Summer is here – so I have posted some do it yourself summer crafts to keep your little ones busy this summer. There are so many to chose from, but these are some that were super easy to make and cheap to purchase supplies if I didn’t have the stuff already.
This article has affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you purchase something from one of the links at no extra cost to you.
1. Pool Noodle Craft
For thus summer craft, cut a pool noodle into small pieces (make sure to keep the circle shape). Place the stick into the circle and use the construction paper to make large triangles. Use a hole puncher to put 2 holes in the triangle and place the triangle through the holes onto the stick. Place in the pool or bathtub too see if it floats!
What you need:
1. Pool noodle
3.Sticks
4. Hole puncher
2. Summer Sail Boat Craft
These cute little boats will be so fun to make. Hot glue some colorful popsicle sticks for the base of the boat. If you have a cork you can put in half and glue on top. You can also glue some corks of the bottom of the boat. Hot glue on a triangle to a stick.Then when you are done you can do a science experiment to see if they float on water!
What you need:
2.Corks
3.Sticks
5.Colorful paper cut into triangles
3.Ice Cream Art for Summer
This simple art craft is perfect for the beginning of summer. It encourages fine motor skills because they have to glue on the sequins to the cone.
What you need:
2.White crayon or white chalk (to make the ice cream cone)
3.Sequins
4.Glue
4.Ice Pop Art
This super fun summer craft is a very easy to make pom pom ice pop. Cut out paper like an ice pop, (or use this free cut out), and hot glue or craft glue pom pops. Add a thick popsicle stick and you’re done!
What you need:
1. Popscicle cut out
2.Pom poms
4.Craft glue or hot glue gun
5.Mermaid Summer Crafts for Toddler
Enjoy this adorable mermaid summer craft. It will not only be fun to make, but it’s great for inventive roll play. Make sure the opening is where the tail is. Cut to make it look like a mermaid tail. The face should be done on the bottom of the back so it can move like a puppet.
What you need:
5. Yarn
6. Glitter or glitter glue
6. Watermelon Art Craft for Summer
I am a big fan of paper plate crafts. They are easy to make and always a good time! This delicious summer craft will make you want to eat a piece yourself! To make the craft, just cut the plate in half, paint it red and cut or rip pieces of paper for the green. For the final touch you can add black dots for the seeds.
What you need:
1. Paper plates
2.Red and black paint
7. Jellyfish Art Project for Summer
Paper plate crafts are prefect for a summer craft as we have all those paper plates from our summer bbq’s! This jellyfish craft is simple and easy to make. Paint the plate blue, and cut it in half. Cut strips of light and dark blue tissue paper. Draw on a mouth and cut out eyes by using construction paper. Staple everything together.
What you need:
1.Paper plate cut in half
2.Tissue paper cut into strips
8.Summer Drinks Art Craft
How adorable are these summer sip cups? All you need is colorful card stock cut into the shape of a cup, white paint for the ice cubes , construction paper for the lemons and a straw. Oh ya and a straw to finish it off with.
What you need:
2.Straws
3.Square pieces of sponge for the ice cubes
5.White paint for the ice cubes
9. Fish Paper Plate Summer Crafts
A fun fish activity for little ones to enjoy during a hot summer day. Cut out the mouth and use it for the tail, paint the fish and add tissue paper squares. No need to glue, the wet paint will make the squares stick.
What you need:
2.Paint
10. Clothes Pin Shark Art Craft for Summer
Summer crafts with a shark that eats fish. How cool is this clothes pin shark? Not only is it fun to make, but it’s great to build fine motor skills.
What you need:
2.White stock paper for shark
3.Blue and green paint
4.Red construction paper (to make little fish)
11.Under The Sea Craft
Another paper plate activity, (from Imagination Tree, because paper plate crafts are just awesome!
What you need:
3.Sand
4.Shells
12. Rainbow Dart Art
Your littles ones will be grateful for this summer craft. Using the dot markers help with sensory input, and following the drawn lines on the rainbow help with spatial awareness. First draw the lines for the rainbow on a white piece of paper. Then dot the lines with each color of the rainbow. The last step is to glue the cotton balls for the clouds.
What you need:
13.Summer Sun Activity
Sun Craft (Kids Activity Zone), is a cute little cut and paste activity. It’s great for those little hands to practice their scissor cutting skills. If they aren’t ready for that yet, then you can have the pieces pre-made, and have them just glue the parts.
What you need:
14.Summer Sea Turtle Art Craft
This paper plate sea turtle can be done many different ways. You can use dot paints for the green paint, or use regular paint. You can cut out green squares from construction paper, or use green tissue paper squares. You also have the option of drawing the eyes or using goggly eyes.
What you need:
15.Flower Summer Craft
A different kind of craft for this flower. Instead of crayons and paint, which you can also use instead id desired, we use buttons and yarn. On a paper plate, place Elmers glue all over it. Then pick your color yarn, and place all over the flower. Add the the button on top. Make sure you hold the button down for about 20 seconds so it sticks to the glue. Add green construction paper for the stem and leaves.
What you need:
3.Yarn
For more summer activities to do with your toddler, check out the following:
Summer activities for toddlers
Alphabet activities for toddlers
I'm 40 years old and a mom of 2 three year olds and a first grader. I am also a Special education teacher. My passion has always been to help people, which is why I started this blog.