Stuck for activities to engage the kids??
These summer craft activities for kids are either free or really cheap to make – all use everyday objects you’ve probably got lying around at home or in the garden!
1. Swirly sticks
Take a cardboard tube (cling film and foil tubes are ideal) and cut it to your preferred size.
Either cover with pretty paper, washi tape, or paint the tube. Then cut lengths of crepe paper, tissue or ribbon (or all three) and tape to one end.
And there you have it!
2. Cupcake case blooms
Take some pretty cupcake cases and gather two or three together. Using a blob of plasticine and a pencil make a hole through the centre and fix your cases onto a drinking straw or pipe cleaner.
Secure with a blob of plasticine or a bit of scrunched up tissue paper. Then make slits all the way round the bun cases to make the petals.
3. Handprint flowers
A nice messy one for your kids to do.
Simply print several, overlapping hand prints in bright colours. Then use a paint brush to make the flower stems.
You can add grass or make a large vase using cut-out paper and glue it on.
4. Paper plate frisbee
These paper plate frisbee’s are great to use in the garden.
Simply take two paper plates and cut large holes out of the centres. Decorate round the edges with bright felt pens or paint (or you could glue on some sparkles and gems.)
Then staple the plates together.
5. Juice box boats
A great way to recycle old juice cartons.
Swill them out with water and then cut a hole in the top of your juice carton (as shown). Paint and decorate your boat, then make a sail using a drinking straw and pretty paper.
Send it on its maiden voyage in the paddling pool or in a washing up bowl filled with water. If your children are younger, never leave them unattended near water.
6. Sponge water bombs
Such a simple idea, but a fab one for a sunny day. Cut an old sponge into strips and use string to tie it into a ball. Fab for playing catch in the garden, but even better as water bombs in the paddling pool on a hot day.
If you’ve got young children, just make sure they don’t put the sponge in their mouths.
7. Alphabet pebbles
Cut out letters from old newspapers or magazines and glue them onto flat pebbles. Add some clear nail varnish and leave to dry.
Your kids will then have great fun making words and sentences with their ABC pebbles. If you make names, these also look lovely in a box frame hanging on the wall.