Once summer starts, keeping your children entertained can be tough, no matter how patient and creative you are. When the weather prevents you from sending your kids to the yard, park, or nearest pool, keeping yourself sane can be especially challenging. Fortunately, these five simple do-it-yourself crafts are sure to delight kids of most ages.
Bring Back Tie-Dying
With tie-dying becoming popular again, there’s no better time to show your kids an activity that probably kept you entertained during your own childhood. This project is simple and affordable; just head to the craft store to grab some wholesale kids t shirts, rubber bands, plastic bags, and tie dye. If you have some old white clothing lying around the house, consider repurposing it as well.
Build Your Own Bird Feeder
You can make a bird feeder in just a few simple steps. First, cut large square holes in the sides of a milk jug, at least one inch above the base. Next, poke two small holes near the lid and thread heavy-duty string through them. Finally, add two more small holes below or next to the windows and insert a twig or small wood stake for a perch. Don’t forget to let your kids decorate the final product. This craft should entertain your kids for weeks as they watch birds enjoy the new feeder.
Create Sparkling Suncatchers
There are tons of easy ways kids can make suncatchers at home, from melting beads or crayons to adding specially treated papers to wax paper. One advantage of these projects is that they can be quick and simple or involved. Either way, the final outcome is beautiful. Suncatchers make stunning home decorations and great gifts for others.
Set Up a Fort
Fort building can keep your kids entertained for hours. Blankets and furniture work well for an indoor fort, while sheets, strong ropes, and trees can make a durable outdoor fort. To create a fort with staying power, tape together some sturdy cardboard boxes and let your kids go wild decorating.
Prepare for 4th of July Festivities
If you’re holding a 4th of July party this year, making and placing decorations can keep your kids entertained for hours. From crafting pinwheels to stenciling designs to creating patriotic hanging decorations, there is no shortage of crafts your kids can do to help you get ready for this holiday.
Keep Thinking Creatively
Coming up with new excursions and outings for your kids can be difficult; the key is to inventively think up fun projects that can be done easily at home. These activities can save money, keep your kids from getting stir-crazy, and give you needed time to catch up on housework and maybe even relax.
What fun and affordable summer craft is your kids looking forward to?
38 Comments
Thanks for sharing these great ideas, especially the reminder to get thinking about 4th of July decorations. My son LOVES building forts, I just feel like such a bad guy when we finally have to take them down because we need the blanket or couch back! Maybe part of the brainstorming you mentioned could include filling a tub with fort supplies and designating a free build zone so his designs can last longer. Maybe we can draw up a building permit! 😉
I love the idea of the building permit. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you again.
These all sound like good ideas. And one that I have not tried is the tie-dyed shirt idea. Maybe we will tackle that some afternoon….outside….by the garden hose. Thanks.
It’s a lot of fun to tie-dye things. Just don’t choose a dark colored item to tie-dye.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you again soon.
I especially like the tie-dye shirt idea and it would make a fun birthday party activity too. Dad’s old T-shirts could become a tie-dyed night gown for a little girls. Tents are always so fun for kids too.
I love the idea of turning Dad’s old t-shirts into a tie-dyed night gown for a little girl.
Those are all great ideas. I am sure my kids would love all of those.
Glad you like these ideas. I hope you’ll be able to enjoy them with your kids.
These are great ideas for summer activities. Especially the making sun catchers. My family would really enjoy that.
Making sun catchers are a lot of fun. They make great gifts too. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you again soon.
Such fun ideas. We do several you have listed, but haven’t given tie-dye any attention. I think that is a perfect craft for my teens. Thanks!
I’m glad that we gave you an idea to consider doing with your teens. I’m sure you’ll all have fun with those projects. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you again soon.
This is would be so much fun, my kids would love this thank you for sharing.
I’m glad you liked this ideas. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you again soon.
Fun ideas! My girls love jewelry making.
That is a lot of fun. I use to make friendship bracelets and beaded pieces of jewelry when I was a kid. My uncle was really heavy into making silver spoon jewelry too. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you again soon.
Great ideas, thanks! I’d like to try tie-dying again (hey, I need some Summer crafts too!) but I’d involve the kids as well and you can’t go wrong with forts – always a hit and usually takes a LOT of time to build!
Forts are always fun for all involved. My kids love to make them a lot. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you again soon.
great idea’s Crystal good rainy day actives for a fun time
We’ve got to have a way to keep them entertained.
Suncatchers are a great idea, it’s the perfect time for them! I really like thinking of outdoor games and activities.
Outdoor games and activities are always a lot of fun. I am thinking of some sharing some of those ideas too. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you again soon.
those look great. awesome ideas. will have to save this1
Glad I could give you some good ideas worth saving. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you again soon.
oh, how fun and pretty creative! My daughter would love to do this activities this summer.
I’m glad you enjoy these ideas. I hope you get the chance to do some of these with your daughter.
There’s nothing like a movie night in a pillow fort! Stopping by from the Friendship Friday hop, come say hi 🙂
I’m so glad you stopped by and gave us your two cents. I agree a movie night in a pillow fort is a great idea. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you again soon.
My kids love building forts! They can make a whole day of just that. Building, taking it down to perfect it, then playing inside it for a bit and tearing it down and starting over.
Forts are a right of passage in my book for kids. I’m glad that they are getting the chance to do it in your house. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you again soon.
I haven’t tie dyed anything since I was a kid. That would be a good one to add to my summer bucket list! Thanks for sharing with Small Victories Sunday Linkup. Pinning to our linkup board and hope you join this week’s linkup that just went live!
You’re welcome. Thank you so much for coming by and commenting. I hope to see you again soon.
These are all fun! My kids love building forts and tie dyeing shirts sounds like fun to me!
We like to do homemade play dough or finger paint to pass the day. My son loves all his arts and crafts!
Tie-dyeing would be fun to try with my kiddoes! Bring back the 70s!!
Some lovely ideas – I can see us trying out tie-dying again! Thank you for joining in with We Love Weekends. Your post has been featured on this week’s We Love Weekends via Peakle Pie! Hope to see you joining in again soon!
These are great creative ideas for summer! They’ll keep the kids busy and entertained!
I’m glad you liked these ideas. They are sure to make some kids very happy. Thank you for checking it out.