Summer Crafts and Activities for Kids

Looking for easy summer crafts and activities for kids? You're in the right place! Whether you're trying to beat summer boredom, keep little hands busy on a rainy afternoon, or sneak in a little learning while school's out, these fun summer crafts are the perfect solution.

From adorable animals to hands-on STEM projects and creative coloring activities, there's something for every age and stage. All of these activities come from our Ready, Set, Next Grade! Summer Bridge To Series for preschool through kids heading into 3rd grade, making it easy to keep learning fun all summer long. Grab the crayons, scissors, and glue sticks, and let's get crafting!

 

Why Summer Crafts Matter

Summer Crafts and Activities for Kids

Jellyfish Craft (Bridge to Kindergarten)

Bring a little underwater magic to your craft time with this smiling jellyfish. Kids can color their jellyfish any way they'd like before adding long paper tentacles that dangle, bounce, and sway with every movement. It's an easy, low-prep summer activity that's perfect for ocean-loving kiddos and makes an adorable piece of artwork to display long after craft time is over!

 

Ice Cream Cone Craft (Bridge to Kindergarten)

Who says you have to wait for the ice cream truck? This adorable ice cream cone craft lets little learners design their very own sweet treat with crayons, markers, and a little imagination. Add colorful scoops, decorate a pair of fun sunglasses, and create the perfect summer masterpiece. It's a simple, hands-on activity that encourages creativity while helping build fine motor skills (plus, it's almost as fun as the real thing)!

Shy Turtle Craft (Bridge to Kindergarten)

This adorable turtle is a little shy but that's what makes it so fun! Kids color and assemble their turtle, then slide its long neck up and down to make the turtle peek out of (or hide inside!) its colorful shell. It's an interactive craft that encourages creativity while helping little learners practice cutting, folding, and fine motor skills. Plus, watching their turtle "pop out" never gets old!

Crawling Caterpillar STEM Craft 

Get ready to bring your caterpillar to life! Kids color, cut, roll, and glue paper strips together to create an adorable caterpillar that really crawls across its leaf. It's the perfect mix of crafting and STEM as children practice following directions, building simple structures, and exploring how connected pieces create movement. Bonus points for giving your caterpillar a silly smile and rainbow stripes! (Included in our Bridge to First, Second, and Third Grade books)

Flapping Bird STEM Craft 

This isn't just a bird craft, its wings actually flap! Kids build their colorful bird using simple supplies, then watch it come to life as they move the wings up and down. It's a fun introduction to motion and mechanics disguised as a craft, and once it's finished, they'll want to put on their own little bird show all around the house. (Included in our Bridge to First, Second, and Third Grade books)

Peeking Fox STEM Craft 

Peek-a-boo! This clever fox craft is guaranteed to get a few giggles. After coloring and assembling their fox, kids slide the paper strip back and forth to make its googly eyes look in every direction. It's an interactive craft that combines creativity with simple engineering, making it a fun way to strengthen fine motor skills while creating an adorable woodland friend. (Included in our Bridge to First, Second, and Third Grade books)

Sneaky Snake STEM Craft 

This slithery snake is made from connected paper loops that twist and wiggle just like the real thing. Kids color each section, build the snake link by link, and end up with a long, flexible snake they can stretch, curl, and play with. It's an easy hands-on STEM activity that sneaks in problem-solving and sequencing while keeping little hands busy. (Included in our Bridge to First, Second, and Third Grade books)

Wiggling Fish STEM Craft 

Dive into summer with a fish that really wiggles! Kids fold, glue, and assemble colorful paper pieces to create a flexible fish that bends and moves as they play. It's a creative way to explore simple engineering concepts while making an ocean friend that's just as fun to move as it is to decorate. (Included in our Bridge to First, Second, and Third Grade books)

Swirly Snail STEM Craft 

Slow and steady has never been this fun! This adorable snail is made by layering curled paper pieces to create a swirly shell with amazing dimension. As kids build their snail one loop at a time, they're practicing sequencing, fine motor skills, and simple construction techniques. The finished result is a cheerful little critter that's almost too cute to leave behind. (Included in our Bridge to First, Second, and Third Grade books)

Frequently Asked Questions: Summer Crafts and Activities for Kids

What are STEM crafts?

STEM crafts combine creativity with hands-on learning by introducing concepts from science, technology, engineering, and math through fun activities. As kids build, test, and create, they're developing problem-solving, critical thinking, and fine motor skills without even realizing they're learning.

What age are these summer crafts best for?

These crafts are perfect for preschoolers through kids heading into 3rd grade. While each activity is designed for a specific grade level in our Ready, Set, Next Grade! Summer Bridge Series, younger and older siblings will love joining in, too!

What supplies do I need for these summer crafts?

Most activities use simple supplies you probably already have at home, like crayons, markers, scissors, glue sticks, construction paper, and the occasional craft stick or paper fastener. Easy prep for you, lots of fun for your kids!

Where can I find more summer learning activities?

You'll find these crafts—and hundreds of additional learning activities, games, STEM projects, and printables—inside the Ready, Set, Next Grade! Summer Bridge Series for preschool through children heading into 3rd grade. Each book is designed to help kids stay engaged, build confidence, and have fun all summer long.

Your Turn!

If your kids are loving these activities, they're just getting started. Every Ready, Set, Next Grade! Summer Bridge To Series books are packed with hands-on crafts, engaging STEM projects, games, coloring activities, and daily learning pages designed to help children feel confident and excited about the next school year.

If you and your littles try any of these Summer Crafts and Activities for Kids, tag us on our socials or use #PlaygroundPressKids!