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For the beach, your backyard, and beyond!
“I’m booooored.” Yes, it’s a phrase that’s well known to many parents, especially during those long, lazy summer months. While you might have some family beach vacations and other summer activities planned, it’s those unscheduled moments when boredom tends to sink in the most. That’s where summer crafting comes in! It’s the perfect time to get your DIY on, whether you need something to fill an otherwise dull afternoon or an activity to anchor your summer party.
There are plenty of crafts you can create alongside your kids, like sand art terrariums, seashell necklaces, or glow-in-the-dark “fireflies” made from pasta noodles. Many of these projects can also double as activities to keep the whole family entertained, including plenty of DIY outdoor games. Perhaps you’re searching for crafts that’ll make your summer memories even more special, like a watermelon blanket to hold all of your picnic side dishes, or punchy decals to add to your cooler. Or maybe you’d like to freshen up your summer style with a handmade straw clutch or a colorful beach hat. No matter which craft idea you choose, it’s sure to make your summer that much more fun for everyone involved!
If there’s an unofficial fruit of the summer, it’s undoubtedly watermelon. Capture the flavor with this lip scrub you’ll use all summer long.
Get the tutorial at A Cultivated Nest.
Is there anything more summery than a bike ride paired with a picnic? Bring together these two beloved summer activities by making this picnic crate to attach to your bike.
Get the tutorial at PMQ for Two.
Celebrate the most colorful blooms of summer with this crepe paper craft. Your kids, and you, will love making these tropical flowers.
Get the tutorial at Abbi Kirsten Collections.
SHOP SCISSORS
It’s always great when practical and pretty come together in a craft, and these citronella candles, “dipped” with vibrant balloons, are a perfect example of that.
Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth.
Give your summer plants a colorful home by making a few of these pretty stitched planters.
Get the tutorial at The Pretty Life Girls.
Have a kiddo who’s away at camp? Surprise them with this cute handmade pennant piñata care package that’s filled with treats.
Get the tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.
You’re sure to be the chicest person at the beach with this DIY beach tent featuring black and white stripes and a fringe trim.
Get the tutorial at One CrafDIY Girl.
SHOP WHITE NYLON ROPE
Your cooler could use a makeover! Punch it up with a few summer-ready decals, made with the help of a Cricut Maker.
Get the tutorial at PMQ for Two.
‘Tis the season for backyard games! Bonus points if they show off bright colors, too, like this DIY rainbow stacking game.
Get the tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.
Set the mood for summer with this DIY serving tray that can easily move your drinks and snacks from the kitchen to the patio.
Get the tutorial at Lydi Out Loud.
Yup—this is officially the cutest lemonade stand we’ve ever seen. Not one passerby will be able to resist the adorableness of this handmade stand.
Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.
SHOP MASKING TAPE
To give your beach or pool day a bit of retro flair, look no further than this tutorial—and don’t forget the fringe.
Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth.
Whether you’re going to the pool or want to summer-ize your look, you can sew this cute vinyl bucket bag. It’s perfect for when you need to find your sunglasses in a flash.
Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.
What would make a summer picnic even better? A watermelon picnic blanket, of course!
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
If your littles love to catch fireflies after dark, this craft is for them. They’ll use pasta noodles and glow-in-the-dark acrylic paint to make their fireflies light up.
Get the tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.
If you’d like to display faux air plants and succulents all season long, make them look their summertime best with colored sand and glass apothecary jars.
Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.
Ideal for magazines, suntan lotion, sunglasses, and goggles, this canvas tote is ready for summer with its monstera leaf detailing.
Get the tutorial at Dream Green DIY.
SHOP TACKY GLUE
For a summertime night on the town, make this straw clutch complete with sweet throwback flowers.
Get the tutorial at Maritza Lisa.
You know all those seashells you’ve been collecting at the beach this summer? Give them an artsy makeover with brightly hued acrylic paint.
Get the tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.
Even your refrigerator could use some summertime decor! Make these ice cream magnets and use them to tack up summer sports schedules and pool hours.
Get the tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.
Your kids will adore making these air dry clay seashell necklaces. You can glitz them up with glass glitter, too.
Get the tutorial at Moms & Crafters.
To make your whole home smell like summertime goodness, whip up this simmering stovetop potpourri. The lime, lavender, and spearmint will waft through every room.
Get the tutorial at Purely Katie.
Make your cooler look a lot, well, cooler with some holographic vinyl. No one will be able to miss this baby at the beach!
Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.
Your little ones will squeal with joy as they make these adorable seahorses with cupcake liners and liquid watercolors.
Get the tutorial at Hello Wonderful.
SHOP CUPCAKE LINERS
Your front door should let everyone know just how much you love summer, and this ice cream wreath should do the trick!
Get the tutorial at Merriment Design.
For a fun twist on the classic backyard ring toss game, work your DIY magic with plastic flamingos, planters, and some sand.
Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth.
If your kids have been catching butterflies all day, tell them that they can make their very own butterflies, too! All you need are coffee filters, pipe cleaners, markers, and a few other items.
Get the tutorial at Fireflies & Mud Pies.
Your kids will want to wear these brightly colored fruit necklaces all summer long.
Get the tutorial at Food Kids Love.
Whether you’re on the beach or at a backyard barbecue, you’ll steal the show with this technicolor rainbow sun hat.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Make any summer get together look a whole lot cuter with these DIY fruit slice appetizer plates.
Get the tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.
