Keeping young children busy during the summer can be very tough. They get bored easily and unless something new and interesting catches their fancy, they may begin sulking or throw tantrums. Steering the children towards arts and crafts projects can keep them engrossed for hours and result in endless fun for kids and adults alike. Almost all children love crafts because it helps them create fun stuff that they can use or display later. Making gifts and craft items gives them a sense of achievement and helps boost self-confidence. Studies have indicated that doing crafts is an integral part of learning and development. It also fosters creativity in young minds and improves their concentration.
Crafting gifts and other things acts a means for children to channel their energy positively. It also helps them develop patience and perseverance since some of the processes involved may be complex and require several attempts before success is achieved. This can help youngsters understand that they can achieve positive results in life in a similar way. Doing crafts can also help improve co-ordination and hone manual dexterity since it involves the use of various implements such as scissors, brushes, hooks, and needles.
Ornaments and Suncatchers
Learn how to make cinnamon applesauce ornaments and sun-catchers to use as decorations or to give away as gifts.
Making Pinatas
Find instructions on crafting a colorful piñata.
Old MacDonald’s Barn (PDF)
Use paper and glue to make a barn with different animals.
Summer Crafts
This link has a list of ideas for summer craft projects such as beach sculptures, designing unique flip flops, and sandcastle collages.
Bee Hummer
This link outlines the method for crafting a unique but simple musical instrument.
Irish Crafts
Instructions for traditional Irish craft projects such as corn dollies, wool dyeing, and dip candle-making.
Fun Science Crafts
Learn science through craft projects like balloon rockets, paper airplanes, and a leaning tower of pasta!
Reed Instrument
Make music with a reed instrument crafted from straws.
Chinese Lion Dance Puppet
This link describes how to make a Chinese lion dance puppet.
Crafts From Across the Globe (PDF)
Learn to make various musical instruments such as a maracas and castanets. Also find origami art products like paper lanterns and accordion fans as well as leis and windmills.
Seashell Koalas
This site details how seashells collected from the beach in summer can be turned into cute koalas.
Crafts for Every Occasion
This Crayola site has links to crafts for different occasions including Father’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, Halloween, and Thanksgiving.
How to Tie Dye
This link provides instructions on methods of tie dyeing fabric at home.
Talking Frog
Find how to craft a talking frog that can be used in story narrations.
Recycling Crafts
This site lists craft ideas using stuff that might otherwise be thrown away as trash. Bird houses, fridge magnets, and coasters are some of the listed projects.
Pine Cone Turkey
These pine cone turkeys can make for cute gifts and are easy for young children to craft.
Puppet Playhouse
This link provides directions on how to build a puppet playhouse for hours of entertainment.
Paper Mache Piggy Bank (PDF)
Links to simple instructions on how to make a paper mache piggy bank
Back to School Scrapbook
This link leads to tips on how to create a scrapbook filled with the school year’s highlights.
St Nicholas Crafts
This site lists different craft projects with a St. Nicholas theme such as greeting cards, stockings, ornaments, and quilt patterns.
3-D Standing Christmas Star
Here is a simple explanation of how to create a unique 3-D Christmas ornament.
Paper Quilt
A paper quilt is a great way for children to be introduced to the art of quilting.
Educational Crafts
This link leads to numerous educational craft ideas used by teachers. There are many interesting topics such as creating dinosaur fossil impressions and bird house construction.
Bracelets
This site has links about creating different types of bracelets including such as woven bracelets and those made of buttons.
Craft Projects for Boys
This site has a list of projects suited for young boys involving techniques such as wood staining, and wood carving to create things like pencil holders, puzzles, and Christmas Nativity scenes.
Fun Felt Crafts
Felt pin cushions, small totes, ornamental letters, accent pillows, and brooches can all be found in this link.
Construction Paper Flowers
This links to a craft project where colorful flowers are made from construction paper.
Paper Jack O’ Lanterns
By handcrafting the Jack O’ Lanterns as described in this link, a special touch is lent to Halloween.
Busy Bee Crafts
This is a list of links with craft ideas for children of all ages.
Cardboard Crafts
This link shows how cardboard can be recycled to make attractive items.
Art Activities
A host of art activities involving the use of paints and colored paper can be found through this link.
Gift Bags
Making reusable gift bags is a simple process as is shown in this link.
Girl Guides’ Crafts (PDF)
Some crafts activities prescribed for the Girl Guides of Ontario can be seen in this link.
A-Z Craft Ideas for Girls
Instructions on how to make stained glass votive holders, wind chimes, refrigerator magnets, holiday placemats, and more can be found with this link.
Interactive Art
This link to the National Gallery of Art’s section for children has interactive activities that help create animated characters and explorative themes for all ages.
Marbling a Fabric Gift Wrap
Wrapping gifts with fabric wrap is considered eco-friendly and fashionable. This link provides directions on how to go about marbling cloth wraps.
Seed Mosaic
This link outlines the art of creating mosaics with different types of seeds.
Ocean Diorama
Creating an ocean diorama by following this link is both educational and entertaining.
Woven Mats
This link will help young children learn to weave mats with the help of construction paper.
Mask Making
There are different methods of making masks and this link illustrates some of these methods.
Clay Crafts
This is a link to creating different type of clay artifacts and accessories.
Paper-Cut Collage
An interesting and educational activity, making paper-cut collages on a particular theme, is outlined in this link.
Terrarium
A step-by-step guide to creating a nice terrarium is provided in this link.
Dog Toy
This link is a guide to making a rope dog toy.
Ceramic Tile Craft and Others
This site is one with a list of different activities for children in different age groups.
Make a Purse
A purse is something young girls love and what better way to have one than make one through the instructions provided in this link.
Insect Ornaments
A variety of insect ornaments that can be used in mobiles or for decoration in a home can be found on this page.
Kid Craft Recipes
It is easy to make different types of dough in different colors for use in craft projects with this link.