Wondering what to do now that the heat of summer has arrived? After going on a vacation and planning lots of fun summer activites, sometimes, we just run out of other awesome things to do on those regular days with kiddos running around. Fortunately, some of our favorite DIY bloggers have shared their best summer crafts for kids, and we compiled a cool list to share with you. From awesome outdoor fun to things you can make on a rainy (or hot) afternoon indoors, we have something super for everyone. Kids, moms and dads alike will love these summer DIY ideas. Enjoy!
Kids Summer Crafts
1. Bottle Cap Bugs
Seriously, how cute are these? Here’s the perfect summer craft for you and your kids. Make Bottle Cap Bugs from recyclable materials such as bottle caps. They are great for kids of all ages since they can go simple or intricate as they can. Fight off the summer boredom with this simple and quick craft idea from This Grandma Is Fun.
2. Rainbow Paper Plate Tambourine
Try this quick arts and crafts activity that will produce a homemade paper plate tambourine! It’s easy to make with supplies you probably already have on hand so you might want to give this a try. Get your kid to love singing and dancing with this fun and colorful paper plate rainbow tambourine. Homemade instruments are such fun and a fantastic way to inspire musical creativity and experimentation in your kids.
3. Popsicle Stick Tent
Whether you want to grab a group of kids together and do this craft throughout the rest of the summer or you just put it on for your kiddo when they claim afternoon boredom, this Popsicle Stick Tent craft is the perfect thing for you. Not only are they are cheap way to get creative, but they are versatile. There are so many different things you can do with them other than this craft idea.
4. DIY Birdhouses
Add a bit of character in your backyard with these DIY Birdhouses that you can make with your kids. Children can let their creativity run wild and adults will love participating, too. All you have to do is grab several empty cartons, some pretty acrylic paint, and strings/yarn and get crafty. When dry, poke a hole in the top, add a string. Fill with bird seed and hang it, easy-peasy!
5. Pool Noodle Boats
Now that summer is here, I was inspired by pool noodles at the local dollar store. There’s so many cool uses for inexpensive pool noodles. These sweet sailboats are a quick craft that are fun to race in the bath or kiddie pool. With a few basic supplies, you can make this simple craft that will make a big splash with the kids.
6. Button Snail Craft For Kids
Another craft idea that I thought was cute and that you would have the supplies for was this great Button Snail from I Heart Arts and Crafts. To create the colorful snails, all you need are some old CD’s and some buttons. If you don’t have an old CD to reuse for this craft you can use a piece of cardboard, just cut it into a circle big enough for the snails shell.
7. Fish In A Bag Slime
Does your kid love slime? Well, generally, they do! Plus it is so simple and easy to make. This is the perfect craft to do with your kid especially for hot summer afternoons or for rainy days. To keep them entertained, make your own cute slime fish in bag. Give this a shot- the kids will love it for summer vacation.
8. Giant Paper Pinwheels
Summer wouldn’t be summer without colorful pinwheels spinning in the breeze. Learn to make this DIY giant paper pinwheel, perfect for summer days crafting with the kids. Not only will they have fun, you can actually use this as an accessory or decor for your BBQ or family gathering on a weekend.
9. Paper Plate Mouse
Here is an easy paper mouse craft with no folding necessary. I am all about quick and easy crafts and this paper craft fits the bill perfectly. You could also have the kids trace and cut out their own circles. Don’t you just love the little curly tail? Super adorable!
10. Yarn Monsters
Yarn Monsters are crazy, zany creatures that are fun to make and fun to play with. Teach your kids how to make their own monster friend with this cool tutorial from Zingzing Tree. It looks similar to making a pom pom but I just love the way this craft turned out. They are absolutely brilliant and I am just loving the googly eyes on them.
11. Tissue Paper Mason Jars
Do you love diy ideas kids summer? This tissue paper mason jars idea is exactly the kind of thing I go looking for. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the paper mason jars. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. We’ve got the complete tutorial for you right at the link.
12. Firefly Suncatcher
I am a big fan of fun crafts, and this firefly suncatcher idea is one of my favorites. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. You can grab the whole recipe from Iheartartsncrafts at the link.
13. Fun DIY Kaleidoscope
This fun diy kaleidoscope idea is simple, quick, and exactly a clear how-to I keep coming back to. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Get the full recipe from Darcyandbrian to see every step.
14. Paper Plate Sunflower Craft
Why not try an easy tutorial the easy way? This paper plate sunflower craft idea makes it simple. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Head over to Theresourcefulmama for the complete recipe.
15. Marshmallow Shooters
Marshmallow Shooters – yes please. This one delivers on handmade goods without any fuss. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Check out Coffeecupsandcrayons’s full tutorial for all the details.
16. Handprint Fish Puppets
This is home decor, and I never get tired of it. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the handprint fish puppets. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Blitsy has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
17. Bubble Wrap And Paper Plate Jellyfish
Whether it is a weeknight or a get-together, this bubble wrap and paper plate jellyfish idea fits right in if you love craft ideas. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. You can grab the whole recipe from Theresourcefulmama at the link.
18. DIY Paper Spinner
Give this diy paper spinner idea a try the next time you want DIY projects. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improvising with what I had on hand, and it stuck. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Get the full recipe from Makeandtakes to see every step.
20. Trolls Poppy Popsicle Stick Craft
My family always asks for step by step instructions like this, and this trolls poppy popsicle stick craft idea is one we keep making. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Check out Craftcreatecook’s full tutorial for all the details.
21. Ocean Animal Coffee Filter Suncatchers
Ever crave a fun DIY? This ocean animal coffee filter suncatchers idea is the one I keep going back to. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Alittlepinchofperfect has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
22. Squirt Gun Painting
I have always loved fun crafts, and this squirt gun painting idea is a great example why. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. You can grab the whole recipe from Firefliesandmudpies at the link.
23. Folded Paper Bracelets
This folded paper bracelets idea is quick, easy, and a real win for a clear how-to. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Get the full recipe from Picklebums to see every step.
24. Paper Roll Fire Breathing Dragon
Why make it complicated? This paper roll fire breathing dragon idea keeps an easy tutorial simple. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the fire breathing dragon. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Head over to Onelittleproject for the complete recipe.
26. DIY Sidewalk Foam Paint
Here is a fun DIY, and I keep coming back to it year after year. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improvising with what I had on hand, and it stuck. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Thetiptoefairy has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
29. Mini Mason Jar Aquariums
Alittleclaireification really knows an easy tutorial, and this mini mason jar aquariums idea shows it. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Head over to Alittleclaireification for the complete recipe.
30. Craft Stick Harmonica
Around here, this craft stick harmonica idea disappears fast whenever I make handmade goods. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Check out Frugalfun4boys’s full tutorial for all the details.
31. Easy DIY Kid’s Binoculars
Looking for a fun DIY that actually works? This easy diy kid’s binoculars idea is it. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Sweetcsdesigns has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
33. DIY Dream Catchers
This diy dream catchers idea is fuss free and delivers on a clear how-to. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Get the full recipe from Artbarblog to see every step.
34. Easy Egg Carton Ladybugs
No need to overthink a fun DIY – this easy egg carton ladybugs idea is refreshingly simple. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improvising with what I had on hand, and it stuck. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Head over to Onelittleproject for the complete recipe.
35. Easy Tile Art for Kids
Easy Tile Art for Kids, and it is a good one. Just fun crafts, no fuss. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the tile art kids. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Check out Naturalbeachliving’s full tutorial for all the details.
36. Shimmering Fairy Wand
I do not think I will ever get tired of a clear how-to like this. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Whereimaginationgrows has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
37. Altoid Tin Reuse Buggles
Weeknight, weekend, or a crowd – this altoid tin reuse buggles idea covers a fun DIY either way. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. You can grab the whole recipe from Makinglifeblissful at the link.
