21 Fun Summer Crafts for Kids to Keep Them Busy and Happy

ByEditorial Staff Updated
Summer Crafts for Kids - Guyo's Guide

I’ve had summers where the phrase “I’m bored!” echoed through the house more times than I could count. Trust me, I get the struggle.

I used to think keeping kids busy during summer meant spending a ton of money on camps or outings every week.

There was a time when my kitchen table was covered in glitter, glue, and googly eyes… and honestly, I had no plan.

Yes, I’ve been the mom googling “last-minute crafts” while handing out popsicles just to buy time.

But after lots of trial and error (and a few glue mishaps), I’ve found some fun, easy summer crafts that kids actually love—and that won’t make you lose your mind.

These summer craft ideas aren’t just cute—they’ll keep little hands busy and spark creativity all season long.

So let’s dive into some simple, smile-worthy projects your kids will love:

1. Seashell Critters

A homemade craft for kids featuring various seashell critters arranged on a sandy surface. Each shell has been painted in bright, cheerful colors like turquoise, coral pink, sunny yellow, and lavender. The creatures include a painted blue crab with pipe cleaner legs, a glittery snail with googly eyes, and a clam shell transformed into a smiling fish with paper fins. The shells vary in size and texture, creating visual interest. Some shells are decorated with sequins, beads, and mini pom-poms.

You know those pockets full of shells after a beach day? Don’t toss them! 

Grab some googly eyes, glue, and paint, and turn them into silly sea creatures. 

My kids once made a unicorn crab—totally unscientific, but adorable. 

Great for rainy days when you’re missing the ocean.

2. Pool Noodle Boats

A photo of a simple homemade craft for kids, featuring DIY pool noodle boats floating in a kiddie pool. The boats are made from colorful pool noodles, each fitted with a popsicle stick mast and a triangle paper sail in patterns like polka dots, stripes, and stars. Some sails are personalized with names or doodles. The boats gently bob in the water, and splashes around them hint at recent play. The vivid blues and greens of the pool contrast beautifully with the bright foam boats.

Snip a pool noodle into slices, pop in a sail made of paper and a straw, and you’ve got a floating fleet. 

We’ve had backyard boat races in the kiddie pool! 

Bonus: it’s quick, easy, and great for little hands that just want to splash and play.

3. Nature Suncatchers

A photo of a sunny windowsill with several nature suncatchers hanging by string. The suncatchers are made from pressed summer flowers, ferns, and colorful leaves, arranged between two circles of contact paper. The frames are cut from paper plates, painted with watercolors in shades of sky blue and daffodil yellow. The suncatchers catch the light and cast shadows on a rustic white wall. The background contains greenery and a building.

One afternoon walk, a few pretty leaves and petals, and suddenly you’ve got window art! 

Use contact paper and a paper plate frame for these cheerful suncatchers. 

They make even cloudy days feel sunny—and they’re a sneaky way to make nature walks more exciting for kids.

4. Watermelon Fans

A photo of a handcrafted fan-like object that resembles a slice of watermelon. The fan is predominantly pink with black seeds and has a green border. The fan is mounted on a wooden stick. The background is a light blue shade.

When summer heat turns your house into a toaster, we make watermelon fans. 

Just fold red and green paper accordion-style, glue on a popsicle stick, and add black “seeds.” 

Kids get to cool off with their own cute creations—mine insisted on sleeping with theirs once!

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5. Painted Rock Bugs

A photo of a plate with two painted ladybug rocks and a rock painted as a bee, all with googly eyes. The plate is placed on a wooden table outside, in a garden setting. The background contains greenery and a white building.

Got rocks? Good. 

Add paint, googly eyes, and maybe a pipe cleaner or two. Voilà—bug buddies! 

Ladybugs and bees are classics, but my youngest once made a purple “spider-kitty.” 

These are fun to hide around the garden or give as little gifts to Grandma.

6. Ice Cream Cone Garland

A photo of a whimsical ice cream cone garland hanging across a sunny playroom wall. Each "scoop" is made from pastel-colored construction paper—mint green, bubblegum pink, vanilla white—cut in semi-circle shapes and topped with glitter "sprinkles." The cone portion is a tan triangle with crisscross marker lines to mimic texture. Scoops are stacked and glued together, then attached with string and tiny clothespins to form a garland. Behind the garland, sunbeams stream through a large window, casting soft light over the garland.

This craft is as sweet as it sounds. 

Cut out cones and scoops from colorful paper, then let the kids decorate with glitter, stickers, or pom-poms. 

String them up across the playroom. 

We made one for a birthday party and never took it down—too cute!

7. Ocean Slime

A vibrant image of a transparent plastic container filled with shimmering, gooey simple homemade craft slime inspired by the summer sea. The slime is tinted ocean-blue with swirls of silver glitter and iridescent confetti. Tiny plastic sea creatures—clownfish, starfish, and sea turtles—are embedded inside, peeking out through the slime’s wavy folds. In the background, two children’s hands are stretching and poking the slime, visibly delighted by the texture. On the table, ingredients like glue, baking soda, food coloring, and a measuring cup are scattered around, hinting at the hands-on fun involved. The overall look is messy, colorful, and oh-so-satisfying—a sensory-rich, educational simple homemade craft that captures the sparkle and mystery of the summer ocean.

Clear glue, blue coloring, glitter, and little plastic sea critters. 

Stir it all up, and boom—ocean slime! It’s gooey, sparkly, and weirdly calming. 

I keep a stash in the fridge because nothing turns a meltdown around like squishing jellyfish with your thumbs.

8. DIY Bug Hotel

A photo of a sunny backyard garden corner with a charming bug hotel made from a repurposed tin can. The can is filled with layers of twigs, pinecones, rolled cardboard, and dried leaves, all neatly stacked to create cozy nooks for insects. The can's exterior is painted in bright colors with polka dots, and a hand-drawn "Bug Hotel" sign is tied to it with twine. The bug hotel rests among flower beds. The background contains a fence and a few plants.

A can, some sticks, and a bit of twine—hello, bug hotel! 

Let your kids gather natural “building materials” and stack them into cozy little spaces for ladybugs and bees. 

Ours lives in the backyard, and checking it became part of our evening routine last summer.

9. Tie-Dye Coffee Filter Butterflies

A photo of four butterflies made from tie-dyed coffee filters. Each butterfly has wings decorated with vibrant swirls of purple, blue, and yellow. The bodies are made from clothespins, some painted and glittered, with googly eyes and pipe cleaner antennae. The butterflies are clipped to a string and displayed on a windowsill. Sunlight filters through the window, casting a warm glow on the scene.

Coffee filters, markers, water spray, and clothespins. That’s it! 

The kids color, spray, and watch their art turn into dreamy butterfly wings. 

Clip them around the house or hang them from a string. 

They’re especially magical twirling near a window with sunlight shining through.

10. Paper Plate Aquariums

A photo of three paper plate aquariums on a table in a sunroom. Each aquarium has a circular window cut out of a paper plate and covered with blue cellophane to mimic water. Inside each aquarium, paper cutouts of fish, seaweed, and bubbles are glued in creative scenes. One aquarium features a pirate treasure chest at the bottom, another has a school of smiling fish, and the third aquarium is filled with various marine life. The rim of each plate is painted with wavy ocean designs, and glitter glue adds a sparkly, watery touch. The background contains potted plants and a window.

Cut a window in a paper plate, add blue plastic wrap, and decorate the “aquarium” with drawn or cut-out sea life. 

Kids can go wild with glitter glue or make up fish with wild names—ours had one called “Professor Bubbles.” 

No tank cleaning required!

11. Sand Art Jars

A photo of a sunlit crafting table. There are several clear glass jars filled with brightly colored layers of sand, creating mesmerizing swirls and stripes. The jars come in various shapes: round, square, and tiny vials with cork tops. Each jar is packed precisely, with no sand spilling over the edges. A plastic funnel, bowls of dyed sand, a spoon, and child-sized scoops are placed nearby. A few mini seashells are embedded within the layers. A painted wooden sign behind the table reads "Summer Vibes".

Pour layers of colored sand into a jar and let the kids make swirls, stripes, or even try patterns. 

You can add glitter or tiny seashells, too. 

We keep ours on the windowsill, and every time the light hits it, it feels like summer again.

12. DIY Lemonade Stand Sign

A cheerful scene of a kid-sized lemonade stand with a bright yellow sign that reads "Fresh Lemonade" in big, hand-painted letters. The sign is decorated with foam lemon slices, puffy paint outlines, and glittery borders. A child's hand is shown holding a brush mid-letter. The lemonade stand is wooden, with a checkered tablecloth, paper cups stacked neatly, and a pitcher filled with yellow liquid. The background contains green grass, sidewalk chalk, and lawn chairs.

If your kids are setting up shop with lemonade (or rainbow rocks, as mine did once), help them make a bold, cheerful sign. 

Use cardboard, markers, and whatever craft scraps you’ve got. 

It’s a fun intro to design—and let’s be honest, it boosts sales too.

13. Nature Paintbrushes

A photo of a wooden picnic table with a row of unique, earthy paintbrushes crafted from twigs, leaves, grass, and pine needles. The brushes are tied with rubber bands or twine to sturdy sticks. Nearby, large sheets of paper display bold brushstrokes, leaf-like patterns, and wild, abstract shapes in muddy greens, sunny yellows, and deep blues. Small paint pots, a water bowl, and a hand smeared with paint highlight the messiness of this simple homemade craft. A background of wildflowers, a child in overalls, and a dog napping in the grass complete the natural vibe.

Head outside, grab twigs, grass, and leaves, and tie them to sticks with rubber bands. 

Dip them in paint and let the kids experiment! It’s messy, earthy, and totally freeing. 

My youngest once painted an entire “dinosaur forest” using a brush made of pine needles.

14. Firefly Lantern Jars

A photo of a child holding a mason jar painted with glowing yellow and green dots. The jar is placed on a windowsill. The background is a serene landscape with trees, hills, and a body of water. The sky has a mix of orange, pink, and blue hues. The overall image has a warm and tranquil atmosphere.

Paint the insides of mason jars with glow-in-the-dark dots, then decorate the outside however you like—stickers, washi tape, or even little wings. 

Charge them in the sun during the day, and by night, you’ve got glowing “fireflies” lighting up your porch or bedroom.

15. Cactus Pet Rocks

A photo of a sunny indoor windowsill with a row of adorable painted rock cacti. Each rock is painted in shades of green and has hand-drawn spines in white and yellow. Some of the rocks feature tiny painted flowers or are topped with pink pom-poms. The rocks sit nestled in small terracotta pots filled with pebbles or faux sand. One cactus has a googly eye and a smiley face. Nearby, a paintbrush rests in a palette of greens. Behind the rocks is a cheerful poster that says, "Can't Touch This." This craft is both decorative and playful.

Paint rocks green, add white spines and pink pom-poms for flowers, then pop them into mini flowerpots. 

These no-water-needed cactus pets are hilarious and surprisingly cute. 

We even named ours—mine’s called “Spikey Sue.” They’re perfect for kids who love plants but forget to water.

16. Popsicle Stick Birdhouses

A handmade bird feeder crafted from light beige wooden popsicle sticks is suspended from a tree branch using thin, orange ribbons. The feeder is designed like a miniature house with a pitched roof, supported by small wooden dowels. The walls are made from vertically aligned popsicle sticks, with one side featuring a decorative scalloped edge. The roof consists of overlapping sticks, creating a shingled effect. The base is a flat wooden platform, providing a space for birds to perch and feed. Sunlight filters through the leaves in the background, casting soft shadows on the feeder, with a white fence and blurred green foliage visible in the distance.

Hand your kids a bunch of popsicle sticks, wood glue, and paint, and watch tiny bird mansions come to life. 

They might not hold a real bird, but they’re perfect for pretend play. 

Ours once became a fairy condo—complete with glitter floors and a moss welcome mat.

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17. DIY Sponge Balls

41
Source: endlesslyinspired.com

Cut sponges into strips, tie them into balls with string, and soak them in water. 

Instant reusable water balloons—no cleanup, no waste, just splashy fun! 

We keep a basket of them on the porch and use them for impromptu “water wars” on sweltering afternoons.

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18. Cardboard Campfire

A photo of a cozy indoor faux campfire scene on a living room floor. The "logs" are paper towel rolls painted brown with bark-like streaks, arranged in a pyramid. Between them, red, orange, and yellow tissue paper is artfully shaped to resemble flickering flames. The room has a few marshmallows on skewers, cut-out stars on the wall, flashlights, a sleeping bag, and a "Camp Happy" sign in crayon. The background has a few marshmallows on skewers, cut-out stars on the wall, flashlights, a sleeping bag, and a "Camp Happy" sign in crayon.

If camping indoors is more your style, let the kids build their own “fire” from cardboard flames and paper towel log rolls. 

Toss in some tissue paper for that flickery effect. 

We’ve even made s’mores over ours (microwaved, of course) while telling spooky stories in a blanket fort.

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19. Mini Kite Mobiles

A bright and airy bedroom with a mobile of miniature kites suspended from the ceiling. The kites are made of scrapbook paper in playful summer patterns, such as polka dots, florals, and rainbow stripes. They are attached to twine and have bows made of curling ribbon. The mobile hangs from a painted embroidery hoop. Sunlight streams in through a nearby window, causing the kites to dance as if they're flying through a clear sky.

Tiny paper kites on string make the cutest ceiling mobiles! 

Kids can decorate them with markers, streamers, or even stick-on gems. 

Hang them up where the breeze can catch them—we’ve got a row over the kitchen table, and they make every meal feel breezy and bright.

20. Beach Memory Bottles

A photo of a shelf with four small glass bottles. Each bottle contains a tiny beach scene with layers of sand, mini shells, and dried seaweed. Some bottles have labels like "Cape Cod" or "Summer Time". The bottles are sealed with corks and wrapped in raffia or twine. Behind the bottles, there's a photo of three kids in swimsuits holding pails. The background has a wooden frame.

After your next beach day, fill little bottles with sand, shells, and maybe a handwritten note or photo. 

Let the kids decorate the outside with ribbon, stickers, or their own doodles. 

These are part souvenir, part craft—and they look beautiful lined up on a shelf.

21. Rainbow Bubble Snakes

boy using rainbow bubble snake maker
Source: hand2mind.com

Cut the bottom off a plastic bottle, pull a sock over it, dip it in bubble solution, and blow—out comes a long, foamy rainbow snake! 

Add food coloring to the mix for extra wow. 

Trust me, your kids will beg to do this one again and again.

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Wrap Up

Summer crafts are a fun way to keep kids busy, creative, and smiling all season long. 

From silly bugs to glowing jars, each project makes a special memory. 

So grab your supplies, get a little messy, and make this summer your most colorful one yet. 

Happy crafting!

Summer Crafts for Kids
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Editorial Staff

Our Editorial Staff blends expertise in home decor, crafting, and recipes to create engaging, reliable content that inspires creativity and transforms everyday living.

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