14 Simple and Creative Summer Crafts for Kids

Instructions:

1. Make the Cones

Cut several ice cream cone shapes out of brown paper. Write a number (1–5) on each cone using a marker or pen.

2. Create the Scoops

Cut out ice cream scoop-shaped pieces from colored paper (a semi-circle with a wavy bottom). Make enough scoops to match the numbers written on your cones. For instance, in the example pictures above, you’d need a total of six ice cream scoops.

3. Start Matching

Invite your child to place the correct number of scoops on each cone based on the number written on it. Use the cones for number recognition, counting practice, or even pretend play in a make-believe ice cream shop! To turn this into a reusable activity with more number options, write numbers on sticky notes or scraps of paper rather than directly onto the ice cream cones.

Instructions:

1. Trace and Cut the Letter S

On red paper, trace a large letter S (use the letter S template in our letter S worksheets if needed). Help your child carefully cut it out—this will be the strawberry.

2. Make the Stem and Leaves

Cut out a small stem and a leafy top (the calyx) from green paper to go on the strawberry. Glue the green stem and leaves to the top of the red letter S.

3. Add the Seeds

Using a black crayon or colored pencil, have your child draw small seeds all over the strawberry. Then count up all the seeds for a little math practice!

Instructions:

1. Trace and Cut Out the Letter B and Waves

Trace a large letter B (use the letter B template from our letter B worksheets if needed) on to a piece of white paper. Then cut ocean waves from blue paper.

2. Create the Boat

Cut a simple boat shape from other colors, using a semi-circle shape for the boat, a tall, skinny rectangle for the boat’s mast, and a longer triangle shape to create the sail.

3. Glue the Pieces Down

Have your child arrange the paper pieces, placing the letter B and water down first, and then building their paper boat. Glue all the pieces down and set sail!

Instructions:

1. Cut the Pieces

Cut a circle from the brown paper for the center of the sunflower, oval-shaped semi-circle petals from the yellow paper, and a stem and leaf from the green paper.

2. Assemble the Sunflower

Help your child glue the petals around the brown circle, then attach the stem and leaf to complete the flower.

3. Practice Writing the Letter S

In each yellow petal, have your child write the letter S using a pencil, marker, or crayon, practicing with the letter S shape. They can rotate the paper as needed to write comfortably around the flower. Then, practice saying “S is for sunflower,” to help your child get familiar with the letter S sound.

Instructions:

1. Create the Ladybug’s Body

Cut a large red oval for the ladybug’s body and use a marker to draw small black spots all over it.

2. Cut the Ladybug Parts

From black paper, cut out a semi-circle for the head, six skinny rectangles for legs, and two skinny strips that end in a point for antennae.

3. Assemble and Name Your Ladybug

Glue all the pieces onto a sheet of paper to form your ladybug—then give it a fun name and hang it up for all to see!

Instructions:

1. Cut Out the Pieces

Help your child cut out shapes for the sun, water, island, and palm tree (green fronds and a trunk) from construction paper.

2. Build and Glue the Scene

Arrange the pieces to create a sunny island scene. Once everything is in place, glue the pieces down to complete your island adventure!

Instructions:

1. Make the Trunk

Cut out a large letter T from brown construction paper to represent the tree’s trunk and branches.

2. Add the Canopy

Cut a cloud-like shape from green paper and glue it to the top of the T to form the tree’s canopy.

3. Create Leaf Texture

Crumple small pieces of green paper (or tissue paper) and glue them onto the canopy to add texture and leaf-like detail. If you’d like, draw in grass, flowers, and forest friends beneath your tree.

Instructions:

1. Set Up the Materials

Place a sheet of aluminum foil on a flat surface and squeeze small amounts of acrylic paint directly onto it.

2. Create the Ocean

Have your child use a cotton swab or paintbrush to swirl the paint around, mimicking ocean waves.

3. Add Details

Use more paint and cotton swabs to add sea plants and paint or glue on paper fish to complete the underwater scene.

Instructions:

1. Prep the Ice Paint

The night before, mix food coloring with water in small bowls, pour the mixtures into an ice cube tray, and place a craft stick in each compartment. Freeze overnight.

2. Paint with Ice

The next day, give your child a thick sheet of paper or card stock. Let them use the colorful ice cubes to paint by holding the craft sticks as handles.

Instructions:

1. Cut Out the Letter U

Draw or print a large outline of the letter U, and glue a small blue square to the top left corner. Use this letter U template in our letter U worksheets if needed.

2. Add the Stripes

Have your child paint red stripes across the rest of the U to mimic the American flag.

3. Finish with Stars

Add white star stickers or glue on small paper stars to the blue square for a patriotic touch.

Instructions:

1. Set Up Outside

If the weather’s nice, head outdoors with your child, bringing along painting supplies, a clipboard, and a bin to hold everything.

2. Create a Nature Scene

Have your child use crayons, markers, or paint to draw what they see in nature.

3. Practice Observation Skills

As your child works, encourage them to observe and talk about the things they see, smell, and hear and then try adding those elements into their art.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Cup

Begin by gluing your selected photograph to the side of your paper or plastic cup, lining the top of the person’s head up with the top edge of the cup. Then fill the cup with soil, leaving about an inch of space at the top.

2. Plant the Seeds

Sprinkle the grass seed on top of the soil and gently sprinkle a little bit more soil over the seeds. The seeds do not need to be completely covered in soil.

3. Water the Seeds

Place your cup in a sunny window and spritz the seeds with water every day, being careful not to get your photograph wet. Watch the grass grow, forming long flowing hair that seems to sprout from the top of the photograph!

Instructions:

1. Create the Template

Draw an animal shape (like a fish or turtle) on black paper and cut it out, including the center, to make an outline.

2. Cut the Tissue Paper

Cut tissue paper into small pieces—stacking sheets makes it faster.

3. Glue and Fill the Shape

Brush glue onto the outline and then start adding tissue paper, gluing it down from the edges inward until the whole shape is filled.

4. Add Details and Hang

Once dry, decorate your animal with features like eyes or a mouth. Then, punch a hole at the top, thread a ribbon or string through, and tie a knot for hanging. Hang your sun catcher in a sunny window and enjoy the colorful glow!

Instructions:

1. Cut Straws and Coil Wire

Cut several straws into small pieces. Then, grab your marker and wrap the wire around the marker, creating a coil. Stretch the coil out slightly.

2. Create the Snake

Slide a bead onto one end of the wire and bend the wire slightly so the bead stays in place. On the other end of the snake, slide the small pieces of straw on until half of the coil has pieces of plastic straws on it. Bend the remaining end of the wire in so the straw pieces stay in place. This is also where your snake’s head will go.

3. Cut Out and Glue on the Snake’s Head

Cut out two small oval shapes from the construction paper, creating the snake’s head. Draw on eyes and cut out a forked snake’s tongue. Glue one oval on to the top portion of the wire you bent in to keep the straws in place. Glue the other oval to the bottom. Let it dry completely.

4. Watch the Pieces Move

Once dry, turn your snake back and forth, watching the plastic straw pieces slide up and down the coil, creating an awesome visual effect.