23 Fun DIY Summer Crafts for Lazy Summer Days
We’re right in the middle of summer, and if you’re anything like me, the initial excitement of the season has settled into those long, lazy afternoons that are just begging for a fun project. If the kids are starting to utter those dreaded words – ‘I’m bored’ – you’re in the right place. I have 23 DIY summer crafts for crafters of all ages and levels – nineteen I found online and four of my own.
Are you wondering how to keep you and the kids occupied and productive during the second half of summer? How about finding new crafts to make? Summer-themed crafts offer a delightful way to spend time with your kiddos, spark imagination, and learn new hobbies.
Let’s explore a collection of DIY craft ideas to transform ordinary summer days into enjoyable creative sessions. Whether you’re looking to beat the heat with indoor activities or make the most of the great outdoors, here are 23 fun DIY summer crafts that will conquer those lazy days of summer blahs.
These DIY summer crafts will not only keep your hands busy but also fill your home with the laid-back spirit of summer. Learning a new skill through crafting can be a great way to while away the summer.
Be Creative This Summer with DIY Crafts
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 to Make?
• 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
Fun DIY Craft Projects
These summer craft projects will hopefully inspire you. I hope to also encourage you to experiment with new DIY methods you’ve never tried before..
The beauty of crafting is that it’s new and challenges you to try new skills.
DIY Crafts 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 summer-themed crafts such as seashell art, paper plate suns, and 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.
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.
Flower-Painted Mason Jars
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
Jayne of Chalking Up Success shares her version of pretty pressed flower art. This flower art evokes a sense of summer nostalgia.
Finger Print Flower Pot
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!
Wind Chimes for Kids
Making wind chimes from recycled metal cans is a wonderful way to combine creativity with eco-friendliness. You take something headed for the trash and turn it into something beautiful! The kids can use their creativity to paint cans, and you can enjoy the music of chimes outside. Thanks to Eva of Kids Minds for the great idea.
DIY Tote Bag with Tea Towels
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.
Garden-Inspired Suncatcher Wind Chime
Shelly of Welcome to Nanas shows how to use fresh flower blooms to make a DIY Garden Suncatcher Wind Chime. An easy summer kids craft on contact paper framed in Mason jar lid rings!
Wedding Activity Book for Kids
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
Here’s an addition to your summer table you’re going to love! Marianne of Once a Duckling made this caddy on a budget. It’s a lot of fun to make for your next summer party.
DIY Friendship Bracelets
If you’re looking for a few boredom busters, these DIY beaded sunglasses are perfect for older kids and teenagers to make with friends! This easy project by Lilly of Kids Kubby would also be a unique activity for a small birthday party or sleepover.
Ice Cream Craft for Little Kids
This cotton pad ice cream craft is an easy, hands-on activity that’s perfect for little hands and big imaginations. Mandisha of Happy Toddler Playtime explains why little ones will love adding colorful water to their “scoops” and watching the colors spread and blend. It’s simple to set up and makes for a fun mix of art and skill-building play.
Fruit-Inspired Drink Covers
These adorable drink covers are a fun summer craft for kids that bring back all the memories of your childhood. Lynsey and Denay of Salt Sister Moms made this little drink cover craft that can be the spark for hours of bead creations for kids.
DIY Beach Lantern Centerpiece
Marianne of Songbird Blog suggests that if you have a collection of seashells, then create some beachy decor to preserve summer memories with easy DIY coastal candle holders. These three beach lanterns are the perfect beach centerpiece for a summer table.
DIY Friendship Bracelets
Debbie of One Little Project – This round friendship bracelet is easy to make, and all you need is a scrap piece of cardboard and some embroidery floss. This adjustable bracelet is a great summer craft, perfect for sleepovers, summer camp, road trips, or any time you want to keep the kids busy on their summer holidays.
DIY Painted Tote Bag
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.
Floppy Painted Straw Hat
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.
Easiest Summer Craft: Rock Photo Holders
Last summer when my granddaughters were here visiting, they spent hours painting many of the river rocks in our backyard. Debbie of One Little Project took this idea one step further with this project kids will love.
DIY Watermelon Coasters
Katie of Made to be a Momma shared these perfectly summer DIY watermelon coasters that are the perfect diy accessory for any summer party! Great to serve with punch, soda or your other favorite beverages.
Plastic Straw Beads
Do you have packages of plastic straws taking up space in your cabinets? Use them in a crafty way! Menucha of Moms and Crafters shows you how to let the kids turn them into pretty necklaces, bracelets or other creative things.
Coffee Filter Flowers
These coffee filter flowers are SO PRETTY! This simple craft from Debbie of One Little Project is beautiful enough for adults, but easy enough for kids to make, too. They make beautiful party decorations or gifts.
Here are four of my own summer DIY projects that you’ll enjoy. That’s a total of 23 summer craft ideas for you.
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 Boards, Summer DIY Crafts and DIY Projects.
Use some of these fun projects to fill your summer days. Whether you or your kids or your grandkids are making one of these, enjoy the experience and the resulting project.
