Are you looking for a few easy summer crafts for kids to keep them busy during vacation? Or perhaps you want some more relaxed activities for your children to enjoy when they (inevitably) complain that they're bored?
Either way, there is a ton of summer fun to be had with some simple craft ideas and a few materials that you probably already have around the house. So, if you have artsy-crafty kids who you want to amuse for a few hours, you're going to want to keep reading! Our top ideas for crafts for kids will give you all the inspiration you need to make this summer vacation one to remember.
6 Best Summer Crafts For Kids
Keeping your kids busy in summer can be really tough, especially when you have busy little ones who never seem to run out of energy! Luckily, there are loads of ways you can entertain them with these summer craft ideas.
1. Colorful jellyfish suncatchers
One of our favorite crafts for kids is creating jellyfish suncatchers to put in their bedroom windows.
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Using clear plastic or acetate sheets, have or help your child cut out the shape of a jellyfish.
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Color it in with markers. Alternatively, you can use different colors of tissue paper to glue to one side of the plastic.
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For the tentacles, you can either have your child cut them out using colored construction paper or paint different popsicle sticks and glue them to the bottom.
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Although it's optional, if you do have some googly eyes lying around, this can add some fun to the jellyfish.
Once they're done, you can display your child's hard work by hanging it up with a string in their window. Then they can enjoy their new suncatcher every morning over summer break.
2. Bubble painting
If you want an activity that uses everyday materials, then you're in luck. This kids' craft couldn't be easier!
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In a shallow dish, mix one part dish soap with two parts water until they're well combined.
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Then, add food coloring to each dish and stir until the color is mixed through. You can actually do this in a few different dishes, depending on how many colors you want to make!
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Have your child blow into the mixture using a straw until bubbles rise out of the dish.
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Put paper plates upside down, over the bubbles.
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Press them gently against the bubbles and repeat until you've got an absolute masterpiece on your hands!
To add some extra fun to this, you can give your child colored gel pens to create pictures in the patterns that the bubbles have made.
3. Chalkboard calendar
Do you have a fun summer activity planned for your kids? Then you can use this crafting activity to help plan out the summer vacation and get your kids to flex their imaginations.
Using a chalkboard designed for kids, such as a calendar, you can get them to fill in the upcoming activities that you have planned for them. But rather than getting them to simply write what activities they are, have them interpret these as drawings and add them to the corresponding spot in the calendar.
For example, if you're taking them to the beach on a specific day, you can have them use chalk markers to draw a picture of themselves at the beach. This is a super fun craft that is easy and quick to complete, and you don't need anything other than a few markers and a calendar. Plus, there's no mess to clean up at the end!
Helpful tip: For more chalk marker craft ideas, be sure to check out our blog!
4. DIY pool noodle race track
As a parent, it's likely that you have a few toy cars lying around the house. So why not use them as part of your crafting time with the kids?
Cut an old pool noodle into pieces and each piece in half lengthwise to create a track with the groove for the cars. Then, all you need to do is arrange the different pieces of the noodle into any track shape you'd like, and voilà - you have a DIY race track for your kids to enjoy.
Just remember to supervise your children if they're using scissors, and you'll need to prepare the noodle yourself for younger children.
5. Whiteboard storytelling
For a 'no mess, no fuss' craft idea, why not break out your dry-erase board and dry-erase markers and let your kids' imaginations run wild?
Ask your child to outline panels on the board with a black marker, and then create comic strips using the different panels. You can either make a grid or outline three or four basic panels (for younger children) and let them draw out their story.
This is a great way to get your children to focus on their creativity and storytelling abilities, and can keep them busy for ages as they come up with a unique narrative and characters!
What we love most about this kids' craft, though, is that there is no mess to clean up afterward! Plus, it's so much fun to see what your children will come up with.
6. Sidewalk chalk
If you want to encourage your kids to enjoy the outdoors but don't know how to grab their attention, this is a really fun craft to try. You can also use this idea when you don't want the fuss of cleaning up when you're done. All you need to do is give your children some sidewalk chalk and let them go crazy!
Creating artwork or playing games with sidewalk chalk can be such a fun activity. Plus, it's also an easy kids' craft that children of any age can enjoy. Once they're done, you can simply wash the chalk away and the sidewalk will be ready for even more unique artwork.
There is also so much you can do with this chalk, which you can read more about in our sidewalk chalk craft ideas blog post.
FAQs
Are chalkboards good for crafts for kids?
Chalkboards are some of the most versatile items your child can use to draw on. Not only are they incredibly durable (which is great for boisterous little ones), but they're reusable, which means they're much more eco-friendly than paper.
If you want to know more general information about chalkboards, be sure to check out our chalkboard FAQs. And, if you want to know more about how to use chalk markers, you can head over to our handy chalk marker FAQs.
Can I use these craft ideas for educational purposes?
Absolutely! It's important to remember that most of these craft ideas are already teaching your kids something - from fine motor skills to creativity and even focus and self-control. But if you want to give these crafts a more educational twist, it's really easy to do so!
For example, you can use your chalkboard calendar craft to teach your children about the days of the week or the different months in a year. Or, you can change up the whiteboard storytelling and use the board for more educational purposes. Just remember to encourage your child to participate and use the board themselves.
Final Thoughts
Finding a fun activity to keep the kids occupied during their summer break doesn't have to be a challenge! And now, with our simple crafts to inspire you, you're guaranteed to come up with some exciting and unique ideas of your own.
Remember, the most important thing is that your child has fun! And, if you're worried about a mess, just be sure to put some old newspaper down or let them create their crafts outside.