Oh, summer. The kids wait and wait and wait for it, and then, how many minutes in are they complaining about how hot it is? Or how you won’t take them to the pool (for the second time that day)? Or that they’re simply bored? So we’ve tracked down a whole bunch of really cool summer crafts for kids from around the web that you can bookmark, and stash away for those very moments.
Some take a little planning and a few supplies, while others are as simple as printables. Which means print out a whole bunch now for your next road trip or plane ride; or just stash them away in your bag of crafty tricks. You may need them sooner than you think.
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DIY Summer Fan Craft
Of course, we can’t think of summer crafts without starting with fans. While our kids are perfectly content with the old-fashioned “color a sheet of paper and fold it like a fan” craft, these free printable summer fans at Mr. Printables are super cute. They could even be a fun summer party craft for a crowd. You’ll need colored paper, dolly pegs (wooden clothespins), and string or yarn.
DIY Mandala Butterfly Mask
How fun is this free printable mandala butterfly mask for kids at Hattifant? Not only will kids have a blast coloring in all those detailed designs, but attach a wooden dowel rod and cut out the eyes…next thing you know they’ll be in the garden writing their own plays. Make sure there’s room on the camera for video. And be prepared to pay for tickets!
Related: Fun summer craft for kids: Story starters grab bag, with free printable artwork
Paper Mermaid Flippers Craft
Also from Hattifant, I really like the simplicity of these free printable mermaid flippers which kids can draw, then easy affix to their ankles with tape. Though I think it’s clever how she first had the kids wrap both legs in a single sock for more real-life mermaid accuracy.
Make-your-own ice cream project
Is any kid going to say no to ice cream? Of course not. Especially when it’s this fun make-your-own ice cream in a bag recipe that we found on Marvelous Mommy.
Painted Ladybug Rock Craft
Ithink painted ladybug rocks are a cool summer craft for kids all on their own, but I’m impressed by the AttaGirl Says suggestion to make lots of them, and turn them into a game of Ladybug vs Tadpole Tic Tac Toe. Or Ladybug vs Dragonfly. Or Ladybug vs R2D2 I suppose anything goes in the world of painted rock creatures.
Clothespin Dragonfly Craft
From ladybugs to dragonflies, these clothespin dragonflies at Crafty Morning are such a classic preschool craft, made a little more fun with glittery pipe cleaners and actual googly eyes.
A while back, we featured this campfire story starters grab bag craft, featuring free printable story starter tiles and a tutorial for making your own grab bag if you’re inclined. Considering how much my kids love making up their own stories, I don’t think you even need a campfire to get the yarns spinning. In fact, it’s a great car trip activity.
DIY Summer Pinwheels
Like DIY fans, I see a make your own pinwheels craft as essential for summer. There’s no shortage of tutorials online, but I like how these easy ones from Practically Functional came out.
Of course there’s always that old standby: free printable summer coloring pages, and we put together a whole bunch of cool ones for you, ranging from design-your-own-surfboard to coloring in Olaf, who it seems is still incredibly relevant in many underage circles.
DIY Painted Birdhouse Craft for Kids
Decorating your own birdhouse, like these seriously cute ones from Make it Do is always a fun summer craft. We had first suggested that they make a cool birthday party craft that doubles as a take-home party favor, and it’s also a great weekend activity, indoors or out. Plus the birds will especially appreciate them come fall.
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