17 Summer Crafts for the Whole Family – Kids, Teens, and Adults
Summer is just getting started, and that means one thing – it’s time to get creative! Whether the kids are freshly out of school, your teens are looking for something fun to do, or you’re ready to dive into a project yourself, summer crafting is one of the best ways to make the most of the season.
Summer-themed crafts are a wonderful way to bond with the whole family, spark imagination, and create memories that last long after the beach towels are put away. From simple projects that little ones can tackle on their own to more involved crafts that teens and adults will love, there’s something here for every age and skill level.
Whether you prefer indoor crafting on those hot summer afternoons or something you can take outside to enjoy the sunshine, here are 17 fun summer crafts for kids, teens, and adults to enjoy all season long.
Staying Busy This Summer and Having Fun
Put on your creative cap and take a look at these summer-themed crafts. They can become the highlight of your summer season!
First, let’s look at some summer projects, in general, and the supplies that you can use in them.
What Type of Summer Projects:
• Easy outdoor crafts
• Summer table accessories
• Beachy home decor projects
• Nature-inspired art ideas
• Upcycled garden decorations
• Fun pool party accessories
• Eco-friendly crafts using recycled materials
• Patriotic crafts for summer holidays
• Handmade summer fashion and accessories
What Summer Ingredients Can You Use?
- Seashells
- Dish towels
- Popsicle sticks
- River rocks
- Beads
- Straw hats and tote bags
- Mason jars
- Dried flowers
- Flower pots
- Paper and crayons
- Tin cans
- Old bottles and jars
- Anything you have to recycle
Stay Busy this Summer with Fun Craft Projects
These summer craft projects will hopefully inspire you. I hope they also encourage you to experiment with new DIY methods you’ve never tried before. I purposely chose projects for tweens, teens, and grownups.
The beauty of crafting is that it’s relaxing, fun, and challenges you to try new skills.
DIY Projects for Summer Productivity
Here are some ideas for using summer-themed crafts to create a fun family activity. Teenagers might like forming teams to have a craft competition:
- Host a family craft night. Set up different craft stations with supplies for various summer-themed crafts like seashell art, paper plate suns, or painted rocks. Let family members rotate between stations.
- For teenagers, create a summer memory book or scrapbook together. Gather photos, ticket stubs, and other mementos from summer activities. Work as a family to decorate pages and add captions.
- Have a backyard craft day. Set up tables outside and do messy crafts like tie-dye shirts, sand art, or watercolor painting. Being outdoors makes cleanup easier- use a hose and slip-and-slide to clean up the kids.
- Make summer-themed decorations for your home as a family. Create paper flower wreaths, seashell wind chimes, or painted mason jar lanterns to display.
- Organize a neighborhood kid craft swap. Have each family create summer crafts to trade with other families. This allows kids to show off their creations and get new craft ideas.
- Turn crafting into friendly family competitions. See who can make the best sandcastle out of legos or create the most creative summer-themed games and toys together..
- Go on a nature walk to collect materials like leaves, flowers, and pebbles. Then use the found objects to create nature collages or pressed flower art.
- For a teen slumber party, have supplies and instructions ready for the kids to make and take home as a favor.
The key is to choose projects that appeal to different age groups and skill levels in your family. Focus on the process of creating projects together. With some creativity, summer crafts can become cherished family bonding activities.
NOTE: I’ve designated each craft with K, T, or A for Kids, Teens or Adults. It’s purely a subjective opinion.
Flower-Painted Mason Jars – A
Lavender is an iconic summer herb. Linda of It Started with Paint uses it beautifully to make these pretty lavender-inspired painted mason jars.
Pressed Flower Art – A
Jayne of Chalking Up Success shares her version of pretty pressed flower art. This flower art evokes a sense of summer nostalgia.
DIY Tote Bag with Tea Towels – A
Patti of Hearth and Vine shares how to make this pretty tropical beach bag. It can be made from a beautiful tea towel or dish towel. And it’s easy enough for beginner sewers or someone who hasn’t used a sewing machine in a while.
Finger Print Flower Pot – K
Amanda of Crafts by Amanda created this simple kid art project. his sweet fingerprint flower pot can be made with supplies you probably have on hand. This project will easily engage kids from 3-10 years old with a lot of creative steps and makes a perfect project for Spring!
Wedding Activity Book for Kids – K
So many weddings take place in the summer. Chelsea of Lovely Indeed created this printable wedding activity book as the perfect resource to keep kids entertained during a wedding. If you have a wedding this summer, use it at the wedding or the reception the little ones pleasantly occupied.
Make this Caddy for Your Next BBQ – A
Here’s an addition to your summer table you’re going to love! This caddy was made by Marianne of Once a Duckling on a budget. It’s a lot of fun to make for your next summer party.
Pom-Pom Mouse Pad – T
This is teen-approved! Haeley of Design Improvised shares the cutest moues pad project any teen girl would love to make. This craft would be great for a summer sleepover or birthday party
Floppy Painted Straw Hat – T, A
Kelly of Studio DIY shows how easy it is to make the cutest straw hat to protect you from the summer heat. It looks so professional but is very easy.
Fruit Drink Covers – K
These adorable drink covers are a fun summer craft for kids that bring back childhood memories. Lynsey and Denay of Salt Sister Moms made this little drink-cover craft that can spark hours of bead creations for kids.
DIY Painted Tote Bag – A
Haeley of Design Improvised used an inexpensive straw bag to make a fun summer bag for going to the pool or beach. As long as they have a flat woven pattern like this one, a straw bag is a prime candidate for painting.
Easiest Summer Craft: Rock Photo Holders – K, T
A few summers ago, when my granddaughters were here visiting, they spent hours painting many of the river rocks in our side yard. Debbie of One Little Project took this idea one step further with this project that kids will love.
Painted Sea Shells – K
If a beach trip is on the agenda this summer, this seashell painting craft from Handmade Charlotte is perfect for keeping kids busy and productive. Bring along a set of paints to the beach for those afternoons when it rains or you need a break from the sun and sand. Or pick a bag of shells up at the craft store and pretend you’ve been to the beach.
Painted Ice Cream Pots – K, T, A
Here is another fun project for kids and teens to make. Hosting a birthday party where ice cream cones are the star attraction? Let everyone make their own “ice cream cone” or make ahead for favors. Tabitha of Fresh Mommy Blog made these sweet pots for her own daughter’s birthday.
DIY Watermelon Coasters – A
Katie of Made to be a Momma shared these perfectly summer DIY watermelon coasters. They are the perfect diy accessory for any summer party! Great to serve with punch, soda or your other favorite beverages.
Never Go Out of Style – Friendship Bracelets – T
Who remembers making friendship bracelets? I did, my daughters did, and now my granddaughters are carrying on the tradition. These sweet bracelets are easy to make, and everyone is different. Instructables shares a simple tutorial to get you – or your favorite teens started.
Homemade Lip Balm – T, A
If you have a young teen who has started an interest in makeup, this little DIY project is perfect. Another party craft for a sleepover that girls can take home as a favor. Heidi of Happiness is Homemade shares all the steps. Grown-ups might wnat to make this lip balm, too!
DIy Watercolor Tote Bag – T, A
I picked this paint project because last year Annabell made a painted tote bag that I would have sworn she bought at the store. This tutorial from Natalie of DoodleCraft breaks down the steps to making the prettiest flowers. Even I can make this.
Summer Craft/DIY Projects
Want to save all these summer craft projects ? Be sure to PIN to keep these ideas handy. You might want to check my Pinterest Board, Summer DIY Crafts and DIY Projects.
Use some of these fun projects to fill your summer days. Whether you are your kids or grandkids are making one of these, enjoy the experience and the resulting project.
