30 Easy Must-Make Summer Crafts for Kids (2024)

Crafts
SummerKindergartnersPreschoolersToddlersResources
Upcycle24 Comments

What kind of crafts do you think of as must-make summer crafts for kids to create? How about some summer crafts for preschoolers?

Here’s 30 classic craft favorites!

Summer is the one of the times I get really excited about crafting. It brings back all the memories of what we made atsummer camps orvacation bible school.

There’s a nostalgia there that makes it fun to relive.

I want tobe able to createthat same nostalgia feeling for my own kids when they’re older.

These are some fun summer crafts for kids to make that I think willgive themthat same feeling.

They do for me!

30 summer crafts for kids that are so easy (and fun)!

These 30 crafts are what I believe to be classic summer crafts for preschooler and kids of all ages.

They all give me that warm fuzzy feeling of remembering making them as a child.

Fun & Easy Summer Crafts for Kids

Here are some of the easiest summer crafts that are a total blast to make together!

1. Make tin can wind chimes. Hands On As We Grow
2. Make and decorate a colorful kite. PBS Kids
3. Make an art masterpiece on a hot day. Hands On As We Grow
4. Make a milk carton bird feeder. A Mother Thing
5. Make a classic butterfly craft. Hands On As We Grow
6. Make a bubble snake blower. Skip to My Lou
7. Make a tie-dyed t-shirt or pillow case. Hands On As We Grow
8. Make a flower crown for a king or queen. Artful Parent
9. Make an adorable sun mobile. About Family Crafts

Classic Summer Crafts for Preschoolers, too!

Summer crafts are not just for toddlers or big kids. Preschool age kids with love making these simple summer crafts too!

1. Make a washer wind chime (wind spinner!). How Wee Learn
2. Make spin art streamers for the 4th of July. Hands On As We Grow
3. Make clothespins caterpillars. Somewhere in the Middle
4. Make paper plate frisbees. Crafts by Amanda
5. Make a washer necklace. Small for Big
6. Make a telescope for pretend play. Hands On As We Grow
7. Make a kaleidoscope. The Chocolate Muffin Tree
8. Make a craft stick airplane. Glued to My Crafts
9. Make pasta necklaces. Pink Stripey Socks

Easy Summer Crafts for Kids to Make

Here are a few summer themed ideas that are easy for kids to make themselves!

1. Make paper lanterns. Inner Child Fun
2. Make stained glass jars. First Palette
3. Make tie dyed looking bookmarks. First Palette
4. Make a paper plate tambourine. Creative Family Fun
5. Make butterfly wings to wear. Fun at Home with Kids
6. Make twig ornaments to hang outside. Happy Hooligans
7. Make a sun suncatcher for the window. All Kids Network
8. Make homemade ice cream in a bag. Hands On As We Grow

Back to the Classic Kids Crafts this Summer!

This post would not be complete without some of the classic summer crafts!

1. Make and decorate walking sticks. Inspired by Run Wild My Child
2. Make a windsock from a plastic bottle. Rainy Day Mum
3. Make nature suncatchers. Hands On As We Grow
4. Make paper bag masks. Hands On As We Grow

16 more summer crafts for kids can be found on Confidence Meets Parenting.

How do you make summer crafts for kids?

It’s simple to make a summer craft fun for kids. Keep these things in mind:

• Get as much prepared ahead of time as you can. Kids aren’t usually great at waiting too long. Last thing you want is to lose their interest.
• The point is to make happy memories together. Be present in the process.
• It’s not about the end result, so don’t expect it to turn out exactly like the picture. Let it go.
• Follow your child’s lead. Let them express their own personality and creativity in their craft.
• Prepare for any mess ahead of time with a drop cloth, shower curtain, or even take it outside if you can. Summer is an excellent time to take preschoolers outdoors for craft time!
• Ask them to describe what they are doing and encourage them as they do. Building confidence will entice them to keep going!
• Let the craft be finished when your kids say it is. And if they aren’t in the mood to do it, don’t push it. Leave it out and let them come back to it later.

What would you add to the list?

Did I miss any classics?Share your favorite summer crafts for kids on our Facebook page or in the comments below (whatever’s easiest for you).

Grab the Camp Mom: Summer Activities Packfor more summer crafts and activities for kids to do, along with all the planning help you’ll need.