We’re excited to share 16 creative craft ideas for kids! With school out and the sun shining, it’s the perfect time to involve your little ones in imaginative and hands-on activities. From watercolor ice painting to tie-dye shirts to everything in between, we’ve compiled a list of engaging craft projects for kids that will keep your children entertained throughout the summer months.
Crafting not only gets kids’ creative sides revved, but they also tune their fine mote skills, problem-solving abilities, and a sense of pride.
Whether you’re looking for ideas to beat the heat or want to take advantage of the many green spaces around the city, these projects will provide hours of summer fun.
- Sun Catchers: Use translucent plastic beads and metal cookie cutters to create colorful sun catchers. Arrange the beads inside the cookie cutter shape, then melt them in the oven to create beautiful window decorations.
- Nature Collage: Take a nature walk and gather leaves, flowers, and other natural materials. Use these items to create a collage by gluing them onto cardstock or cardboard.
- Shell Painting: Collect seashells from the beach and use kid-friendly acrylic paints to decorate them. Kids can let their imaginations run wild and create unique designs on each shell.
- Watercolor Ice Painting: Fill an ice cube tray with water and add a few drops of food coloring to each compartment. Once frozen, let the kids paint with the colored ice cubes on cardstock, durable paper, or cardboard. As the ice melts, it creates beautiful watercolor effects.
- Fruit Stamp Art: Cut fruits like apples, oranges, or lemons in half. Dip the cut side of the fruit into washable paint and use it as a stamp to create fun patterns on paper.
- Sponge Water Bombs: Cut colorful sponges into strips and tie them together in the middle with a rubber band. Dip the sponge water bombs in a bucket of water and have a playful water fight.
- Tissue Paper Kites: Cut a kite shape from construction paper or cardboard. Decorate it with colorful tissue paper pieces and attach a string. Take it outside on a windy day and watch it soar.
- Sand Art: Fill small bottles or jars with layers of colored sand to create vibrant and decorative displays.
- Paper Plate Frisbees: Decorate paper plates and attach string or yarn to the edges to make homemade frisbees.
- Nature Weaving: Collect long grasses, leaves, and small twigs. Create a loom using a sturdy branch and weave the natural materials through it.
- Paper Lanterns: Decorate paper lanterns with markers, paint, or colored tissue paper. Add battery-powered tea lights for a cozy glow.
- Pinecone Bird Feeders: Spread peanut butter onto pinecones, roll them in birdseed, and hang them outside for feathered friends to enjoy.
- Clothespin Butterflies: Decorate clothespins with markers or paint, attach pipe cleaner antennas, and add colorful paper wings for fluttering butterflies.
- DIY Watermelon Tote Bag: Paint a plain canvas tote bag to resemble a watermelon using fabric paint. Perfect for carrying summer essentials.
- Tissue Paper Flowers: Cut flower shapes from colored tissue paper and attach them to pipe cleaner stems. Create a bouquet or decorate a vase.
- Tie-Dye T-shirts: This is a tried-and-true craft that kids enjoy! Allow kids to experiment with tie-dye techniques to create unique, colorful T-shirt designs.
Join us as we dive into a sea of craft projects, where vibrant colors, nature-inspired materials, and limitless imagination collide. So, grab your art supplies, gather the kids, and let the fun begin. Be sure to watch the kiddos to ensure their safety with some of the tools needed to complete your projects.
For more summer fun, check out our blog post, Atlanta Summer Bucket List: 50+ Things to Do With Kids!
