This summer, get your kids out of the house and into some summer crafts! There are so many fun things you can do with them. They don’t even have to be in the artsy family for this activity – there’s something here for everyone! Check out these DIY crafts that will keep them busy outside all day long.
Summer Crafts: Make a Smock Out of an Old T-Shirt
Start your summer off right and make an art smock from an old shirt to use when making summer crafts. All you need to do is find an old, oversized shirt (there can be holes or stains). Then, your child can decorate their smock with paint or markers, and then let it dry.
The smock is a great way for your child to keep themselves clean while doing any kind of messy art project inside or outside – from painting to finger-painting (we recommend using washable paints if possible!).
Make a Bird Feeder Out of a Used Peanut Butter Jar
Start bird watching by making a bird feeder from a used peanut butter jar. All you need to do is poke holes in the lid of an old, clean and empty peanut butter container – using a nail or screwdriver (be sure not to make it too big). Next, punch two holes on either side of the top edge for stringing wire through as hangers. Then, fill the peanut butter jar with birdseed or other seeds and then hang it in a tree, on your porch railing, from the branch of tall shrubbery – anywhere that you think birds might be.
We recommend using white string so as not to scare away any potential visitors!
Create Your Own Sidewalk Chalk with Just Three Ingredients
You can make your own sidewalk chalk by combining three common household items:
- White flour
- Baking soda
- Water
In a large bowl, pour in two cups of water and mix it until the baking soda is dissolved. Then add enough white flour to make the consistency thick but not so much that you can’t easily shape into a ball. Knead your dough by hand and then roll it out with a rolling pin to make long, thin pieces of dough. Cut the strips into small squares and then use them like regular chalk!
You can add color to your chalk by adding food coloring. This will make your chalk more vibrant and colorful.
Create a Bracelet or Necklace from Found Objects in Nature
Create a bracelet or necklace from found objects in nature. You can find items such as:
- Gems and stones you may have found on a hike, at the beach or even just sitting outside your house
- Pebbles from a riverbed
- Shells from the shoreline
- Rocks of different sizes from around your neighborhood that are colorful
You can place these on some masking tape and wear like jewelry or string them together to create a necklace.
Paint Rocks to Decorate the Outside of Your Home
This project is a fun way to share your summer crafts with your neighbors. All you need to do is paint rocks with acrylic paint and let them dry.
Then, take these painted rocks outside your home in a prominent area (front door step or front window ledge) for all to see! You can also put them on the ground near bushes or trees as decoration around the house.
You can even share your rock art with others by placing them around your town or neighborhood.
Paint on Canvas with Watercolors or Finger Paint
Take your painting to the next level by giving it that personal touch. You can paint on canvas with watercolors or finger paints to create a unique piece of art for your walls.
Kids will love painting on canvas because it will make them feel like a real artist! Canvas paintings by kids also make great gifts for parents, grandparents, and aunts and uncles.
Your Kids’ Artwork? Share It With Us!
If you’re making any of these crafts with your kids, make sure to share them on social media. Don’t forget to tag us so we can see what your little ones have created!