Simple, colorful, and low-prep craft ideas that keep kids busy on hot days, rainy afternoons, and long summer breaks.
Summer break starts with so much excitement… and about three days later you start hearing it.
“I’m bored.”
You know the one.
If you’re looking for easy summer crafts for kids that actually keep them busy, you’re in the right place.
This list is packed with 50 simple craft ideas that are fun, colorful, and easy to pull together with basic supplies you probably already have at home.
Some are perfect for toddlers, others are great for older kids, and many can be done outside so the mess stays out of your house.
Whether you need a quick boredom buster, a rainy day activity, or something fun for a playdate, these summer crafts for kids will keep little hands busy and creativity flowing all season long.
Summer Crafts Kids Get Really Excited About
These are the kinds of summer crafts kids immediately want to try — colorful, creative, and perfect for keeping little hands busy on long summer days.
1. Sidewalk Chalk Paint
Mix cornstarch, water, and food coloring to create bright chalk paint kids can brush onto the driveway.
2. Water Balloon Splash Art
Fill balloons with watered-down paint and toss them onto paper outside to create splatter art.
3. Spray Bottle Tie Dye
Fill spray bottles with colored water and let kids spray coffee filters for tie-dye patterns.
4. Painted Rock Animals
Turn smooth rocks into ladybugs, turtles, bees, or frogs.
5. Nature Sun Catchers
Press flower petals and leaves between contact paper to make window art.
6. Popsicle Stick Bird Feeders
Glue popsicle sticks into frames and fill with peanut butter and birdseed.
7. Sponge Water Bombs
Tie sponge strips together to make reusable water balloons.
8. Pom Pom Ice Cream Cones
Glue pom poms onto paper cones for pretend ice cream.
9. DIY Bubble Wands
Shape pipe cleaners into stars, hearts, or circles for bubble wands.
10. Paper Plate Sunshine Craft
Sunshine Paper Plate Craft with Visual Instructions
Paint a plate yellow and add construction paper rays.
Nature Crafts for Kids
Summer is the perfect time to turn outdoor treasures into crafts.
11. Leaf Collage Art
Leaf Art Collage Visual Picture Cards
Glue collected leaves onto paper to make nature scenes.
12. Flower Press Art
Press flowers in books and glue them onto paper.
13. Stick Picture Frames
Glue sticks together to make rustic frames.
14. Pinecone Animals
Use pinecones to create owls, hedgehogs, or squirrels.
15. Painted Seashells
Decorate shells with bright summer colors.
16. Nature Bracelets
Wrap tape sticky-side-out around wrists and collect tiny leaves and flowers.
17. Twig Stars
Tie sticks together with yarn to make star shapes.
18. Acorn Creatures
Add googly eyes to acorns to make tiny characters.
Recycled Crafts Kids Can Make
These crafts use items you probably already have at home.
19. Toilet Paper Roll Butterflies
Butterfly Toilet Paper Roll Craft Kit
Paint rolls and add colorful wings.
20. Egg Carton Caterpillars
Cut egg cartons into sections and decorate them.
21. Milk Jug Watering Can
Poke holes in the lid of a milk jug to make a watering can.
22. Cereal Box Puzzle
Draw a picture on cardboard and cut it into puzzle pieces.
23. Bottle Cap Art
Glue bottle caps onto cardboard to create patterns.
24. Plastic Spoon Flowers
Paint spoons and glue them into flower shapes.
25. Cardboard Binoculars
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Tape two toilet paper rolls together and decorate.
26. Tin Can Planters
Decorate cans and plant flowers.
Cute Summer Crafts Kids Love
These colorful ideas are especially fun for younger kids.
27. Handprint Flamingos
Use pink handprints to make flamingos.
28. Cupcake Liner Flowers
Flatten cupcake liners and glue them into flowers.
29. Popsicle Stick Popsicles
Decorate sticks to look like ice cream bars.
30. Tissue Paper Rainbows
Glue colorful tissue paper into rainbow shapes.
31. Pom Pom Caterpillars
Line up pom poms and add googly eyes.
32. Fingerprint Ice Cream Art
Use fingerprints as ice cream scoops.
33. Paper Straw Fireworks
Stamp fireworks shapes with cut paper straws.
Paper Plate Crafts for Kids
Paper plates are one of the easiest craft supplies to keep on hand.
34. Paper Plate Watermelon
vvvvvvPaint plates red and add black seed dots.
35. Paper Plate Rainbow
Paint rainbow stripes and glue cotton ball clouds.
36. Paper Plate Fish
Add colorful fins and googly eyes.
37. Paper Plate Turtle
Paint the shell and add paper legs.
38. Paper Plate Jellyfish
Attach yarn or streamer tentacles to a painted plate.
Easy Crafts for Toddlers
These simple crafts are perfect for younger kids.
39. Sponge Painting
Cut sponges into shapes and dip them in paint.
40. Sticker Collages
Let kids cover paper with colorful stickers.
41. Dot Marker Suns
Use dot markers to decorate sun drawings.
42. Q-Tip Painting
Make dotted art with Q-tips and paint.
43. Handprint Art
Summer Handprint Art Templates
Create animals or flowers using handprints.
Creative Crafts for Older Kids
These crafts give older kids a little more freedom to create.
44. Friendship Bracelets
A classic summer camp craft kids love.
45. DIY Slime
Mix glue, baking soda, and contact solution to make slime.
46. Summer Memory Jar
Decorate a jar and fill it with notes about fun summer moments.
47. DIY Dream Catchers
Use hoops, yarn, and beads.
48. Painted Canvas Art
Let kids paint their own summer masterpiece.
49. Homemade Kites
Decorate paper kites and fly them outside.
50. DIY Wind Chimes
Use sticks, beads, and string to create wind chimes.
Craft Supplies to Keep on Hand
If you want crafting to be easy all summer, keep a simple craft bin stocked with:
- construction paper
- washable paint
- glue sticks
- googly eyes
- pipe cleaners
- pom poms
- popsicle sticks
- paper plates
- markers or crayons
- stickers
Having a small craft stash ready makes it easy to say yes when kids want to create something.
Save These Summer Crafts for Kids
If you want easy activities ready when boredom strikes, save this list so you can come back to it anytime during summer break.
Whether it’s a rainy day, a hot afternoon, or a quiet morning at home, these summer crafts for kids are perfect for keeping kids busy and creative all season long.