Summer’s here! School’s out, the sun is shining (mostly!), and those long, lazy days stretch out before us. While splashing in the pool or building sandcastles is fantastic fun, sometimes you need a creative outlet, especially when the afternoon sun gets a bit too intense or a surprise rain shower pops up. That’s where the magic of summer crafting comes in! It’s a brilliant way to keep little hands busy, spark imagination, and create some sunny keepsakes. Let’s dive into some easy, breezy craft ideas centered around classic summer themes: the beach, cool sunglasses, and yummy ice cream cones.
Making Waves with Beach Crafts
Nothing screams summer quite like the beach. Even if you’re miles from the coast, you can bring the seaside vibes home with these simple projects. They often use natural materials or easily found craft supplies, making them accessible and fun.
Seashell Critters and Creations
Did you manage a trip to the shore and collect a bucket of seashells? Perfect! If not, craft stores often sell bags of assorted shells that work just as well. Give those shells a new lease on life by turning them into adorable critters. Clean the shells gently first. Then, let the kids go wild with paint – acrylics work best. Once dry, it’s time for personality! Glue on googly eyes (always a hit!), add pipe cleaner legs for crabs or antennae for snails. Maybe paint a scallop shell like a colourful fish or glue smaller shells onto a larger one to make a turtle. You can also arrange and glue painted shells onto a piece of cardboard or canvas to create a beachy mosaic scene. Think underwater landscapes or simple patterns. The possibilities are as vast as the ocean!
Colourful Sand Art Bottles
This is a classic craft for a reason – it’s mesmerising and relatively mess-free if you set it up right! You’ll need clear containers (small plastic bottles with lids, baby food jars, or any clear glass jar works great), coloured craft sand (available online or in craft stores), a funnel (or a rolled piece of paper), and maybe a skewer or popsicle stick. Set up your sand colours in separate bowls. Help your child carefully pour layers of different coloured sand into their container using the funnel. Tilting the jar slightly while pouring creates wavy patterns. They can make stripes, blocks of colour, or try carefully poking a skewer down the side (against the glass) to create feathering effects between layers. Once filled, secure the lid tightly (maybe add a dab of glue for extra security if it won’t be reopened) and admire the vibrant, sandy creation. It’s like a little piece of rainbow beach captured forever.
Paper Plate Jellyfish
These whimsical jellyfish dance in the slightest breeze and are super simple to make. You need paper plates (the thin, cheap kind are fine), paint or crayons/markers, scissors, glue or a stapler, and materials for tentacles. Yarn, curling ribbon, crepe paper streamers, or even strips of bubble wrap work wonderfully. First, have the kids decorate the bottom (the rounded side) of the paper plate. They can paint it solid colours, add spots, stripes, or even try a watercolour effect. Once dry, cut the plate in half. Each half will form the bell of a jellyfish. Now, cut lengths of your chosen tentacle material. Glue or staple these along the straight, cut edge on the underside of the plate half. Add some googly eyes near the rounded top edge, and voila! Hang them from the ceiling with thread for a delightful underwater display.
Spectacular Sunglasses Styling
Sunglasses are a summer essential, but why stick with plain ones when you can customise them? Grab some inexpensive kids’ sunglasses (check party supply stores or dollar stores) and let the transformation begin! This is a great way for kids to express their personal style.
Adult Supervision is Key! Many craft projects involve small parts like beads or gems which can be choking hazards for very young children. Always supervise closely, especially when using scissors, glue guns (use low-temp if necessary and handle for the child), or sharp objects. Ensure craft supplies are non-toxic and age-appropriate.
Bling It Up with Gems and Glitter
Who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle? Provide craft gems, small plastic beads, sequins, and glitter glue. Using strong craft glue (like tacky glue or a fabric glue), kids can carefully apply decorations to the frames of their sunglasses. Encourage them to plan a pattern or go for a free-form jeweled look. Apply glue to a small section, add the gems, and let it dry slightly before moving on. Glitter glue pens are fantastic for adding sparkly lines, dots, or filling in small areas. Just make sure not to obstruct the hinges or get glue on the lenses! Let them dry completely before wearing.
Character and Creature Creations
Transform sunglasses into fun character accessories. Use pipe cleaners twisted around the arms to create antennae for bug glasses or fuzzy ears for animal themes. Cut small shapes from craft foam – think pointy ears for a cat, round ones for a bear, or petals for flower power glasses. Glue these onto the top corners of the frames. Googly eyes glued near the bridge of the nose can add extra silliness. Kids can invent their own creatures or try to mimic their favourite animals or cartoon characters.
Painted Patterns and Designs
If gems aren’t your thing, paint pens offer another fantastic way to customise. Acrylic paint pens or permanent markers (use with caution and good ventilation) work well on plastic frames. Kids can draw stripes, polka dots, zig-zags, little flowers, stars, or even write their name. Simple geometric patterns can look really effective. Ensure the paint is suitable for plastic and let it dry thoroughly according to the pen’s instructions. This method allows for detailed designs and a different kind of creative expression.
Cool Crafts: Ice Cream Cone Fun
Ice cream is the ultimate summer treat, so why not celebrate it with crafts? These projects are sweet, colourful, and calorie-free! They capture the joy of everyone’s favourite frozen dessert.
Paper Cone Sundaes
This is a delightful 3D craft. Start by making the cone. Cut a large circle from brown construction paper or cardstock. Cut a slit from the edge to the center. Overlap the cut edges and twist into a cone shape, securing with glue or tape. Now for the scoops! Kids can crumple up different colours of tissue paper into balls or use large pom-poms. Glue these “scoops” inside the top of the cone, stacking them high. For toppings, sprinkle on glitter for “sprinkles,” add a red pom-pom “cherry” on top, or drizzle brown paint or glue mixed with brown paint for “chocolate sauce.” These look adorable displayed on a shelf.
Puffy Paint Ice Cream Pictures
Puffy paint is incredibly fun to make and use. In a bowl, mix equal parts white school glue (like Elmer’s) and plain white shaving cream (the foamy kind, not gel). Add a few drops of food colouring or washable paint to tint the mixture to desired “flavours” like pink for strawberry or brown for chocolate. Mix gently until combined – don’t overmix, you want it to stay fluffy. Cut cone shapes from brown paper and glue them onto a piece of cardstock. Then, let kids spoon or squeeze (if you put it in a Ziploc bag with a corner snipped off) the puffy paint mixture onto the cardstock above the cone to create textured ice cream scoops. Add glitter sprinkles while the paint is wet. The paint will puff up as it dries, creating a cool 3D effect. It usually takes a day or two to dry completely.
Air-Dry Clay Cones and Scoops
For a more sculptural project, air-dry clay is fantastic. Show kids how to roll a small piece of clay into a ball for a scoop and shape another piece into a small cone. They can use a modelling tool or a pencil tip to gently press a crisscross pattern onto the cone to mimic a waffle texture. Let the clay pieces dry completely according to the package directions (usually 24-48 hours). Once dry, the real fun begins – painting! Use acrylic paints to colour the cones and scoops in realistic or fantastical shades. Add painted-on sprinkles or chocolate chips. Once the paint is dry, you can glue the scoops to the cones. For an extra touch, glue a small magnet to the back to create adorable fridge magnets.
Setting Up for Sunny Success
A little preparation goes a long way in making craft time enjoyable for everyone. Gather your supplies beforehand. Cover your workspace with newspaper or a plastic tablecloth for easy cleanup. Have wipes or paper towels handy for sticky fingers.
Common supplies you might want on hand include:
- Non-toxic glue (white school glue, glue sticks, stronger craft glue)
- Child-safe scissors
- Construction paper, cardstock, paper plates
- Paint (washable tempera, acrylics), brushes, water cups
- Crayons, markers, paint pens
- Yarn, pipe cleaners, googly eyes
- Recycled materials (jars, cardboard tubes, bottle caps)
- Optional extras: glitter, craft gems, pom-poms, coloured sand, air-dry clay
Most importantly, embrace the process! It’s not about creating perfect masterpieces; it’s about exploring materials, experimenting with ideas, and having fun together. Let the kids take the lead with colours and designs. Encourage their creativity and celebrate their unique creations. These summer crafts aren’t just about filling time; they’re about making memories and nurturing imagination under the summer sun (or indoors when it’s too hot!). Happy crafting!
