30+ Easy Summer Crafts For Kids

We’re so looking forward to summer, and it’ll be here before you know it.

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 the kids to enjoy as well.

Whether it’s a rainy day or just way too hot, crafting is a terrific way to pass the time during summer break. And these crafts appeal to boys and girls alike!

You’ll find loads of fantastic ideas here for your preschooler up to your big kid.

From ocean animals to mermaids, to boats, and sunflowers, you’ll be amazed at all the things you can make 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.

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.

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.

Shark Headband Craft [With Template]

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

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.

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.

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.

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.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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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?

Turtle Painted Rocks

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

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!

www.naturalbeachliving.com

Jellyfish Crafts Preschool Activity – Easy Paper Bowl Jellyfish

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?

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.'

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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?

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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. Read more.