Easy Summer Crafts for Kids to Make

In my house we have always relied on craft projects to get us through the summer (or any other time, let’s be honest). My daughter is 13 now and the projects have changed from making rainbow loom bracelets and perler bead projects to digital art and closet cosplay, but it’s still making and I still love it.

Here are a few ideas for easy kids crafts to give your kids something to do during the summer or whenever you need a little project.

I feel like we still have an excess of pipe cleaners even though it’s been years since I’ve bought any. Maybe we need to make some of these three-strand pipe cleaner bracelets from One Little Project. They’re so cute and easy for little kids to make and will also use some of your limitless supply of pony beads.

I recently shared a post full of ideas for weaving with kids, and here’s another one. These cute little turtles are made in a God’s eye style, which is a summer camp classic and easy for kids to do. Get the tutorial from Pink Stripey Socks.

A dreamcatcher is another classic craft that will use up some of the random craft supplies you have lying around the house, such as feathers, yarn and beads. And paper plates. Why are there so many paper plates that are not used for eating? It’s a mystery. These instruction come from One Little Project as well!

And to go along with the ocean activities I shared the other day, why not have your older kids make these amazing watercolor ocean collages? This idea comes from Mr. Amsler’s Art Room, and while there’s not exactly a tutorial for how it was done there are plenty of photos that are sure to inspire you and your kiddos.

Summer Activity Printables for Kids

Summer Reading Printables and Tips for Parents

Beach Inspired Summer Art for Kids to Make

Printable Summer Activity Pack for Pre-K/Kindergarten

Next Plan Idea:

Perler Bead Projects for Kids

I’m in deep denial about the fact that new year is almost upon us again! It’s been the fastest and the longest year at the same time, and I can look back and see some good things as well as some things I wish had gone differently.

Doing a year in review with your kids — whether in the classroom or at home — is a good way to capture some of their memories and the things they really liked about the year gone by.

There are a lot of different printable year in review worksheets you can use if you want to make this super easy. Here are links to a few (often part of larger posts about NYE celebrations with kids that are worth a read, too):

Teach Beside Me has lots of fun printables fro the end of the year, including a year in review that covers favorite memory, funniest memory and the best book they read, among other topics.
NurtureStore‘s version has space for a self-portrait and prompts like favorite toy, best day out this year and future dream job.
Remember favorites, their “best idea” of the year and have room for setting goals for next year with this one from The Keele Deal.
The year in review from Yes We Made This has room for drawing or writing and includes things like something they learned, a memory they made and a place they visited.

Of course you could pretty easily make your own year in review for the whole family to do that asks questions based on what you most want to remember. (Favorite video game? Best friend? Favorite family memory?)

And if after the year in review you’re ready to look ahead a bit, Mrs. Merry has new year’s resolution printables to inspired kids to look ahead and set goals for things they want to try. You can totally fill this one out as a grownup, too.

[Photo: Mrs. Merry]

Next Plan Idea:

Have you read?

Leave a Reply