🔥 100 Irresistible Summer Crafts for Kids That Moms Swear By!

Summer is a magical season for creativity, mess, and laughter. Whether you’re indoors on a rainy day or outside soaking up the sun, having a go-to list of easy and fun summer crafts will keep your kids busy, learning, and smiling. These 100 Summer Crafts span art, STEM, outdoor play, sensory experiences, and upcycled materials—perfect for toddlers through tweens!

Outdoor & Nature Crafts (20)

Spending time outdoors offers kids the opportunity to connect with nature, develop gross motor skills, and spark creativity. These crafts are perfect for backyard fun or park playdates.

1. Painted garden rocks – Let kids paint happy faces or ladybugs on smooth rocks.
2. Butterfly wind streamers – Make butterflies from paper and ribbon that flutter in the breeze.
3. Leaf sun catchers – Create colorful displays using leaves and contact paper.
4. Flower petal mosaics – Arrange petals on sticky paper for natural art.
5. Pinecone critters – Add googly eyes and felt to pinecones to turn them into animals.
6. Nature scavenger jars – Collect items like acorns and feathers on a nature walk.
7. Twig photo frames – Glue sticks around cardboard cutouts to make rustic frames.
8. Bug hotel creations – Build small homes for bugs using cans, bamboo, and sticks.
9. Seed bomb balls – Mix seeds with clay and soil for DIY gardening gifts.
10. Stick-and-thread mobiles – Weave thread around twigs for hanging decorations.
11. Sand art bottles – Layer colored sand in recycled jars.
12. Painted shell crafts – Use seashells from the beach and acrylic paint.
13. Sunflower faces on paper plates – Brighten your day with these sunny crafts.
14. DIY bird feeders – Use toilet rolls, peanut butter, and bird seed.
15. Nature-print t-shirts – Press leaves dipped in paint onto fabric.
16. Stone garden markers – Paint plant names on rocks to mark your garden.
17. Hoop streamers – Hang ribbon from embroidery hoops to dance in the wind.
18. Rainwater art – Let the rain do the painting on washable markers.
19. Outdoor chalk murals – Use sidewalk chalk to decorate driveways.
20. Leaf stamping paintings – Dip leaves in paint and press on paper.

Indoor Paper & Cardboard Crafts (20)

Perfect for rainy days or quiet afternoons, these crafts use materials you already have around the house.

21. Popsicle stick ice cream fans – A fun way to beat the heat indoors.
22. Paper plate suns – Brighten your window with sun-shaped art.
23. Folded paper airplanes – Simple fun that never gets old.
24. Toilet-roll sea creatures – Turn empty rolls into jellyfish and more.
25. Cardstock butterfly cutouts – Decorate and hang in your child’s room.
26. Magazine collage art – Cut, glue, and create masterpieces.
27. Puffy-painted cards – Combine shaving cream and glue for 3D art.
28. Handprint sunshines – Trace and paint hands to make a sunburst.
29. Paper bag puppets – Bring animals to life with paper bags.
30. Origami boats – Float them in the sink or pool.
31. DIY window cling art – Make reusable window decorations.
32. Recycled book bookmarks – Let kids design their own reading aids.
33. Fruit-print art – Stamp with apples, oranges, and more.
34. Straw weaving coasters – Practice fine motor skills with weaving.
35. Clothespin people – Paint and dress up wooden pins.
36. Threaded snail crafts – Wind yarn around cardboard snail shapes.
37. Cardboard tube race tracks – Make mini car tracks on the floor.
38. Egg carton caterpillars – Paint and assemble sections.
39. Zip-sealed frozen art – Freeze paint in bags for cool squish play.
40. Paper fan creations – Beat the heat with handmade fans.

Sensory & Science Crafts (20)

These crafts stimulate the senses and introduce basic scientific concepts through play.

41. Water-bead sensory bottles – Captivate young eyes with colorful beads.
42. Cheerios play sand – Crush cereal to make taste-safe sensory sand.
43. Ice cube painting – Freeze paint and let kids create melting art.
44. Frozen dinosaur digs – Dig for toys in ice blocks.
45. Bath bomb science – Learn chemistry while making fizzy fun.
46. Suncatcher crystal kits – Grow crystals on strings for window decor.
47. Fizzy vinegar–baking soda art – Combine science with vibrant painting.
48. Salt painting – Use glue, salt, and watercolors to create texture.
49. Mud painting on paper – Bring the mess inside with controlled fun.
50. Grass-head planters – Grow grass in decorated cups.
51. Rainbow rice sensory trays – Dye rice and fill tubs for exploration.
52. Pom-pom drop experiments – Test gravity with tubes and fluff balls.
53. Balloon-stamped art – Bounce balloons dipped in paint.
54. Magnetic fishing boards – Catch paper fish with a magnet.
55. Slime with summer scents – Add watermelon or coconut scent.
56. UV color-changing art – Reveal hidden images in the sun.
57. Sand slime combos – Mix sand into slime for texture.
58. Float/sink boat tests – STEM meets fun in the tub.
59. Nature sensory mats – Touch different natural textures.
60. Water balloons for color drop art – Toss filled balloons on paper.

👉 Want to teach responsibility while having fun? Try these simple toddler chores that turn everyday tasks into learning moments.

Textile, Yarn, & Thread Crafts (10)

Encourage fine motor skills and creativity with string and fabric crafts.

61. Friendship bracelets – Teach patterns and color combinations.
62. Loom band bracelets – Stretchy fun for little fingers.
63. Yarn-wrapped letters – Customize initials for bedroom walls.
64. Pom-pom garlands – Add flair to any room.
65. Yarn-painted designs – Replace brushes with wrapped sticks.
66. Weaving paper loom – Practice coordination and patience.
67. Tassel bookmarks – Quick gifts from leftover yarn.
68. Crocheted styrofoam coasters – Craft meets reuse.
69. Fabric scrap dolls – Stuff and stitch your own toys.
70. Tie-dye summer shirts – Let kids wear their art.

Upcycled Crafts (10)

Great for teaching sustainability while encouraging creativity.

71. Tin can wind chimes – Hang outside for music in the breeze.
72. Milk jug planters – Cut and decorate for homegrown fun.
73. Jar lid critters – Transform lids with paint and glue.
74. Bottle cap magnets – Fun fridge decor.
75. CD-sun art reflectors – Shine sunlight with old discs.
76. Plastic spoon flowers – Create blooms from kitchen castoffs.
77. Carton boat races – Float boats down a gutter stream.
78. Cereal box puzzles – Cut boxes into jigsaw pieces.
79. Jeans pocket aprons – Sew pockets onto fabric for craft aprons.
80. Egg carton bugs – Paint into butterflies, beetles, and bees.

STEM & Engineering Crafts (10)

Combine education and entertainment for curious kids.

81. Pipe cleaner marble maze – Build on cardboard boxes.
82. Popsicle stick bridge – Learn structure and support.
83. DIY kaleidoscope – Mirrors, beads, and magic.
84. Mini bottle terrarium – Create ecosystems in a jar.
85. Straw and clay sculptures – Shape towers and bridges.
86. Domino run obstacle – Plan, build, topple.
87. Marbled slime science – Mix colors and polymers.
88. Juice box sailboats – Float fun in your pool.
89. Mini vacuum pump experiment – See suction in action.
90. Cloud–rain jar experiment – Learn weather through visuals.

Party & Holiday Crafts (10)

Add fun to celebrations with these seasonal ideas.

91. Fourth of July popsicle crafts – Stars, stripes, and glue.
92. Sand dollar starfish – Paint with glitter and love.
93. Seashell jewelry crafts – Drill and string into necklaces.
94. Beach-themed photo frame – Add vacation memories.
95. Ice-cream cone garlands – String paper cones around rooms.
96. Patriotic painted jars – Centerpieces with red, white, and blue.
97. Pool noodle water guns – Cut and soak for safe fun.
98. Popsicle stick fireworks – Layer paper and sparkle.
99. Cardboard DIY boats – Float them at your picnic.
100. Beach treasure map crafting – Draw a map, then go find the treasure!

Why These Crafts Work

• Age-friendly: From toddler-safe to tween-tough
• Budget-smart: Most use materials from around the house
• Skill-building: Kids develop STEM, creativity, and fine motor skills
• Pinterest-approved: These crafts get shared and saved thousands of times!

Let the creativity flow all summer long with this go-to list. Save it, print it, pin it—and let the fun begin!