As a dad, one of my favorite parts of summer is the extra time I get to spend with my kids. With the longer days and warm weather, there’s no shortage of opportunities to bond and create lasting memories. One activity that has become a staple in our house is crafting. It’s creative, fun, and a great way to keep little hands busy while encouraging imagination. Plus, let's face it—crafting is a lifesaver when the kids start chanting, “I’m bored!”
Over the years, my kids and I have experimented with lots of quick and simple summer crafts. Some turned out great, others… not so much. But what matters most is the time we spend together. If you’re a dad like me who’s looking for easy, fun, and creative projects to tackle with your kids this summer, I’ve put together a list of ideas that have worked well for us. These crafts are designed to be low-stress, high-fun, and perfect for kids of all ages.
1. DIY Nature Wind Chimes
One of the best parts of summer is being outdoors, so why not bring a little of that nature home? A few weeks ago, my kids and I made wind chimes out of sticks, shells, and beads we found on a walk. All you need is some twine, a sturdy stick, and any small, lightweight items you can tie to it. The kids loved scavenging for treasures to use, and now every time the wind blows, we’re reminded of that sunny afternoon.
2. Hand-Painted Flower Pots
I’ll admit, I’m not much of a gardener, but I do love a good painting project. We picked up some plain terra-cotta flower pots at a local store and turned them into colorful masterpieces. My daughter painted a rainbow, my son made a superhero-themed pot, and I even got in on the fun with some abstract designs. After they dried, we planted some flowers and herbs. Every time we water the plants, it’s a reminder of our little craft session.
3. Personalized T-Shirts
This one was a total hit. We got some plain white T-shirts and fabric markers, and the kids went wild creating their owndesigns. My son designed a shirt with dinosaurs, while my daughter went for a galaxy theme. I even made a matching“Dad Mode” shirt to wear alongside them. The best part? They’re so proud to wear their creations whenever we go out.
4. Popsicle Stick Birdhouses
Classic, right? Popsicle stick crafts have been around forever, but there’s a reason they’re so popular—they’re easy and versatile. We built simple birdhouses using craft sticks, glue, and paint. Once they were done, we hung them in the backyard and waited for feathered visitors. Watching the kids’ excitement when a bird finally landed in one was absolutely worth the sticky fingers and glue spills.
5. Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Paint
If you’ve never tried sidewalk chalk paint, you’re missing out. It’s ridiculously easy to make—just mix cornstarch, water, and food coloring. The kids painted designs all over our driveway, and the best part is that it washes away with water. They loved the freedom to create huge, colorful murals, and I loved that cleanup was a breeze.
6. DIY Kites
Building kites from scratch might sound intimidating, but it’s surprisingly simple. We used lightweight sticks, string, and tissue paper to make our own kites. It took some trial and error to get them to actually fly (and yes, there were a few frustrated groans), but when we finally got them airborne, the kids were ecstatic. It was a great lesson in patience and perseverance.
7. Memory Jars
This is one of those crafts that’s as sentimental as it is creative. We collected mementos from our summer adventures—shells from the beach, ticket stubs, little trinkets—and placed them in mason jars. The kids decorated the jars with stickers and ribbons, and now they sit on a shelf as a reminder of all the fun we’ve had.
8. Painted Rocks
There’s something oddly satisfying about painting rocks. We gathered smooth stones, broke out the acrylic paints, and let our imaginations run wild. My son turned his rock into a monster face, my daughter painted hers like a ladybug, and I made a simple smiley face. Afterward, we placed them around the garden as decorations.
9. Bubble Wands
What’s summer without bubbles? Instead of buying bubble wands, we made our own using craft wire and beads. We shaped the wire into loops (hearts, stars, and circles) and decorated the handles with colorful beads. After mixing up a homemade bubble solution, we spent the afternoon seeing who could blow the biggest bubble. Spoiler: I did not win.
10. Paper Plate Masks
This one is perfect for rainy days when you’re stuck indoors. We used paper plates, markers, and various craft supplies like feathers and pom-poms to create masks. My daughter made a butterfly, my son went for a lion, and I, of course, had to make a goofy superhero mask. Once the masks were done, we put on a little play—definitely one of the highlights of the summer.
11. Homemade Slime
Okay, I’ll admit it: slime is messy. But it’s also ridiculously fun. We made our own slime using glue, baking soda, and contact lens solution, and the kids got to customize theirs with glitter and food coloring. Sure, I spent a little extra time cleaning up afterward, but seeing how much they loved squishing and stretching their slime made it worth it.
12. Sun Catchers
This craft is as easy as it is beautiful. We cut out shapes from clear plastic sheets, painted them with translucent paint, and added string to hang them. When the light shines through, they create colorful patterns. Now, every time the sun streams through our kitchen window, it feels like a mini art gallery.
13. Mini Boats
We used corks, toothpicks, and paper to build tiny boats, then floated them in a kiddie pool. The kids had fun racing their boats and seeing whose could hold the most “cargo” (in this case, pebbles) without sinking. It was a simple project, but one that kept them entertained for hours.
Crafting with your kids is about so much more than the finished project—it’s about the memories you create along the way. Laughing over glue mishaps, getting paint smudges on your hands, and sharing stories while you work are the moments your kids will cherish long after the glue has dried.
Whether you’re an experienced crafter or just looking for fun new ideas, these projects are here to spark your creativity this summer. You don’t need to be an expert or have fancy supplies—just a little imagination and a willingness to dive in. Happy crafting, dads!
