Are you looking for some fun and easy Summer Crafts for Kids? Here are 100 summer themed art and craft ideas for toddlers and preschoolers to try. These are a great way to spend time together with your kids on hot summer days.
If you want to make your Summer themed lessons a breeze, then check out the Summer Activity Pack. It’s filled with math and literacy centers, fine motor activities and arts and crafts templates. All of which are aligned with preschool learning standards. Check it out today.
Disclosure: Adult supervision is required for all activities at all times. Some of the links provided in this blog are affiliate links. I will be paid a commission if you use this link to make a purchase.
Summer Crafts for Kids
1. Summer Sunset Art for Kids
Kids of all ages will love this fun craft. Make a suncatcher that looks like a summer sunset at the beach. These will look beautiful hanging on your window.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
2. Black Glue Sun Art
Black glue art projects are some of my favorite ways to get creative with big kids. Learn how to make this easy peasy black glue sun picture with your children this summer.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
3. Egg Carton Ice Cream Craft
Learn how to make an ice cream craft out of egg cartons. This is one of those fun summer craft ideas that you can easily adjust to make your own unique version.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
4. Rainbow Fish Printable
Grab your copy of this free printable template to make your own rainbow fish craft. Use it as a base for paper crafts, painting, or even our DIY Rainbow Fish Peg Board.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
5. Sun Smudge Art
Now here is a fun way to use your oil pastels. Make a sun with rays that are smudged together. This is a great way to explore, get messy and try a bit of color mixing as you create.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
6. Bubble Wrap Lemonade Craft
Use bubble wrap to make the bubbles in this paper lemonade picture. This is a fun project for kids to try this summer, but make sure you save some of the bubble wrap for them to pop after you’re done crafting.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
7. Paper Plate Kiwi Fruit Craft
Turn your paper plates into this easy kiwi fruit craft. This is a creative way for young children, like toddlers and preschoolers to learn about healthy food and healthy eating.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
8. Sun Q-Tip Painting
Use q-tips to make a smiling sun picture. This is a great way for little hands to develop fine motor skills, by using alternative materials to paint with.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
9. DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint
Learn how to make your own sidewalk paint out of chalk. There are so many different fun ideas you can try with chalk paint. Your kids will have a great time outside with this fun activity.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
10. Under the Sea Silhouette Art
There are so many wonderful summer crafts for kids to try this year. I loved this under the sea silhouette art idea, it looks like you’re going snorkeling and are looking at the sea animals swimming above you. Check out the original post because there are free printable templates for you to use in your own underwater pictures.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
11. Paper Sun Art
I love doing easy crafts like this with my toddlers. This paper sun picture is an example of the different ways you can create art out of everyday things.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
12. Surfboard Craft for Kids
This is the perfect summer craft for kids who love playing in the waves. Grab your copy of this free template to make your own surfboard picture. Older kids will love designing their own surfboards these summer holidays.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
13. Rainbow Sand Art
Learn how to make colored sand and use it to make art. There are so many different craft projects to make with colored sand, take a look at these great ideas to get your started.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
14. Frozen Paint
Freeze paint with popsicle sticks as handles, to make a fun process art activity for kids while at camp. Summer camp is the perfect time for older children to express their creative ideas with their friends.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
15. Jellyfish Salt Painting
Make a jellyfish painting out of salt and watercolors. Salt is so much fun to paint, you won’t believe how fascinated younger kids are with the way the salt soaks up the colors.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
16. Pineapple Craft for Summer
Make a simple pineapple picture using paper. This is a fun and easy cut and paste activity that only requires simple craft supplies.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
17. Paper Plate Boat Craft
Learn how to turn a paper plate into a boat craft. This kid-friendly craft is perfect for a hot summer day when you wish you could be out sailing on the ocean.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
18. Paper Plate Sun Craft
This paper plate sun craft is a great activity for kids who also need to practice their scissor skills. This little project is also a great opportunity to talk to your kids about the importance of sun safety in the warm weather.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
19. Paper Plate Doughnut Craft
This paper plate doughnut craft looks so delicious. It’s a fantastic summer boredom buster for kids who are home from school and need a quick and easy craft idea.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
20. Paper Plate Turtle Craft
Turtles are always one of my favorite summer crafts for kids. I have a soft spot for turtles and just love how this paper plate turtle turned out. While I stuck to a traditional green, this is also a great craft to do with colorful tissue paper to make a rainbow shell.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
Summer Activity Pack
Educational printables for preschoolers and kindergarteners for this Summer.
21. Paper Plate Starfish Craft
There are so many different simple summer crafts that you can make out of paper plates. This paper plate starfish is so easy, but still looks great hanging on the classroom wall.
For more ideas, take a look at these 40 Paper Plate Summer Crafts for Kids.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
22. Paper Plate Watermelon Craft
This is a fun summer activity for kids who love to eat watermelon. Make a paper plate watermelon craft with actual watermelon seeds or black beans. All you need to do is to mix some school glue into your acrylic paint before painting to help the seeds to stick.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
23. Paper Plate Fish Craft
Make your own fish crafts using paper plates. This is a wonderfully versatile craft that really lets kids use their imagination to create their own fish.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
24. Paper Plate Jellyfish Craft
Make this jellyfish craft out of paper plates or colorful paper. Young children will love threading the tentacles together and developing fine motor skills at the same time.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
25. Handprint Pirate Art
Turn those cute fingers into pirate themed crafts. This handprint pirate picture is great for birthday parties or talk like a pirate day.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
26. Washable Paint
Learn how to make your very own homemade washable window paint. Use this paint to decorate windows, glass pool fences or even cars. This is fun for the entire family.
Don’t worry, with just a little bit of water it all washes right off.
Photo: Taming Little Monsters
27. Free Ice Cream Coloring Pages
These ice cream coloring pages are a treat. Grab your copy of these free printables and enjoy mking your own.
28. Plastic Bottle Butterflies – Recycled Art
Turn your old plastic bottles into these beautiful butterflies. You can make lots of fun summer crafts using nothing but your recycling and simple craft supplies. Can you believe something so pretty used to be trash?
Photo: Our Family Code
29. Mason Jar Aquarium
Use your spare mason jars to make a mini aquarium craft. These are so easy for kids to make and look wonderful sitting on your shelf at home.
Photo: Baby Savers
30. Chalk Pastel Jellyfish Art
You can use chalk pastels to make some beautiful summer crafts for kids. I just love how these chalk pastel jellyfish look like they’re glowing in the dark.
Photo: Projects with Kids
31. Fork Painted Sun Art
Use plastic or wooden forks to make easy craft ideas, like this fun fork painted sun picture. This is a great way for toddlers and preschoolers to create art using alternative materials.
Photo: Active Littles
32. Water Gun Painting
Water pistols are great for cooling down during the hot summer months, but you can also use them to make art. This water gun painting is a fun way to get creative outdoors.
Photo: Little Bins for Little Hands
33. Ice Cream Painted Rocks
How cute are these ice cream painted rocks? This is one of the best ideas, because you can then use these ice creams as props in your ice cream shop’s dramatic play corner.
Photo: Projects with Kids
34. Seashell Flower Garden Craft
Use seashells in some awesome summer crafts. Here they make the petals in this lovely seashell flower picture, but can you think of any other cool ways to make art with shells?
Photo: Artsy Craftsy Mom
35. Beach Shoebox Diorama
Turn an old shoebox into this beach diorama. This DIY craft is a fun way for kids to make their own 3D art using toilet paper rolls, pipe cleaners and other craft supplies.
Photo: Look! We’re Learning
36. Octopus Paper Bag Puppet Craft
Make an octopus puppet out of paper bags. All you need is some colorful paper, googly eyes and a bit of imagination to make these cute sea creatures.
Photo: Simple Everyday Mom
37. Flower Bouquet Craft Project
This flower bouquet art uses real flowers from the garden. If you don’t want your children picking flowers just yet, get some fabric flowers from your local craft store. It still looks beautiful and will last forever.
Photo: STEAM Powered Family
38. DIY Cardboard Tube Kazoo Craft
Make your own kazoo using a paper towel tube. Toddlers and preschoolers will love making their own colorful musical instruments.
Photo: Happy Toddler Playtime
39. Sunscreen Painting
Painting with sunscreen is one of the best summer crafts because it shows children why it’s so important to be safe in the sun. See how the sunscreen protects the paper from the sun and why it’s so important for our skin.
Photo: Team Cartwright
40. Starfish Watercolor Art
I love using black glue to make summer crafts for kids. Learn how to make this cute starfish picture using black glue and watercolors.
Photo: Rhythms of Play
41. Sea Shell Fish in an Aquarium Craft
Make a cute fish picture out of seashells. These colorful fish look beautiful swimming around their paper plate aquarium.
Photo: Artsy Craftsy Mom
42. Ice Cream Cone Craft
Use styrofoam or foam balls to make this fun felt ice cream craft. This is a fun and delicious looking craft to try over the summer break.
Photo: Crafts by Ria
43. Melted Crayon Art
Use melted crayons to make art. This is a fun way to use the sun’s heats to help you make these fabulous ideas.
Photo: Hands On Teaching Ideas
44. Shark Hat Craft
Grab your copy of this printable template and make your own shark hats. These templates come in both color and black and white so you can choose how you want to make your shark hats.
Photo: Kids Craft Room
45. Sponge Painted Ice Cream Cone
Use a sponge to make this sponge ice cream painting. This simple arts project is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who love to paint with different tools.
Photo: Fantastic Fun and Learning
46. Rocking Paper Crab Craft
Learn how to make a rocking crab out of a paper plate. This is a fun summer arts idea for kids of all ages to try.
Photo: Arty Crafty Kids
47. Cupcake Liner Pirate
This pirate picture is made out up cupcake liners and simple craft supplies. This is a fun artwork to make during summer or talk like a pirate day.
Photo: Artsy Momma
48. Mermaid Paper Bag Puppet
How cute are these paper bag mermaid puppets? If you have a young child at home who loves mermaids, then this craft is going to be a huge hit.
Photo: Messy Little Monster
49. Nature Paint Brushes
Head into the garden and make alternative paint brushes out of nature. What interesting patterns will the paint make if you use feathers, leaves or twigs to paint with?
Photo: Little Bins for Little Hands
50. Ice Cream Cone Craft
The next time you’re interested in summer crafts for kids and you’re looking for a fun and easy project, try this cotton pad ice cream cone craft. It’s so easy to put together and the kids will love seeing how the cotton pads absorb the watercolor paint.
Photo: The Analytical Mommy
51. Colorful Popsicle Fine Motor Craft
Use tissue paper and glue to make these colorful popsicles. This is an easy craft that toddlers and preschoolers will love making.
Photo: A Dab of Glue Will Do
52. Coffee Filter Jellyfish
Don’t you just love these coffee filter jellyfish? This cute sea animal will look wonderful hanging on your fridge or classroom wall this year.
Photo: Look! We’re Learning
53. Mermaid Handprint Craft
Turn your child’s handprint into colorful mermaid hair. This mermaid handprint picture is a fun craft to do with any young child who loves fairytale characters.
Photo: Simple Everyday Mom
54. Shadow Sidewalk Art
Pose in funny ways and trace around the shadows. This sidewalk chalk shadow art is a fun way to get silly with your kids this summer break.
Photo: Rhythms of Play
55. Rocking Boat Paper Craft
Make a boat that rocks backwards and forwards in the ocean waves. This cute paper boat craft is fun to make and fun to play with after you’ve finished getting crafty.
Photo: Artsy Craftsy Mom
56. Egg Carton Shark Craft
These cute sharks are made from egg cartons. Kids of all ages will love making these egg carton sharks for shark week.
Photo: Crafts by Ria
57. Crab Puppet Craft
Make your own crab puppet out of simple craft supplies. This puppet is also fun to use for storytelling once you’ve finished making your own cute crabs.
Photo: Kids Craft Room
58. Craft Felt Bugs
Make some simple shapes out of felt and see what your young kids will come up with. This summer you can make a whole set of felt bugs using a bit of felt, googly eyes and some creativity.
Photo: No Time for Flashcards
59. Sandcastle Art Project
If you can’t get to the beach, then make your own sandcastle pictures at home instead. This is a fun way to create a magnificent castle with your children.
Photo: Fantastic Fun and Learning
60. Colorful Shell Sculptures
What summer crafts for kids can you make out of seashells? One idea is to turn them into these sea shell sculptures. What amazing creations will your kids create with this idea?
Photo: Fun-A-Day
61. Bubble Painting
Make paintings using colorful bubble mixture. This is a fun twist on a classic bubble blowing activity.
Photo: 123 Homeschool 4 Me
62. Fruit Prints
These colorful fruit prints would look wonderful as part of a fruit salad picture or some fun summer themed collage art. What other ways can you think of getting creative with these fun fruit prints?
Photo: Fantastic Fun and Learning
63. Sponge Painted Fish
Use some old sponges to make a giant fish picture. This sponge painted fish is a fun way to paint outdoors on a warm summer’s day.
Photo: Happy Toddler Playtime
64. Handprint Strawberry Craft
Make a strawberry out of red paper and green leaves out of your childs handprints. This is a cute paper strawberry craft project that will make a lovely keepsake for when your kids get older.
Photo: 123 Homeschool 4 Me
65. Handprint Sun Art
Make the sun’s rays out of handprints. This is another fun handprint craft for young children to try this summer.
Photo: Little Bins for Little Hands
66. Exploding Paint Art
What happens when paint explodes? Place some paper underneath and find out. This exploding paint art is an exciting process art activity that kids of all ages can get a thrill out of.
Photo: Preschool Play and Learn
67. Water Balloon Painting
Make art using paint filled water balloons. Your children will love watching the colorful water explode all over their artwork as they drop the waterballoons. This is such a fun way to play outside this year.
Photo: 123 Homeschool 4 Me
68. Torn Paper Watermelon Craft
Use torn paper pieces to make a sweet paper watermelon craft. Tearing the paper is a fantastic way for kids to develop fine motor skills, making this activity perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who still need to develop stronger hands and fingers.
Photo: Fantastic Fun and Learning
69. Boats in the Sea
Raid your recycling and see what you can use to make this boats on the sea picture. This amazing artwork is a fun way to reuse your recyclable materials and turn them into something new.
Photo: Fantastic Fun and Learning
70. Fork Painted Dandelions
These fork painted dandelions are a fun summer crafts for kids. Young children will love making this lovely picture out of utensils.
Photo: 123 Homeschool 4 Me
71. Ocean Art with Salt and Watercolors
Have you seen what happens to watercolor art when you sprinkle salt on it? Give it a try with this ocean art picture. Your children will love seeing the effect the salt has on their artwork.
Photo: Buggy and Buddy
72. 3D Paper Dolphin Craft
Turn some regular craft paper into this fun 3D dolphin craft. This is a great way to make your own dolphin jumping through the waves.
Photo: Look! We’re Learning
73. Egg Carton Floating Whale
This egg carton whale craft actually floats. This is a fun craft to make with your kids, who will then love racing their whales across the bath at nighttime.
Photo: Barley and Birch
74. Paper Plate Seahorse
Don’t you just love this colorful and glittery paper plate seahorse craft? These will look amazing hanging on your classroom wall.
Photo: Simple Everyday Mom
75. Paper Plate Beach Craft
Make a beach scene on a paper plate. This cute craft even uses a cupcake liner for a beach umbrella, all it needs is some real sand down the bottom and it would be amazing.
Photo: Crafts on Sea
76. Egg Carton Goldfish
This goldfish craft is so cute, it’s hard to believe that it’s made out of egg cartons.
Photo: The Craft Train
77. Paper Bag Whale Craft
Turn a paper bag into a smiley whale craft, this whale even comes with a spout of water coming out of its head.
Photo: A Little Pinch of Perfect
78. Sailboat Craft
This sailboat craft is so simple to make, but looks fantastic. I can just imagine going sailing on the ocean when I look at this easy kids craft.
Photo: The Best Ideas for Kids
79. Egg Carton Flower Bouquet
Get happy crafting with your recycling. This flower bouquet is made out of egg cartons, pom poms and paint. It just goes to show that you don’t need anything fancy to make something beautiful.
Photo: Mombrite
80. Shark Binoculars
These shark binoculars are a fun craft you can make out of old cardboard tubes. These summer crafts for kids are perfect for shark week or an under the sea theme in your classroom.
Photo: Pink Stripey Socks
81. Sandpaper Sandcastle Craft
Use sandpaper to make this fun sandcastle art. This is a fun way to incorporate a bit of sensory play in your next summer art activity.
Photo: Happy Toddler Playtime
82. Egg Carton Turtle
Turn your old egg carton into these cute turtles. This egg carton turtle craft is a fun way to talk to your kids about sea life and what we can do to protect it.
Photo: Emma Owl
83. Peg Doll Mermaid Craft
Make your own peg doll mermaids to use as part of your next small world play. This is a great craft for any child who loves mermaids and making up their own stories about them.
Photo: Artsy Craftsy Mom
84. Paper Bag Pirate Craft
Use an old paper bag to make this pirate craft. These paper bag pirates are perfect for a pirate themed unit in your class or for some family fun for “talk like a pirate” day.
Photo: i Heart Crafty Things
85. Egg Carton Ocean Craft
This small ocean craft is made out of an entire egg carton. Add your own shells, seaweed or coral and give your fish a beautiful home to live in.
Photo: The Imagination Tree
86. Seashell Starfish Craft
Have you ever thought of using seashells to make a colorful starfish craft? Give it a try with this cute craft idea.
Photo: Craft Play Learn
87. DIY Pirate Ship Craft for Kids
Get your teddies to sail the seven seas with this DIY pirate ship craft idea. This is a fantastic craft because you can also play with it once it’s finished being made.
Photo: Big Family Blessings
88. Egg Carton Boats
Make egg carton boats for your small world people to go racing in. These sailing boats look amazing but are incredibly easy to make.
Photo: Life At The Zoo
89. Fork Painted Pufferfish Craft
This surprised pufferfish is made using fork painting. Don’t you just love how something so simple can look so good?
Photo: Crafty Morning
90. Beach Ball Painting
This is definitely one of my favorite summer crafts for kids. Take a regular beach ball and paint with it. Your kids will love seeing how this beach toy can help them to make art.
Photo: What Can We Do With Paper and Glue
91. Egg Carton Ice Cream Cones
Use egg cartons to make these colorful ice cream cones. These tiny egg carton ice cream cones are also a fantastic way for children to develop their fine motor skills while they get to be creative.
Photo: In The Playroom
92. Cupcake Liner Crabs
What do you think about these two little guys? These cupcake liner crabs make for a wonderful picture that go perfectly with any summer or under the sea theme.
Photo: i Heart Crafty Things
93. Pool Noodle Painting
When it comes to toddlers and preschoolers, simple ideas are often the best. Make an abstract picture using pool noodles to paint with. This is a fun new way to use this classic toy that your children will just love.
Photo: Happy Toddler Playtime
94. Egg Carton Sunflowers
Make some egg carton sunflowers for either summer or fall. These little flowers look so cheerful that they’re bound to bring a smile to your face.
Photo: Buggy and Buddy
95. Egg Carton Oyster Craft
Now here’s a craft I bet you never thought of before. Make an oyster out of egg cartons, it even has a pearl inside waiting to be discovered.
Photo: Crafty Morning
96. Spray Bottle Fireworks
This process art idea is a great way to celebrate those summer night skies. These spray bottle fireworks are a great idea for the 4th of July or New Years Eve.
Photo: Barley and Birch
97. Egg Carton Jellyfish Craft
I don’t know about you, but I can just imagine a whole lot of these little creatures hanging up to make our own jellyfish maze. These egg carton jellyfish are a fun craft to try if your kids are a fan of the movie Finding Nemo.
Photo: The Art Kit Blog
98. Fish Magic Scratch Art
Learn how to make your own scratch art and use it to make some fun pictures. This fish scratch art will seem like magic to little kids who have never done it before.
Photo: Messy Little Monster
99. Egg Carton Sea Life
Use egg cartons to make a whole lot of sea life. From coral to crabs, this egg carton sea life collection is bound to be a hit with kids of all ages.
Photo: Fantastic Fun and Learning
100. Swing Painting
This process art idea looks so fun, that I want to give it a try myself. Making a painting by swinging, this is a fun way for kids to get outside and play with their toys in a whole new way.
Photo: Homegrown Friends
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