June is the perfect time to slow down, enjoy the sunshine, and get creative with the kids. Whether you’re prepping for Flag Day, Father’s Day, or just need an engaging activity, these June crafts have you covered.
They’re simple, cheerful, and full of summer vibes. Perfect for home, school, or the library, most use supplies you already have. For even more fun, head to Simple Everyday Mom for tons of seasonal ideas that are easy to prep and packed with creativity. Let’s make this month hands-on, colorful, and full of sweet memories!
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Craft Ideas For June
From beach scenes and watermelon slices to paper plate sharks and glowing fireflies, these crafts are packed with summer charm. They’re designed to keep little hands busy and minds engaged, all while being fun and easy to create.
Whether it’s a sunny afternoon or a rainy day indoors, these projects add a splash of creativity to your routine. Most can be made with everyday materials, so there’s no need for a big trip to the store. Scroll through, pick your favorites, and enjoy some quality time making memories with your kids this June!
Beach & Ocean
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Paper Plate Crab
Kids can turn a simple paper plate into a cheerful crab with big claws and googly eyes. They'll love painting and assembling their crustacean friend, and it only requires basic supplies you likely have on hand. This easy ocean-themed activity brings beach fun indoors while helping little ones practice creativity and fine motor skills.
Kids can create a miniature beach with ocean waves and sand on a paper plate. This summer project is super simple to make and leaves plenty of room for imagination—they can add fun details like a tiny paper bucket, shovel, or seashells to personalize their scene. It's a hands-on way to bring seaside daydreams to life at home while exploring colors and textures.
An adorable paper shark that rocks back and forth like it's swimming in the ocean. Kids get to decorate their shark with colorful tissue paper or crayons using a simple template, making this art as mess-free or as hands-on as they like.Related: Shark Name Craft
A whimsical seahorse project that combines watercolor painting with paper cutting to create a colorful undersea scene. Little ones paint a swirly ocean backdrop in watercolors and then add a cute paper seahorse on top using a simple template. The result is a frame-worthy artwork, and along the way, kids get to experiment with different art techniques in one fun project.
This creative summer art project lets kids design their sandcastles on paper. Using textured materials like ripped brown paper bag pieces to form the castle and watercolor paints to create a beachy background, children get a mini sensory experience that makes their art feel like a real beach scene. They'll stay busy building their sandcastle masterpiece and can save it as a special memento of summertime fun.
This fun paper art lets kids create a pelican with a big, scoop-like beak. The project involves cutting and gluing simple paper shapes (using a handy template) to assemble the bird, making it a great fine motor exercise for little hands. Kids will love the creative process and might even learn fun facts about this unique seabird.
This charming jellyfish project uses a child's handprint as the body of a wiggly jellyfish. Kids trace their hands to form the jellyfish's top, then add paper tentacles and googly eyes—no paint or mess required. The result is an adorable ocean keepsake and a fun way for little ones to celebrate their creativity.
Three summer activities turn ordinary items into a fun beach-themed dinnerware set. Kids can paint a paper plate like a colorful beach ball, decorate a cup with sunny designs, and even make a napkin ring from a recycled paper roll. These creative DIY party pieces bring the beach to your picnic table and let the kids help decorate for your next family barbecue creatively.
A seahorse activity that introduces kids to simple paper weaving in an entertaining way. Children cut out a seahorse shape (using a free template) and then weave strips of colored paper through it to create a bright woven pattern.The finished seahorse looks adorable, and this activity is fantastic for building fine motor skills and patience as kids work the paper in and out.Also try: Seahorse Craft
With this imaginative art, kids can turn their collected seashells into a crew of cute little monsters. From painting the shells in wild colors to gluing on googly eyes and pom-poms, they'll have a blast giving each monster its silly personality. It's a perfect summer activity that blends beach memories with creative play, and the finished shell monsters make fun decorations or toys.
This easy paper art activity involves kids creating a giant squid, one of the ocean's most fascinating creatures. Kids cut out and assemble a colorful squid using a simple template and standard supplies, even picking up fun facts about this mysterious sea creature as they work. The activity is simple yet engaging, sparking curiosity about ocean life as kids get creative.
The Baby Shark song inspires this playful shark art and features moving parts for extra fun. Kids put together a cute paper shark (using a handy template) with a wiggling tail and a pop-up 3D mouth that makes it look like it's swimming. The interactive design turns a simple project into a fun toy perfect for Shark Week or any ocean-themed playtime.Related: Shark Do a Dot
A clever sandcastle project that uses sandpaper to mimic the gritty texture of real sand. Kids cut out castle shapes from sandpaper and glue them onto paper, then add paint or crayon details like flags, ocean waves, or a sunny sky.It feels like building a sandcastle at the beach, giving little ones a fun sensory element and a chance to dream up their castle designs when they can't visit the shore.
Kids can bring their favorite storybook feline, Pete the Cat, to life as a cute camping buddy. Using a printable template, they'll outfit Pete with hiking boots and a little walking stick, creating a fun companion for pretend camping adventures.
Kids create a mini camping scene on a paper plate with a little tent in the woods and a sky that can switch from day to night. This interactive project lets them rotate the background from sunny skies to a starry night, adding a playful storytelling element to their artwork.Related: Pete The Cat Goes Camping Worksheets
Kids can create a cozy little campfire using cutouts of their handprints as the flickering flames. It is easy to make (thanks to a handy log template) and doubles as an adorable keepsake that brings some camping fun indoors.
Budding campers can design a cute firefly from a recycled paper roll that lights up in the dark. The glowing effect makes it feel like a real firefly, adding a touch of nighttime magic to this simple art.Also try: Handprint Firefly Craft
Kids transform a handprint into an adorable squirrel, creating a playful woodland friend for their pretend camping adventures. This easy nature-themed activity sparks creativity and brings a touch of the forest to art time.
Young kids can easily paint a pretend campfire using a fun foil-printing technique. They dab crumpled aluminum foil in paint to create bright, crackling "flames" on paper, ending up with a cozy campfire scene without any real fire.Related: Campfire Art Project
Kids can build their miniature campsite with popsicle sticks and paper, making a tiny tent and even a little campfire. The finished set doubles as a pretend play kit, so their toy figures can go on make-believe camping adventures at home.
Little ones can make a firefly puppet from a paper lunch bag inspired by those twinkling bugs you see around the campsite at night. With enormous paper wings and a bright yellow "glow" on its tail, this friendly critter brings some summer night magic indoors and is perfect for imaginative play.
Kids can create an adorable bear to join the camping fun with just a couple of paper plates and some paint. This easy project turns ordinary plates into a cute brown bear face, making it a perfect addition to a camping theme or a bear storytime.Also try: Bear Handprint Craft
Kids can build their smiling paper treat using simple shapes and glue. The free template keeps everything easy to follow, making it fun for younger kids. With its cheerful design and summer vibes, it's sure to be a hit on a warm day.
Kids can create a pretend ice cream cone with fluffy cotton ball "scoops" that look good enough to eat. The soft, puffy texture makes this a fun sensory activity, and little ones get to practice their fine motor skills as they cut and decorate the colorful "ice cream."Related: Ice Cream Pattern Block Mats
A kitchen tool doubles as a paint stamp in this clever project where kids use a potato masher to create the perfect ice cream scoops. They dip the masher in paint and stamp out colorful scoops on paper, resulting in a cute ice cream cone picture that brings a dose of summer fun even on a rainy day.Also try: Ice Cream Dot to Dot
Kids will love that they get to tear paper for this activity, creating a colorful ice cream cone picture from the pieces. The ripped paper gives their ice cream a cool textured look, and it's great fine motor practice as they glue all the "scoops" in place.
Kids paint and decorate an upside-down paper bowl as a big ice cream scoop, then attach a cardboard cone underneath to complete the treat. The result is a colorful 3D ice cream project that looks sweet and makes a fabulous summer decoration.Related: Ice Cream Activity Sheets
Kids cover a paper popsicle shape with lots of tiny tissue paper squares, creating a piece bursting with color. Little fingers get a fine motor workout as they pinch and stick each piece on, resulting in a popsicle that screams summer fun.Also try: Ice Cream Tracing Worksheets
Kids can turn a paper plate into a giant ice cream cone with this sweet summer activity. They'll have a blast painting and decorating their oversized ice cream (with all the pretend sprinkles they want), and while it won't cool anyone off, it's an entertaining way to celebrate a sunny day.Related: Paper Plate Ice Cream Craft
Transform an empty toilet paper roll into a colorful mini dinosaur. Kids will have a blast adding paper pieces and watching their recycled creations become roaring toys for pretend play.
An egg carton and a cupcake liner combine to create a cute little triceratops. Kids enjoy mixing these different materials—like the bumpy egg carton and frilly liner—to give their dino fun texture and personality.Related: Dinosaur Paper Cup Craft
With this project, you can assemble an adorable baby dinosaur hatching from its egg. Kids decorate a paper eggshell and reveal a cute dino inside, adding an element of surprise that makes it extra fun.
An educational twist on art: the letter "D" turns into an entertaining dinosaur. Kids can practice their ABCs while decorating the big "D" with a head, tail, and spikes to make a friendly dino friend.Also try: Dinosaur Paper Plate Craft
Let your little ones roar with delight as they make their dinosaur headband. After coloring and assembling the paper headband (with horns or spikes), kids can wear it for hours of imaginative prehistoric play.
With some paint and paper, empty toilet rolls can become a herd of dinosaurs. The project provides templates for a long-necked Diplodocus and a Triceratops, so kids can choose their favorite dinosaur (or make both) for double the fun.Related: Dinosaur Name Craft
Transform simple paper into a standing 3D Brachiosaurus. Using a printable template, kids can build a tall, long-necked dinosaur that stands independently, giving them a cool paper toy to play with or display.Also try: Dinosaur Cutting Worksheets
In this adorable art, a handprint becomes a spiky stegosaurus. Kids trace their hands to form the dinosaur's body, then add paper spikes and personal touches to create a cute dino keepsake.
A paper plate turns into a dinosaur that can stand up and "walk" across the table. The design uses a free template for the dino's parts and a clever assembly trick, so kids end up with a toy-like dinosaur they can stomp around during playtime.Related: Dinosaur Puppet Craft
Kids can tell Dad he's "jaw-some" with this shark-themed Father's Day activity. Using a cute shark design and a punny message, it makes a memorable card or decoration that's sure to get a big smile from Dad.
A punny project that rocks: kids glue real pebbles onto a sign to spell "Dad Rocks." The result is a fun, textured keepsake that any dad will appreciate.Related: Father’s Day Worksheets
For the sports-loving dad, this baseball activity is a home run. Little sluggers make a paper baseball-themed card (sometimes even using their handprint as a "glove") to tell Dad he's an all-star, creating a keepsake he'll cherish.
Preschoolers will love this easy Father's Day project that turns basic supplies into a special gift for Dad. With just some sticks, construction paper, and even cupcake liners for decoration, kids can create a cute little token of their love that Dad will treasure.Also try: Father’s Day Activity Pages
This tie-shaped card art gives the classic Father's Day tie a personal twist. Kids decorate a paper tie cutout and fold it into a card, creating a "tie-riffic" little surprise for Dad that shows off their creativity.
This clever activity allows kids to make a superhero Dad who flies. With some string and a simple template, their "Super Dad" zooms through the air, making an interactive gift that both kids and dads will enjoy.Related: Father’s Day Coloring Pages
Show Dad he means the world to you. Kids create a card featuring a globe as the centerpiece to give Dad "the world" and a sweet message.Also try: Father’s Day I Spy Printables
Here's a toolbox project made just for the handy dad. Kids can assemble a mini paper toolbox with paper tools and a loving note inside, making a unique homemade gift for a dad who loves fixing and building.
Need a last-minute idea? This free printable tie template is the perfect starting point for a quick, personalized art. Kids can color and cut out the tie, then use it to make a custom card or decoration for Dad in no time.Related: Father’s Day Color By Number
Kids trace and cut out their handprints to form the spiky top of a pineapple, then decorate a cheerful yellow base. The mix of personal touch and bright colors makes it a fun summer keepsake.
A simple paper plate turns into a juicy watermelon, perfect for pairing with early learning activities. The design uses cut-and-paste pieces, which help kids practice shapes and counting while they design.
Kids can create their watermelon wedge using paper, glue, and imagination. The bold colors and playful "seeds" make it a refreshing summer activity for decorating or sharing.
With a printable template and some basic supplies, kids can build a smiling banana character with personality. They'll enjoy assembling the pieces and adding their twist to the fruity friend.
Turn an old egg carton into a batch of cute strawberries with paint and green paper tops. The texture of the carton gives the berries a realistic look, and kids will love making a whole pint to "pick."Related: Strawberry Handprint Craft
Kids fold and decorate their flag-themed cards using simple paper shapes and a touch of creativity. It's a great way to celebrate patriotic holidays while making a thoughtful, handmade note.
Paint sticks or wooden slats become a rustic American flag in this creative project. With red, white, and blue paint and a few star details, kids can proudly display their handmade flag at home or in the yard.
Kids scrunch up bits of tissue paper and glue them onto a paper flag outline for a fun, hands-on activity. The textured result gives a bold, festive look that is perfect for window displays or party decor.
This fine motor project uses simple hole punching and yarn to help kids "lace" their way around a flag design. It's creative and skill-building, making it great for preschoolers or early learners.
Kids can thread colorful pony beads onto pipe cleaners to make a cheerful, patriotic decoration. The repetitive patterning is perfect for little hands and helps strengthen fine motor skills while letting kids play with color and design.
Popsicle sticks form the base for a mini American flag that's easy to paint and assemble. This patriotic art piece works well for group settings or summer holiday celebrations.
A plain paper plate transforms into a delicious-looking donut with icing and sprinkles. Kids will love painting on their favorite "frosting" colors and adding lots of colorful pretend sprinkles, creating a sweet art project that looks good enough to eat.
Baking up some pretend donuts is half the fun in this salt dough project, where children shape and decorate their donuts from scratch. The whole process feels like making real treats (minus the sugar), and the finished donuts look just like the real thing.
Kids can whip up a batch of play donuts from paper that looks surprisingly real. This activity lets them decorate each one with paper "icing" and sprinkles, creating a set of pretend treats perfect for a make-believe donut shop—with none of the sugar or mess.
Little ones can easily make a paper donut to decorate in this simple and sweet art. From cutting out the donut shape to adding colorful "frosting" and sprinkles, they practice their scissor skills and creativity while making a fun pretend treat.
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.