Beat the Heat With These Easy Summer Crafts for the Whole Family
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If chirping birds and wind chimes make a summer symphony, then "Are we there yet?" and "I’m booored" are the season's cacophony! So this summer, if you're looking to nip your kids' under-stimulated calls for fun in the bud, consider adding some summer crafts to your calendar between the family beach vacations and summer activities you already have planned. The season of warmth and sunshine is a stellar time to get your DIY on, whether you're looking for something to make the dog days of summer go by faster or a creative activity to make your summer party a hit.
There are plenty of crafts you can create alongside your kids, like sand art terrariums, seashell necklaces, or glow-in-the-dark "fireflies" made from pasta noodles. Many of these projects can also double as activities to keep the whole family entertained, including plenty of DIY outdoor games. Perhaps you’re searching for crafts that’ll make your summer memories even more special, like a watermelon blanket to hold all of your picnic side dishes, or punchy decals to add to your cooler. Or maybe you'd like to freshen up your summer style with a handmade straw clutch or a colorful beach hat. There are even options that could count as DIY 4th of July decorations. No matter which craft idea you choose, it's sure to make your summer that much more fun for everyone involved!
Beaded Fruit Earrings
You can have your summer fruit and wear them, too, thanks to this adorable DIY. This wearable craft takes inspiration from the bright fruits of the season to yield little beaded gems reminiscent of apples, oranges, and pineapples!
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Painted Monstera Leaf Wreath
Luscious, tropical monstera leaves are a telltale symbol of summer that'll make the perfect addition to your new favorite warm weather wreath. To create this fun craft, all you need to do is spray paint faux monstera leaves in bright shades and hot glue them to a ribbon-wrapped wreath form!
Get the tutorial at The Craft Patch.
Pushpin Travel Map
Feed your summer travel bug with an easy DIY pushpin travel map to document all the places you've visited! To start, glue your choice of map (either of the world or the U.S.) to a corkboard. Then, add pins to your map to mark your destinations.
Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.
Seashell Decor Cones
If your ideal summer looks like selling (or collecting) sea shells by the seashore, why not add these ocean-inspired decor cones to your home? Made up of shells glued to styrofoam cones, it's the perfect way to put use to your coveted seashell collection.
Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.
Pom Pom Ice Cream Cones
Commemorate the gleeful summer sweet with these precious pom-pom ice cream cones. All you need for this colorful craft is a few balls of yarn for the ice cream scoops, burlap and construction paper for the cone, and red pom poms and a cotton ball for the whipped cream and cherry on top!
Get the tutorial at One Little Project.
Watermelon Soap
This vibrant bar soap shaped like the tasty summer fruit looks almost good enough to eat! The colorful watermelon-shaped soaps are made of glycerin and goat milk soaps and infused with a healthy dose of watermelon fragrance oil.
Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin and a Princess.
Coastal Wood Slice Coasters
These beautiful and beachy coasters are the perfect way to infuse the essence of the sea into your home! All you need for these coastal coasters are round wood slices and nautical-colored acrylic paints.
Get the tutorial at Crafts by Amanda.
Glitter Luggage Tags
Gone are the days of guessing which suitcase is yours at baggage claim when you make these gorgeous glitter luggage tags. Using wood tags, glitter and acrylic paints, vinyl or letter stickers, and book rings, this useful craft is so easy to construct!
Get the tutorial at Average But Inspired.
Beaded Wind Chime
Upgrade your porch decor with a light and sound-catching beaded wind chime. Gorgeous glass beads are strung through wind chime tubes, which are attached to a wood slice base in this simple yet stunning craft.
Get the tutorial at Artsy Fartsy Mama.
Water Gun Painting
This creative and colorful craft combines two fun summer activities—water gun wars and painting—to yield an adorable, personalized art project. The kiddos can use painter's tape to make their desired design on a canvas and then go crazy with tempera paint-filled water guns, spritzing it with an array of different colors.
Get the tutorial at Somewhat Simple.
Rainbow Stacking Game
What better way to ring in summer than with a lively backyard game? This DIY rainbow stacking game is as bright and fun as the summer sun.
Get the tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.
Watermelon Lip Scrub
While you might typically enjoy this hydrating summer fruit straight off the rind, it also makes a great beauty product additive! Combine juicy watermelon flavoring, coconut oil, and sugar to make a grainy lip scrub you’ll use all summer long.
Get the tutorial at A Cultivated Nest.
Pressed Flower Lanterns
Channel the natural beauty of twinkling fireflies and beautiful blooms with these pressed flower lanterns. All you need is Mod Podge, pressed flowers, and twine to adorn your glass jar. Press your own flowers (or purchase some), place a tea light in the jar, and there you have it!
Get the tutorial at One Little Project.
Pom Pom Macrame Hanging Planter
With their rustic, boho-chic vibes, macrame planters simply scream summer. Add some bright and colorful pom poms to the mix, and they'll practically exude summertime cheer. The pretty rainbow accents will contrast beautifully with all your flowers and succulents.
Get the tutorial at Sarah Hearts.
Crepe Paper Flowers
Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can still enjoy the colorful blooms of summer with this fun crepe paper craft! Kids and adults will love crafting these colorful tropical flowers.
Get the tutorial at Abbi Kirsten Collections.
Paper Plate Fishbowl
For this cute craft to go swimmingly, you just need a blue paper plate, ocean stickers, cork tape, and a few other easy-to-find craft items. Whether it's for a beach themed party or just for fun, the kids will have a fin-tastic time.
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things To Do.
Duck Tape Play Tent
How neat is this DIY project? The best part: Your little ones will use is all throughout the warmer months! You just need plenty of duck tape and a few other hardware items. Note: You'll have to do a little drilling for this one, but it's way easier than it seems.
Get the tutorial at The Craft Patch.
Ice Cream Cone Craft
With a few items from your local craft store like foam balls and paint plus a few items you likely already have at home like a cereal box, toothpicks, and construction paper, your kiddos will be playing play pretend with their delectable DIY desserts in no time.
Get the tutorial at Somewhat Simple.
Glitter Ocean Slime Jars
Slime is beloved by kiddos during every season—but when you add blue sparkles and tiny ocean creatures, it makes for the most sea-rrific summertime activity.
Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin & A Princess.
Beach in a Bottle
Headed on vacation to the beach this year? Gather up a few trinkets while you're there to make these delightful souvenir bottles. Sand, shells, and small pieces of driftwood will do the trick. Place them all in a tiny glass bottle so everyone will always remember your fun family trip.
Get the tutorial at Average But Inspired.
Perler Bead Flip Flops
These uniquely crafted sandals are so fun and just as wearable! Grab a pair of foam flip-flops and a bucket of perler beads from a nearby craft store and get to making! We promise it's actually pretty easy. Just be ready for all the compliments over the next few months.
Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.
DIY 4th of July Windsocks
This one counts as both an exciting craft and a patriotic decoration. After you make them using a few inexpensive supplies like cans, stickers, and tablecloths, you can hang them up and let freedom fly! Plus, there's plenty more 4th of July crafts to try your hands at, too.
Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.
Paper Boats
Slow summer days are the perfect time to introduce your kids to the wonderful world of origami! All you need for these paper boats is a few sheets of colorful letter sized paper. They might even try them out on a local pond when you're done.
Get the tutorial at Easy Peasy and Fun.
Bike Picnic Crate
Is there anything more summery than a bike ride paired with a picnic? Bring together these two beloved summer activities by making this picnic crate to attach to your bike.
Get the tutorial at PMQ for Two.
Balloon Dipped Citronella Candles
It’s always great when practical and pretty come together in a craft, and these citronella candles, “dipped” with vibrant balloons, are a perfect example of that.
Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth.
Stitched Planter
Give your summer plants a colorful home by making a few of these pretty stitched planters.
Get the tutorial at The Pretty Life Girls.
Pennant Piñata Care Package
Have a kiddo who’s away at camp? Surprise them with this cute handmade pennant piñata care package that's filled with treats.
Get the tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.
Cooler Decals
Your cooler could use a makeover! Punch it up with a few summer-ready decals, made with the help of a Cricut Maker.
Get the tutorial at PMQ for Two.
Sand Art Terrariums
If you’d like to display faux air plants and succulents all season long, make them look their summertime best with colored sand and glass apothecary jars.
Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.
Beach Tent
You’re sure to be the chicest person at the beach with this DIY beach tent featuring black and white stripes and a fringe trim.
Get the tutorial at One CrafDIY Girl.
Outdoor Serving Tray
Set the mood for summer with this DIY serving tray that can easily move your drinks and snacks from the kitchen to the patio.
Get the tutorial at Lydi Out Loud.
Beach Umbrella
To give your beach or pool day a bit of retro flair, look no further than this tutorial—and don’t forget the fringe.
Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth.
Vinyl Bucket Bag
Whether you’re going to the pool or want to summer-ize your look, you can sew this cute vinyl bucket bag. It's perfect for when you need to find your sunglasses in a flash.
Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.
Watermelon Blanket
What would make a summer picnic even better? A watermelon picnic blanket, of course!
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Lemonade Stand
Yup—this is officially the cutest lemonade stand we’ve ever seen. Not one passerby will be able to resist the adorableness of this handmade stand.
Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.
Glow-in-the-Dark Fireflies
If your littles love to catch fireflies after dark, this craft is for them. They’ll use pasta noodles and glow-in-the-dark acrylic paint to make their fireflies light up.
Get the tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.
Floral Straw Clutch
For a summertime night on the town, make this straw clutch complete with sweet throwback flowers.
Get the tutorial at Maritza Lisa.
Painted Seashells
You know all those seashells you’ve been collecting at the beach this summer? Give them an artsy makeover with brightly hued acrylic paint.
Get the tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.
Ice Cream Magnets
Even your refrigerator could use some summertime decor! Make these ice cream magnets and use them to tack up summer sports schedules and pool hours.
Get the tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.
Canvas Tote
Ideal for magazines, suntan lotion, sunglasses, and goggles, this canvas tote is ready for summer with its monstera leaf detailing.
Get the tutorial at Dream Green DIY.
Seashell Necklace
Your kids will adore making these air dry clay seashell necklaces. You can glitz them up with glass glitter, too.
Get the tutorial at Moms & Crafters.
Summer Essential Oil Potpourri
To make your whole home smell like summertime goodness, whip up this simmering stovetop potpourri. The lime, lavender, and spearmint will waft through every room.
Get the tutorial at Purely Katie.
Holographic Cooler
Make your cooler look a lot, well, cooler with some holographic vinyl. No one will be able to miss this baby at the beach!
Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.
Ice Cream Wreath
Your front door should let everyone know just how much you love summer, and this ice cream wreath should do the trick!
Get the tutorial at Merriment Design.
Watercolor Seahorse Art
Your little ones will squeal with joy as they make these adorable seahorses with cupcake liners and liquid watercolors.
Get the tutorial at Hello Wonderful.
Flamingo Ring Toss Game
For a fun twist on the classic backyard ring toss game, work your DIY magic with plastic flamingos, planters, and some sand.
Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth.
Painted Butterfly
If your kids have been catching butterflies all day, tell them that they can make their very own butterflies, too! All you need are coffee filters, pipe cleaners, markers, and a few other items.
Get the tutorial at Fireflies & Mud Pies.
Summer Fruit Necklace
Your kids will want to wear these brightly colored fruit necklaces all summer long.
Get the tutorial at Food Kids Love.
Fruit Slice Plates
Make any summer get together look a whole lot cuter with these DIY fruit slice appetizer plates.
Get the tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.
Rainbow Sun Hat
Whether you’re on the beach or at a backyard barbecue, you’ll steal the show with this technicolor rainbow sun hat.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
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