Looking for easy summer crafts for preschoolers? These 25 colorful crafts are perfect for building creativity, fine motor skills, and early learning while keeping little hands busy all summer long. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or daycare provider, you’ll find simple ideas preschoolers will love. We’ve linked our favorite craft supplies throughout the post to make setup easy. (Affiliate links included.)

🎁 Bonus: Keep scrolling for two FREE printable downloads!

1. Salt Painted Rainbow

A magical painting activity that combines science and art.

Supplies

• White cardstock
• School glue
• Table salt
• Liquid watercolors or diluted washable paint
• Paintbrush or eyedropper

Directions

1. Draw a rainbow using school glue.
2. Sprinkle salt over the glue.
3. Shake off the excess salt.
4. Use an eyedropper or paintbrush to add watercolor to the salt.
5. Watch the colors spread through the salt.

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2. Paper Plate Aquarium

Create an underwater world full of colorful sea creatures.

Supplies

• Paper plate
• Blue construction paper
• Fish stickers or cutouts
• Marine animal cutouts
• Tissue paper
• Glue
• Googly eyes

Directions

1. Glue blue paper inside the paper plate.
2. Add tissue paper seaweed.
3. Glue fish, shells, and ocean animals around the plate.
4. Decorate with bubbles using fingerprints or white paint.

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3. Fork Painted Sunflowers

Painting with a fork creates surprisingly realistic flower petals.

Supplies

• Plastic fork
• Yellow paint
• Brown paint
• Green construction paper
• White paper

Directions

1. Dip the fork into yellow paint.
2. Stamp around a circle to create petals.
3. Paint the flower center brown.
4. Add a green stem and leaves.

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4. Egg Carton Crabs

Recycle egg cartons into adorable beach crabs.

Supplies

• Egg carton
• Red paint
• Googly eyes
• Red pipe cleaners
• Glue

Directions

1. Cut one egg carton cup.
2. Paint it red.
3. Attach pipe cleaner legs and claws.
4. Glue on googly eyes.

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5. Yarn Wrapped Rainbow

A wonderful fine motor activity that builds concentration and color recognition.

Supplies

• Rainbow template – Print or draw a thick rainbow outline with several wide bands. White cardstock
• Colored yarn
• Glue
• Scissors

Directions

1. Cut out a rainbow.
2. Spread glue along each rainbow stripe.
3. Wrap matching yarn around each section.
4. Trim excess yarn.

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6. Lemon Print Art

A sunny stamping craft that smells as good as it looks.

Supplies

• Lemons
• Washable paint
• White paper

Directions

1. Slice a lemon in half.
2. Dip the cut side into paint.
3. Stamp colorful lemon prints across the paper.
4. Add leaves using a paintbrush.

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7. Cupcake Liner Flamingo

A whimsical tropical bird made from everyday baking supplies.

Supplies

• Pink cupcake liners
• Pink construction paper
• Glue
• Googly eyes

Directions

1. Flatten cupcake liners.
2. Glue onto paper for the flamingo body.
3. Add a neck, legs, and beak.
4. Finish with a googly eye.

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8. Sandcastle Collage

Bring the beach indoors with real sand and shells.

Supplies

• Construction paper
• Craft sand
• Glue
• Shells

Directions

1. Draw a large sandcastle.
2. Cover sections with glue.
3. Sprinkle sand over the glue.
4. Decorate with shells.

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9. Paper Chain Octopus

A colorful creature that practices counting to eight.

Supplies

• Construction paper
• Glue or stapler
• Googly eyes

Directions

1. Make eight paper chains for the tentacles.
2. Glue them beneath a paper circle body.
3. Add eyes and a smile.

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Build a simple boat to float in a bin or shallow pool.

Supplies

• Craft sticks (popsicle sticks)
• Craft glue or hot glue (adult step)
• Construction paper
• Markers

Directions

1. Glue several craft sticks side by side to form a flat raft base. (Adult step: use hot glue for a stronger hold.)
2. Let dry completely.
3. Decorate with markers.
4. Cut a triangle sail from construction paper and attach it to a vertical craft stick mast.
5. Glue the mast to the center of the raft.
6. Float it in a water bin or shallow pool.

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11. Bubble Wrap Ocean Painting

A satisfying texture craft with a beautiful wavy result.

Supplies

• Bubble wrap
• Blue paint
• White paper
• Fish cutouts

Directions

1. Paint bubble wrap blue.
2. Press onto paper.
3. Add fish cutouts once dry.

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12. Nature Crowns

Turn a nature walk into wearable art.

Supplies

• Construction paper
• Tape or stapler
• Leaves, flowers, and grass
• Glue

Directions

1. Make a paper headband sized to fit your child.
2. Go on a short nature walk to collect leaves, flowers, and grass.
3. Glue nature items around the crown.
4. Let dry before wearing.

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13. Puffy Paint Ice Cream

Fluffy, textured scoops that look good enough to eat.

⚠️ Adult supervision needed: Shaving cream is not edible. Remind preschoolers not to touch their eyes or mouth during this activity, and wash hands thoroughly afterward.

Supplies

• Shaving cream
• School glue
• Food coloring
• Sprinkles (optional)
• Paper

Directions

1. Mix equal parts shaving cream and glue.
2. Add food coloring and stir gently.
3. Paint fluffy scoops onto paper cones.
4. Allow to dry overnight.

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A patient, focused craft that builds fine motor skills.

Supplies

• Construction paper (multiple colors)
• Glue
• Scissors

Directions

1. Create a Sea Turtle with construction paper or use a template (email us @TTGLcrafts@gmail.com for a template)
2. Cut small paper squares from several colors.
3. Glue them onto the turtle shell to create a mosaic pattern.
4. Add details with markers.

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A functional summer craft that doubles as a cooling tool.

Supplies

• Construction paper
• Green and red markers
• Glue
• Craft stick

Directions

1. Decorate paper to look like a watermelon slice using markers.
2. Fold accordion style.
3. Pinch one end and glue to a craft stick handle.

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16. Tissue Paper Hibiscus

A vibrant tropical flower made from torn paper pieces.

Supplies

• Construction paper or glower template
• Colored tissue paper
• Glue

Directions

1. Create a Flower Template with construction paper or use a template (email us @TTGLcrafts@gmail.com for a template)
2. Tear tissue paper into small pieces.
3. Glue pieces onto the flower petals, overlapping as you go.
4. Add a yellow center.

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A breezy outdoor keepsake that doubles as a nature display.

Supplies

• Large stick
• String
• Paint
• Shells
• Hole punch (adult step)

Directions

1. Paint shells and let dry.
2. (Adult step:) Use a hole punch or small drill to make a hole in each shell.
3. Thread shells onto individual strings.
4. Tie strings along the stick at varying lengths.
5. Hang outdoors.

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Handprints make perfect tropical palm leaves.

Supplies

• Brown construction paper
• Green paint (for handprints)
• Blue paper
• Glue

Directions

1. Roll or cut brown paper into a palm tree trunk and glue to blue background paper.
2. Press a painted hand onto green paper to make leaf prints.
3. Cut out the handprints and glue them to the top of the trunk.

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19. Fizzy Rainbow Art

Baking soda + vinegar + color = fizzing, bubbling, magical art. This one gets big reactions every time.

Supplies

• Baking soda
• Liquid watercolors or food coloring
• White vinegar
• Eyedroppers or small squeeze bottles
• Tray or baking sheet (to catch drips)
• White cardstock

Directions

1. Spread a generous layer of baking soda across the cardstock.
2. Mix food coloring or liquid watercolor into small cups of white vinegar — one color per cup.
3. Let your child use an eyedropper to drip colored vinegar onto the baking soda.
4. Watch it fizz, bubble, and bloom into color!
5. Let dry flat overnight — the result is a beautiful, textured rainbow painting.

💡 Tip: Do this on a tray or outdoors — it bubbles over the edges. The more vinegar they add, the bigger the fizz!

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20. Coffee Filter Jellyfish

A delicate, drifting creature made with simple materials.

Supplies

• Coffee filter
• Watercolor paint
• Spray bottle with water
• Ribbon or crepe paper streamers
• Glue

Directions

1. Color the coffee filter with watercolor paint in ocean colors.
2. Lightly mist with water and let the colors blend. Let dry.
3. Gather in the center and pinch.
4. Glue ribbon or streamers underneath for tentacles.

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21. Sun Weaving

An introduction to simple weaving with a cheerful summer theme.

Supplies

• Yellow cardstock
• Yarn
• Scissors (adult step)

Directions

1. (Adult step:) Cut slits around the edge of a paper sun, spacing them evenly.
2. Tie yarn to one slit to anchor it.
3. Weave yarn over and under the slits, working toward the center.
4. Continue until the sun is filled.

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22. Ocean Sensory Bottle

A calming, shake-and-watch bottle that doubles as a quiet time toy.

💡 Tip: Seal the lid with hot glue or strong waterproof tape after assembling so little hands can’t open it.

Supplies

• Plastic bottle with a tight-fitting lid
• Blue water (add a drop of blue food coloring)
• Glitter
• Tiny shells
• Small plastic ocean animals

Directions

1. Fill the bottle about three-quarters full with blue water.
2. Add glitter, shells, and small ocean toys.
3. (Adult step:) Seal the lid with hot glue or strong waterproof tape.
4. Let your child shake, tilt, and watch the ocean come to life.

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23. Pineapple Paper Weaving

A cheerful tropical craft that teaches an early weaving pattern.

Supplies

• Yellow and green construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue

Directions

1. Fold a sheet of yellow paper and cut evenly spaced slits (stop before the edge to keep it in one piece). (Adult step.)
2. Cut yellow paper strips for weaving.
3. Weave strips over and under through the slits.
4. Glue the ends to secure.
5. Add green paper leaves at the top.

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A wow-worthy craft that introduces the concept of symmetry.

Supplies

• White paper
• Washable paint

Directions

1. Fold paper in half, then unfold.
2. Drop or brush paint onto one half of the paper.
3. Fold closed and press gently.
4. Open to reveal a symmetrical butterfly.
5. Once dry, add antennae with a marker.

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25. Summer Bucket List Craft

Create a fun decoration that encourages summer adventures all season long.

Supplies

• Bucket
• Construction paper
• Markers, crayons, or stickers
• Craft sticks
• Glue

Directions

1. Cut out a large bucket shape from construction paper.
2. Decorate it with crayons, stickers, or paint.
3. Write one fun summer activity on each craft stick (visit the beach, have a picnic, blow bubbles, feed ducks, make lemonade, etc.).
4. Place the sticks inside the paper bucket and let your preschooler choose one each day.

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Tips for Crafting with Preschoolers

• Cover your workspace with newspaper or a washable tablecloth.
• Choose washable, non-toxic craft supplies whenever possible. Note: craft #13 (shaving cream) requires adult handling — see the note in that craft.
• Let children do as much of the crafting as possible — the process is more important than perfection.
• Steps marked (adult step) involve sharp tools, hot glue, or materials that need extra care. Take over just for that step, then hand it back.
• Display finished artwork around your home or classroom to celebrate your preschooler’s creativity.

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Final Thoughts

Summer is the perfect season to explore, create, and learn through hands-on play. These easy summer crafts for preschoolers encourage creativity while building fine motor skills, early problem-solving, and confidence. Whether you’re crafting on a rainy afternoon, during summer camp, or simply looking for screen-free fun, these activities are sure to become family favorites — and create memories that last long after summer ends.

Need more ideas?

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LOVE EASY TODDLER & PRESCHOOL CRAFTS?

Get our Toddler & Preschool 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