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Five Fun and Affordable Summer Crafts Your Kids Will Love

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? 

Originally published on 05/31/2015 in Granny's Crafts, by Crystal Green

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38 Comments

  • Cookie says: 06/01/2015 at 1:36 am

    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! 😉

    Reply
    • Crystal says: 06/06/2015 at 4:20 pm

      I love the idea of the building permit. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you again.

      Reply
  • Kim Smith says: 06/01/2015 at 5:01 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Crystal says: 06/06/2015 at 4:21 pm

      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.

      Reply
  • Sue says: 06/01/2015 at 10:42 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Crystal says: 06/06/2015 at 4:22 pm

      I love the idea of turning Dad’s old t-shirts into a tie-dyed night gown for a little girl.

      Reply
  • Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says: 06/02/2015 at 10:12 am

    Those are all great ideas. I am sure my kids would love all of those.

    Reply
    • Crystal says: 06/06/2015 at 4:26 pm

      Glad you like these ideas. I hope you’ll be able to enjoy them with your kids.

      Reply
  • BellaVidaLetty says: 06/02/2015 at 11:58 am

    These are great ideas for summer activities. Especially the making sun catchers. My family would really enjoy that.

    Reply
    • Crystal says: 06/06/2015 at 4:26 pm

      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.

      Reply
  • Linda Kinsman says: 06/02/2015 at 7:24 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Crystal says: 06/06/2015 at 4:30 pm

      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.

      Reply
  • Our Family World says: 06/03/2015 at 1:40 am

    This is would be so much fun, my kids would love this thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    • Crystal says: 06/06/2015 at 4:30 pm

      I’m glad you liked this ideas. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you again soon.

      Reply
  • Elizabeth O. says: 06/03/2015 at 5:58 am

    Fun ideas! My girls love jewelry making.

    Reply
    • Crystal says: 06/06/2015 at 4:31 pm

      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.

      Reply
  • Heather Meads says: 06/03/2015 at 6:45 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Crystal says: 06/06/2015 at 4:32 pm

      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.

      Reply
  • ARod says: 06/03/2015 at 9:15 am

    great idea’s Crystal good rainy day actives for a fun time

    Reply
    • Crystal says: 06/06/2015 at 4:33 pm

      We’ve got to have a way to keep them entertained.

      Reply
  • Liz Mays says: 06/03/2015 at 4:13 pm

    Suncatchers are a great idea, it’s the perfect time for them! I really like thinking of outdoor games and activities.

    Reply
    • Crystal says: 06/06/2015 at 4:34 pm

      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.

      Reply
  • katrina g says: 06/03/2015 at 5:27 pm

    those look great. awesome ideas. will have to save this1

    Reply
    • Crystal says: 06/06/2015 at 4:35 pm

      Glad I could give you some good ideas worth saving. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you again soon.

      Reply
  • Dhemz Apdian - Dias says: 06/03/2015 at 6:05 pm

    oh, how fun and pretty creative! My daughter would love to do this activities this summer.

    Reply
    • Crystal says: 06/06/2015 at 4:35 pm

      I’m glad you enjoy these ideas. I hope you get the chance to do some of these with your daughter.

      Reply
  • Talent Hounds says: 06/05/2015 at 11:37 am

    There’s nothing like a movie night in a pillow fort! Stopping by from the Friendship Friday hop, come say hi 🙂

    Reply
    • Crystal says: 06/06/2015 at 4:37 pm

      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.

      Reply
  • Joann Woolley says: 06/06/2015 at 12:43 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Crystal says: 06/06/2015 at 4:38 pm

      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.

      Reply
  • Tanya @ Mom's Small Victories says: 06/06/2015 at 9:01 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Crystal says: 06/07/2015 at 2:01 pm

      You’re welcome. Thank you so much for coming by and commenting. I hope to see you again soon.

      Reply
  • lisa says: 06/23/2015 at 10:59 pm

    These are all fun! My kids love building forts and tie dyeing shirts sounds like fun to me!

    Reply
  • Krystal says: 06/25/2015 at 10:33 pm

    We like to do homemade play dough or finger paint to pass the day. My son loves all his arts and crafts!

    Reply
  • mongupp says: 06/29/2015 at 3:11 pm

    Tie-dyeing would be fun to try with my kiddoes! Bring back the 70s!!

    Reply
  • Helen @ Peakle Pie says: 07/03/2015 at 5:46 am

    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!

    Reply
  • Scarlet says: 07/07/2015 at 1:54 pm

    These are great creative ideas for summer! They’ll keep the kids busy and entertained!

    Reply
    • Crystal says: 07/11/2015 at 1:54 am

      I’m glad you liked these ideas. They are sure to make some kids very happy. Thank you for checking it out.

      Reply

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