These fun summer crafts for kids are perfect to keep the kids busy all summer long! Celebrate the sunshine with these fun summer art projects for toddlers, preschoolers, and older kids.
Fun summer art projects
I am so excited that the summer is near, once we pass Memorial Day, it’s official! We’ll be taking full advantage of the heat at the pool and the beach, but we will be hanging out indoors, too.
In order to keep the kids busy this summer while school is out, we’re gonna have to get crafty and creative. I came across some of the cutest summer crafts for kids that I really want to try, they are perfect crafts for toddlers, preschoolers, and for kids young at heart.
13 Summer Crafts for Kids – Fun Art Projects & Ideas
The summer is upon us and we’re ready for pool days, popsicles, and warm summer nights. Looking for some fun summer crafts for kids? These are some of our favorite summer art projects, perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary-aged children.
1. Cute summer suncatchers craft
These circle suncatchers are a fun project idea to stay busy crafting this summer.

2. Create fun water sponge balls
Cut a few colorful sponges into strips and you have a fun water sponge ball! Soak it in water and throw it around by the pool, what a fun and useful summer craft. This is the ultimate of summer crafts for kids!

3. Painting with ice cubes
It’s hot outside, but this craft will cool you off. Paint with some colorful ice cubes, these homemade watercolors will delight your kiddos. The best part – these colors should wash off pretty well!
4. Summer sandals craft
This cute dollar store summer craft made with sandals is such a fun idea! Grab a couple of pairs and write “life is better in flip flops” – too cute!
5. Color the rainbow with these non-toxic finger paints
Kids love painting the rainbow with finger paints by The Idea Room. This one is a great summer craft for preschoolers – kids love to explore with their hands!

6. Juice box sailboats
This summer kids craft should float your boat! Drink up those juice boxes and save them to make these cute juice box sailboats. I wonder if they would actually float in the pool or in the bathtub!
7. Bubble wrap starfish craft
This fun ocean-themed starfish craft uses paper and bubble wrap to make fun and colorful starfish! This is a great summer craft for toddlers.
8. Watermelon fans craft
This craft for summer was a lot of fun! We made these watermelon paper plate fans and the kids love using them to cool off when it’s hot out.
9. Felt fruit slice coasters
This fun summer art project idea makes fruit out of felt! We love these fruit-inspired coasters, they are colorful and make the perfect summer craft.
10. Sharpie tie-dye t-shirts
Make these fun tie-dye shirts with Sharpies this summer. Get creative with designs to make a summer t-shirt you love!
11. DIY sidewalk chalk
You cam make your own sidewalk chalk and have a blast drawing outdoors. Keep the kids busy and draw to your heart’s content with this super cool summer craft!
12. Make your own sand playdough
Bring the beach indoors with this fun sand playdough recipe! Create your favorite beach scenes and have some sensory molding fun with this fun summer crafts for kids.
13. Bring in the sunshine with this sun craft
Our easy sunshine tissue paper suncatcher craft is such a fun project for preschool and elementary-aged kids! Let the light shine in your window with this beauty.
14. DIY water balloon flip-flops craft
These cute summer flip flops are made with water balloons for a fun summer craft idea! Check out the tutorial from About A Mom.
15. Beach sand in a jar craft
This cute beach craft idea by Ottawa Mommy Club uses sand and some fun shells, fish, and other decor to create a beach scene at home!
16. Summer popsicle craft
This adorable popsicles craft is made out of tissue paper and popsicle sticks. Learn how to make this fun summer art project from Made with HAPPY.
More awesome hands-on summer fun…
Original butterfly garden with a cup of live caterpillars
Watch the Miracle of Metamorphosis in your own home or classroom! The Live Butterfly Garden offers children the invaluable lessons of metamorphosis, science, patterns, patience, and life cycle studies. Give the Magic of Metamorphosis to a child you love.
Alex Toys Artist Studio Sidewalk Mandala Stencil
Kids can create beautiful mandala designs in chalk- intricate patterns are easy to create! This set also includes (6) jumbo chalks with drawing tips and easy instructions. The ALEX Toys – Active Play, Sweet Stuff Sidewalk Mandala, 315S is recommended for children age 5 and up.
Glow in the Dark Rock Painting Kit
The Creativity for Kids Hide & seek glow rock painting is a fun way for you, your friends and family to spread kindness, encouragement and happiness throughout your community – one glowing rock at a time! This Glow in the Dark rock painting kit makes the perfect gift for kids who love arts and crafts or rock painting beginners – everything you need is included! This complete rock painting kit includes 10 natural river rocks, water-resistant fluorescent paint, dimensional glow-in-the-dark paint and 2 paint brushes. Create unique arts and crafts all year round!
Made By Me Mix and Mold friendship stones
This kit from Made By Me provides everything your child needs to start, decorate and personalize their very own trendy accessories and art. Their art and accessories will be one-of-a-kind. The kit comes with easy-to-follow instructions that will make assembling up to 7 different and unique accessories and art an absolute breeze. Let their personality shine with their one-of-a-kind accessories.
Boy Craft Catapult Wars Build and Battle Kit – 2 Catapults
With this Boy Craft Catapult Wars Game, you and a friend can build your own catapults and decorate them, then take turns knocking down your opponent’s targets. This kids catapult allows you to engage in head-to-head combat. The build-your-own catapult set includes 18 wooden pieces, four wooden dowels, two rubber bands, eight mini sandbags, two braided ropes, one sticker sheet, one glue tube, two punch-out target sheets, two foam blocks, and easy-to-follow instructions, giving you everything you need to successfully build 2 complete catapults.
What crafts are you making this summer?
Which summer craft ideas are your favorite? Let us know what you’re crafting with the kids this summer!

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I love the sponge ball. I will have to visit the dollar store to pick up some sponges for this project. The kids would have a blast tossing them at each other.