Summer Crafts for Preschool

Summer crafts for kids are a great way to keep little hands busy and out of trouble during summer vacation! There will inevitably be a time when all parents and preschool teachers hear the dreaded phrase, "I'm boooooooooored!" Be ready to counter that with these fun craft ideas.

Place these items in bins and take them out for just these moments!   They are also great to have as a "rain box" for those days when you can't get outside due to rain (or due to extreme heat!)

Here are some summer crafts for your to use with your preschoolers!  Some ideas were submitted by parents or preschool teachers.  Do you have summer craft ideas to add?  Let me know!  Contact me by clicking here!  

Summer Crafts to Display

Sunflower

1. Cut a large circle out of white posterboard.
2. To decorate the middle of the sunflower, you have 2 options:
3. Sponge paint with brown paint.
4. Spread glue over the circle and sprinkle with real sunflower seeds.
5. Cut out lots of yellow petal shapes out of construction paper and glue in layers along the back of the center, folding up some edges to make it look more 3D.
6. Cut out leaves and a long green stem out of construction paper.
7. Glue to the back of the flower.

Suncatcher #1

1. Take the paper back off a sheet of Con-Tact paper.
2. Tear up any color tissue paper into lots of pieces.
3. Lay the tissue paper on the sticky side of the Con-Tact paper.
4. Cover with a second sheet of Con-Tact paper.
5. Cut out desired shape (we just made a circle) and attach a piece of string to the top to hang in a window!

Suncatcher #2

1. Pick, flatten, and dry some flowers and leaves.
2. Take the backing off a sheet of Con-Tact paper and place dried flowers and leaves on the sticky side.
3. Cover with a second sheet of Con-Tact paper.
4. Cut out desired shape around the flowers (we made a diamond shape).
5. Glue 4 popsicle sticks around the edges on both sides to make a frame.
6. Attach a piece of yarn or string along the top to hang in a sunny place!

Seashell Paperweight

1. Mix one cup Plaster of Paris with water until it's about the consistency of glue.
2. Pour the mixture into a clean margarine-sized tub.
3. Press seashells into the top of the plaster mixture (not too deep or you won't be able to see them!) and let it harden completely.
4. When it's hard, gently remove the paperweight from the tub.
5. Optional: You can paint the shells and/or the plaster when it's dry if you'd like, or you can leave it natural!

Summer Crafts to Wear

Tie Dye T-Shirts

1. Pre-wash and dry t-shirt to be dyed.
2. Prepare dye according to package directions.
3. Place dye in desired number of bowls.
4. Lay the shirt on a table and gather up where you want the center to be and fasten a rubber band about an inch down from the top.
5. Continue fastening rubber bands down in 2-3 inch sections.
6. Place each section in desired color and soak for about 5 minutes (or according to directions).
7. Let dry, then take off rubber bands and see the design you made!

Summer Crafts Submitted by YOU!

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"Hand"-dipped Sundaes

by Kerry Ferrone from Grand Rapids, MI

You will need:

• construction paper
  
• red pom-poms
  
• cotton balls
  
• sprinkles (or torn bits of paper)
  
• brown paint
  

1. Begin by tracing child's hand on 3 "flavors" of construction paper, then cut out hand prints as well as sundae dishes and bananas
   
2. Have child glue down the dish, hand-print scoops and banana (if wanted)
   
3. Add "toppings" red poms for cherries, torn cotton balls for whipped cream, drizzle brown paint for chocolate and glue on sprinkles
   
4. Don't let children eat! :) (We finished with a real sundae while our projects dried)
   

Handprint Sunshine Craft

by Angie from Ft. Wayne, IN

Materials needed:

• Paper plate
• Yellow paint
• Yellow construction paper
• Googly eyes

1. Paint the paper plate yellow and let it dry.
2. In the meantime, help the children trace their hands six times on the yellow construction paper and he cut them out. *You can also trace once and cut out 6 at a time.
3. When the plate was dry, glue the hands to the back of the paper plate.
4. Glue on some googly eyes and a little red semicircle paper for a mouth, and draw on a nose!

Paint-Chip Wreath

by Kerry Ferrone from Grand Rapids, MI

This project was a big hit with the families and is an easy, inexpensive project that helps with colors, fine motor skills and can be tweaked to fit any holiday.

What you'll need:

• 12 paint chip square samples from the home improvement store in red, white and blue
  
• piece of cardboard
  
• glue
  
• glitter
  
• 2 pipe cleaners
  

1. Trace star shape on paint chips and cut out.
   
2. Using a dinner plate trace circle on cardboard and cut out, cut out smaller inner circle. This is the form for your wreath.
   
3. Glue stars around cardboard making sure to cover cardboard entirely.
   
4. Outline bottom 3 stars with glue and sprinkle on glitter
   
5. Using pipe cleaners fashion the letters U.S.A. and glue on bottom stars
   
6. Allow to dry hang and enjoy!
   

My Lemonade Stand (picture frame)

by Kerry Ferrone from Grand Rapids, MI

You will need:

• 7 craft sticks
  
• felt or construction paper
  
• string
  
• magnets (optional)
  

1. Begin making your lemonade stand frame by gluing 4 of your craft sticks across the bottom (I used yellow but you can use plain or paint to your color) of 2 and placing 1 across the top (this is for your lemonade banner) allow to dry.
   
2. Next cut your felt (or construction paper) into 1.5'' x 5'' inch strip, paint or print Lemonade glue onto the top craft stick on your frame.
   
3. Cut string 4'' and glue in a semi-circle across the bottom 4 craft sticks. 
   
4. Using the remainder of your felt (or construction paper) cut into triangles and glue onto string to make flag banner
   
5. Glue on photo of your choice and trim to fit. Magnets may be added to the back or a simple easel back can be made by bending 2 additional craft sticks and gluing to the back.
   

Other Ideas for Summer Crafts

The summer crafts described above are general ones. Many preschool teachers still have children throughout the summer months (daycare teachers, homeschool teachers, or school teachers that teach extended sessions or year-round programs).

Check out this preschool themes page for theme-specific crafts for the summertime. The Beach Theme is a favorite!  You'll also find ideas for Patriotic crafts which are perfect for Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

Another holiday that occurs in the summer is Father's Day in June. Have your child make one of these Fathers Day crafts to give to Dad, Grandpa, or Uncle on his special day.

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Go to the Preschool Crafts Main Page for More Craft Ideas

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