50 Easy Summer Crafts for Kids to DIY

Mike Garten / The House That Lars Built

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From to , there are so many fun memories to be made outdoors while the weather is warm and kids are off from school. However, there's bound to be at least a few rainy, lazy days indoors. What better way to spend that time than with fun, easy summer crafts for kids?

For little ones, we've included instructions for that call for paper plates, googly eyes and more simple materials. Older, more experienced crafters will enjoy ideas like hand-pressed flowers, DIY disco balls and seashell picture frames. Regardless of age or skill level, there are for everyone on this list. And if you're hoping to use materials you already have at home, we've sprinkled in a ideas as well.

DIY Tulipiere

Mike Garten

While tulipieres (tiered vessels often used for flower arranging) are typically found in antique shops, you can DIY your own for a summer floral arrangement.

Gather three vases of varying heights with sturdy flat bottoms.
Fill each layer with cold water and add freshly cut flowers.
Tulipieres often feature tulips, but feel free to add a variety of .

DIY Floral Wreath

Mike Garten

Spruce up a boxwood wreath with your favorite colorful flowers.

Start with a preserved boxwood wreath base and dried flowers.
Attach the larger flowers to the wreath with a generous amount of hot glue.
Tuck some of the smaller ones throughout the wreath for a sweet summer flair.

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Garden Suncatcher

Welcome to Nana's

Save up your mason jar lids for a summer craft kids will love. Take a nature walk and collect your a mix of vibrant flower petals. Once you have a few pretty buds, attach them to contact paper for a garden suncatcher and wind chime all in one!

Cheerios Play Sand

The Soccer Mom Blog

Can't take a trip to the beach? This play sand is the ultimate summer craft. Plus, all you need are Cheerios and a blender! Pour the blended Cheerios into a tray and grab a few beach toys for some sensory fun.

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Paper Plate Puffer Fish

craft representation of a sun with a face and sea shells

The Simple Parent

Entertain your little ones with a simple paper plate craft. Using yellow and orange paint, some toothpicks and googly eyes, your kids can DIY their own pufferfish.

Summer Terrarium

terrarium featuring small plants a decorative bird and a stone

The Merrythought

Summer is the perfect time to explore the outdoors. What better way to get kids excited about nature than to send them on a hunt for rocks, sticks and feathers? Once they're back home, add all their treasures to a bowl with some small succulents for a DIY terrarium.

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Foam Buoys

the maker's map

Whether or not you spend your summers on a boat, these striped foam buoys will help you create a nautical vibe right at home.

Hanging Paper Fruit

The House That Lars Built

There's nothing that screams summer more than fresh lemonade and fruit. Simply print out these fruit-shaped designs and hang them from the ceiling for the perfect summer party decoration.

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Summer Boredom Buster Booklets

The Homes I Have Made

With so much time off from school, it's almost impossible to keep kids entertained for the whole summer. That's where this craft comes in handy. Summer boredom buster booklets are exactly what they sound like!

Disco Balls

The Crafted Life

Add some sparkle to your summer with DIY disco balls. Spray paint your disco ball, apply some stickers and let them shine!

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Truffula Trees Painting

Makes and Takes

They don't need to be a big fan of The Lorax to appreciate this interactive craft, which involves spreading paint by blowing through a straw.

Garden Stepping Stones

Crafts by Amanda

Let kids create a design using pebbles, glass beads and sea glass. Add the embellishments to for a custom stepping stone you can actually use for years.

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Lily Wreath

Mike Garten

Turn natural egg cartons into a cheerful to display on the front door. While you will need sharp scissors or a craft knife, kids can help with assembly and painting!

To create the flowers, cut the tall pointed peaks from an egg carton. Cut the base of the peak into four petal shapes.
Paint the outside of each flower with white craft paint thinned with a little water. Once completely dry, paint the inside with a contrasting color — like pink.
Poke a hole through each flower using a skewer. Cut a 30" piece of sturdy floral wire. Thread seven flowers on each end of the wire, using hot glue to secure each in place.

Handprint Frog

The Craft Train

Whether or not you're spending time by the lake this summer, kids will have a blast turning their handprints into silly frogs. A painted paper plate becomes the lily pad.

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Paper Bag Kite

Typically Simple

This paper bag kite is both a fun craft and warm-weather activity. After they decorate the kite, adding streamers on one side and yarn on the other, they're ready to fly their creation.

Tissue Paper Butterfly

It's Always Autumn

Inspired by the beautiful butterflies they love spotting outdoors, this tissue paper insect is fun and easy to make. Just note, you'll need to get the look.

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Paper Flowers

Mike Garten

Kids can make these paper flowers to spruce up different parts of the house. Have them fold dyed cupcake liners in half and cut out petal and fringe shapes. Then fold a piece of floral wire in half and twist around the faux flower stamen. Poke the wire through the center of three to four paper liners. Finish it off by wrapping floral tape around the base of the liners and bringing it all the way down the stem.

Shell People

Let's Do Something Crafty

What can you do with your kids' shell collection when they get home from the beach? Turn them into fashion! Some glitter turns them into pretty skirts for craft-stick people.

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Cardboard Sun

The House That Lars Built

What better way to show appreciation for the summer than with a giant DIY sun?! You can make different sizes to scatter inside the house and backyard.

Craft Stick Octopus

Craft Project Ideas

When the weather gets hot, head under the sea! White beads stand in for the "suckers" on the octopus' craft-stick "tentacles."

Senior Gifts Editor

Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.

Assistant Lifestyle Editor

Laura Millar (she/her) is the assistant lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2026, she wrote for NBC's TODAY.com, where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates.

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