Simple Summer Crafts for Kids

Summer brings a beautiful rhythm to our homeschool days — slower mornings, more time outside, and sweet opportunities to connect with our little ones.
If you’re looking for simple, joyful crafts to keep your preschooler engaged this summer, you’re in the right place!

These easy projects are hands-on, full of learning that you and your child will enjoy making.

☀️ Paper Plate Suns

Celebrate God’s gift of sunshine with this cheerful craft!

Supplies:

• Paper plates

• Yellow paint

• Scissors

• Glue

• Orange construction paper

Instructions:Have your preschooler paint the paper plate yellow.Cut small orange triangles for the sun’s rays.

1. Help your child glue the rays around the plate.
2. Optional: Draw a happy face or add a simple verse like “The Lord is my light” (Psalm 27:1).

Learning Moment:
Talk about how God created the sun to light and warm the earth!

🌊 Ocean in a Bottle

Bring the wonder of the ocean into your home with this calming sensory craft.

Supplies:

• Clear plastic bottle

• Water

• Blue food coloring

• Oil (vegetable or baby oil)

• Small seashells or toy fish

Instructions:

1. Fill the bottle halfway with water and add a few drops of blue food coloring.
2. Fill the rest of the bottle with oil.
3. Drop in seashells or tiny ocean toys.
4. Seal tightly and let your child gently swirl and watch the “ocean waves.”

Learning Moment:
Share about how God made the oceans and filled them with living creatures! (Genesis 1:21)

🎨 Ice Painting

A cool and colorful way to paint on a hot summer day!

Supplies:

• Ice cube tray

• Water

• Food coloring

• Popsicle sticks

• Thick paper

Instructions:

1. Mix water with food coloring and pour into the tray.
2. Add popsicle sticks and freeze.
3. Let your child paint outside as the ice melts!

Learning Moment:
Talk about seasons and how God designed everything with a perfect purpose and time (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

🍃 Nature Collage

Use what God has made for a beautiful, simple artwork!

Supplies:

• Construction paper

• Glue

• Leaves, flowers, twigs gathered from a nature walk

Instructions:

1. Head outside to collect nature treasures.
2. Arrange and glue the pieces onto construction paper.

Learning Moment:
Read a verse about creation together, like Psalm 19:1: “The heavens declare the glory of God.”

🎈 Bubble Wrap Printmaking

Turn recycled materials into textured masterpieces!

Supplies:

• Bubble wrap

• Paint

• Paper

Instructions:

1. Paint the bubble side of the wrap.
2. Press the paper onto the painted wrap.
3. Lift carefully to reveal the colorful print!

Learning Moment:
Talk about how God made each of us creative in His image (Genesis 1:27).

🌈 Coffee Filter Rainbows

Create beautiful rainbows to remind little ones of God’s promises!

Supplies:

• White coffee filters

• Washable markers

• Spray bottle with water

Instructions:

1. Flatten a coffee filter and let your preschooler color it with bright markers.
2. Lightly spray with water and watch the colors blend into a beautiful rainbow!
3. Let it dry and hang in a sunny window.

Learning Moment:
Share the story of God’s promise to Noah and the rainbow (Genesis 9:13-17).

🐟 Jonah and the Big Fish Craft

A Bible story favorite turned into a simple paper craft!

Supplies:

• Blue construction paper

• White paper

• Glue

• Markers

Instructions:

1. Help your child draw a big fish on the blue paper.
2. Cut out a small figure of Jonah from the white paper and glue it inside the fish!
3. Decorate with waves and seaweed.

Learning Moment:
Retell the story of Jonah and talk about God’s mercy and second chances.

🦋 Butterfly Symmetry Art

A simple art project that shows the beauty of God’s design!

Supplies:

• White paper

• Washable paint

• Folded paper towel for easy clean-up

Instructions:

1. Fold a piece of paper in half.
2. Have your child paint designs on one half.
3. Fold the paper over and gently press — open it to see a perfectly symmetrical butterfly!

Learning Moment:
Talk about how God makes everything beautiful and unique (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

🐝 Handprint Bees

Buzz into summer with adorable bee crafts!

Supplies:

• Yellow and black paint

• White paper

• Black marker

• Googly eyes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Paint your child’s hand yellow and press onto paper.
2. After it dries, add black stripes, wings, and a smiling face!

Learning Moment:
Talk about how bees work hard and how God teaches us about diligence through His creation (Proverbs 6:6-8).

🧺 Picnic Basket Collage

Celebrate summertime with a pretend picnic art project!

Supplies:

• Construction paper

• Glue

• Old magazines or printable food pictures

• Crayons or markers

Instructions:

1. Cut out a simple “basket” shape from brown paper.
2. Help your preschooler find and cut out (or color) food items to “pack” in the basket.
3. Glue everything together to create a picnic scene.

Learning Moment:
Talk about how God provides for all our needs — even the food we eat (Matthew 6:31-32)!

Encouragement for Crafting with Preschoolers

🌸 Keep it simple.
Supplies you already have are enough!

🌸 Focus on connection.
The goal isn’t a perfect project — it’s building sweet memories.

🌸 Weave in faith conversations.
Use crafts as a chance to talk about God’s creation, seasons, colors, and simple Bible truths.

🌸 Enjoy the process.
A little mess means a lot of joy!

These little hands won’t stay little forever. Soak up this season, encourage creativity, and marvel at God’s goodness together.

Which craft are you excited to try first this summer? I’d love to hear in the comments!