50 Adorable Summer Crafts That Are Easy for Kids of All Ages
Prep for the inevitable rainy days with these fun and simple DIYs.
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From beach vacations to summer parties, there are so many fun memories to be made outdoors while the weather is warm and kids are off from school. However, there's bound to be at least a few rainy, lazy days indoors. What better way to spend that time than with fun, easy summer crafts for kids?
For little ones, we've included instructions for creative craft projects that call for paper plates, googly eyes and more simple materials. Older, more experienced crafters will enjoy ideas like hand-pressed flowers, DIY disco balls and seashell picture frames. Regardless of age or skill level, there are entertaining kids' activities for everyone on this list. And if you're hoping to use materials you already have at home, we've sprinkled in a few upcycling ideas as well.
DIY Tulipiere
While tulipieres (tiered vessels often used for flower arranging) are typically found in antique shops, you can DIY your own for a summer floral arrangement.
- Gather three vases of varying heights with sturdy flat bottoms.
- Fill each layer with cold water and add freshly cut flowers.
- Tulipieres often feature tulips, but feel free to add a variety of summer blooms.
DIY Floral Wreath
Spruce up a boxwood wreath with your favorite colorful flowers.
- Start with a preserved boxwood wreath base and dried flowers.
- Attach the larger flowers to the wreath with a generous amount of hot glue.
- Tuck some of the smaller ones throughout the wreath for a sweet summer flair.
Garden Suncatcher
Save up your mason jar lids for a summer craft kids will love. Take a nature walk and collect your a mix of vibrant flower petals. Once you have a few pretty buds, attach them to contact paper for a garden suncatcher and wind chime all in one!
Cheerios Play Sand
Can't take a trip to the beach? This play sand is the ultimate summer craft. Plus, all you need are Cheerios and a blender! Pour the blended Cheerios into a tray and grab a few beach toys for some sensory fun.
Paper Plate Puffer Fish
Entertain your little ones with a simple paper plate craft. Using yellow and orange paint, some toothpicks and googly eyes, your kids can DIY their own pufferfish.
Summer Terrarium
Summer is the perfect time to explore the outdoors. What better way to get kids excited about nature than to send them on a hunt for rocks, sticks and feathers? Once they're back home, add all their treasures to a bowl with some small succulents for a DIY terrarium.
Foam Buoys
Whether or not you spend your summers on a boat, these striped foam buoys will help you create a nautical vibe right at home.
Hanging Paper Fruit
There's nothing that screams summer more than fresh lemonade and fruit. Simply print out these fruit-shaped designs and hang them from the ceiling for the perfect summer party decoration.
Summer Boredom Buster Booklets
With so much time off from school, it's almost impossible to keep kids entertained for the whole summer. That's where this craft comes in handy. Summer boredom buster booklets are exactly what they sound like!
Disco Balls
Add some sparkle to your summer with DIY disco balls. Spray paint your disco ball, apply some stickers and let them shine!
Truffula Trees Painting
They don't need to be a big fan of The Lorax to appreciate this interactive craft, which involves spreading paint by blowing through a straw.
Garden Stepping Stones
Let kids create a design using pebbles, glass beads and sea glass. Add the embellishments to mortar for a custom stepping stone you can actually use for years.
Lily Wreath
Turn natural egg cartons into a cheerful summer wreath to display on the front door. While you will need sharp scissors or a craft knife, kids can help with assembly and painting!
- To create the flowers, cut the tall pointed peaks from an egg carton. Cut the base of the peak into four petal shapes.
- Paint the outside of each flower with white craft paint thinned with a little water. Once completely dry, paint the inside with a contrasting color — like pink.
- Poke a hole through each flower using a skewer. Cut a 30" piece of sturdy floral wire. Thread seven flowers on each end of the wire, using hot glue to secure each in place.
Handprint Frog
Whether or not you're spending time by the lake this summer, kids will have a blast turning their handprints into silly frogs. A painted paper plate becomes the lily pad.
Paper Bag Kite
This paper bag kite is both a fun craft and warm-weather activity. After they decorate the kite, adding streamers on one side and yarn on the other, they're ready to fly their creation.
Tissue Paper Butterfly
Inspired by the beautiful butterflies they love spotting outdoors, this tissue paper insect is fun and easy to make. Just note, you'll need bleeding tissue paper to get the look.
Paper Flowers
Kids can make these paper flowers to spruce up different parts of the house. Have them fold dyed cupcake liners in half and cut out petal and fringe shapes. Then fold a piece of floral wire in half and twist around the faux flower stamen. Poke the wire through the center of three to four paper liners. Finish it off by wrapping floral tape around the base of the liners and bringing it all the way down the stem.
Shell People
What can you do with your kids' shell collection when they get home from the beach? Turn them into fashion! Some glitter turns them into pretty skirts for craft-stick people.
Cardboard Sun
What better way to show appreciation for the summer than with a giant DIY sun?! You can make different sizes to scatter inside the house and backyard.
Craft Stick Octopus
When the weather gets hot, head under the sea! White beads stand in for the "suckers" on the octopus' craft-stick "tentacles."
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
Laura Millar (she/her) is the assistant lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC's TODAY.com, where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates.
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