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I am a huge fan of independent play and not serving my kids as a 24/7 entertainer.
So naturally, I’m pretty serious about giving my children open-ended opportunities to create and play. Summer crafts for kids are one way I go about providing such opportunities.
We do summer stations a few times per week and that’s when I set up the summer crafts for my kids to make alone. Well, with just a little supervision usually.
If you have never heard of summer stations, definitely check out the post about the 5 Summer Activities For Kids That Are A Win For Mom.
Back to the summer crafts, I was kind of low on ideas these last few weeks and I really didn’t feel like setting up and cleaning up elaborate projects. I also didn’t want to spend a lot of money on summer crafts because as a minimalist, I try to focus on buying less.
Whether it’s due to budget or lack of interest in crafts, lots of moms agree that summer crafts should be cheap and easy. If you share our opinion, you will be happy to hear that all the summer crafts I collected below fit the bill!
Some of these summer crafts require adult help, not just set up, so I plan to use these to spend time with my kids. I’m not a craft-lover myself, but I would do close to anything to enter my children’s world. So summer crafts, here we come.
Without further ado, here are the cheap and easy summer crafts I loved the most on Pinterest and the ones that will be invited into our minimalist home this summer. Just click on the links below the pictures and you can view how to make these easy summer crafts.
Enjoy!
Easy And Cheap Summer Crafts For Kids
I linked to specific items after each summer craft, but you will need to have these basic supplies on hand to do any of them:
1. Paper Plate Snails
Image credit and idea: This N That with Olivia
This summer craft requires very minimal prep. You can set out different beads in a bow for the kids to pick through. Cut pipe cleaners into small pieces and if your kids can’t do it yet, cut out a long piece of construction paper for the snails’ body.
I think for younger kids, it would be easier to drip the glue onto the paper plate and let them just stick the beads in it. Older kids would probably be fine with doing both the glue and the beads.
To Make It, Buy These:
2. Q-Tip Painted Dragonfly
Image credit and idea: Projects With Kids
No worries, this project comes with a free printable dragonfly template, so you don’t have to draw anything! (that’s the best news) Just cut out the template, set up different colors of paint and provide your kids with q-tips.
They also may need a brush to paint the body of the dragonfly. You can show them the picture of the finished product if you really want to, but their own creativity will really shine if they are left completely to their own devices.
To Make It, Buy These:
3. Microwave Puffy Paint
Image credit and idea: Happiness Is Homemade
I have never tried this idea before, but I have to say, I am intrigued. You basically squeeze a colorful batter type material on paper and microwave it to puff up,
If you have ingredients to make pancakes, you will be able to pull this cool summer craft together in no time! Since my kids love to squeeze things out of where it belongs, I bet they will love this one.
To Make It, Buy These:
4. PomPom Rainbow Summer Craft
Image credit and idea: Danya Banya
Pom-poms and glue are just so fun! This craft fully supports that idea, and while little ones happily stick pompoms to paper, they also work on their fine motor skills.
Don’t worry if they mix the colors or don’t use the same size pompoms. With a project like this, there is no right way to finish!
I usually have a big jar of assorted pompoms on hand at all times, because they are useful for so many kid-friendly games and crafts. Check out these no prep activities for toddlers to find ideas.
To Make It, Buy These:
5. Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars
Image credit and idea: Red Ted Art
These binoculars are not only fun and easy to make, but they can be used for pretend play as well. My kids love playing pirates, but yours might want to pretend to be zoologists, stargazers or hunters.
Either way, you just helped them turn a toilet paper roll into a new toy. Be proud.
To Make It, Buy These:
6. Starfish Craft
Image credit and idea: Buggy and Buddy
Following the vacation by the ocean theme, this cute starfish craft is fun for several reasons.
First off, gems and sequins. I have yet to see a kid who isn’t fascinated.
Second, the project uses oil pastels and then watercolors on top, which gives the starfish a really cool texture. (and more mess for the kids to enjoy)
Third, if you click the link, you can print out the starfish’s outline, so craft-challenged mamas, we are covered!
To Make It, Buy These:
7. Washi Tape Butterflies
Image credit and idea: Art Bar Blog
I used to think washi tape is only for scrapbooks. Boy was I wrong. My kids have never worked on a scrapbook in their life, but washi tape is one of their favorite choice of entertainment. Don’t ask me why, but they just love tearing the tape and sticking it to things.
With this craft, I can add a little direction to the chaos and voila, butterflies! FYI, I buy cheap washi so I don’t lose my mind over their wastefulness creativity.
To Make It, Buy These:
8. Weaving A Rainbow Fish
summer crafts
Image credit and idea: Crafty Morning
This craft is for older kids because they need to be able to “weave” the colored paper through the white slits. It isn’t difficult but requires a bit more patience and fine motor skills.
As kids, we used to do this craft with just plain paper with slits in it, so if you don’t feel up to drawing and cutting a fish shape, just call it a weaved rainbow rug.
To Make It, Buy These:
9. Tape Resist Painting
Image credit and idea: Soccer Mom Blog
I have already loved Kwik Stix, but now I can use them in even more ways. I love the fact that they are smooth and creamy like paint but they dry in a super short time. They are retractable and very low mess.
We usually just pain whatever the kids want with them, but I love this idea of covering part of the paper with tape and then go to town with the sticks. I think kids would love to discover that the tape keeps the paper white underneath.
Pay special attention to use masking tape, otherwise, the tape will rip right through the paper.
To Make It, Buy These:
10. Pompom Painted Pineapples
Image credit and idea: Happy Toddler Playtime
I already mentioned the versatility of pom poms, and here’s another reason why they should be a must-have in your art cabinet.
How cute is the pineapple top made out of handprints? My kids love tracing their hand and this idea works for a simple keepsake too.
And don’t even get me started on “the dipping the pom-pom in paint and stamping with it” part. Craft perfection!
To Make It, Buy These:
11. Sponge Sail Boats
Image credit and idea: Easy Peasy And Fun
I can’t imagine a better way to connect summertime and crafts than a boat! The kids can take it to the pool or backyard water table, even the tub, and enjoy sailing them.
To Make It, Buy These:
12. Paper Lemonade
Image credit and idea: Pitter Patter Art
The creator of this craft idea praises the best craft supply of all: plain paper! Everybody has it on hand, it’s cheap and there are so many ways to use it. This craft is cheap but not that simple and involves a hot glue gun, so adult supervision will be needed as well.
In this summer craft, kids can re-create an all-time favorite drink, complete with ice cubes, straw and lemon slices. Looks so refreshing, I want to drink a cold cup of lemonade now.
To Make It, Buy These:
13. Paper Robots
Image credit and idea: Art Bar Blog
I love how these robots can become such a clear expression of children’s creativity. There is absolutely no wrong way to do it! I can’t wait to see what weird little robots my kids come up with.
To help kids visualize the end product and understand how to make this craft, I think it’s great to have a robot pre-made or at least started for them when you set up the supplies.
To Make It, Buy These:
14. Tissue Paper Flag
Image credit and idea: The Simple Parent
This tissue paper flag is the perfect way to prepare for July 4th. You can even tell your kids about the meaning behind the flag’s colors and the “stars”, if they don’t already know.
The other reason why I love this craft is that kids don’t need to use glue to stick the tissue paper on. All you need is self-adhesive shelf liner or contact paper!
To Make It, Buy These:
15. Sunny Hand Prints
Image credit and idea: Easy Crafts For Kids
It really doesn’t get easier than this. This sun craft would make a great addition to a birthday party or other gathering with a group of kids. It’s simple enough to make but it’s also personal, beause each child will have their own handprints attached.
If you don’t want to use paint, kwik stix or good quality, thick tip markers would also work to cover the paper plate. Or, buy yellow plates and call it a day.
To Make It, Buy These:
I hope you are encouraged, that summer crafts can be easy and fun, for non-crafty moms and kids alike. Shoot me an email with pictures if you made any of these!
If you have a mama friend, who needs easy summer craft ideas, please share this with her!
