Hot Weather Fun: Summer Crafts for Kids
When boredom looms and the weather's hot, get everyone involved in summer crafts
for kids. Kids are always excited to be free from the school routine when they
are let out for summer break, but it isn't long until they start wondering what
to do. Summer crafts for kids will keep them occupied and maybe even teach them
a thing or two.
In summer, crafts for kids can involve found objects, like seed pods, grasses,
and similar objects. Let kids create nature collection collages by gluing these
items to a stiff piece of cardboard. Help them spray paint some of the findings
with silver or gold paint. Alternatively, they might like to glue glitter to
some of the findings. Perhaps they would also enjoy collecting wild flower seed
heads and creating dried flower arrangements. Arrange the bouquet in a homemade
vase.
A vase for summer bouquets, fresh or dried, is another craft that naturally fits
into the summer crafts for kids category. A simple vase can be made from a tin
can. Soup cans work particularly well because they are smooth on the outside and
rather narrow. Be sure to file off any sharp spurs on the inside opening. Start
the work of art by cutting a piece of construction paper or other colored paper
to fit around the sides of the can. This will be glued to the outside of the
can, but first it needs to be decorated.
The vase cover can be decorated in many ways. The child can draw a summer scene
on the paper and then decorate it with glued on glitter or small stickers of
summer things. Another idea is for the child to write their name in large
letters, and glue beans, seeds, or glitter to the letters. Let all glue dry
before attaching the paper to the outside of the can. Add water and fresh
flowers or leave dry for dry flowers.
You can also use the can for a trinket container or a place to put pens,
pencils, and markers. To make them real summer crafts for kids, glue grass seed
heads and found seed pods to the paper in a decorative way.
Jar vases make good summer crafts for kids, too. Canning jars make particularly
cute vases, but any cast off mayonnaise, pickle, or other jar, even plastic
ones, can work, too. To make a jar into a vase it first needs to be sparkling
clean. Kids love getting wet in the summer, so let them roll up their sleeves
(or put on a bathing suit!) and have fun splashing at the sink while "washing
dishes." When the jar is clean and dry, tie an attractive ribbon around the
opening. If desired, decorate the outside of the jar with glued on beads and
buttons.
Summer crafts for kids will provide some cute decorations around the home and
keep the kids from being bored. This summer, crafts for kids should be at the
top of every parent's To Do list!