*Note: some links may contain affiliate links (meaning if you end up purchasing something when you click on the link then I may get a commission on it, with no extra cost to you, of course). For more information on what this means, visit my disclosure page.
42 Easy Summer Crafts for Kids
Summer and boredom can sometimes go hand in hand for kids. Whether they are still little and making huge messes everywhere they go, and you just want something that will entertain them for 5 or 10 minutes so you can get something done during the day. Or, you have school age children who are used to being busy most of the day; it can sometimes be a challenge to find things for them to do. And, that is where these easy summer crafts for kids come in!
Whether it’s too hot to go outside, or maybe raining, and you need some activities for your kids to do inside; make sure you check out the simple crafts below.
Most of the crafts should be able to be done by school age kids without much help. Little ones, such as toddlers and preschoolers, may need a bit of assistance. But, it’s time where they are learning how to do things by themselves, sitting down at a table (or floor), and not making the rest of your home look like a tornado went through it.
So, go ahead and check out the crafts below and don’t forget to head to the dollar store (or Amazon) to grab your craft supplies!
Don’t forget to grab this list of Outdoor Activities for Kids this summer, as well!
(The activities link to the posts explaining them, and you can check off the activities without printing it out!!)
Related Posts:
34+ Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids | Parenting
14+ Quiet Time Toddler Activities
How to use the Lunch Box Meal Prep Method…and save your sanity this summer!
Want to Remember This? Pin 42 Easy Summer Crafts for Kids to your favorite Pinterest Board!!
There are SO many different types of crafts that you and your child(ren) can do over the summer, or for the summer, that I actually broke them down into different sections!
So, below you will find:
- Paper Crafts
- Paper Plate Crafts
- Bubble Crafts
- Beaded Crafts
- Easy Jewelry Crafts
- Flags and Pinwheel Crafts
- Outdoor Crafts
- and Unique Summer Crafts!
There are plenty more craft ideas out there, though. So, make sure you subscribe to be the first to know when more posts featuring easy and fun summer crafts for kids come out! (Such as beach and bug themed crafts!!)
Paper Crafts
Paper crafts are great for little ones, and you!
There’s a good chance you already have the materials you would need for these crafts, or buying them won’t hurt your wallet.
Some materials you might need for these paper crafts would be:
But, be sure to check out the full tutorials for the crafts you plan on doing with your child, to make sure you get everything you need!
Fun Summer Craft For kids- Paper Plate Sun Marionette
DIY Paper Flowers
How to Make a Pocket Folding Fan
Easy Magazine Flowers
Tissue Paper Cherry Blossoms
Sailboat Craft
Paper Plate Crafts
Paper plate crafts are great for little ones, as well! Just grab a stack of paper plates, some paint, and a few other materials you may have laying around the house; and you have the makings of an adorable craft (along with no whining, crying, or ‘I’m bored’ for a little while!).
Ladybug Paper Plate Craft
Bumble Bee Paper Plate Craft
SUMMER SUN PAPER PLATE CRAFT PUPPET
PAPER PLATE FISH CRAFT
EASY PAPER PLATE PINEAPPLE CRAFT FOR KIDS
Sunflower Craft – Growing Sunflower Paper Plate Craft for Kids
“You Are My Sunshine” Paper Plate Craft
PAPER PLATE OCEAN CRAFT FOR KIDS
Simple Painted Fish
Paper Plate Flamingo
Bubble Crafts
Almost all kids love bubbles! So, the crafts below are sure to be a win for both you and them. I’d recommend doing all three crafts, they go together quite nicely! The first one you make the wand to blow bubbles, the last one is an actual bubble recipe, and the middle one is kind of messy and may need to be taken outside if it’s nice out.
Bubble Wand Making Station
Bubble Painting – Fun Summer Activity
EASY HOMEMADE BUBBLES SOLUTION
Beaded Crafts
Once your child is past the point of wanting to stick everything in their mouths; these crafts would be great! They help your child use their fine motor skills, along with hand eye coordination. I can’t guarantee you won’t get asked to help.
Make sure you have plenty of beads around for these projects!
DIY WIND CHIMES
Friendship Wands: Kids Bead Craft
Beaded Windchime Craft
Easy Jewelry Crafts
These jewelry crafts may be more suited for girls than boys, but who knows!
A few things you may want to have around for these crafts may surprise you, like popsicle sticks! Apparently you can make bracelets out of them, be sure to find out how! Other crafts are just plain cute or ones you may remember from when you were a kid, like friendship bracelets!
Patriotic Popsicle Stick Bracelet Craft for Kids
DIY Pixie Dust Necklace
Simple DIY Friendship Bracelets
Bead & Button Pipe Cleaner Bracelets
How To Make Fun Paint Poured Popsicle Stick Bracelets
Flags and Pinwheel Crafts
If you live in a windy area, then you’ll want to make the crafts below with your kids!
Kids Crafts: Making Flags with Kids
Patriotic Pinwheels Craft for Kids
Outdoor Crafts
Most of the crafts on this page can be done indoors, say on a rainy days when your kids are complaining they are bored. But, the ones below are meant to be used outdoors when the whether is nice. You can still do the prep work indoors, just not the rest.
Summer Sidewalk Chalk Paint
Sponge Soaker Balls
Cool Summer Art Made Easy with Frozen Paint
Unique Summer Crafts!
There are so many different types of crafts below, I couldn’t categorize them into smaller sections! They are truly unique and would be great for play dates, to show how awesome of a play date host you are, not that you need to coordinate crafts for play dates.
The first craft from below that I’d do with my daughters would be the popsicle stick coasters. They look so nice, cute, and great for summer. (I’d use the same colors, too!)
Which craft stands out to you the most?
DIY SUMMER DOORMAT
Wind Spirals Water Bottle Outdoor Craft
Popsicle Stick Craft: The Cutest DIY Coaster
How to Make Melted Crayon Rocks
EASY WINDOW CLINGS KID’S CRAFT
MAKE A WIND CATCHER
Mason Jar Crafts: Fruit Themed Jars
Coasters
Easy Rainbow Ribbon Toy Tutorial
Loose Parts Nature Art for Kids
So many Easy Summer Crafts to Choose From
I’ve barely touched the surface of all of the fun and easy crafts out there on the internet for summer!
But, with the 42 ideas above, that’s at least a month and a half of fun summer crafts. Combine those with the 34 outdoor summer activities in this post; and you’ll have something for your kids to do almost everyday in the summer, without even leaving home!
Which easy summer crafts for kids will you and your kids do first? I’d love to know, leave a comment below!
Don’t forget to grab this list of Outdoor Activities for Kids this summer, as well!