"Summer is finally here, which means school’s out, backyard barbecues and pool parties take over the calendar, and long hazy days are spent with family and friends. However, after a few weeks, those summer days can start to feel extra lengthy—and creative ways to keep the kids entertained might feel like a lot of work. That’s when some bright summer crafts and activities can make all the difference.
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With that in mind, we’re here to help keep your LOs busy. Below, we’ve rounded up 40 cute summer crafts and activities that will keep your little ones engaged and having fun until back-to-school season arrives. From rock painting and friendship bracelet-making to DIY sponge water bombs and fingerprint flower pots, these projects are sure to add excitement and creativity to any summer day. Not only are they easy for moms (and dads!) to set up and help kids with, but these crafts are also great for babysitters or visiting grandparents to do, too. Keep scrolling to check out our list of 40 summer crafts and activities for kids!
1. Mason Jar Aquarium
Visiting a local aquarium during the summer is a fun activity for the whole family, but why not bring the sea life experience right at home? Make your very own mason jar aquariums with the kids, and let them pick their own aquarium plants, seashells, and plastic fish to display in the jar.
2. DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint
Get messy, get creative, and have a blast by painting a summer-inspired mural in the driveway. It’s a summer activity that won’t get old.
3. Ice Cream in a Bag
Nothing says summer better than ice cream. While running after the ice cream truck is on my summer bucket list, my family has more fun making ice cream in our own kitchen. It’s a two-for-one special activity that you can eat!
4. Cardboard Sandcastles
Save your worries about the waves washing all your dedicated sandcastle building efforts away. Collect the packing materials from your next large box purchase, and upcycle them into this beautiful ‘sand’ castle project.
5. DIY Window Clings
Add window art to brighten up your space this summer by making window clings with glue, dish soap, and food coloring.
6. Fingerprint Flower Pot
We know this will instantly become a new favorite flower pot. Help your little ones craft this and proudly keep it on display all summer long.
7. Fruity Watercolor Paper Fan
Functional and adorable, these fruit-themed paper fans are a crafty way to also stay cooled off this summer!
8. Bubble Wand Making Station
Send joyful bubbles into the summer breeze by giving kids the chance to design their very own magical bubble wands using neat shapes and brightly colored beads.
9. Beaded Garden Sparkler
Because summertime is meant to be spent in the backyard, make your outdoor area fun and festive with colorful beaded garden sparklers.
10. DIY Dream Catchers
Summer’s more free-spirited and carefree energy definitely welcomes more imaginative dreams. Special to Native American culture, dream catchers are used to filter out the bad dreams and let the happy ones in. Making these colorful ones might just be the key to sweet dreams!
11. Bird Seed Ornaments
Birds can join in on the summer fun with these DIY birdseed ornaments. Made with peanut butter, cardboard, and birdseed, it’s an easy craft project to keep the kids busy. Plus, the birds will love it, too!
12. Rainbow Sponge Painting
Sponge paintings are a fun and unique way to get creative. And starting with a rainbow is a simple project to begin with.
13. 3-Minute Friendship Bracelets
Easy friendship bracelets are not only a fun activity, but a sweet keepsake. This is sure to be your new favorite piece of jewelry.
14. Pool Noodle Boats
These nifty boats are simple to make and can quickly turn from crafts into toys! Put them together and then conduct at-home boat races for hours of fun.
15. Pet Cactus Painted Rocks
There’s something utterly fascinating about rocks to little ones. Instead of hiding them in their pockets to come out in the laundry, make a craft out of them with this easy-to-follow pet cactus activity.
16. Flamingo Painted Rocks
Meanwhile, if you’re looking to bring a rock or two to life with some tropical rather than desert energy, learning how to paint these festive pink flamingos is totally the way to go.
17. Sponge Water Bombs
As an alternative to water balloons that don’t require the clean-up, consider putting together these easy sponge water bombs. They’re great to play with on a hot summer day and are reusable!
18. Butterfly Suncatcher
Suncatchers almost always turn out to be the prettiest crafts. We know you’ll want this butterfly to have a permanent spot on the window all summer long.
19. Summer Color by Number Pages
For a rainy day, coloring pages are always a great idea. Keep these color by number pages on hand when you can’t be outside but are dreaming of sunnier days.
20. DIY Butterfly Feeders
Find out the secret to inviting summer’s butterflies over to your backyard or other outdoor space with these innovative and eco-friendly butterfly feeders.
21. Sunflower Welcome Sign
Projects the whole family can take part in are our favorites, like this welcome sign! Have everyone pitch in to make it perfect and then display it on the front porch for the rest of the season.
22. Play Mud
I don’t know many kids who wouldn’t love playing in the mud, but I also don’t know many moms who love to clean up a mess like that. That’s why we love this play mud that has all the fun aspects without the hard to clean mess!
23. DIY Garden Stepping Stones
Let the little ones try their hand at landscaping by crafting these enchanting stepping stones for the garden. We know these will put a smile on your face each time you step outside.
24. Seashell Collage
Seashells definitely carry summer vibes, and you can create these shimmery seashell collages whether you live near a seashore or not. Grab a pack of shells from your local craft store or Amazon, and kids can use their imaginations to create dreamy ocean scenes.
25. Ice Painting
Having a chill art sesh for summer never looked so good. Turn an ice cube tray into a palette of colors for your kiddo to swirl up their next cool masterpiece.
26. Egg Carton Vegetable Patch
For the little gardeners among us, this is one of those summer crafts and activities for when actual gardening isn’t an option. Work on these on a rainy day, or after the garden has already been tended to for the day!
27. Citrus Wreath Decorating
Another great craft to put on display on the front porch is this citrus wreath! Kids will have so much fun helping decorate the wreath, and will feel proud every time they walk in the door.
28. Paper Kite Craft
When rainy summer days have you stuck inside, bring the outdoor feeling indoors by crafting a paper kite with your little one.
29. Tie-Dye Shirts
Tie-dying shirts is a quintessential summer activity, and one that kiddos will have so much fun doing. Follow these simple instructions for one-of-a-kind tie-dye shirts the whole family will love.
30. Soda Bottle Sprinkler
Make those hot summer days a little more bearable with this DIY sprinkler. No need to go out and hunt one down this year when you can make one yourself with a recycled soda bottle.
31. Perler Bead Bowls
These catch-all bowls are so fun and easy enough for even the littlest hands to help with (along with supervision). Made with perler beads, this will be a fun keepsake after the craft is complete.
32. Frozen Castles
Activities that double as sensory play are some of the best. These frozen castles are perfect for beating the summer heat.
33. Tulip Flower Craft
You know what they say about April showers. Now that we’re springing into summer, it’s only right to celebrate the budding flowers of the season. A great way to do that is with this tulip flower craft.
34. DIY Sundial
We love summer crafts and activities that also provide learning opportunities. This sundial activity is a great STEM project that we know little ones will be fascinated by.
35. Mixed-Media Process Art Weaving
Great for small and big kids, keep them busy during quiet time with mixed-media art weaving. Weave all sorts of different paper and yarn to make a unique masterpiece.
36. Play Dough Ice Cream
Ice cream is a must-have throughout summer. Celebrate the beloved tasty treat by crafting play dough ice cream cones before going out to get some real ones.
37. Summer Lanterns
From lightning bugs to flameless tealights to curious summer finds, these tissue paper-decorated lantern jars add a personal touch for housing the delights of summer.
38. French Market Themed DIY Play Cardboard Food
Encourage dramatic play with DIY French market-inspired cardboard food pieces. Whether you’re able to travel to Paris this summer or not, get the summer Parisian feel with this fun play set.
39. Seashell Turtle Craft
Turn a summery seashell into one of these precious sea turtles. Little will love seeing how all the materials come together to create one of nature’s friendly green creatures.
40. DIY Play Tablet or Laptop for Kids
Trying to limit screen time? No problem. Make a pretend play tablet and keep the kiddos busy without the digital overload.
Julia Poulter, Senior Managing Editor
With more than 10 years of editorial experience, Julia is passionate about bringing motherhood stories to life and providing moms with interesting and informative parenting content. Prior to joining The Everygirl Media Group in 2019, she served as Executive Editor at Closer Weekly. As The Everymom’s Senior Managing Editor, Julia helps manage the brand’s editorial calendar and content strategy.
Patty Schepel, Editorial Assistant
As the editorial assistant, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathons—she ran one 16 weeks pregnant—traveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.