can be fun to paint one every summer to start the season off right

10. Garden Rock Caterpillars

Add a touch of whimsy to your garden with these garden rock caterpillars. Here’s how you can make them:

• Gather smooth rocks of various sizes and clean them thoroughly.
• Use acrylic paint to paint the rocks in bright colors or patterns.
• Attach googly eyes and draw on a mouth with a marker to give the caterpillar a face.
• Arrange the rocks in a line to create your very own rock caterpillar.

These garden rock caterpillars are a fun and colorful addition to any outdoor space. They add a touch of summer charm and can withstand the elements, making them a perfect summer craft.

11. Fairy Garden Terrariums

Create a miniature world of magic and imagination with fairy garden terrariums. Here’s how you can do it:

• Find a clear glass container, such as a mason jar or fishbowl.
• Fill the bottom of the container with potting soil sand and or terrarium gravel.
• Add miniature plants, fairy figurines, and other decorations to create your own magical world.
• Use small rocks or pebbles to create pathways or a water feature.

Fairy garden terrariums are a great way to encourage pretend play and spark your child’s imagination. They make beautiful decorations for your home or can be given as a unique gift.

12. DIY Kite Making

Take advantage of a summer breeze and make your own kite! Here’s how you can do it:

• Gather your supplies, including dowel rods, string, duct tape, and a plastic bag or lightweight fabric.
• Create a frame for your kite by attaching the dowel rods in a cross shape and securing them with duct tape.
• Attach the plastic bag or fabric to the frame, making sure it is taut and secure.
• Attach the string to the top of the kite and let it out as you fly your homemade creation.

Kite making is a fun and classic summer activity that kids of all ages can enjoy. Soar to new heights and enjoy the thrill of flying your very own DIY kite!

13. Simple Sewing Projects for Kids

Introduce your child to the art of sewing with simple sewing projects. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Create a fabric bookmark by sewing together two small pieces of fabric and adding decorative trim.
• Make a stuffed animal by sewing together fabric scraps and stuffing them with cotton or fiberfill.
• Sew a simple drawstring bag using fabric and a needle and thread.
• Create a patchwork pillow by sewing together fabric squares in a fun pattern.

Simple sewing projects not only teach kids a valuable skill but also help develop their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Learning to patch holes or sew on buttons can be great for more advanced kids too! Start with easy projects and gradually introduce more complex ones as your child’s skills improve.

14. Easy Beaded Wind Chimes

Bring the sound of summer to your outdoor space with easy beaded wind chimes. Here’s how you can make them:

• Gather colorful beads and thin wire. Large beads charms and stones are great.
• String the beads onto the wire, creating a beautiful and unique design.
• Attach the wire to a larger hoop or ring to create the base of the wind chime.
• Hang the wind chime in a breezy spot and enjoy the soothing sound of the beads clinking together.

Beaded wind chimes are a creative and fun way to add a touch of whimsy to your outdoor space. Get ready to relax and enjoy the gentle sound of summer with these easy DIY wind chimes!

15. Colorful Yarn Wrapped Letters

Add a pop of color to your room with colorful yarn wrapped letters. Here’s how you can make them:

• Gather cardboard letters, colorful yarn, and craft glue.
• Start by securing the end of the yarn to the back of the letter with glue.
• Wrap the yarn around the letter, making sure to cover it completely.
• Secure the end of the yarn with glue and trim any excess.
• Decoupaging letters is a fun alternative!

Colorful yarn wrapped letters are a fun and easy way to personalize your room decor. Spell out your name or create a meaningful word to display on your wall.

Conclusion

Summer crafts for kids offer endless fun and creativity while keeping them engaged at home. From watercolor bookmarks to DIY kite making, these activities spark imagination and bonding time. Crafting not only enhances fine motor skills but also nurtures a child’s development. To make crafting educational, incorporate learning themes like nature or storytelling. Whether it’s a rainy day or simply family time, these crafts create lasting memories. For families seeking more quality time, consider hiring Better Life Maids. Let’s make this summer memorable with joyous crafting moments! Get a quote today to have more family free time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make summer crafts educational?

Summer crafts can be educational by incorporating learning opportunities into the activities. You can focus on specific skills such as counting, color recognition, or fine motor development. You can also choose crafts that teach about nature, science, or history. Craft sticks can be used for many educational activities, such as building structures, creating patterns, or practicing math skills.

What are some good indoor craft ideas for rainy days?

There are plenty of indoor craft ideas to keep kids entertained on rainy days. Some popular options include paper crafts such as origami or paper airplanes, coloring pages, finger painting, or using construction paper to create collages or paper sculptures.

Can these crafts help in improving my child’s fine motor skills?

Yes, many of these crafts can help improve your child’s fine motor skills. Activities such as threading beads, cutting shapes, and painting with brushes or small details require hand-eye coordination and precise hand movements, which are important for fine motor development.

Are there any eco-friendly craft materials you recommend?

Yes, there are plenty of eco-friendly craft materials available. You can use recycled materials such as cardboard, paper tubes, or plastic bottles. You can also incorporate natural elements like leaves, twigs, or shells into your crafts. Choose materials that are sustainable and can be easily sourced or recycled.

How can crafting contribute to a child’s development?

Crafting can contribute to a child’s development in many ways. It boosts creativity and imagination, enhances problem-solving skills, improves fine motor skills, and promotes self-expression. Crafting also provides opportunities for children to practice patience, follow instructions, and develop a sense of accomplishment.

What are the benefits of hiring Better Life Maids for families looking to spend more quality time together?

Better Life Maids provides professional cleaning services that can free up time for families to spend quality time together. With a clean and organized home, families can focus on bonding, creating memories, and enjoying a stress-free environment.