Looking for fun, easy summer crafts toddlers will actually enjoy? Here are 25 simple, low-prep craft ideas perfect for summer! Scroll to see the full list!
Bonus: Grab our FREE 26 Page Summer Coloring Book and FREE Alphabet Tracing Pages for even more screen-free fun!
We’ve linked our favorite craft supplies throughout the post to make shopping easy. (Affiliate links included).
1. Ice Cube Painting
A cool sensory activity for hot summer days.
Supplies
Directions
- Mix paint with a small amount of water.
- Freeze in an ice cube tray with craft sticks inserted.
- Once frozen, let toddlers paint on paper using the colorful ice cubes.
2. Handprint Sunshine
A classic summer keepsake that parents love.
Supplies
Directions
- Paint your toddler’s palm yellow.
- Press their hand onto white cardstock.
- Repeat around a circle to create sun rays.
- Add a smiling face in the center once dry.
3. Paper Plate Watermelon
Bright, colorful, and easy for toddlers.
Supplies
Directions
- Paint the center of the plate red.
- Paint the outer edge green.
- Add black fingerprints or dots as watermelon seeds.
- Let dry completely.
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4. Bubble Wrap Stamping
Toddlers love the texture of bubble wrap.
Supplies
Directions
- Pour paint onto a tray.
- Press bubble wrap into paint.
- Stamp onto paper to create colorful summer patterns.
5. Footprint Flip Flops
A fun summer keepsake craft.
Supplies
Directions
- Paint your toddler’s feet.
- Stamp two footprints onto cardstock.
- Draw sandal straps across each footprint.
- Add the date and child’s name.
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6. Sponge Water Balloon Painting
Messy fun without the cleanup of real water balloons.
Supplies
Directions
- Cut sponges into strips.
- Tie together with a rubber band to resemble a water balloon.
- Dip into paint and stamp onto paper.
7. Fingerprint Ice Cream Cone
Sweet summer artwork toddlers can create themselves.
Supplies
Directions
- Cut out a triangle cone shape.
- Glue onto paper.
- Use fingerprints above the cone to create colorful scoops of ice cream.
8. Sunshine Suncatcher
A bright decoration for summer windows.
Supplies
Directions
- Cut a sun shape from contact paper.
- Stick tissue paper pieces onto the sticky side.
- Seal with another sheet of contact paper.
- Hang in a sunny window.
9. Seashell Painting
Perfect after a beach day.
Supplies
Directions
- Wash and dry shells you find at the beach. Or buy some off of Amazon 🙂
- Let toddlers paint them using bright summer colors.
- Display in a bowl or garden.
10. Rainbow Handprint Art
A colorful keepsake for summer.
Supplies
Directions
- Paint each handprint a different color.
- Stamp in an arch shape to create a rainbow.
- Allow to dry and display.
11. Paper Plate Sun
Supplies
Directions
- Paint the paper plate yellow.
- Glue yellow paper strips around the edge.
- Add a smiling face when dry.
12. Cotton Ball Cloud Painting
Supplies
Directions
- Paint the background blue.
- Glue cotton balls onto the paper to create fluffy clouds.
13. Nature Collage
Supplies
Directions
- Collect items during a nature walk.
- Glue onto paper to create a summer collage.
14. Popsicle Stick Sun
Supplies
Directions
- Paint craft sticks yellow.
- Glue together into a sun shape.
- Let dry completely.
15. Ocean Finger Painting
Supplies
Directions
- Allow toddlers to swirl blue and white paint together.
- Create an ocean-inspired masterpiece.
16. Ladybug Rocks
Supplies
Directions
- Paint rocks red.
- Add black spots and a face after drying.
17. Sand Art Bottles
Supplies
Directions
- Let toddlers pour colored sand into bottles.
- Create colorful layered designs.
18. Bubble Painting
Supplies
Directions
- Add food coloring to bubble solution.
- Blow bubbles over paper.
- Pop bubbles to create colorful prints.
19. Pool Noodle Stamp Art
Supplies
Directions
- Cut pool noodles into rings.
- Dip in paint.
- Stamp colorful circles onto paper.
20. Tissue Paper Butterfly
Supplies
Directions
- Gather tissue paper in the center.
- Clip with a clothespin.
- Add pipe cleaner antennae.
21. Pineapple Finger Painting
Supplies
Directions
- Use fingerprints to form a pineapple shape.
- Draw green leaves on top.
22. Paper Plate Turtle Craft
Supplies
Directions
- Paint the paper plate green and allow it to dry completely.
- Cut out a turtle head, four legs, and a tail from green construction paper.
- Glue the head, legs, and tail to the back of the paper plate.
- Add googly eyes to the turtle’s head.
- Use a black marker to draw a smile and simple shell details on the plate.
- Allow everything to dry before displaying your turtle.
23. Summer Tree Painting
Supplies
Directions
- Paint a tree trunk.
- Use fingerprints for leaves.
24. Rainbow Fish Craft
Supplies
- Paper fish cutout (color) or white
- Paint
- Crayons
- Markers
- Sequins
- Googly eyes
- Glue
Directions
- Paint or color the fish.
- Add shiny scales using sequins.
- Add google eyes for a final touch.
25. Firefly Fingerprint Art
Supplies
Directions
- Make yellow fingerprint fireflies.
- Add wings and antennae with a white marker.
BONUS – Free Alphabet Tracing Pages
Free Flower Alphabet Tracing Pages for Toddlers and Preschoolers (Uppercase & Lowercase — Print Today!)
Download Your Free Alphabet Tracing Pages Here →
🎨 Need a quiet activity after crafting?
Keep the summer fun going with our FREE Summer Coloring Book!
✔ 25+ adorable summer coloring pages
✔ Perfect for toddlers & preschoolers
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Final Thoughts
These easy summer crafts for toddlers are perfect for keeping little ones entertained while encouraging creativity, fine motor skills, and sensory play. Whether you’re crafting indoors on a rainy afternoon or outside in the sunshine, these toddler-friendly summer activities are simple, fun, and full of colorful memories.
Don’t Forget To Enter Our Summer Craft Giveaway 🎉
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LOVE EASY TODDLER CRAFTS?
Get our Toddler Summer Activity Bundle: 100+ ready-to-print activities
Looking for simple, screen-free ways to keep your little one learning and engaged this summer? Our Summer Learning Journal is filled with 100+ playful, hands-on activities designed for kids ages 2–5. From tracing and coloring to early math and matching, it’s an easy, no-prep way to build essential skills while having fun at home.
If you want something simple, meaningful, and actually doable with your kids… this is for you.
The Summer Learning Journal gives you 100+ easy, print-and-go activities that keep kids engaged while creating sweet, memorable moments together.
No prep. No overwhelm. Just easy wins.
♥ keeps them busy
♥ no prep
♥ reuse again and again
♥ works for ages 2–5
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