55 Fun and Easy Summer Crafts for Kids

Summertime is the perfect time for kids’ imaginations to run wild. That’s why we’ve compiled 55 of the cutest summer crafts for kids to help them get started. Simple to make, with inexpensive materials, your kids will be inspired by the beautiful results.

1. String art sunshine

How happy is this sunshiny craft? And so easy to make- all you need is sturdy paper plates, construction paper, yarn and pony beads.

How to make it: Attach yellow construction paper “rays” around the outer perimeter of a yellow paper plate. Cut out the center of the plate and punch holes around the inner perimeter. String yellow yarn and yellow and orange beads in a criss-cross to fill in the middle.

2. Paper flower bracelet

Make a dozen and pass them out to your friends!

How to make it: First, make a stack of circles cut from colorful tissue paper and pinch them together to form a flower. Then string a pipe cleaner, threaded with wooden beads, through the middle. Twist the ends of the pipe cleaner to form the center and secure the bracelet to the flower.

3. Fingerprint summer scenes

Tiny fingerprints make excellent painting tools- just dip in paint and dab! It is simple, adorable, and perfect for younger students.

How to make it: Use fingerprints to create a summer beach scene, flowery meadow or scene from the zoo, then draw details and a short message.

4. Monster change purse

This adorable little change purse is perfect for gobbling up pocket change.

How to make it: Fold a 3″x9″ strip of green felt into thirds. Fold the bottom third up and sew the sides together, creating a little pocket. The remaining third will fold over to close the purse. On the underside of the top third, sew triangular shaped “fangs” made from white felt. Fold over and add felt circle eyes to the front of the flap. Cut a small slit between the eyes. Line the flap up and sew a button to the front of the pocket to secure the purse closed.

5. Batik tote bags

Learn the age-old craft of batik with a twist—use glue instead of wax!

How to make it: Draw a design on a small canvas tote bag with pencil. Outline the design in Elmer’s blue gel glue and let dry. Slip a piece of cardboard into the bag and paint over the design with acrylic or fabric paint. Once the paint is dry, wash the tote in hot water in the washing machine to remove glue.

6. Learn to weave

How many of us spent entire summers weaving things for our mom and dad (potholders, anyone)? This craft teaches kids the basics, from how to make a simple loom to how to create woven designs.

How to make it: First, cut a sturdy piece of cardboard into a 6×8 rectangle. Next, cut evenly spaced notches 1/4″ apart and 1/2″ deep on the top and bottom (making sure the notches line up) and wrap non-stretchy string or yarn around, forming the structure of the loom. To weave, attach a craft stick to the end of a long piece of yarn and weave the stick over and under the yarn, circling from right to left. If you want to change colors, detach the craft stick, and tie on the new color on, attaching the craft sick once again. As you weave, use the side of the stick to occasionally pack the rows tightly together.

7. Rainbow paper spinner

Talk about old-fashioned fun! Create a whirligig made from colorful strips of construction paper and a small dowel. To play, rub the stick back and forth between your palms and watch it twirl! 

How to make it: Cut eight 1/2-inch strips of colorful paper 11 inches long plus 4 circles 1-1/2 inch in diameter. Apply glue to one of the circles. Place one end of all 8 paper strips evenly around the circle.Be sure to add glue as the strips overlap on the circle. Glue the other circle on to of the strip ends. It should look like a flattened spider.

Now, one at a time, bring the strip and glue the end to another circle. Repeat for all strips. It should now look like a beach ball.  Once all of the strips are attached, glue the last circle to the backside of the ends. Finally, thread the wooded skewer through the center of both circles of paper and glue it securely with a hot glue gun.

8.Puffy paint ice cream cones

This is a fun, outdoors summer day activity. And after the craft, treat yourself to a real ice cream cone!

How to make it: Cut an ice cream sugar cone out of a brown paper bag. Combine equal parts shaving cream (not gel) and white glue to create your own puffy paint. Divide the ice cream into paper cups and add food coloring to create different “flavors”. Dip a fat paint brush into the “ice cream” and add a scoop on top of your cone. Add confetti or glitter as sprinkles and a red pom pom as a cherry on top.

9. Write acrostic poems

This is a meaningful way to sneak in literacy practice during summer break. Students use the letters in various summer words such as ‘sunshine’, ‘swimming pool’, etc. then fill in details about that word.

How to make it: Write the word vertically on a page, then complete each line with a descriptive word or sentence.

10. Stained-glass suncatcher

This craft requires a warm iron, so make sure a grown-up is nearby. This beautiful “stained glass” is actually wax paper cut into shapes with melted crayon shavings pressed in between.

How to make it: It’s easiest to make this craft on top of an ironing board or a solid surface countertop. Using a cheese grater, grate used and discarded crayon remnants onto a large piece of waxed paper. Spread the crayon shavings out as you see fit. Now, place another sheet of waxed paper on top and press down. Place a thin piece of material over the top sheet and iron the whole thing on low heat. When the pieces are adhered, remove the cloth and let cool. Cut out the shape you’d like and use a hole punch to create an opening at the top. Finally, attach a ribbon and hang in a sunny window.

11. Bow-tie butterflies

No summer would be complete without a little pasta art. In this case, farfalle pasta is painted in bright hues, then glued to paper to create this whimsical scene.

How to make it: Cover a handful of farfalle noodles using paint or chalk markers. Once dry, glue the “butterflies” to a sheet of paper. Now, use a marker to add antennae. Show the butterflies’ paths with a dotted line drawn with Sharpie. Add grass, a sun, clouds and whatever else to fill out the scene.

12. Starfish garland 

All you need to create this gorgeous craft is craft clay, a toothpick,and lots of patience! Best of all, it costs just pennies to create.

How to make it: Roll out balls of craft clay into a 4 inch circle. Using a plastic craft knife, cut out the shape of a starfish and discard the remnants. With the toothpick, draw lines down each of the legs toward the center. Then poke tiny dots alongside each line. Poke a large hole at the top for hanging. Repeat for as many starfish you want in your garland. Let the starfish dry, then string them together with a long piece of jute.

13. Pet rock cacti

These adorable little succulents are really just painted stones with googly eyes attached, nestled into tiny clay pots. Create your own colony—they’ll make you smile every time you see them.

How to make it: Start with a supply of small terra cotta pots. Then, collect rocks that will fit in, but stick out of, the pots. Paint the rocks different shades of green and when they dry glue googly eyes on. Embellish with white has marks made from a white paint marker.

14. Layered sand art

Another throwback craft, layered sand art is making a groovy kind of comeback.

How to make it: Use food coloring or liquid watercolors to color white sand. Then, poured layers of different colored glass into a clear glass bottle, creating a dreamy wave-like effect. Stopper the top and display.

*15. Felt flowers

Bring out the colorful squares of felt and buttons and craft up a pretty bouquet of these happy flowers.

How to make it: This craft is super easy if you purchase shapes that are already cut out, like these, from Amazon. Students can pick and choose different combinations and glue them together with craft glue To make them extra cute, glue a bottom to the center of each flower. Finally, hot glue a wood skewer onto the back of each flower and attach a short green ribbon to look like leaves. “Plant” your flowers in a canning jar with sand in the bottom. For a free alternative, see the link below.

16. Dried bean mosaics

Beans, beans the magical fruit … who knew they could make such pretty designs?

How to make it: Gather a few bags of a variety of dried beans, craft paint and bottles of glue. Outline your design on a plain white paper plate. A few ideas: stripes, flowers, a rainbow, a heart, etc. Now glue down different beans to fill in the sections of the design. Leave your creation as is for a natural look, or paint the different sections with bright colors.

17. Bottle cap bugs

Little kids are buggy about bugs, and what better time than summertime for them to craft up a few of their own?

How to make it: Collect bottle caps, metal or plastic. Paint the caps, the bodies of the bugs, bright colors with craft paints. When they dry, glue on googly eyes. Cut wings from colored translucent transparency paper or sturdy construction paper and attach. Once they’re finished you can glue a magnet to the back of each one or arrange a family on a piece of driftwood.

18. Duct tape zipper pouches

This ingenious craft uses ziplock bags wrapped in duct tape to create colorful pouches kids can use for pencils, hair ties, coins, and more.

How to make it: Cut the bottom of a quart or gallon-sized ziploc bag to create the desired sized. Starting at the top lip of the bag, layer strips of patterned duct tape to cover one side. Flip over and do the same to the back side. Make sure the zipper mechanism is clear and functioning. Trim off the overhang. Then create a border to secure the edges together using thin strips of a contrasting color duct tape.

19. Egg carton baby turtles

These summer crafts for kids are made from recycled egg cartons, paint, construction paper, and googly eyes. The irresistible baby turtles will inspire hours of creative play.

How to make it: Collect paper egg cartons and cut out each of the cups. Paint the cups green with craft paint. When they’re dry, invert so they look like tiny turtle shells. Cut out two eyebrow-shaped strips of green paper and glue the cup on top. It will look like a floating turtle shell. Finally, glue googly eyes to a pom pom and glue the pom pom the the front end of the turle shell as its head. Voila!

20. Craft stick flower pots

Who knew a tin can and some colorful craft sticks would make such an adorable flower pot? Tuck a colorful plant inside and these make awesome gifts for friends, family, and neighbors.

How to make it: Paint the fronts and backs of skinny wood craft sticks different colors and allow to dry. Next, glue them upright and tightly pressed together to an aluminum can. Finally, attach a colorful ribbon around the center to secure your flower pot.

21. Bubble art prints

Tiny bubbles blown onto paper make for a fun and easy art project.

How to make it: Combine dish soap and water in a pitcher or large glass jar and pour into separate paper or plastic cups. Add a few drops of different colors of food coloring to each cup. Dip a straw with a large opening into one of the cups and slowly and carefully suck some of the bubbly liquid up the straw. Blow out on top of paper, creating colorful bubbles on the page. As the bubbles land and pop they will create cool and interesting pictures. Layer different colors on top of each other for an added effect.

22. Watermelon plant pots

With just some tiny flower pots paints and a Sharpie, even little kids can create this cute craft.

How to make it: Using craft paint, paint the bottom half of a small clay pot hot pink and paint the rim green. When the pink portion dries, use a black paint marker or Sharpie and draw little seeds all over. Add dirt and a tiny succulent and you have a darling window sill decoration.

23. Learn origami

What could be easier than a craft that requires no more than small squares of paper and your imagination? Origami is an ancient craft that cultivates focus, patience and fine motor skills. Plus, the outcomes are just so darn cute!

How to make it: Check out our videos of origami tutorials. Then, download our free printable instructions below and create animals, flowers, shapes and more.

24. Recycled egg carton toadstools

How sweet are these funny little toadstools? Hard to believe they started life as an ordinary egg carton.

How to make it: To make the mushroom caps, cut the inner pointy portions of an egg carton out (not the cups that hold the eggs). For the stalks, use wooden pegs or rolled up cardstock. Paint the caps a solid color then add puffy paint dots. Paint the stalks a light grey or beige, then hot glue the two together. Attach the mushrooms to a little diorama made from a shoebox lid with moss and grass lining the bottom.

25. Paper bag kite

Perfect for a blustery summer day, these colorful kites are easy and inexpensive to make.

How to make it: Decorate paper lunch bags with paint, markers, stickers or washi tape. Encourage kids to create a unique design of their own. Once the design is set and dry, snip a small hole in the center of the base of the bag. Tie a 3 foot length of string tightly around a craft stick and thread it through the hole so the stick rests inside the bag. Finally, attach streamers to the open end of the bag, all the way around. Take them out for a spin or hang them from the ceiling for a cheery decoration.

*26. Glitter star mobile

This adorable DIY mobile will bring the sweetest dreams to any kid.

How to make it: Thread colorful beads onto a length of wire and bring the ends together to form a circle with a hook on the end for the mobile’s hanger. Cut different sized star shapes out of thin cardboard, like food boxes. Or, buy pre-cut stars like these. Paint the stars with craft paint and sprinkle with glitter (if you dare)! When they dry, punch a hole at the end of one point of the star and attach a piece of yarn or string. Tie the other end to the beaded ring so they dangle freely.

27. Torn-paper ocean scene

Create a bright ocean scene with craft paper ripped into strips and formed into shapes.

How to make it: Use a piece of 8-1/2 x 11 card stock as the base for your scene. Then, hand tear strips of construction paper to form the different elements of the design- blues for a wavy ocean, red and orange for a bobbing sailboat. Small squares of yellow for a beaming sun, etc. You can use the same method to create forest scenes, mountain scenes, even portraits.

28. Painted metal washer wind chime

Make this beauty, then sit back and listen to its sweet melody all summer.

How to make it: Paint metal washers of different sizes, then tie them at varying intervals onto a piece of twine, with pony beads tied in between. Attach each string to a piece of driftwood and attach a separate string as a hanger.

29. Wiggly jellyfish

This adorable rainbow jellyfish craft is rich with vibrant colors, and it’s easy to make. Pipe cleaners, googly eyes, and Styrofoam balls are all you need.

How to make it: Cut small styrofoam balls, painted orange, into halves for the jellyfish bodies. Glue googly eyes onto one side of the curved portion on each one. Then, twirl long pipe cleaners around a dowel and gently remove. Stick one end of each pipe cleaner into the flat bottom half of the body, securing with a dab of craft glue. Unfold a paper clip, straightening one end to push into the top of the round part of the body. Attach a string to the curved end of the paper clip and hang.

30. Nature dioramas

Commemorate a mountain hike, a walk along the beach or even a stroll through the neighborhood with this beautiful nature diorama.

How to make it: Gather natural items like pine cones, leaves, pieces of wood, etc. Then add your own creative touch with paint, ribbons, markers or other materials. Lay out your design in a box lid or on a sturdy piece of poster board to create a beautiful diorama.

31. Kandinsky art study

Kandinsky loved music and color and believed colors could express feelings the same way music could. One of his most recognizable works of art is called the Squares with Concentric Circles. Kids can try their hand at imitating his style with this craft.

How to make it: Fold an 8 x 11 sheet of paper in half lengthwise, then into thirds. Open the paper and note the six square sections created. For each square, begin by drawing a small circle in the center. Then, draw a larger circle in a different color around it, but not touching it. Continue until the square is filled. Choose different colors and vary the widths of each circle to make it visually appealing.

32. Black glue mandalas

Watercolor paint and glue mixed with black acrylic paint combine to create these mesmerizing mandalas.

How to make it: Print out any mandala design found online onto plain white paper. Take a bottle of Elmer’s glue, about 3/4 full, and add black acrylic paint. Mix well. Now, trace the outlines of the mandala design. Let the glue dry then fill in the sections with different colors of watercolor paint.

33. Baby bird nests

Baby birds are one of the most joyful signs of spring. Create your own nestful of chicks using simple materials.

How to make it: To begin, cut a semi circle from brown construction paper. Cut small segments of brown yarn and glue them randomly onto the semi-circle, forming the nest. To make the chicks, cut out two identical circles and glue them together, overlapping them to create the head and body of the baby birds. Add googly eyes and an orange construction paper beak and glue feathers to the sides for wings. Tape your bird nest to a window and enjoy the view.

34. Shell salt dough necklaces

Preserve your summer memories with these easy to make necklaces.

How to make it: To begin, prepare a homemade salt dough, or use fast drying modeling clay. If you’re using salt dough, add a few drops of food coloring of your choice. If you’re using clay you can use watercolors to add a hue. Next, roll out a small circle of dough and shape it into a semi-flat oval. Apply glue to the back of a shell (or pebble or jewel) and press it into the center. Using a pencil point, punch a hole at the top. Let the dough dry, then attach a leather cord and wear your pendant all summer.

35. Wire sculptures

One of the most fun ways to create abstract art-wire is easy to work with and infinitely malleable.

How to make it: Simply twist and form metal gardening wire into interesting shapes. Add a few colorful pony beads at appropriate junctures. Ground your sculpture in a ball of clay or floral foam.

36. Sponge water bombs

There’s nothing better on a hot summer day than a good old fashioned water fight!

How to make it: Cut several plain kitchen sponges into eight strips each. Secure about 16 strips together with a rubber band or hair elastic and pull apart the ends to create a spherical shape. That’s it!

37. Twig boat

This simple craft is sure to bring hours of fun for your kids this summer. Make a fleet and set sail!

How to make it: Go on a nature walk and collect an assortment of thin, but sturdy, fresh twigs. Use garden snips to trim them all to an equal length. Then, use colored cord or embroidery floss to lass the twigs together into a flat rectangle. Weave the cord over and under from one side to the other 4 or 5 times to lash securely. Finally, attach a triangular piece of scrapbook paper to a craft stick for the sail. Lash the sail to the center of your boat, then take it out for a test-sail.

38. Watermelon suncatcher

Capture the sun streaming through your windows with these delightful tissue-paper watermelon slices.

How to make it: Cut a paper plate in half, then cut away the inner circle, leaving only the corrugated rim. Paint the rim a dark green. Next, cut a rectangular piece of clear, sticky shelf liner. To begin your watermelon design, first cut out seeds from black tissue paper and adhere them to the sticky side. Then, layer squares of pink tissue on top at random. Once you’ve filled the entire surface, lay another piece of shelf liner on top to secure the design. Lay the “rind” on top and trim the design and secure it with tape. Display your watermelon slice in a window to catch the sun’s rays.

39. Pressed-flower picture

Use real flowers to create the imprint for these ink-traced beauties. Experiment with different types to see which work best.

How to make it: Pick an assortment of flowers with deeply colored, flat leaves such as pansies or violas. Remove the stems, then lay the flowers out on a piece of watercolor paper, face down. Next, lay a sheet of wax paper over the top. Use a metal hammer to carefully tap the flowers into the paper. You can gently life a corner to test if the color is transferring. Once the colors have shown up on the paper, remove the materials and use a marker to outline the details of the flowers.

40. DIY sock caterpillars

You don’t even need to know how to sew to create these darling little stuffies.

How to make it: Stuff a colorful sock about 3/4 full with polyfoam. Tube socks work best to avoid working around the heel end. Secure the top with a small rubber band. Starting at the toe end of the sock, attach rubber bands at even intervals to divide the caterpillar into sections, with the head being the largest segment. Attach googly eyes and pipe cleaner antennae.

41. Craft stick octopus

Who knew craft sticks, pony beads, and googly eyes could create something this adorable? Attach a magnet to the back and display them on your fridge.

How to make it: Cut out colorful circles from construction paper for the heads. Paint eight craft sticks per octopus using craft paint. To assemble, criss-cross the craft sticks into an eight pointed star and glue together. Attach the circle on top of the middle with glue. Add googly eyes and a smile to the head and glue pony beads along the length of each leg for the octopus’ suction cups.

42. Nature-inspired drink coasters

Discs of wood are decorated with swirly waves of ocean-hued paint to create these striking drink coasters. Try this, or come up with your own design!

How to make it: Cut a tree branch into 4 inch diameter discs, about one inch wide. Using ocean-toned acrylic paints, start at the outer ring and layer circles of paint toward the center, blending the colors together for a watery effect. Once the paint dries, seal the coasters with high gloss varnish or clear resin.

43. Milk carton birdhouses

Recycled milk cartons can be beautifully repurposed as birdhouses. Hang a few in your tree with bird seed in the bottom and enjoy the bird-watching.

How to make it: Take a clean, recycled milk or cream carton and, using an X-Acto knife, cut out most of each of the four sides, leaving a windowpane effect. Puncture a hole on either side of the top on the slanted sides at the top. To decorate, paint a base coat of acrylic paint over the entire surface. Allow this layer to dry, then add other colors and designs of your choice. Attach a sturdy string through the punctured holes and hang from an accessible tree branch.

44. Safety pin beaded bracelets

These sparkly gems are jangly and pretty, but use care when assembling not to poke yourself!

How to make it: Carefully open a safety pin and slide tiny seed beads onto the open prong. Close the pin and repeat. It will take many pins to create one bracelet. When you have embellished the right amount of pins, thread a stretchy piece of elastic cord thought the circle ends of the pins and tie the ends together. Vary the color of the beads for an eclectic look or choose one solid color.

45. Foil bead jewelry

Create a little bling for very little cost with this fun craft.

How to make it: Roll small squares of foil into medium sized, loosely formed balls. Color the beads with markers. Using a toothpick, poke a hole through the center of each foil bead. To make a bracelet, thread a strand of plastic cord through the beads and secure the ends together. Cut off the loose ends. To make a ring, thread just 3 or 4 beads onto the cord and tie off the ends. Try making a whole ensemble with ring, bracelet, necklace and headband, varying the size of the foil beads.

46. God’s Eyes

An oldie but a goodie, God’s Eyes are the ultimate summer camp craft. All you need is two Popsicle sticks and lots of yarn.

How to make it: Secure two craft sticks together, criss-cross, by by winding yarn in an x pattern around each stick. Start in the center and continue around, filling in the spaces between the four sticks in a linear fashion. To change colors simply tie a new strand onto the old strand of yarn, tucking the knot to the back side. When you finish, tie a knot with your last loop then create a longer loop to be the hanger.

47. Recycled plastic bottle whirligig

Upcycle your used plastic bottles with this easy project, then watch these spiral beauties blow in the wind.

How to make it: Remove the label from your plastic bottle and use markers to add patterns and color. Cut off the bottom portion of the bottle. Then, starting at the bottom opening, cut upwards in a spiral pattern until approximately 1 inch from neck the of bottle. Tie a strand of twine around the neck of the bottle and hang outside.

48. Button caterpillar keyring

Everybody needs a splashy keychain! This adorable DIY is great for practical purposes, but also adorable as a backpack charm.

How to make it: Gather an assortment of buttons in different colors and sizes. Take a long piece of thin pipe cleaner and thread it through one hole in each button. The buttons don’t need to line up perfectly- in fact, the wigglier the better. When you’ve stacked enough buttons for the desired length, attach the final button. Make sure this button is a bit larger than the rest- it will be the face. Thread the pipe cleaner through to the front then back in. Twist the end around the main portion to secure. Finally, secure a key ring with the pipe cleaner at the tail end.

49. Feather earrings

Collect feathers and turn them into unique and beautiful jewelry.

How to make it: For each earring, cut out two 2-inch diameter circles from a thin piece of cardboard, like a cereal box. Cut 2 identical circles from metallic craft paper. Glue the ends of two to three feathers between the cardboard circles, allowing the ends of the feathers to dangle downward. Insert a dangle earring hook in between the layers and secure with glue. Clamp them together to dry. Then glue one metallic circle to either side.

50. Paper bag mermaid

These sweet little mermaids would be the perfect props for a summer puppet theater production of “The Little Mermaid.”

How to make it: To begin, take a hole puncher and make evenly spaced holes along the bottom crease of a paper lunchbag. We’ll tie on strands of hair at the end. First, decorate the face and body of your mermaid. Attach large googly eyes and add a nose and lips with markers. Draw a bikini top and a line at the mermaid’s waistline. On the top end of the bag (which will be the bottom of the puppet) cut a scallop that peaks in the middle, creating a fish tail effect. Color in this part and add squiggles of glitter to look like fish scales. Return to the holes. Fold long loops of embroidery floss (2-3 strands for each hole) in half, then loop them through a hole, pulling the ends through to secure. Continue to give your mermaid a full head of colorful hair.

51. Bejeweled stepping stones

Add some dazzle to your garden with these bejeweled stepping stones. Use sea glass, jewels, crystal shards, buttons, or seashells. To personalize it further, have your little one press their handprint in the middle.

How to make it: To create the base for your stepping stone, use a white air dry clay, such as Crayola brand. Press clay into a clear plastic pot saucer, forming a round, flat disc. Once you’ve got the shape solidified, invert the disc and press colored gemstones or glass pieces into the surface, forming an colorful design. Set the stone aside to dry. Once it’s dry apply a couple of coats of acrylic sealer to weatherproof your stepping stones from the weather.

52. Paper globe flowers

When it’s too hot to go outside and pick flowers, make your own!

How to make it: You’ll need 5 squares of 6 x 6 craft paper for this craft- 2 pink for the flower and 3 green for the stem and leaves. To make the stem, roll one sheet of the green paper tightly around a wooden skewer, taping the edge. To make the flower, fold the two pink sheets in half. Cut very thin lines from the folded edge down to one inch from the bottom from one end to the other for each sheet. Unfold the papers and fold them back the other way. Line the two sheets up and apply a thin piece of double sided tape along the bottom, unfolded edge. Take the stem and, starting at one edge of the fringed paper, roll the skewer angling slightly down until the entire length is wrapped around the stem. Cut two long thin leaves and secure to the stem.

53. Coffee filter ballerinas

How enchanting are these little ballerina dolls? So fun to leap and twirl and dance with.

How to make it: Using markers, completely cover one coffee filter with designs and color. Stack the colored filter on top of a plain filter on a waterproof surface like a cookie sheet. Gently wet down the filters with an eye dropper or soft squirt bottle- this will create a watercolor effect. Let the filters dry. To make the ballerina’s body fold one of the pipe cleaners in half. The fold will be the head and the ends will be the legs. About an inch below the the folded end, twist the other pipe cleaner perpendicularly several times each way to create the arms.

For the dress, fold one coffee filter in half, then quarters, then eighths. At the pointed end cut a small hole. Unfold so that the dress is still folded in half and cut one tiny slit on either side of the hole. Raise the pipe cleaner body’s arms and pull the dress over the head. Thread an elastic band over and secure the dress about one inch down, creating the bodice. Fold and unfold the other filter and slide it under the top skirt from the bottom.

54. Pool noodle swords and cardboard shields

Nothing like a good old fashioned sword fight to work off a little steam (in the safest of ways, of course!)

How to make it: Cut a length of foam pool noodle to size and apply duct tape to the bottom foot of the noodle for the handle. You can apply different colors to make it look more customized. Then, cut a shield shape from a cardboard box and decorate with paints. On the back side, create a handle by taping two lengths of duct tape together for a hand hold, taping them to the shield at either end.

55. Paper plate seahorse

Made with carstock and cupcake papers, these colorful seahorses will brighten up your summer.

How to make it: Draw and cut out a seahorse shape from a piece of 8 x 11-1/2 cardstock. Use water color paint to paint colorful stripes on the body, adding an eye and nose holes with a black marker to the face. To create the seahorse’s beautiful mane, fold different colored cupcake liner papers into roughly triangular shapes. You’ll need up to 2 dozen, depending on the size of your seahorse. Starting at the top of the seahorse’s head, secure two row of overlapping layers of the cupcake liners, color-blocking from top to bottom. Experiment with glue sticks and staples and use the method that works best for you.

If you liked these summer crafts for kids, check out these Fun and Easy Nature Crafts and Activities.

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