15 Beach Crafts to Make This Summer

Gold Scalloped Floppy Hat

While a bit of sunshine on your skin can feel absolutely invigorating, you’ll need to stay protected for any sort of real exposure. Rejuvenate a plain straw hat using Sarah Heart’s clever decorating method (she uses a clean wine cork to stamp a design), then relax on the beach in peace knowing you’re thoroughly shaded from the sun's intense rays.

Gold Scalloped Floppy Hat from Sarah Hearts

Driftwood and Starfish Art

Transform your tropical vacation treasures into a pretty piece of artwork a la Crafts by Amanda and her stylish framed project. Hot glue keeps everything in place, and an old paintbrush helps apply paint in a rustic fashion. This piece looks especially lovely placed on a mantle styled with a framed photograph from your trip as well.

Driftwood and Starfish Art from Crafts by Amanda

Floral Painted Sunglasses

A chic pair of sunglasses can tie any look together, and are absolutely essential when protecting your eyes for a day at the beach. Skip the designer frames and opt instead for a cheery do-it-yourself pair using a skinny paintbrush and some acrylic paint. Buy sunglasses in bulk online and paint a few different patterns, think: florals, geometrics, and polka dots. 

Floral Painted Sunglasses from Lovely Indeed

Fringed Tie Dye Blanket

A trip to the beach can be uncomfortable if you’re not prepared for sand (and lots of it). Craft a large, sturdy, eye-catching blanket to plop down before enjoying the shore, and to protect towels, snacks, and toys. Bonus: this pretty DIYed blanket works great on a picnic and at outdoor concerts too. 

Fringed Tie Dye Blanket from Orange Bettie

Craft a Beach-in-a-Ball

A perfect welcome gift for summer house guests, or newlyweds planning a tropical honeymoon, this do-it-yourself beach-in-a-ball is clever and cute. Fill the styrofoam ball with beach necessities like flip flops, sunglasses, and a thermos, or up the ante and add a plane ticket or hotel voucher. 

Beach-in-a-Ball from Damask Love

Shark Fin Bookmark

A day at the shore isn’t complete without the perfect beach read, so grab a novel and whip up a few on-theme shark fin bookmarks. Encourage little ones to take some quiet time this summer too with this quick afternoon project and a reading session. These shark fins are a great accompaniment to a first chapter book. 

Shark Fin Bookmark from Simplistically Living

Sea Glass Planter

Mimic the style of a classic mosaic with an old terracotta pot, colored glass, and white clay. Source your stones from your local beach (or your local craft store), and assemble using a strong adhesive. These finished, attention-grabbing pots are perfect for your indoor house plants, but don’t place them outside without weatherproofing first.

Sea Glass Planter from Crafts by Amanda

Coastal Wreath

Assemble a marine-inspired wreath with craft supplies and sand artifacts to create a warm welcome to your beach house, cabin, lake house, or everyday home. Add your own unique flare using a hot glue gun and found souvenirs from your last tropical vacation, and don’t hesitate to add a personalized surname placard as a final touch. 

Coastal Wreath from Crafts by Courtney

Beach Ball Garland

Create some easy decor for a beach (or beach-themed) party this summer. A beach ball garland will not only provide a festive pop of color, but will also guide your guests to your festivities amid a shore-full of bathers.

Pro tip: Add other fun inflatables to your garland as well, just be sure to use similar sizes across the strand. 

Beach Ball Garland from Make Life Lovely

Seashell Mobile

Go shelling at the coast to scavenge the supplies necessary for this oceanic mobile. Thin lengths of wire (or twine) connect the shells, and a rustic piece of driftwood is the perfect base for this eclectic artwork. Try varying the color and shape of your shells for an unexpected vibe, or select all one species for a more cohesive look.

Seashell Mobile from Make It & Love It

Rope-Wrapped Candle Holders

This quick craft couldn’t be simpler: adhere a length of organic rope to matching glass cylinders. Add beach-inspired flair (think: starfish, seashells, or coral), and fill your glasses with candles, flowers, or glass beads. These look best in clusters of two or three, so create a couple for a striking effect. See Stone Gable for the detailed tutorial.

Rope-Wrapped Candle Holders from Stone Gable

Sea Glass Window Art

Upcycle an old window of yours—or one from an estate sale or thrift shop—into an oceanic piece of art. Piece together a classic mosaic that resembles a wave splashing onto the shore. Seal things with a clear coat to keep everything in their places. 

Sea Glass Window Art from The House House

Paper Boat Craft

A great option for the kids, this easy paper craft is perfect for a rainy afternoon stuck indoors. Challenge kids to recreate a favorite beach memory using construction paper, or work from a treasured family photo.

Paper Boat Craft from I Heart Crafty Things

Beach-Themed Greeting Cards

Invite guests to your beach party with a summery, homemade card. Add your own flair (think: stickers, cut-outs, and stamps) to personalize each invite, or shift these DIYs into clever thank-you notes instead. Add a photograph from your time at the shore to really savor your memories. 

Beach-themed Greeting Cards from Maggie Holmes Design

Round Beach Towel

Combine three coordinating beach towels to create one, kitschy, fringed, huge round towel. This project is great if you have a few towels that have torn or frayed edges. You can easily cut those edges out and give your beach towels a new life. 

Round Beach Towel from A Beautiful Mess