60+ Fun & Easy Summer Crafts for Toddlers & Preschoolers

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AHEAD: Over 60 Fun and Easy Summer crafts that you can do with your kids this summer. Fill hours this summer with exciting and simple crafts they will love. Some of these craft make great outdoor activities while others are fun for when the weather turns rainy or too hot and you are forced to stay inside. All of these crafts are good for toddlers and preschooler but if you also have an older child they will love them too! They are for kids of all ages!! Get ready to get crafty this summer with all these colorful and joyous craft ideas!

Crafting Magic: The Benefits of Summer Crafting with Kids

Summer is a season filled with endless possibilities, and one of the most delightful ways to make the most of this time is through crafting with kids. Whether it’s a rainy day indoors or a sunny afternoon in the backyard, summer crafting offers a wealth of benefits for children.

1. Unleash Imagination

One of the greatest benefits of summer crafting with kids is the opportunity it provides for them to unleash their imagination. Crafting allows children to explore their creativity, think outside the box, and express themselves freely. With an abundance of materials at their fingertips, such as colorful paper, paints, and craft supplies, children can let their imagination soar and bring their ideas to life. They can create fantastical worlds, design unique crafts, and tell stories through their artwork, fostering their creativity and nurturing their self-expression.

2. Skill Development

Crafting during the summer also encourages children to develop essential skills. As they engage in various crafting activities, they enhance their fine motor skills by cutting, drawing, painting, and manipulating different materials. Crafting also promotes problem-solving abilities as children encounter challenges and find creative solutions. They learn to follow instructions, think critically, and explore different techniques and materials. Moreover, crafting nurtures their patience and perseverance as they work on projects that require time and effort, teaching them the value of dedication and resilience.

3. Family Time

Crafting with kids during the summer not only promotes their personal growth but also strengthens family bonds. It provides an opportunity for quality time and shared experiences as you collaborate on projects, exchange ideas, and celebrate each other’s creations. Crafting can become a bonding ritual that brings the family together, fostering communication, teamwork, and a sense of belonging. It’s a chance to disconnect from screens and technology and engage in meaningful and interactive activities that create lasting memories.

4. Self-esteem

Additionally, summer crafting allows children to develop a sense of pride and accomplishment. As they complete their crafts, they gain a sense of achievement and confidence in their abilities. They learn to value their creativity and unique perspectives. Displaying their creations or gifting them to loved ones enhances their self-esteem and reinforces the joy of creating something with their own hands.

Summer Arts & Crafts!

Now that school is almost out – I wanted to create a blog post that would make it easy for you to plan a few kid friendly crafts to do this summer. One of my current obsessions when it comes to kid crafts is the potato masher. Who knew that it could be used to create so many fun creatures!

When using the potato masher you are only limited by your imagination. It’s easy to use and a great art tool for toddlers and preschoolers. It is also something that everyone either has already in their kitchen or can include in their craft supplies! Here is a list of simple crafts that you can do today with a few basic supplies. So if it’s a rainy summer day or if it’s too hot to be outside and you have a bored toddler or preschooler on your hand this is the list for you!

Easy Done for you Activities to Keep Your Kids off Screens this Summer!!

Our DIY Summer Camp Package has everything you need to keep your kids off screens, keep them engaged and to create magical memories right in your own home. With 10+ themes, 130+ engaging activities, and valuable tips for a memorable summer, this package is your passport to a season of fun and learning. Let’s dive into the details and discover why our camp package is the must-have resource for your best summer!

  • 10+ Weeks of Easy Themed Summer Camp Ideas for Kids 2-6!
  • 130+ creative summer activities, crafts, science experiments, sensory play activities and recipes and more.
  • Article: “10 Practical Tips for a Memorable Summer with Kids.”
  • Article: “Sibling Harmony: 10 Practical Tips for Keeping the Peace and Managing Sibling Conflict”
  • Full supply list for each week.

WILL YOU TRY ANY OF THESE SUMMER CRAFTS WITH YOUR LITTLE ONE? Pin it for later!

60+ Fun & Easy Summer Crafts

  1. Shower Curtain Painting – Happy Toddler Playtime
  2. Bubble Printed Butterfly Craft – Happy Toddler Playtime
  3. Sandpaper Sandcastle Craft – Happy Toddler Playtime
  4. Scrape Painted Ice Cream Craft – Happy Toddler Playtime
  5. Cardboard Tent Craft – Happy Toddler Playtime
  6. Fly Swatter Painting Craft – Happy Toddler Playtime
  1. Watermelon Sponge Painting – Fantastic Fun and Learning
  2. Button Snail Craft For Kids – I Heart Arts n Crafts
  3. Paper & Cupcake Liner Lemonade Craft – Glued to My Craft Blog
  4. Fingerprint Baseball Craft for Kids – Crafty Morning
  5. Felt Pretend Play Popsicles – Kid Craft Idea For Summer – Glued To My Craft Blog
  6. Handprint Fish Puppets – Glued to My Craft Blog
  1. How to Make Sidewalk Chalk for Outdoor Summer Painting – Happy Toddler Playtime
  2. Bubble Wrap Jelly Fish
  3. How to Make Sponge Boats – Happy Toddler Playtime
  4. Turtle Nature Sticky Wall – Happy Toddler Playtime
  5. Sponge Painted Fish Craft – Happy Toddler Playtime
  6. Giant Nail Salon – Happy Toddler Playtime
  1. Bubble Wrap Sea Turtles
  2. Colorful Jellyfish Craft by I Heart Crafty Things
  3. Squirt Gun Painting
  4. Flip Flop Craft – Happy Toddler Playtime
  5. Sponge Popsicles
  6. Recycled Treasured Chest
  1. Cardboard Bird Feeder – Happy Toddler Playtime for Happy Hooligans
  2. Pom Pom Painted Watermelon – Happy Toddler Playtime
  3. Bubble Wrap Starfish Craft – Our Kid Things
  4. Ice Lolly Preschool Craft – Learning and Exploring Through Play
  5. Cardboard Roll Shiny Pipe Cleaner Dragonflies – Our Kids Things
  6. Potato Masher Ice Cream Cone Craft
  1. Pool Noodle Bird Craft
  2. DIY Kaleidoscope STEAM Craft
  3. Pool Noodle Caterpillar Craft for Kids
  4. Pool Noodle Fish Craft
  5. Pinwheel Craft
  6. Rocking Paper Plate Boat
  1. Adorable Pool Noodle Monster Craft for Kids
  2. Bug Hotel Craft
  3. Easy Sponge Painted Ice Cream
  4. Cardboard Box Guitar
  5. Cupcake Liner Fish
  6. Paper Bag Fishing Vest
  1. Toilet Paper Roll Binocular Craft
  2. Glowing Firefly Craft
  3. Boat Rocking in the Waves Craft
  4. Animal Planters: Cute Craft for Kids
  5. Craft Stick Octopus Craft
  6. Jellyfish Suncatcher
  1. Rocking Shark
  2. Easy Paper Ladybug
  3. Pom Pom Painted Pineapple Craft
  4. DIY Cardboard Tube Kazoo Craft
  5. Painted Pasta Necklace Craft
  6. Potato Stamped Ice Cream Cone Craft
  1. DIY Bubble Wands and Homemade Bubble Solution
  2. Foil Painting – Easy Process Art Activity for Kids
  3. Paper Plate Ice Cream Craft
  4. DIY Stress Balls for Kids: Squeeze Away the Stress with Creativity
  5. Ice Cream Colouring Pages for Kids

Even More Fun & Easy Summer Crafts for Kids

  1. Potato Masher Bee
  2. Potato Masher Turtle
  3. Paper Plate Rainbow Sun Catcher
  4. Sunflower Craft
  5. Watercolor Snail Craft
  6. Potato Masher Crabs
  7. Butterfly Craft
  8. Shaving Cream Sunflower

Looking for more summer activity ideas? Check out of these other round-ups for more ways to stay busy this summer:

  1. 25+ Outdoor Water Activities to Keep Kids Cool This Summer
  2. 40+ Awesome Outdoor Learning Activities for Kids
  3. 30+ Easy Outdoor Art Projects for Kids
  4. 60+ Awesome Outdoor Activities for Kids
  5. 45+ Awesome Water Sensory Bins for Toddlers & Preschoolers
  6. 40+ Water Table Activities for Toddlers
  7. 21+ Spray Bottle Activities for Toddler
  8. 20 Amazing Backyard Obstacle Courses
  9. 21+ Amazing Summer Sensory Bins
  10. 40+ Ice Sensory Play
  11. 12 Healthy Smoothie Recipes for Toddlers + Kids

Easy Done for you Activities to Keep Your Kids off Screens this Summer!!

Our DIY Summer Camp Package has everything you need to keep your kids off screens, keep them engaged and to create magical memories right in your own home. With 10+ themes, 130+ engaging activities, and valuable tips for a memorable summer, this package is your passport to a season of fun and learning. Let’s dive into the details and discover why our camp package is the must-have resource for your best summer!

  • 10+ Weeks of Easy Themed Summer Camp Ideas for Kids 2-6!
  • 130+ creative summer activities, crafts, science experiments, sensory play activities and recipes and more.
  • Article: “10 Practical Tips for a Memorable Summer with Kids.”
  • Article: “Sibling Harmony: 10 Practical Tips for Keeping the Peace and Managing Sibling Conflict”
  • Full supply list for each week.

Toddler and Preschooler Curriculums, Books & TV Show!

Play2Learn Toddler & Preschool Programs for Curious Toddlers

There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!

But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.

Play2Learn for Toddlers includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.

Play2Learn Preschool which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years. That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again! 

These toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!

Click here for more information: Play2Learn

Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.

Book: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids

Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy at Amazon

Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.

Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.

Book: Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids

Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more. 

Find out more and grab your copy here.

Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.

Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids

Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast? The Big Riddle Book for Kids, of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles that show them how to think outside the box.

  • 350 riddles for kids—Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
  • Level up their skills—Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
  • Double-check their work—Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.

Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!

Designed for kids ages 6 years old and up.

TV Show: Curious Crafting

I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show Curious Crafting which launched in July 2022 on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube! Season 2 airs in the summer of 2023! We were also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.

Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.

In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create. 

Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.

This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up. 

WILL YOU TRY ANY OF THESE CRAFTS WITH YOUR LITTLE ONE THIS SUMMER? Pin it for later!

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