Summer is the perfect time for kids to unleash their creativity and explore their imaginations through fun and summer engaging craft projects. Whether they're crafting indoors on a rainy day or getting hands-on outdoors in their own backyard, there are endless opportunities for kids to create, express themselves and end summer boredom.

In this guide, we'll explore a variety of kids crafts that are perfect for summer, ranging from simple and mess-free projects to more involved endeavors that require tools and supervision. Each project comes with a short tutorial, level of difficulty, estimated time to complete, materials and tools needed, and age appropriateness. So gather your kids of all ages and let's dive into a world of creativity and fun!

1. DIY Sand or Water Table:

Build the base out of 2"x4"s using my build plans here. Then insert the large plastic storage container and fill with sand, water, or both. Fill with toys and scoopers and you have made a giant sensory bin that will keep the kids entertained all summer break. The best part is that the kids can play in sand and water while standing, keeping them mostly clean unlike a traditional sandbox. This is an absolute favorite for younger kids.

Difficulty: Moderate.
Time: 1.5 hours.
Materials: Plastic storage container with lid, 2"x4" boards, screws, sand or water, toys for scooping and pouring.
Tools: Measuring tape, miter saw or circular saw, and drill.
Age Appropriate: All ages with adult supervision.

2. Handprint Art:

Create personalized handprint art using wooden boards, construction paper, and more along with acrylic paint. Have each child dip their hands in paint and press them onto the material to create handprint designs. Once dry, use stencils or paintbrushes to add names or messages. If you don't have wood boards, do this same activity on paper plates or cardboard boxes.

Difficulty: Easy.
Time: 1 hour.
Materials: Wooden boards, acrylic paint, paintbrushes, stencils (optional).
Tools: None.
Age Appropriate: Toddlers and up with adult supervision.

3. Birdhouse Building:

Build simple birdhouses using pre-cut wooden pieces and wood glue. Assemble the pieces according to the instructions, then decorate with paint or markers. Hang the birdhouses outside and watch as feathered friends make them their homes. My son has had so much fun making birdhouses. We like to order them off Amazon or pick them up at out local Michael's or Hobby Lobby store. Here are some of our favorites.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Time: 1-2 hours.
Materials: Pre-cut wooden birdhouse kits, wood glue, paint or markers.
Tools: None.
Age Appropriate: Ages 5 and up with adult supervision.

4. DIY Tie-Dye T-Shirts:

Get creative with tie-dye by making colorful t-shirts. Gather plain white t-shirts and rubber bands, then twist and fold the fabric into different patterns. Apply dye in various colors using squeeze bottles, then let the shirts sit overnight before rinsing and washing. This is a great summer activity for older kids as well as younger kids with the help of their parents. Your kids will love wearing their DIY shirts all summer.

Difficulty: Moderate.
Time: 1-2 days (includes drying time).
Materials: Plain white t-shirts, rubber bands, tie-dye kit (includes dye, squeeze bottles, gloves).
Tools: None.
Age Appropriate: Ages 6 and up with adult supervision.

5. Nature Collage Art:

Head outdoors to collect leaves, flowers, sticks, and other natural materials. Arrange the items on paper or cardboard to create beautiful nature collages. Use glue sticks or white glue to adhere the pieces in place. You can take it a step further and turn it into a scavenger hunt to find the materials for the collage. We like this fun outdoor activity because it gets the entire family outside and can be done at a local park or around your neighborhood.

Difficulty: Easy.
Time: 1 hour.
Materials: Leaves, flowers, sticks, cardboard or paper, glue sticks or white glue.
Tools: None.
Age Appropriate: All ages with adult supervision.

6. Popsicle Stick Picture Frames:

Make adorable picture frames using popsicle sticks and craft glue. Arrange the sticks into squares or rectangles, then glue them together to form frames. Decorate the frames with paint, markers, stickers, or other embellishments. They even make rainbow colored popsicle sticks which would be fun. There are tons of creative ways to decorate these DIY picture frames so let the kids use their imaginations.

Difficulty: Easy.
Time: 30 minutes.
Materials: Popsicle sticks, craft glue, paint, markers, stickers (optional).
Tools: None.
Age Appropriate: Ages 3 and up with adult supervision.

7. DIY Miniature Garden:

Create magical miniature gardens using small containers, potting soil, and miniature plants. Arrange the plants and decorative elements like rocks, pebbles, and figurines to create whimsical scenes. You can even buy a kit that includes everything you need. Water the gardens regularly and watch them grow!

Difficulty: Easy.
Time: 1 hour.
Materials: Miniature garden kit or Small containers, potting soil, miniature plants, rocks, pebbles, figurines.
Tools: None.
Age Appropriate: All ages with adult supervision.

8. Wooden Sailboat Craft:

Build adorable wooden sailboats using craft sticks, paper, and glue. Glue craft sticks together to form boat shapes, then add paper sails. Decorate the boats with markers or stickers, then set them afloat in a kiddie pool or bathtub.

Difficulty: Easy.
Time: 30 minutes.
Materials: Sailboat craft kit or Craft sticks, paper, glue, markers, stickers.
Tools: None.
Age Appropriate: Ages 4 and up with adult supervision.

9. DIY Kaleidoscopes:

Craft homemade kaleidoscopes using cardboard tubes, mirrors, and colored beads. Cut the cardboard tubes to size and attach mirrors inside one end. Fill the tubes with colored beads and seal the other end with plastic wrap or clear plastic. Enjoy mesmerizing patterns as you look through the tubes. If you aren't able to find small mirrors, try using heavy duty tin foil instead.

Difficulty: Moderate.
Time: 1-2 hours.
Materials: Cardboard tubes, mirrors, colored beads, plastic wrap or clear plastic to this kaleidoscope kit.
Tools: Scissors, craft glue.
Age Appropriate: Ages 7 and up with adult supervision.

10. Cardboard Box Playhouse:

Build a whimsical playhouse using large cardboard boxes and craft supplies. Cut out windows and doors, then decorate the boxes with paint, markers, stickers, or fabric. Add pillows, blankets, and toys inside for cozy playtime adventures. This has been one of my son's favorite and free activity. He will spend hours coloring and decorating the outside of the boxes and then setting up the inside with pillows and toys. If you want to skip the house building step, checkout this premade cardboard house. It's a great way to keep kids busy for hours!

Difficulty: Moderate.
Time: 2-3 hours.
Materials: Large cardboard boxes, paint, markers, stickers, fabric, pillows, blankets, toys, cardboard house.
Tools: Scissors, craft glue.
Age Appropriate: Ages 3 and up with adult supervision

11. Rock Painting:

Collect smooth rocks from your backyard or a nearby park. Clean them thoroughly and let them dry. Use acrylic paints to create colorful designs, patterns, or even little characters on the rocks. Once the paint is dry, seal the rocks with a clear varnish to protect the designs. This is one of our go-to summer activities and we like to put the painted rocks in our garden and flower beds as little decorations. Checkout this kit for everything you need!

Difficulty: Easy.
Time: 1-2 hours.
Materials: Rock Painting Kit or Smooth rocks, acrylic paints, paintbrushes, clear varnish.
Tools: None.
Age Appropriate: All ages with adult supervision.

12. DIY Wind Chimes:

Create personalized wind chimes using recycled materials like old keys, metal washers, and seashells. Tie strings or fishing line to the items and attach them to a metal or wooden hoop. Hang the wind chime outdoors and enjoy the soothing sounds of the breeze. This could make a fun DIY gift to give to grandparents and family members too!

Difficulty: Moderate.
Time: 1-2 hours.
Materials: Old keys, metal washers, seashells, metal or wooden hoop, strings or fishing line.
Tools: Scissors, craft glue.
Age Appropriate: Ages 6 and up with adult supervision.

13. Butterfly Feeder:

Attract beautiful butterflies to your garden with a homemade butterfly feeder. Mix equal parts sugar and water to create a sweet nectar solution. Pour the solution into a shallow dish or jar with a sponge or paper towel soaked in it. Hang the feeder in your garden and watch as butterflies come to feed.

Difficulty: Easy.
Time: 30 minutes.
Materials: Sugar, water, shallow dish or jar, sponge or paper towel.
Tools: None.
Age Appropriate: All ages with adult supervision.

14. Slip and Slide:

Setup a slip and slide in the backyard, hook up a garden hose and keep the kids busy on a hot summer day. My son loves water play and we don't have a pool in our backyard so the slip and slide keeps him busy for at least a solid hour or more. To make things a bit more fun, we will even add tear-free baby shampoo to the slip and slide for extra sliding power (use caution).

Difficulty: Easy.
Time: 5 minutes.
Materials: slip and slide or smooth plastic tarp, garden hose.
Tools: None.
Age Appropriate: All ages with adult supervision.

15. Treasure Hunt:

Cut up a piece of computer paper into 20-30 small pieces. Write a location around your house on each piece of paper. Stack the pieces of paper up and walk around your house hiding them in the place written on the previous piece of paper until all the paper clues are hidden. Take turns between siblings and parents hiding and hunting for the clues. We like to leave a toy or "treasure" at the end of the hunt where the last clues leads.

Difficulty: Easy.
Time: 15 minutes.
Materials: Piece of paper and pencil.
Tools: Scissors.
Age Appropriate: All ages with adult supervision.

16. Reusable Water Balloons:

Kids love to play with water balloons, especially on a hot day. But kids (and parents) don't like to have to clean up tiny pieces of rubber and plastic off the ground from busted water balloons. The perfect solution are these reusable water balloons we found last summer. Your kids can refill them and reuse them over and over. We fill a 5 gallon bucket with water and dip the reusable balloons down in the bucket to refill them each time. This is one of our favorite outdoor activities and keeps our family busy throughout the summer months.

Difficulty: Easy.
Materials: Reusable water balloons and a bucket for water.
Tools: None.
Age Appropriate: All ages with adult supervision.

With these kids summer crafts and fun ideas for kid-friendly activities, your summer is sure to be filled with creativity and fun. Whether your little ones are building their own boats, crafting wind chimes, or making colorful kaleidoscopes, they'll love getting hands-on and exploring their imaginations. Check these fun summer activities checked off your summer bucket list, the whole family should be able to beat summer boredom and have the best summer ever. So gather your materials, set up a crafting area, and let the summer crafting adventures begin!

Easy Summer Crafts & Activities for Kids to do At Home