Summer is the perfect time to enjoy sunshine, laughter, and creativity with your kids. With long days and warm weather, there are endless opportunities for fun and colorful art projects. Whether you’re indoors on a hot afternoon or outside enjoying the breeze, these summer art ideas will keep your kids engaged, learning, and smiling.
From painting with water guns to making beach-themed crafts, we’ve gathered over 40 easy and exciting art projects. These ideas help build creativity, fine motor skills, and confidence—all while having a blast.
Getting Started with Summer Art Projects
Before the fun begins, take a little time to set things up. A good space and the right supplies can make all the difference.
Best Art Supplies for Summer Crafts
Start with simple materials that are fun to use and easy to clean. Here are some great supplies for summer art ideas:
- Watercolors
- Chalk pastels
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrushes
- Paper or canvas
- Pencils and erasers
- Scissors
- Glue sticks
- Old magazines (for collage)
Quality supplies don’t have to be expensive. Choose items that fit your budget but are safe and age-appropriate.
Create a Kid-Friendly Art Station
Set up a craft area where your kids can work freely. It could be a corner of the living room, the garage, or outside in the backyard.
Make sure you have:
- A flat surface to work on
- Bright lighting
- Easy access to water (for brushes)
- A comfy chair
- A cover for your table (like a plastic cloth or newspapers)
Keep supplies organized in a box or bin so kids can find what they need quickly. Clean-up is easier too!
Summer Art Ideas by Age Group
Each age group loves different kinds of activities. Here are age-appropriate ideas that are sure to be a hit.
Fun for Toddlers and Preschoolers (Ages 2–5)
Young kids love to get messy and explore textures. Try these simple summer art projects:
- Ice Cube Painting: Freeze washable paint in ice cube trays. Let kids paint as the cubes melt. Cool and colorful!
- Sponge Sailboats: Cut sponges into boat shapes, add paper sails, and float them in water.
- Bubble Art: Mix food coloring into bubble solution. Blow bubbles onto paper and watch colorful patterns appear.
- Handprint Suns: Paint little hands yellow and press them on paper. Add finger-painted rays around the handprint.
- Fruit Stamping – Cut apples or oranges in half and dip them in paint. Stamp them on paper for fun fruit prints.
- Shaving Cream Art – Spray shaving cream on a tray, swirl in food coloring, and press paper on top.
- Footprint Fish – Make a footprint with paint, then add eyes and fins to turn it into a fish.
- Tissue Paper Sun Catchers – Stick colorful tissue paper on clear contact paper. Hang in the window.
- Pasta Necklaces – Paint dry pasta and string it onto yarn to make summer jewelry.
- Cupcake Liner Flowers – Flatten cupcake liners and glue them on paper to make flowers. Add stems and leaves.
- Popsicle Stick Puppets – Glue pictures or drawings onto popsicle sticks for homemade puppets.
- Nature Collage – Collect leaves, grass, and flowers outside and glue them to paper.
- Foam Stamp Painting – Use foam stickers on bottle caps to create your own stamps.
- Paper Plate Fish – Cut a triangle from a paper plate to make a fish mouth. Use the triangle as a tail!
Creative Projects for School-Aged Kids (Ages 6–11)
Older kids are ready for bigger challenges and more detailed work:
- Sandcastle Collage: Use glue and sand to build a beach scene. Add shells or paper umbrellas.
- Melted Bead Sun Catchers: Arrange plastic beads in metal lids. Bake until melted. Hang in the window.
- Painted Rocks: Turn smooth stones into fruits, animals, or fun characters. Hide them around your neighborhood.
- Sun Print Art: Use sun-sensitive paper and place leaves or shapes on top. Watch nature leave its print!
- DIY Kaleidoscopes – Use paper towel rolls, foil, and beads to make your own kaleidoscope.
- Salt Painting – Draw with glue, sprinkle salt on top, then add watercolor for a cool effect.
- Painted Pasta Art – Paint pasta in fun colors and glue it into shapes or patterns.
- Leaf Prints – Paint the bottom of a leaf, press it on paper, and see the texture appear.
- Mini Canvas Magnets – Paint tiny canvases and stick magnets on the back for fridge art.
- Paper Mosaics – Cut colored paper into small squares and glue them to make a design or picture.
- Balloon Splatter Painting – Fill balloons with a bit of paint, pop them over paper outside (messy, but fun!).
- Shell Painting – Paint collected seashells with bright colors and glitter.
- DIY Comic Strips – Let kids draw a short summer story in comic strip format.
- Nature Weaving – Make a frame with sticks and weave in grass, flowers, or yarn.
Engaging Art Ideas for Teens (Ages 12+)
Teens enjoy summer art projects that feel stylish, relaxing, or expressive:
- Tie-Dye Accessories: Try dyeing canvas shoes, tote bags, or pillowcases.
- String Art: Use nails and thread to create summer-themed patterns like waves or palm trees.
- Pointillism Painting: Use Q-tips to paint dots that form a picture. Sunsets and ocean scenes work great.
- Summer Photography Challenge: Give them daily prompts like “sunlight” or “motion” and make a collage.
- Watercolor Postcards – Paint mini summer scenes on cardstock and send to friends.
- DIY Painted Tote Bags – Use fabric paint to design a beach bag or reusable shopping tote.
- Pressed Flower Art – Press flowers in a book and use them to decorate cards or frames.
- Mandala Rock Painting – Use fine brushes or toothpicks to paint detailed mandalas on rocks.
- Scrapbook Summer Memories – Create a DIY scrapbook with photos, ticket stubs, and journal entries.
- Recycled Bottle Art – Cut plastic bottles into shapes and paint them for colorful mobiles.
- Mini Canvas Quote Art – Paint favorite summer quotes on small canvases with fun designs.
- Mood Boards – Cut out magazine pics and words to make a summer inspiration board.
- DIY Watercolor Bookmarks – Paint bookmarks with summer scenes and laminate them.
- Photo Transfer on Wood – Print a photo, use gel medium to transfer it to wood for a rustic look.
Summer Art Projects for Indoors and Outdoors
Whether it’s too hot outside or just the right breeze, you can take your art wherever you go!
Indoor Summer Art Projects:
- Crayon Melt Art – Use a hairdryer to melt crayons on canvas or thick paper. Watch the colors drip and mix!
- DIY Stickers – Draw small pictures on label paper, cut them out, and make your own stickers.
- Paper Bag Puppets – Decorate lunch bags to look like animals or characters.
- Clay Creatures – Use air-dry clay to sculpt bugs, sea creatures, or tiny food items.
- Cereal Box Canvases – Cut and paint the inside of cereal boxes for eco-friendly art.
- Paper Chain Garlands – Make long chains from colorful paper to decorate your room.
- Stencil Spray Art – Use sponges or spray bottles with stencils to make cool patterns.
- DIY Coloring Pages – Let kids draw outlines for each other to color in.
- Foil Painting – Paint on foil with Q-tips for shiny, smooth textures.
- Shadow Drawing – Use a flashlight to cast shadows of toys on paper and trace them.
Outdoor Summer Art Projects:
- Water Gun Painting – Fill water guns with watered-down paint and spray at canvases or cardboard.
- Mud Painting – Mix dirt and water for nature paint. Add food coloring for more color!
- Ice Chalk – Freeze chalk and water in molds. Kids can draw with them as they melt.
- Sponge Water Bomb Art – Soak painted sponges in water and throw them at large paper outdoors.
- Nature Painting Brushes – Tie leaves or flowers to sticks and use them as brushes.
- Sun Prints with Fabric – Lay objects on fabric treated with sun-sensitive dye and watch prints appear.
- Bubble Wrap Printing – Dip bubble wrap in paint and press it on paper for cool patterns.
- Stick Sculptures – Collect sticks, twigs, and leaves to build mini outdoor sculptures.
- Sidewalk Story Paths – Use chalk to draw a story or obstacle course on your driveway.
- Paint with Rain – Sprinkle powdered paint (or crushed chalk) on paper and let light rain create art.
10 Summer Art Ideas for Groups of Children (Party-Style Fun)
- Collaborative Mural
Roll out a big sheet of paper or hang kraft paper on a fence. Let kids paint a giant summer scene together – beach, park, or even outer space! - T-Shirt Painting Station
Give each child a plain white T-shirt and set out fabric paint, brushes, and stencils. They’ll love making wearable art to take home. - Decorate Your Own Visors
Buy foam visors in bulk and let kids decorate them with markers, foam stickers, and glitter glue. Great for sunny days! - Squirt Bottle Tie-Dye
Fill squirt bottles with diluted tie-dye colors. Kids can twist and color their own shirts, socks, or bags – less mess than traditional tie-dye! - Friendship Rock Painting
Set up a rock painting table. Kids can decorate rocks with patterns or positive words and gift them to each other. - Bubble Painting Booth
Mix bubble solution with washable paint. Have kids blow bubbles onto paper and watch the colorful splatter art appear. - Paper Plate Masks
Provide paper plates, string, craft sticks, and decorations. Kids can make silly animal or superhero masks and put on a mini show! - DIY Windsocks
Use construction paper, streamers, and stickers to make colorful windsocks. Kids can hang them up and watch them flutter in the breeze. - Craft Stick Photo Frames
Set up a station where kids make and decorate photo frames with craft sticks. Take a party photo and insert it later as a keepsake. - Mini Canvas Painting Party
Give each child a mini canvas and paint set. Set a timer and theme like “summer sunset” or “under the sea.” Everyone gets to take their masterpiece home!
Make cleanup easy with drop cloths, aprons, and wipes on hand.
Common Questions from Parents
What are the easiest summer art ideas to start with?
Try paper plate suns! Paint them yellow and glue on orange rays. Kids love them and cleanup is a breeze.
What’s a fun summer craft for toddlers?
Let toddlers finger-paint using summer colors like blue, green, and yellow. Use paper plates for easy cleanup.
Can adults join in too?
Absolutely! Try painting beach scenes, crafting with seashells, or making summer photo frames together. It’s relaxing and fun.
I’m a teacher. What can I use in the classroom?
Have kids work on a giant summer mural together. Each child can draw their favorite summer activity to create one big scene.
Make Art, Make Memories
Summer art ideas are more than just crafts. They’re moments of connection, discovery, and joy. Whether your kids are painting, gluing, or building, they’re also learning – and making memories you’ll both cherish.
So grab some supplies, pick a project, and start creating your own summer art ideas masterpiece today!
If you want to, you can visit our Pinterest to get more inspiration.
