30+ Easy Summer Crafts For Kids

While we love spending lots of time outdoors enjoying the sunshine, we know that you need some indoor activities like these easy summer crafts for kids to enjoy as well. These kid friendly ideas are perfect for hot summer days when it’s just too warm to play outside.

You’ll find loads of fantastic ideas here for your preschooler up to your big kid. Many of them are simple DIY projects using construction paper and other basic materials you likely already have at home.

A collage of summer-themed crafts for kids including a handprint pirate with a googly eye, a paper plate sailboat, a sunflower made from paper and seeds, a red paper crab, a rainbow-colored ice cream cone craft, and a campfire scene with a marshmallow on a stick made from a paper plate and yarn.

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Crafts For Kids This Summer

Whether it’s a rainy day or just way too hot, getting creative is a terrific way to pass the time during summer break. These crafts appeal to both boys and girls, and are great to do at home, in the classroom, or even at summer camp.

You’ll be amazed at all the things you can make from ocean animals and mermaids to boats and sunflowers with basic craft supplies and a little creativity.

So, get out your calendar and go through this list, writing down the crafts you know your kids will love. Time spent crafting together makes wonderful memories!

Paper Plate Sun Craft

This cute paper plate sun craft is amazingly simple! Make it with toddlers and preschoolers.

nontoygifts.com

Paper plate sunflower craft

Sunflowers are some of the most cheerful flowers, aren't they?

Paint a paper plate bright yellow, use an eraser to paint the seeds, and add a green leaf and stem. It's super simple but oh-so-fun.

Related: Sunflower Mother’s Day Craft

Flamingo Craft

Nothing says summer vibes like a bright pink flamingo!

Banish boredom with this cute handprint keepsake craft that'll make you think of summers spent with your little ones every time you see it.

www.projectswithkids.com

Watermelon Painted Rocks

Watermelon is a classic summer food. Celebrate your favorite fruit with some colorful watermelon painted rocks to add some cheer to your day.

Also try: Torn Paper Watermelon Craft

Photo Mermaid Craft

Girls will love this mermaid craft where they can turn themselves into mermaids using one of their pictures.

It's super cute and fun and very fitting for a summer day.

merakimother.com

Summer Paper Weaving Craft for Kids

What could be more fitting than palm trees for a summer craft?

But these aren't just any palm trees—they're woven palm trees, which adds an extra dimension of fun.

Related: Summer Cutting Activity Pages

Shark Headband Craft

All the kids will want to make this cute shark headband craft! It's the perfect project to celebrate Shark Week this summer!

www.stillplayingschool.com

Seashell Ladybug

Do you have seashells that you've collected from your beach vacations and travels?

Use them to make some lovely seashell ladybugs. What other insects and creatures can you create with seashells?

Also try: 3D Ladybug Craft

Easy Jellyfish Craft

This cute jellyfish papercraft is summertime personified! Make them in your child's favorite color. Be sure to download the free printable template.

www.naturalbeachliving.com

Jellyfish Crafts Preschool Activity

These fun and easy jellyfish crafts are perfect for preschoolers learning about ocean animals! Using simple materials like paper, ribbons, and glue, kids can create colorful jellyfish while building fine motor skills.

It’s a great hands-on activity for ocean themes, summer units, or creative play at home or in the classroom.

Related: Paper Chain Jellyfish Craft

Clownfish Craft

Ocean animals are an excellent theme for your summer crafting activities with the kids.

This simple clownfish is bright, fun, and easy to put together.

www.projectswithkids.com

Colorful Q-tip Painted Dragonfly Craft

Dragonflies are such gorgeous insects. The kids will really enjoy this dragonfly craft with q-tip painted wings. Aren't they stunning?

Also try: 3D Dragonfly Craft

Printable Pirate Headband For Kids

Argh, me mateys! Turn your child into a pirate with this printable pirate headband. It's great for dramatic play time.

www.adventure-in-a-box.com

Black Glue & Sharpies Butterfly Suncatcher

This stunning black glue butterfly will look gorgeous in your windows with the light streaming through.

Adults may need to help little ones trace the design with the black glue, and then let the kids fill in with Sharpie.

Related: Butterfly Torn Paper Craft

Handprint Fish Art

If you're crafting with littles, this handprint fish craft is a terrific choice.

Parents always love making seasonal keepsakes like this to add to the scrapbook or memory box.

nontoygifts.com

Jellyfish craft for kids

Or how about some paper jellyfish? With their big silly eyes and funny tentacles, your preschooler or kindergartener will get a kick out of making it.

They'll also get to practice their scissor skills.

Also try: Tissue Paper Jellyfish Craft

Ladybug Rock Art

Rock painting is a terrific summer activity, particularly if you enjoy leaving the rocks around your community for others to find.

Since ladybugs are considered good luck, this will be a fun one to see!

www.firefliesandmudpies.com

Snail Craft

This tissue paper craft is perfect for children who are working on their fine motor skills. His colorful shell almost looks like a bouquet of flowers.

picture of handprint eagle with leaves scattered around it

Handprint Bald Eagle Craft For Kids

This handprint eagle craft is the perfect craft to do during July to show your patriotic spirit!

www.firefliesandmudpies.com

Turtle Craft

What a terrific way to recycle old CDs and buttons! This delightful little turtle is easy and straightforward, so it's perfect for preschoolers.

Related: Turtle Handprint Craft

Two completed pirate handprint crafts with black hats, skull emblems, eye patches, and colorful bandanas—fun pirate-themed art project for preschool and kindergarten kids.

Pirate Craft

Ahoy, mateys! If you can't go sailing on the high seas, you can at least have some fun making this adorable handprint pirate featuring a cute eyepatch and skull-printed cap.

www.lookwerelearning.com

Coffee Filter Crafts for Kids: Coffee Filter Sun Craft

And, of course, what would summer be without a sunshine craft?

This one is made with a coffee filter and crayons, so it's simple enough for toddlers and up.

Easy Seahorse Craft

Aren't seahorses fascinating and silly-looking creatures?

Your preschooler will love putting this adorable seahorse craft together using our simple template.

Kids can paint the water background with paintbrushes or fingerpainting!

iheartcraftythings.com

Hot Air Balloon Craft

Get ready for a high-flying good time! Make some beautiful hot air balloon crafts to use up even more of those old CDs and tissue paper pieces.

Turtle Painted Rocks

Older kids will love spending quality time with friends painting their own turtle rocks and hiding them around town!

nontoygifts.com

Paper plate campfire craft

Camping is one of the best summer activities for the family. Remember all those fun camping trips with this paper plate campfire craft that features a woven campfire and a marshmallow on a stick.

Also try: Campfire Art Project

Paper Plate Seahorse

We also have a paper plate seahorse craft that's too cute for words. This craft pairs perfectly with the book 'Over in the Ocean in a Coral Reef.'

nontoygifts.com

Bubble wrap pineapple craft for kids

Bubble wrap creates a cool textured look, and it's absolutely perfect for this pineapple craft.

But don't be afraid to let your imagination run wild. Make yellow, orange, red, or even blue pineapples!

Related: Handprint Pineapple Craft

Easy Fish Painting For Kids

Our beta fish painting activity is a great way to explore colors and scissor skills.

Young children (preschoolers and kindergarteners) may need help cutting out some of the more complex pieces.

iheartcraftythings.com

Sand Paper Sand Castle Craft

When you can't go to the beach to build sandcastles, this sandpaper sandcastle craft is the next best thing. It really does look like a 2-D version of a sandcastle!

Also try: Paper Sandcastle Craft

Shark Craft

If your kids sing the Baby Shark song non-stop, they'll love this Daddy Shark craft.

But really, you can make a Daddy, Mommy, or Baby Shark by changing out the colors.

Each kid can personalize their sharks according to their favorite colors.

www.redtedart.com

Rocking Paper Plate Boat

You may have heard the phrase, “Don't rock the boat,” but we encourage rocking the boat with this cool paper plate craft!

Handprint Crab

This crab doesn't look crabby at all. In fact, he seems quite happy, and your kids are going to love putting him together.

And moms, you'll love preserving those little handprints in such a sweet way.

I bet the grandparents would love some summer happy mail featuring a handprint crab!

thesoccermomblog.com

Pom-Pom Bald Eagle Craft for Kids

Show your patriotism with this pom-pom bald eagle craft. It's completely adorable, and it gives you an excellent opportunity to talk about our national symbols.

Related: Torn Paper Eagle Craft

www.thebestideasforkids.com

Sailboat Craft

or those who love spending their summers on the water, this sailboat craft will remind you of all those gorgeous sunny days spent in the waves.

This craft offers plenty of fine motor practice by cutting simple shapes and tearing paper.

Embrace the sweetness of summer with this ice cream craft for kids! This simple yet engaging activity stirs up creativity while enhancing fine motor skills. It makes every day feel like a trip to the ice cream shop!

Now you’ve got a list of summer crafts to keep you busy for an entire month! And if you need more summer fun, try out these summer color by number printables.

Which one will you make first?

More Easy Kids Crafts

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photograph of found of Simple Everyday Mom, Sam

Meet Sam

Sam is the crafter and founder of Simple Everyday Mom. She has been featured in Oprah Mag, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Crafts, Country Living, The Bump, and more.

About Sam