Easy & Fun Summer Art Projects for Kids of All Ages

21/06/2025Last Updated: 21/06/2025

Summer is the perfect time for kids to explore their creativity, and what better way to do that than with some fun and easy summer art projects? Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, engaging kids in summer crafts isn’t just entertaining—it helps develop fine motor skills, encourages imagination, and fills long sunny days with meaningful activity.

From toddlers splashing paint to elementary school kids creating handprint art, there’s something magical in watching young artists bring their summer visions to life. Whether you’re looking for simple preschool crafts, vibrant watercolor activities for 1st graders, or cool teen DIYs like painting sunglasses or ocean-themed art, this guide has it all.

We’ve gathered a colorful mix of projects, including watermelon prints, ice cream cone collages, fish-themed crafts, and even Reggio-inspired outdoor art. Whether indoors or out, these easy and fun summer arts and crafts for kids will spark joy and creativity for every age group. Let’s dive in!

1. Outdoor Summer Art Projects for Kids

Content Summery

Let’s take the creativity outdoors! Warm, sunny days offer the ideal setting for summer art adventures. Not only does working outside minimize cleanup, but it also allows children the freedom to think big—using larger materials, messier supplies, and more movement. These outdoor art projects are perfect for backyards, driveways, or parks.

Sidewalk Chalk Murals

Transform ordinary pavement into extraordinary artwork with sidewalk chalk! Kids can go beyond simple doodles by creating themed murals such as:

Under the Sea – Think fish, coral reefs, and waves

Summer Picnic – Watermelon slices, lemonade, ants marching
Fantasy Worlds – Dragons, castles, and flying ice cream cones

Encourage group collaboration for mural-making or designate sections of the sidewalk for individual masterpieces. Chalk allows for layering, shading, and even “wet chalk” painting (dip the chalk in water for bolder colors).

This project not only fosters creativity but also encourages storytelling as kids explain their scenes and characters.

Sponge Water Bomb Painting

This one combines art and active play. Take kitchen sponges, cut them into strips, and tie them with rubber bands to create reusable “water bombs.” Dip the sponge bombs into trays of washable, non-toxic paint, then throw them at large sheets of paper taped to fences, easels, or hung from clotheslines.

Why Kids Love It:

It’s messy in the best way
Great for full-body movement
Creates colorful, unpredictable splatter effects

You can set themes or let them freestyle. It’s a fantastic project for birthday parties, summer camps, or just an afternoon of creative chaos.

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2. Summer Art Projects for Toddlers & Preschoolers

For toddlers and preschool-aged kids, summer art should focus on sensory exploration and hands-on fun. The goal is not perfection—it’s about process, textures, and colorful play that builds fine motor skills and self-confidence.

Handprint & Footprint Art

There’s something timeless and sentimental about handprint and footprint art. These projects preserve tiny prints in creative ways and are simple enough for toddlers to enjoy with supervision.

Ideas to Try:

Fish: Paint the palm of the hand and add fins, eyes, and bubbles

Butterflies: Two handprints side-by-side become butterfly wings
Watermelon Slices: Use a semi-circle footprint and paint in the details

Always opt for non-toxic, washable paints, and have wipes and towels handy. This activity is ideal for hot days when little ones can be barefoot outside and rinse off with a hose.

Pom Pom Ice Cream Cones

This craft is as sweet as summer itself. Kids use paper or foam cones and decorate them with fluffy pom-poms to look like scoops of ice cream. Add glitter, sequins, or tiny beads to represent sprinkles.

Steps:

Cut cone shapes from construction paper
Choose colorful pom-poms as “flavors”
Glue the pom-poms onto the cone
Add glitter glue or tiny embellishments

This project is fantastic for developing pincer grasp and color recognition. You can also turn it into a pretend play activity—create a whole “ice cream shop” display!

3. Elementary Summer Art Projects

For elementary-aged children (especially around 1st grade and up), art projects can be a bit more structured, offering both creativity and skill-building. These projects often tie into summer themes, science, or even literacy.

Watermelon Paper Plate Fans

Help kids cool off with a functional craft! Start with a standard paper plate, cut it in half, and have kids paint it to look like a juicy slice of watermelon—with red, green, and black seeds.

Assembly:

Paint the plate and let dry
Glue a large craft stick or popsicle stick to the bottom as the fan handle

It’s quick, cute, and actually useful during hot days. These fans make fun props for plays, dances, or summer storytelling.

Ocean-in-a-Bottle Craft

This calming sensory project is part science, part art. Kids create their own ocean landscape using basic ingredients.

You’ll need:

A clean plastic bottle with lid
Water and clear oil (like baby oil)
Blue food coloring
Optional: Glitter, shells, plastic sea creatures

Instructions:

Fill the bottle halfway with water and add a few drops of blue dye
Drop in glitter or tiny ocean-themed toys
Top off with oil, seal the cap tightly, and shake

As the oil and water settle, it creates a wave-like effect that’s mesmerizing to watch. A great tie-in for ocean unit studies or calming corner crafts.

DIY Sunglasses Craft

Let kids make their own funky summer shades using cardstock templates or plain, undecorated plastic sunglasses.

Decorating ideas:

Paint, stickers, glitter, and rhinestones
Use summer themes like sunshine, beach balls, or palm trees

Add pipe cleaner swirls or feather “plumes” for drama

This craft offers room for imaginative flair and allows kids to express personal style. Great for dress-up boxes or summer fashion shows!

4. Summer Crafts for Tweens & Teens

Older kids and teens often crave more meaningful, expressive art projects that give them room to personalize, innovate, and even use their creations. These crafts strike that balance—fun, stylish, and age-appropriate.

Tie-Dye T-Shirts or Tote Bags

A classic for a reason, tie-dye never goes out of style. Whether it’s a shirt, tote bag, or even socks, tweens and teens can design unique patterns and color combinations.

Basic Methods:

Spiral
Crumple
Stripe or bullseye patterns

Let them experiment with dye placement and folding techniques. Once dry, the result is a wearable work of art that showcases their personality.

Add a group element by organizing a backyard tie-dye station for friends or family. Just make sure to wear gloves and protect surfaces!

DIY Watercolor Journal Covers

Creative kids love to document their summer adventures, and this project lets them craft a journal that’s completely their own.

How to Create:

Use watercolor paper as the front and back cover
Paint designs—sunsets, waves, quotes, or abstract art
Laminate or cover with clear adhesive film
Bind with notebook rings or add to a sketchpad

The watercolor technique makes this both soothing and expressive. It can also be turned into a group project, where kids exchange journals or decorate for friends.

Clay Fish Magnets

Air-dry clay is easy to use and doesn’t require a kiln, making it ideal for home or classroom settings. Tweens can shape ocean creatures like fish, starfish, jellyfish, or even mermaids.

Steps:

Mold the shape by hand or use cookie cutters
Let dry (usually 24 hours)
Paint with acrylics and add detail
Attach magnets to the back with strong glue

These magnets can decorate lockers, fridges, or be gifted to friends and family. The project encourages attention to detail and offers a satisfying, finished product.

5. Seasonal-Themed Summer Art Ideas

When you think of summer, what comes to mind? Bright sunshine, juicy watermelon, sweet ice cream, and long days spent playing outdoors. Seasonal-themed summer art captures the essence of this vibrant time of year and gives kids a way to express the joy and colors of the season through their creativity.

Ice Cream Scoop Collages

This craft is as fun as eating a real ice cream cone—and almost as colorful! Kids cut out scoop shapes from colored paper (think pastels or bright sherbet hues) and glue them on top of a paper cone, stacking as many scoops as they want to build a towering treat.

Enhancements:

Add glitter or sequins for sprinkles
Use cotton balls for a whipped cream effect
Top it off with a red pom-pom cherry

This is a great project for encouraging counting (how many scoops?) and creativity (what’s the wildest flavor you can make?).

Paper Plate Suns

Bring a little sunshine indoors with this cheerful art activity. Kids paint the center of a paper plate yellow or orange, glue on googly eyes, and draw or cut out a smiling face. Then, they attach sunray “beams” using yellow and orange construction paper cut into strips or triangles and glued around the edge.

Why it’s great:

Works well for preschool and elementary-age kids
Develops fine motor skills through cutting and pasting
Adds a sunny touch to any classroom or home window

To extend the fun, let children name their sun and write a story about what it does all day!

Watermelon Sun Catchers

Create beautiful, translucent watermelon slices that glow when hung in the sunlight. Cut circles or semi-circles from clear contact paper. Let kids place red, green, and black tissue paper pieces on the sticky side to mimic the inside and rind of a watermelon slice. Cover with another piece of contact paper to seal.

Display Tips:

Hang them on windows or sliding glass doors
Add a black paper frame for a more defined look

This craft combines color theory, layering, and sensory satisfaction—especially fun for little hands.

6. Water-Based and Watercolor Summer Projects

Summer is the perfect time to get wet—and that includes with art supplies! Water-based and watercolor projects are excellent for warm-weather creativity. They’re sensory-friendly, low-mess (as long as you’re outside), and great for artistic experimentation.

Spray Bottle Painting

This high-energy art activity involves filling spray bottles with diluted washable paint and spraying large sheets of paper attached to a fence, easel, or wall. As the paint mist hits the paper, it creates exciting abstract patterns.

Ideas to Level Up:

Use stencils or tape to block out shapes and reveal patterns
Try layering different colors to explore color mixing
Let kids wear aprons and treat it like a painting party

Spray bottle painting strengthens hand muscles, engages gross motor skills, and feels a bit like creating graffiti (in the best way!).

Salt Watercolor Painting

Salt and watercolors together produce mesmerizing textures that seem to “bloom” on the paper. Here’s how it works: kids paint a design using watercolors on thick paper. While the paint is still wet, they sprinkle coarse salt over the surface. As it dries, the salt absorbs some of the pigment and creates starburst-like effects.

Fun Themes to Try:

Fireworks for the 4th of July
Coral reefs or underwater scenes
Galaxy or space-inspired art

This project blends science and art beautifully, and it’s a gentle, calming activity that kids often return to again and again.

7. Nature-Inspired Summer Art Projects

There’s no better art studio than the great outdoors. Using natural materials like leaves, stones, and flowers not only fosters creativity but also helps children connect with their environment. These projects are simple, meaningful, and entirely unique every time.

Leaf Rubbings

Leaf rubbing is a classic activity that’s easy and educational. Collect leaves with pronounced veins. Place a sheet of paper on top, and gently rub a crayon (paper removed) over the leaf. The texture appears like magic!

Tips for Success:

Try different leaf types and sizes
Use white or kraft paper for contrast
Create rubbings in a rainbow of colors for a vibrant collage

This is a wonderful way to explore leaf shapes and structures, making it great for science integration.

Painted Rock Animals

Kids love turning ordinary rocks into mini masterpieces. Start by collecting smooth stones, then wash and dry them thoroughly. Use acrylic paints to transform each rock into a ladybug, bumblebee, turtle, or fish. Once dry, seal with a clear varnish if displaying outdoors.

Creative Extensions:

Paint story rocks to use in storytelling
Add googly eyes or felt pieces for wings or fins
Create an entire zoo or aquarium set

This project encourages attention to detail and can easily be adapted for any theme.

Nature Mandalas

Mandalas made from found natural materials like leaves, flower petals, sticks, and stones are a peaceful, meditative way to make art. Kids start from a central point and build out in concentric circles, arranging each material with intention and symmetry.

You Can:

Create temporary mandalas directly on the ground (great for forest or beach walks)
Glue them onto cardboard or canvas for a lasting display

Use only one type of item (e.g., all leaves) for a monochrome look

This project invites mindfulness, balance, and appreciation for beauty in simple things.

8. Easy and Reggio-Inspired Summer Art Ideas

The Reggio Emilia approach values creativity, exploration, and child-led learning—making it ideal for summer when kids have more time to follow their curiosity. These Reggio-inspired projects prioritize process over product and often use everyday or natural materials.

Loose Parts Nature Collage

Set up a table or outdoor area with a variety of loose parts: pinecones, shells, buttons, yarn, bark, fabric scraps, glass beads, or sticks. Offer paper, cardboard, or canvas as a base, and let kids freely arrange and glue the parts into their own abstract or representational art.

Why It Works:

Encourages critical thinking and decision-making
Each creation is unique and personal
Promotes fine motor skills and spatial awareness

You can guide themes (e.g., “make a summer beach scene”) or keep it completely open-ended.

Light Table Art with Transparent Materials

A light table transforms ordinary art into something magical. Offer kids a variety of transparent and translucent items—colored cellophane, transparent blocks, plastic shapes, or glass stones—and let them layer and rearrange to explore how light and color interact.

Optional Enhancements:

Take photos of finished arrangements as digital art
Draw what they see using tracing paper over the light table
Add mirrors for reflection exploration

This type of art is especially engaging for young children and neurodiverse learners, offering visual stimulation and endless creative possibilities.

9. Amazon Product Picks for Your Summer Craft Station

Make your summer art sessions smooth and stress-free by having a well-stocked station. Here are top recommendations:

Product	Description	Link
Crayola Washable Paint Set	Non-toxic, vibrant colors	Buy on Amazon
Art Easel for Kids	Adjustable height, outdoor/indoor use	Buy on Amazon
Kids Craft Supply Organizer	Keeps materials neat and accessible	Buy on Amazon
Tissue Paper Art Kit	Great for sun catchers & collages	Buy on Amazon
Paint Brushes Variety Set	Assorted sizes for all ages	Buy on Amazon

Whether your child is a toddler making a handprint sun or a teen designing a watercolor journal, there’s a summer art project out there to spark their creativity. These ideas are flexible, accessible, and filled with opportunities to celebrate the season through art.

Final Thoughts,

With so many engaging and simple ideas, summer art projects become more than just time-fillers—they’re memory-makers. These creative crafts are perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, elementary kids, and even teens looking for something fresh and artistic to do during the break. Whether you’re setting up a painting station outside or trying your hand at handprint art or ocean-themed projects, there’s a summer craft here for everyone.

From watermelon watercolors to funky sunglasses DIYs, these summer art projects let kids explore, learn, and have a blast. You don’t need to be an art expert—just bring the supplies and enthusiasm!

So, gather your paint, paper, and imagination, and let’s make this summer unforgettable with vibrant, hands-on fun. Know someone who’d love these summer art ideas? Share this post and inspire more families to create, connect, and craft together.

21/06/2025Last Updated: 21/06/2025