Summer Art Ideas for Kids

Summer and art ideas just go together. Long sunny days, bright colors, and more time outside? It’s basically the perfect season to pull out the paints, papers, and all the fun supplies.

I always notice that my kids get extra inspired in the summer—they’re relaxed, curious, and full of big ideas.

Whether you’re looking for a way to keep the kids busy on a lazy afternoon or you want to turn a park picnic into a craft party, these summer art ideas for kids are easy, colorful, and so much fun.

Here’s why summer is such a great time for art:

• More space and less stress: Take messy projects outside—no worries about paint drips or glue spills when you’re on the patio or lawn.
• Nature is full of inspiration: From ice cream cones and flip-flops to crabs, fish, and pineapples, summer themes are everywhere.
• Long days mean extra time: You can slow down, set out a craft table, and let kids really explore their creativity without rushing.

Why You’ll Love These Summer Art Ideas

These projects are bright, cheerful, and easy to set up—perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids too. Many use simple supplies you probably already have at home, like sponges, paper plates, and pom poms. Others mix in cool textures and playful materials like bubble wrap and sandpaper. They all have one thing in common: they’ll bring that happy summer vibe right to your kitchen table, backyard, or campsite.

So grab a cold lemonade, gather some supplies, and let’s get into this lineup of fun summer art projects for kids!

Summer Art Ideas for Kids

Potato Stamp Ice Cream Cone

There’s something so simple but satisfying about potato stamping, and when you combine it with everyone’s favorite summer treat? Instant fun. Cut a potato in half, dip it in paint, and stamp it onto paper to create the “scoop” of an ice cream cone. Add a hand-drawn cone underneath and decorate the ice cream with sprinkles or glitter. This project is perfect for little ones because stamping is easy and the results always look adorable.

Flip Flop Craft

Flip-flops just scream summer! For this craft, trace your child’s foot on colored cardstock to create a sandal shape. Then let them decorate with markers, stickers, and craft gems. Add two pipe cleaners for straps, and you’ve got a cute flip-flop that’s completely unique. It’s a wonderful fine-motor activity and a sweet keepsake, too—especially if you write their name and the year on the back.

Sandpaper Sandcastle

We love a craft that uses an unusual material, and sandpaper is perfect for this one because it feels just like real sand! Cut out simple castle shapes from a sheet of sandpaper. Glue them onto blue cardstock and add paper flags, shells, or even a sprinkling of real sand for extra texture. It’s a great way to bring a bit of the beach home and works really well as a quiet, sit-down project after a busy morning.

Sponge Painted Ice Cream

Sponge painting is always a hit because it creates such a cool texture on the paper. For this project, cut a sponge into a circles. Dip it in pastel paint colors and dab it in a scoop shape to make ice cream. Add a paper cone underneath and finish with a pom pom “cherry” on top. This one is easy to set up for toddlers but still fun for older kids who want to experiment with colors.

Tissue Paper Crab

This tissue paper crab is bright, cheerful, and a little silly—the perfect summer friend! Cut out a big circle for the crab’s body, then tear red tissue paper into little pieces and glue them on to fill in the circle. Add pipe cleaner legs and googly eyes for a fun 3D effect. Kids love making the pinchers, and it’s a great craft to pair with an ocean-themed afternoon.

Pom Pom Painted Pineapple

Get ready for a lot of giggles with this one! Use a pom pom (held with a clothespin) to stamp yellow paint all over a pineapple shape drawn on paper. Then add a green leafy top with either paint or cut paper. It’s a super sensory-friendly painting technique that works for toddlers and preschoolers. Plus, stamping makes such a fun textured look that really pops.

Scrape Painted Ice Cream

Scrape painting looks so fancy, but it’s surprisingly easy. Drip a few colors of paint on a piece of paper, then use a stiff piece of cardboard (like an old gift card) to scrape the paint across the page. Once dry, cut the colorful paper into ice cream scoop shapes and glue them onto a paper cone. Each one turns out completely unique—like a tie-dye ice cream treat!

Paper Plate Popsicle

Grab a paper plate, cut it into a popsicle shape, and let the kids paint it however they like. Once the paint dries, glue a large craft stick to the bottom and you’ve got a giant, colorful popsicle. This project is simple and very forgiving, which makes it especially good for toddlers or preschoolers. It’s also a fun way to decorate a playroom or craft area for the summer.

Paper Plate Ice Cream

This project combines classic supplies into a classic treat! Cut a paper plate in half and glue tissue paper on it in your favorite “flavor” colors. Add a paper cone underneath and maybe a pom pom or paper cherry on top. Kids can decorate with glitter, stickers, or little bits of tissue paper as sprinkles. Hang them on a wall for a fun “ice cream shop” gallery.

Sponge Popsicle

Sponge popsicles are a neat way to add some texture to your summer art. Use rectangular sponges, decorate them with bright paint colors, pom poms and glitter. These turn out so cheerful, and it’s fun to layer colors for a rainbow popsicle effect.

Pom Pom Painted Watermelon

Nothing says summer like watermelon! For this project, use pink or red paper and glue it on to and green for the rind. Then use pom poms dipped into black paint to add black seeds. This is such a simple, low-prep project that even the littlest hands can enjoy. Plus, pom pom painting always makes for a soft, textured look.

Sponge Painted Fish

Let’s go under the sea! Use sponges to dab and layer paint colors onto a simple fish outline. Bright blues, purples, yellows, and greens look amazing for this one. Once dry, cut out the fish and glue them onto a big sheet of blue paper to make an underwater scene. This project is especially fun for mixing colors and creating patterns.

Paint with Lemons

This one smells as good as it looks! Slice a lemon in half, dip it in paint, and stamp it onto paper to make citrusy prints. The natural shape of the lemon makes the prettiest patterns. Kids can experiment with overlapping prints or mixing colors. It’s a perfect summer activity for outdoors because the stamping can get a little messy—but that’s part of the fun.

Bubble Wrap Jellyfish

The texture of bubble wrap makes this jellyfish craft extra cool! Cut out a jellyfish body from paper plate and paint it in a fun color. Then cut out bubble wrap to form the jellyfish tentacles. Paint the bubble wrap tentacles and then glue them to the body. Once it’s dry, glue on some big googly eyes for a silly, wiggly jellyfish. This project is great for fine motor skills and has a super satisfying texture.

Beach Bucket

Give a plain beach bucket a whole new look! Kids can decorate their own buckets using paint pens, stickers, and washi tape to make them bright and personal. Add real seashell and starfish or add doodles, their name, or colorful patterns. It’s a fun way to turn a simple bucket into a special summer accessory.

Ice Painting

Ice painting is the perfect way to stay cool while making art. Freeze paint in ice cube trays with a craft stick in each cube. Once frozen, pop them out and use the melting paint cubes like a brush to paint on paper. It’s such a sensory-rich project, and the way the colors blend as the ice melts is mesmerizing.

Water Gun Resist Art

For this outdoor art project, fill a water gun with watered-down paint. Tape large sheets of paper or a canvas to a fence or lay them flat on the grass. Before spraying, place some simple shapes (like paper stars or cardboard cutouts) on the paper to block certain spots. Then spray the paint all over! When you lift the shapes, you’ll see a fun “resist” design underneath. This one is big, bold, and perfect for a hot day.

Painted Eggshell Starfish

This craft gives a whole new life to eggshells! First, clean and crush eggshells, then glue them onto paper in the shape of a starfish. Once it’s dry, paint over the textured shells with bright summer colors like orange, pink, or yellow. The result looks just like a bumpy starfish from the beach! It’s a unique way to combine painting, texture, and recycling in one fun project.

Splatter Art

Splatter art is the perfect way for kids to let loose and create something exciting. All you need is paint, a big sheet of paper, and a brush or old toothbrush. Dip into paint and flick or splatter across the paper for an explosion of color. The abstract patterns that appear are amazing—and no two are ever alike! This one is especially fun to do outside where kids can get a little messy.

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint

Take classic sidewalk chalk to the next level by turning it into paint! Mix cornstarch, water, and a few drops of food coloring in a cup. Use paintbrushes or sponges to paint the colorful mixture onto the driveway or sidewalk. When it dries, it looks just like chalk but with smoother, vibrant coverage. The best part? It washes away easily with a hose or the next rainstorm.