Most of the summer activities for preschoolers involve paper crafting, as they are easy and kinda affordable. So, here are my suggestions for paper crafts FOR THIS SUMMER, including painting, drawing, and even a sand art project.
As for the themes, they are relevant to summer, such as sandcastle, jellyfish, patriotic star, ice cream, mermaid, fruit, and more.
These crafts will require cardstock, painting panels, paper plates, and old cardboard boxes as materials. All these are low-skill crafts, with my favorite ones including the handprint, scrape painting, and Q-tip paint crafts. So, you are good to go!
Note: This is not my first discussion on SUMMER crafts. I have already talked about the ways to craft for summer in general and watermelon crafts in particular. If you are interested, check them afterwards, too.
Suggestion #1: Plate Fruit Crafts
Start the summer crafting with these 6 fruit slice crafts, including the watermelon, kiwi, lemon, dragon fruit, and orange. Require the paper plate, colorful paints, and earbuds to stamp on seeds for the watermelon, kiwi, and the dragon fruit slice.
There are 4 painting patterns to learn, but all will begin with coloring the rim of the plate. You can also make fraction plates by cutting to teach kids basic math.
Suggestion #2: Try This Jellyfish Craft
This craft Jellyfish has tentacles made of ric-rac trim and yarn strands. It looks funny and oh-so cute with the googly eyes and the wavy cuts at the bottom, similar to the Pac Man. Needs a few materials, is quick and easy.
First, paint a paper plate in blue or purple and let it dry. Then, sketch a line across and cut along. We have to use the back of the plate as the front. For the tentacles, tape strips of ribbon, yarn, or ric rac trim at the back.
Suggestion #3: Paper Sunflower Craft
As the designer puts up, “it’s about painting the plate and painting some more.” So, don’t miss this easy and 10-minute sunflower craft activity this summer. There is definitely some cutting involved for the leaf and the stem, but that’s basic.
I like how the kids can use a pencil and an eraser to draw the sunflower seeds. To finish, also cut small slits for defined petals and glue the stem in the back.
Suggestion #4: Patriotic Star Craft for Kids
For Memorial Day and the 4th of July, craft this patriotic star art using scrape painting. Requires cardboard, red, white, and blue paint, and silver glitter. First, print a star FREE template and sketch to the cardboard before taking the cutout.
Use brushes to mix the colors afterwards. It is an easy, no-precision activity, great for toddlers.
Suggestion #5: Pirate Craft For Kids
This handprint pirate craft is so cute and THANKFULLY comes with a FREE PRINTABLE template for preschoolers. Start with skin cardstock and cut the shape. In this template, the fingers will be the pirate’s beard, while the palm will be the face.
There is an alpha template for smaller parts, but painting is needed for the beard. Cut a bandana from red paper and glue it across the top of the handprint. Then the eyepatch and draw a smile.
Suggestion #6: Ice Cream Cone Garland
I can’t imagine a more cheerful decoration for summer than this ice cream cone garland with pom pom scoop topping. Orange, blue, purple, yellow, just name a color, and you can craft the cone in that one.
First, cut one 5″ x 5″ piece of craft paper in soil and use a permanent marker to draw grid lines in brown. To cut the cone, you can use a circle guide like the plate. Craft as many as you can as each one should be quick.
Suggestion #7: Mermaid Craft For Girls
Suggestion #8: Popsicle Craft for Kids
This is a snack box recycling and free-form popsicle craft with inspiration for three variations. I personally prefer the first popsicle as it is easy and does not look awkward. However, being free-form craft, there is no restriction on color choice or pattern.
Start by sketching the popsicle shape onto cardboard and cutting it out. Then customize the paint pattern using washi tape, add mini pom poms, or glitter. For this size, a jumbo wooden craft stick is recommended.
Suggestion #9: Sandcastle Art Project for Kids
Learn how to draw a 3D castle on paper with a sand outline following this method. First, outline a drawing or print a basic sandcastle. It might be basic or detailed; just draw a model that suits your skills.
Then, with a paintbrush, apply white along the lines. While the glue is still wet, pour sand over the sticky areas. Shake off any extra sand, and you will have finished the best sand art project!
Suggestion #10: Plate Ice Cream Craft
Let’s craft this bowl of ice cream paper craft for adding to little ones’ fake food parties. With one paper plate, you can craft two bowls. The scoops, chevron squiggles, pom poms for the topping, and glitter, too.
Use a cotton swab to add brown criss-cross lines for a wafer look to the bowl. Decorate them with pom-poms, glitter, or sequins and more.
Suggestion #11: Painted Dragonfly Craf
This Q-tip-painted dragonfly is colorful and unique. To start, draw or print a dragonfly on white paper. Instead of using a regular brush, dip a cotton swab in different colors of acrylic or washable paint.
Then dab the Q-tip onto the wings and body to make that dotted pattern. This technique is simply a must-learn for preschoolers.
Suggestion #12: Balloon Ice Cream
This ice cream art requires Balloon stamping for making the scoops of the icecream which will be much fun. This craft needs small, slightly inflated balloons as stamps.
Start by dipping the bottom of a balloon in paint and pressing it onto paper above a hand-drawn or cutout construction paper cone. Layer different colors or add “sprinkles” using markers or glitter after the paint is dry.
