15 Creative Crafts For Kids To Keep Them Busy All Summer

Summer is the best time of year for kids to get creative, and there are lots of fun craft ideas out there. The problem is that if you’re like me, your house is overflowing with toys and things just keep piling up.

This year, I’m taking a different approach: instead of buying more things to clutter my home with (or having them pile up), we’ve been making our own toys out of what we already have lying around the house.

Here’s a list of 15 DIY crafts for kids (and adults!) that will keep them busy all summer long:

KIDS ACTIVITIES AT HOME | Easy Paper Craft Ideas – YouTube

Takeaways
1. Get creative with summer crafts to keep kids entertained and engaged.
2. Consider making handmade gifts for Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day using crafting techniques.
3. Check out online resources for additional summer crafting ideas and inspiration.
4. Engage kids with simple and fun DIY activities such as homemade ice cream or bubble wands.
5. Consider creating DIY outdoor decorations for summertime to add color and creativity to your space.

Table of Contents

Bird Feeders

A bird feeder is a simple project that can be made from recycled materials. It’s also a great way to get kids interested in nature by teaching them about the different types of birds and insects that will visit your yard. The best part: once you’ve got your feeder up, all you need is some seed and patience!

To make one, all you’ll need is:

A 2-liter soda bottle or milk jug
String or yarn (a cat toy is perfect)
Raffia or other decorative string (optional)

Looking for fun craft ideas to do with your kids at home? Our article on 10 easy and fun crafts for kids is perfect for you! From slime to bubble wrap prints, this list has something for everyone.

Ice Cream Cone Slime

Grab a bowl, and get ready to make some slime!

Pour some glue into the bowl, and add in your water and shaving cream. You’ll want about 2-3 tablespoons of glue for each cup of water you use, which will depend on how runny or thick you want your slime to be when it’s done being mixed together (this will also depend on how many toppings you decide to add).

The same goes for the shaving cream: start with one tablespoon at first and then add more if needed later on.

Use an electric hand beater to combine all ingredients together until they’re thoroughly mixed together—it should take no longer than 3 minutes or so depending on how strong your mixer is (a regular hand mixer should work just fine!). If there are still chunks inside after blending everything thoroughly together, try adding one more tablespoon of shaving cream before beating again until everything is smooth like melted ice cream cone topping or milkshake syrup (it’ll look like melted vanilla ice cream when done!).

A Slushy Drink That Won’t Melt

If you want to make a slushy drink that won’t melt, this is the tutorial for you. The best part? It’s super easy! You’ll need:

A blender or food processor (you can also use an immersion blender)
Ice cubes and water (to make the ice and then freeze it in your container of choice)
Sugar syrup and/or fruit juice (to flavor your drink after it’s frozen)

Upcycled T-Shirt Dog Toy

You can make this dog toy from an old shirt or t-shirt, too. Just cut the shirt into strips and tie them together with some yarn. Be sure to leave a hole on one end so you can stuff it later with treats.

Stuffing is optional, but if you decide to go that route, try using peanut butter and small pieces of dog food for an extra challenge!

Keep your kids entertained and learning this summer with these 25 fun crafting ideas from Unified Crafts! With options for all ages and interests, your kids will never be bored again.

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint

Sidewalk chalk paint is the perfect craft for kids who love to create and draw on the sidewalk. It’s so fun, in fact, that your little Picassos will probably want to do it over and over again! You can make sidewalk chalk paint from scratch or use store-bought coloring.

In fact, there are three different ways you can mix up some colorful art projects:

Make your own sidewalk chalk paint with food coloring
Make your own sidewalk chalk paint with shaving cream
Make your own sidewalk chalk paint with cornstarch

Materials Needed	Instructions
Cornstarch	Add 1/2 cup of cornstarch to a mixing bowl
Water	Gradually add 1/2 cup of water to the mixing bowl
Food Coloring	Mix in a few drops of food coloring to the desired color
Paint Brushes	Use paint brushes to apply the chalk paint to the sidewalk or pavement
	Let the paint dry and enjoy a fun and colorful sidewalk masterpiece!

Making DIY sidewalk chalk paint is a great way to get creative outside with the kids. Simply mix 1/2 cup of cornstarch with 1/2 cup of water in a mixing bowl, and gradually add food coloring to the desired color. Use paint brushes to apply the chalk paint to the sidewalk or pavement, and let the paint dry to reveal a fun and colorful masterpiece.

Soda Bottle Car Wash For Hot Wheels and Matchbox Cars

All you need is a 2-liter soda bottle and some hot wheels or matchbox cars.

Drill holes in the lid of the soda bottle, then secure it to your car with tape. You’ll be able to see through this hole as you fill up your car wash station, so make sure it’s positioned where you can see everything easily.

Pour water into the bottom of the soda bottle using a funnel until it feels like there’s enough room for soap bubbles without overflowing. Then add some soap to mix with this water until there are plenty of suds floating around inside (but not too many).

Fill another 2-liter bottler with clean water and pour that over top of all your other ingredients at least twice more—this will help get them all mixed together better than just mixing by hand would have!

Need inspiration for crafts to do with your kids this summer? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Crafts for Kids! With 19 ideas to get you started, your kids will be crafting up a storm in no time.

Rainbow Foam Dough

This is a great project for kids who feel like they’re too old for play dough, but it also makes for a fun sensory activity. All you need is colored foam beads, food coloring and a plastic knife to mix it all up.

Your kids can use their rainbow dough as play dough or modeling clay or make slime out of their creation.

You can find colored foam beads at Michaels or any craft store and the food coloring will be in the baking aisle near the spices and extracts.

DIY Sandcastle Play Dough Kit

This is a fun craft for kids. You can make it with either sand or play dough, so you might want to try both!

Start by filling a sandwich bag halfway with sand and then seal it shut. If you’d like your castle to be more sturdy, add more sand until the bag is full.

Add water to the bag and shake it up until the contents are evenly distributed throughout the bag; then let your little one shake away! This step is great for fine motor skills because they’ll have to squeeze all of those tiny grains into place and manipulate them into making something beautiful.

Let your child’s creation dry overnight before opening up their masterpiece, as this will help prevent any accidental spills of water on their masterpiece when they open it up again later on down the road—or if we’re being honest here: right now–to admire it after all that hard work!

Now once their creation has dried completely (which should take about 12-24 hours), give them some solid blocks of play dough in various colors so they can get creative building castles, making figurines out of clay or even just playing around like usual kids do when given free rein over an art project like this one.”

Want to create a special Mother’s Day gift for the mom in your life? Our article on Mother’s Day Crafts has plenty of ideas for handmade gifts that will show how much you care. From homemade candles to painted flower pots, these ideas will make any mother feel loved and appreciated.

Homemade Instruments Kids Can Make At Home (And Play Outside!)

If you have a little musician in your house, these homemade instruments are sure to be on the top of their list. They’re also great craft ideas for kids who want to make something musical that they can play outside.

Make a kazoo (or buy one): Kids can make this classic with just two pieces of cardboard and some plastic tube. We found ours at the dollar store!

Create a shaker: Shakers are so easy to customize, so let your child get creative with theirs! It could be anything from pom-poms on an empty water bottle to maracas made out of cardboard tubes and paper clips.

Make a tambourine: These are super fun because there are so many ways you can decorate them! You can use glitter or stickers, paint them different colors…the possibilities really are endless!

Just remember that if you’re using glitter or other small particles on a surface like paper (which is what we did), then it will fall off when wet—so make sure everything is completely dry before adding those decorations in order for them not fall off later down the line when someone accidentally spills something near it or uses it during summertime activities outside where things might get wetter than usual due to rainstorms!

Looking for unique gift ideas for Valentine’s Day? Check out our guide on Handmade Gifts for Valentine’s Day for some DIY inspiration! From embroidered tea towels to vintage photo frames, these handmade gifts will show your loved ones how much they mean to you.

Cupcake Liner Color Matching Game

This project is simple and fun, perfect for a rainy afternoon. Cut cupcake liners into small pieces to make a shape or design on one side of the liner. Then, flip it over and cut out a corresponding shape or design in another color.

Place the two pieces together with adhesive tape, so that only one side can be seen at any time (you may want to experiment with different kinds of glue). See if your child can match up both sides!

You can make this activity more challenging by using fewer shapes or designs (or making them smaller) or by choosing to use only one color per cupcake liner.

You can also try cutting out shapes from paper that has been folded in half so you have two identical halves on either side of your cupcake liner (just make sure they are easy enough that kids don’t need adult help!).

DIY Camping Lanterns Using Toilet Paper Rolls

Materials:

Toilet paper rolls
White glue (or paper mache)
Watercolor crayons, or acrylic paint and paintbrush if you want to skip the crayons
Paint tray and water (optional)

Step 1: Take all of your toilet paper rolls apart, and lay them out on a flat surface. You’ll need to do this before gluing anything because if you try to glue while they’re still connected, it won’t work out very well.

Step 2: Apply a thin layer of white glue over the entire surface of each individual roll. Let dry completely before moving on.

Step 3: Using watercolor crayons or acrylic paint mixed with water (1/2 cup per 2 cups), color in areas for whatever designs you want! After that dries completely, go back over those areas again with more white glue until everything is sealed up tight against moisture damage (which can happen when it gets wet outside).

Materials Needed	Instructions
Toilet Paper Rolls	Collect empty toilet paper rolls
Tissue Paper	Cut tissue paper into small squares
Glue	Apply glue to the outside of the toilet paper roll
Tissue Paper Squares	Cover the entire surface of the toilet paper roll with tissue paper squares
LED Tea Light	Place an LED tea light inside the toilet paper roll
String or Twine (optional)	Tie a string or twine around the top of the toilet paper roll for hanging
	Turn on the LED tea light and hang for a cute and functional camping lantern.

Making DIY camping lanterns using toilet paper rolls is a fun and easy project for any camping enthusiast! Collect empty toilet paper rolls and cut tissue paper into small squares. Apply glue to the outside of the toilet paper roll and cover the entire surface with tissue paper squares.

Once dry, place an LED tea light inside the toilet paper roll and tie a string or twine around the top for hanging. Turn on the tea light to create a cute and functional camping lantern.

Lego Loose Parts Station For Toddlers And Preschoolers

Kids of all ages love Legos, and with the recent release of a new movie, there’s no better time to start collecting them.

For younger kids (and adults), you can make your own Lego station that gives everyone in the family access to this timeless toy.

Kids will be able to build their own creations without accidentally knocking down any of the other structures on display around the house. And when they’re done, simply store everything inside until next time!

Here’s how:

Cut out squares from craft foam or felt and glue them together into rectangles large enough for two sets of blocks. Use hot glue so younger children can handle it easily!

Wrap one end with cardboard or foam core board; then fill it with Legos! You could even use this DIY as an opportunity to teach your preschooler how to count by placing colorful plastic numbers inside each bin so they know which color block goes where while building.”

Materials Needed	Instructions
Large Baseplate	Attach a large baseplate to the wall or table
Lego Duplo Bricks	Collect various Lego Duplo bricks and pieces in a storage container
Labels	Print out labels for each type of brick or piece
Bins or Cups	Place the Lego Duplo bricks and pieces into labeled bins or cups
	Organize the bins or cups on the baseplate for easy access and play.

This Lego Loose Parts Station is a great way to engage toddlers and preschoolers in imaginative play. Set up a large baseplate on a wall or table and collect various Lego Duplo bricks and pieces in labeled bins or cups. Organize them on the baseplate for easy access and play.

With a little creativity, children can build and create their own unique designs and structures using these loose parts.

Pool Noodle Race Track with Magnetic Cars for Sensory Bin Fun In The Summertime!

Did you know that you can make a pool noodle race track with magnetic cars for sensory bin fun in the summertime? It’s a fun way to keep kids busy on a rainy day and it’s also a great way to use up old pool noodles.

The best part of this project is that it only takes about 10 minutes and you probably already have all the supplies at home.

Materials:

Pool Noodle(s)
Magnet Rings/Discs (you can use any size but I recommend getting at least 5)

Make Your Own Cloud Dough Like Kinetic Sand! (With Only 2 Ingredients!)

Cloud dough is a sensory material that your kids will love to play with. It’s basically a mixture of flour and salt, but it feels like sand when you touch it.

Your children can mold the cloud dough into different shapes, then they can use their hands or other tools to create sculptures out of it!

Cloud dough is one of those materials that you don’t have to worry about being too messy—it won’t make a huge mess if you spill it everywhere. And unlike regular playdough, there’s no need for special cleaning products; just throw everything in the trash when you’re done!

To make cloud dough at home:

Mix 1 cup (8 oz.) cornstarch with 1 cup (8 oz.) salt in a bowl until well combined; then add 2 cups warm water slowly while mixing until all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout mixture
Knead mixture until smooth; store any unused portions in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 weeks

Materials Needed	Instructions
1 cup Flour	Place 1 cup of flour into a mixing bowl
1/4 cup Baby Oil	Add 1/4 cup of baby oil to the mixing bowl
Food Coloring (optional)	Mix together the flour and baby oil until they form a sandy consistency. Add food coloring if desired.
	Store your homemade kinetic sand in a sealable container to keep it fresh.

This easy DIY project only requires two ingredients to make a kinetic sand alternative that can keep kids entertained for hours. All you need is 1 cup of flour and 1/4 cup of baby oil to make your own cloud dough. Mix them together until they form a sandy consistency and add food coloring for extra fun. Store the finished product in a sealable container to keep it fresh.

Conclusion

We hope this post has inspired you to make something awesome for your kids! Whether it’s a DIY craft, an art project or an outdoor adventure – there are so many fun things to do with kids.

Take a look at our blog for more cool crafts and activities for kids!

FAQs

What are some fun summer crafts to do with kids?

Some fun summer crafts to do with kids include making DIY bubble wands, painting seashells, creating sand art, making homemade ice cream, and designing tie-dye t-shirts.

What are some easy DIY outdoor decorations for summer?

Some easy DIY outdoor decorations for summer include making colorful wind chimes, painting flower pots, creating a fairy garden, decorating outdoor lanterns, and designing a DIY birdhouse.

What are some good summertime activities for kids?

Some good summertime activities for kids include going swimming, having a picnic, going on a nature walk, doing a scavenger hunt, and making homemade ice cream.

What are some DIY gift ideas for summer birthdays?

Some DIY gift ideas for summer birthdays include making a custom photo album, creating a personalized beach tote, designing a homemade lei, making a DIY dreamcatcher, and crafting a unique piece of jewelry.

What are some summer crafts for adults?

Some summer crafts for adults include creating a DIY woven wall hanging, designing a handmade beach cover-up, making a DIY terrarium, crafting a colorful sun hat, and painting a series of ocean-inspired watercolors.

Hellen James

Hellen James is the creator of Unified Crafts and has been crafting since she was a kid accompanied by her mom to the craft store, where she was free to choose whatever ignited her imagination.