25 Creative Summer Crafts For Kids

On summer days when you're looking to escape the heat, there's nothing more fun than a crafternoon. From upcycling ideas to tie-dye, paper projects, and so much more, these 25 summer crafts for kids will keep them entertained and occupied. Plus, they should all require minimal supervision, so parents can bask in the glory of AC for a minute while the kids have fun: win-win.

01 of 25

A Paper Flower Wreath

Lia Griffith

This stunning garland of paper flowers can be made into a wreath or a pretty crown. It's easiest to make this with a cutting machine, but the tutorial offers a template you can cut out with scissors, too.

Frosted Paper Fairy Wreath from Lia Griffith
02 of 25

Egg Carton Butterflies

Nellie's Free Range

Your empty egg carton will go through a metamorphosis and come out as this lovely butterfly. Paint, pipe cleaners, a cardboard carton, and maybe some glitter are all you need to make this whimsical summer creature.

DIY Egg Carton Butterflies from Nellie's Free Range
03 of 25

Felt Watermelon Necklace

Let's Do Something Crafty

These felt watermelon necklaces are the only accessory they'll need all summer. They're lightweight and cheerful, and they make sweet gifts (because kids will want to make more than one).

Felt Watermelon Necklace from Let's Do Something Crafty
04 of 25

A DIY Flower Crown

Made With Happy

This gorgeous flower crown is made using silk flowers you can find at most craft stores. The bright pinks and oranges are so summery, but you can opt for a more muted or pastel palette, too.

DIY Flower Crown from Made With Happy

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05 of 25

A Cardboard Cactus

The Merrythought

This cardboard cactus looks summery and unexpected whether it's on its own or styled with other plants. Plus, it's a fun way to recycle.

Cardboard Cactus from The Merrythought
06 of 25

Flamingo Ring Toss

Sugar & Cloth

This one's a win-win because they'll enjoy making the craft, and they'll love playing the game outside. Plastic flamingos never looked so chic, and you can spray paint the rings any colors you'd like.

DIY Flamingo Ring Toss from Sugar & Cloth
07 of 25

Kinetic Sand

The Spruce / Nora Nalle

Kinetic sand is an another great craft that keeps kids busy even after it's made. Adding cornstarch to your sand helps to bind it all together, and it's easier to clean off floors that typical sand, which is good because even on the hottest day you don't want your home to look (and feel) like the beach.

Kinetic Sand from The Spruce Crafts
08 of 25

Bug Repellent Potpourri

Sugar And Charm

Keep bugs at bay, but make it charming. This floral, bug repellent potpourri is made using essential oils so it's natural and actually smells nice (at least to humans).

Bug Repellent Potpourri from Sugar and Charm

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09 of 25

Beaded Gecko Keychain

The Spruce / Lisa Yang

The beaded gecko keychain may look complex to make, but it's actually very beginner-friendly, and you can adjust the bead size based on age and experience (generally, bigger beads are easier for younger kids). There's a pattern to follow on the tutorial, too.

Beaded Gecko Keychain from The Spruce Crafts
10 of 25

Embroidery Floss Artwork

Lia Griffith

This embroidery floss artwork looks sophisticated and on-trend, and it's much less expensive than buying a piece of framed art. There's a template available in the tutorial, too, so you can recreate this exact image.

Embroidery Floss Artwork from Lia Griffith
11 of 25

Three Easy Hair Clips

A Beautiful Mess

Kids can keep the hair out of their eyes in a cool way with these three DIY hair clips that are simple to make. Plus, they'll love telling everyone who asks where they got these that they actually made them.

Three Trendy Hair Clips from A Beautiful Mess
12 of 25

Watermelon Rocks

Projects With Kids

This easy and fun craft is perfect for days when the kids are antsy but parents don't want to pull out anything beyond paint. You could stick to all watermelon rocks or make a cute fruit family.

Watermelon Painted Rocks from Projects With Kids

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13 of 25

DIY Stained Glass Suncatcher

Pretty Life Girls

Catch some rays on a hot summer with this stained glass suncatcher. It's made using both clear and colorful cellophane paper so you don't have to worry about working with glass around kids.

DIY Stained Glass Suncatchers from Pretty Life Girls
14 of 25

Origami Cherry Blossom

The Spruce / Harris Hui

Make gorgeous summer flowers that will last all year. All you'll need is a square piece of paper and a little patience, but once they get the hang of the folds, making these paper cherry blossoms will become second nature.

Origami Cherry Blossoms from The Spruce Crafts
15 of 25

DIY Rainbow Edge Stationery

Studio DIY

Perfect for writing letters to friends at camp, this rainbow-edged DIY stationery is unique and cool. It's super fun and easy to make—just try to use high quality paper to avoid rips.

DIY Rainbow Edge Stationery from Studio DIY
16 of 25

Unicorn Party Favor Cups

Growing Up Gabel

Whether or not there's a party, these unicorn cups will be a hit. Kids can fill them up with treats, they can use them for drinking water, or you could even use these as the most majestic popsicle mold.

Unicorn Party Favor Cups from Growing Up Gabel

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17 of 25

A Patriotic Wreath

Home Crafts By Ali

Get in the 4th of July spirit with this wreath that's made with painted clothespins and cut-out stars. You could put your own stamp on it by using bright summer colors or keeping one unpainted for a beachy look.

DIY Patriotic Wreath from Home Crafts By Ali
18 of 25

Tie Dye Shoes

Swoodson Says

Give classic white sneakers a groovy upgrade for the summer. The tutorial explains how to get the cool purple and pink ombre without staining the soles.

DIY Tie Dye Shoes from Swoodson Says
19 of 25

Felt Ice Cream Ball Keychains

A Kailo Chic Life

Keys get a whole lot sweeter with these felt ice cream cone keychains. Best of all, this craft is super easy and doesn't require much more than felt, a key ring, and hot glue (and a real ice cream cone for after).

DIY Felt Ball Ice Cream Cone Keychains from A Kailo Chic Life
20 of 25

DIY Dome Earring Holder

Almost Makes Perfect

Smaller earrings won't get lost thanks to this cute and functional dome earring holder made of polymer clay. The blush pink color adds a light and summery pop to any space.

DIY Dome Earring Holder from Almost Makes Perfect

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21 of 25

DIY Mini Mindfulness Garden

Mollie Johanson / The Spruce

This DIY mindfulness garden is an easy way to feel a little calmer on a busy day. Kids will have fun decorating the scene with whatever they can find, from action figures to dolls, rocks, or animal figurines.

Mini Mindfulness Garden from The Spruce Crafts
22 of 25

DIY Painted Pots

Casa Watkins Living

Give your plants a chic upgrade with these painted planters. The colors and the abstract floral shapes give these a summery, boho look that make green plants pop.

DIY Anthropologie-Inspired Painted Planters from Casa Watkins Living
23 of 25

Red, White, & Blue Wreath

A Kailo Chic Life

Who knew a wreath this stylish could be made of candy? The beaded texture is actually courtesy of Skittles; the brand makes an "America Mix" that contains these patriotic colors.

DIY Red, White, And Blue Wreath from A Kailo Chic Life
24 of 25

An Egg Carton Lantern

Nellie's Free Range

These upcycled egg carton lanterns would look beautiful hanging from a porch or patio along with some string lights, and the bright colors with playful tassels give off major warm weather vibes.

Upcycled Egg Carton Lanterns from Nellie's Free Range

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25 of 25

DIY Polaroid Gift Set

Sugar & Cloth

Tweens and teens will have a fun reason to print out their favorite Instagram photos thanks to this wooden Polaroid gift ideas. These are inexpensive and simple to make but they have a cool retro impact, and a magnet can be glued to the back so they can stick them to the refrigerator.

DIY Wooden Polaroid Gift Set from Sugar & Cloth