12 Simple and Sweet Summer Crafts for Preschoolers

Summer crafts for preschoolers should feel colorful, hands-on, and easy enough for kids to enjoy with a little guidance. At this age, they love projects that involve painting, gluing, stamping, cutting simple shapes, and turning everyday supplies into something bright and fun.

These summer craft ideas are simple, but they still feel cute and creative enough to display at home, in a classroom, or at summer camp.

Each one uses easy materials and gives preschoolers a chance to practice fine motor skills while making something cheerful, from sun hats and fruit crafts to ocean animals and garden-inspired art.

1. Paper Plate Watermelon Craft

This watermelon craft is simple, colorful, and easy for preschoolers to recognize. The large paper plate shape gives them enough space to paint, dot seeds, and make a cute summer fruit craft without needing tiny details.

Materials Needed:

1. Paper plates
2. Pink or red washable paint
3. Green washable paint
4. Black marker or black paper circles
5. Paintbrush or sponge brush
6. Glue stick
7. Child-safe scissors

Steps To Make:

1. Cut a paper plate in half.
2. Let preschoolers paint the middle pink or red.
3. Paint the curved edge green for the rind.
4. Let the paint dry.
5. Add black seed dots with a marker or glue on small black paper circles.
6. Display the watermelon slices together on a wall or bulletin board.

2. Cupcake Liner Sunflowers

Cupcake liners make this craft easy because they already look like petals. Preschoolers can glue, layer, and color around the flowers, making it a lovely summer garden project.

Materials Needed:

1. Yellow cupcake liners
2. Blue or white cardstock
3. Brown construction paper
4. Green construction paper
5. Glue stick
6. Crayons
7. Child-safe scissors

Steps To Make:

1. Flatten the cupcake liners.
2. Cut green paper stems and leaves.
3. Cut brown circles for the flower centers.
4. Help preschoolers glue the stems onto cardstock.
5. Glue the cupcake liners above the stems.
6. Add the brown centers.
7. Let kids draw grass, clouds, or bugs around the flowers.

3. Sponge Painted Beach Ball

This beach ball craft is great for practicing colors and simple sections. Sponge painting keeps it easy and fun, especially for preschoolers who enjoy dabbing paint instead of using small brush strokes.

Materials Needed:

1. White cardstock
2. Pencil
3. Washable paint
4. Sponge pieces
5. Paper plate
6. Marker
7. Child-safe scissors

Steps To Make:

1. Cut a large circle from white cardstock.
2. Draw simple curved lines to create beach ball sections.
3. Add different paint colors to a paper plate.
4. Let preschoolers dab sponge pieces into the paint.
5. Help them fill each section with color.
6. Let the paint dry.
7. Outline the sections with a marker if needed.

4. Popsicle Stick Fish

Popsicle stick fish are easy to make and fun to decorate. Preschoolers can paint the sticks, pick fin colors, and add eyes to create their own little ocean animals.

Materials Needed:

1. Popsicle sticks
2. Washable paint
3. Construction paper
4. Googly eyes
5. Glue
6. Paintbrush
7. Child-safe scissors

Steps To Make:

1. Paint three or four popsicle sticks and let them dry.
2. Glue the sticks side by side.
3. Cut fins and a tail from construction paper.
4. Glue the fins and tail to the back.
5. Add a googly eye to the front.
6. Decorate with paper scales or marker dots.
7. Let the fish dry before displaying.

5. Ice Cream Cone Name Craft

This craft is sweet for preschoolers because it mixes summer fun with name practice. Each scoop can hold a letter, color, or simple decoration, depending on the child’s age and skill level.

Materials Needed:

1. Brown construction paper
2. Colored construction paper
3. Stickers
4. Crayons
5. Glue stick
6. Child-safe scissors
7. Marker

Steps To Make:

1. Cut a cone shape from brown paper.
2. Cut several scoop shapes from colored paper.
3. Help preschoolers decorate each scoop with crayons or stickers.
4. Add letters to the scoops if using it as a name craft.
5. Glue the cone to cardstock.
6. Stack and glue the scoops above the cone.
7. Let the craft dry flat.

6. Paper Bowl Turtle

This turtle craft is simple but very cute because the paper bowl naturally creates the shell shape. Preschoolers can paint, glue, and add patterns without needing complex cutting.

Materials Needed:

1. Small paper bowls
2. Green washable paint
3. Green construction paper
4. Googly eyes
5. Glue
6. Marker
7. Paintbrush
8. Child-safe scissors

Steps To Make:

1. Turn the paper bowl upside down.
2. Let preschoolers paint it green.
3. Set it aside to dry.
4. Cut a head, legs, and tail from green paper.
5. Glue the pieces under the bowl edge.
6. Add googly eyes to the head.
7. Draw shell lines or dots on top with a marker.

7. Sunshine Ribbon Wand

This craft is fun because preschoolers can use it after making it. The ribbon moves beautifully outside, making it perfect for pretend play, dance time, or summer party activities.

Materials Needed:

1. Yellow construction paper
2. Craft sticks
3. Orange and yellow ribbon
4. Glue or tape
5. Markers
6. Child-safe scissors
7. Stickers, optional

Steps To Make:

1. Cut two yellow paper circles for each sun.
2. Let preschoolers draw a simple sun face or pattern.
3. Tape ribbon pieces to the back of one circle.
4. Add a craft stick as the handle.
5. Glue the second circle on top to cover the taped parts.
6. Add stickers if desired.
7. Let it dry before using it outside.

8. Tissue Paper Lemonade Cup

This lemonade craft feels sunny and simple, with plenty of tearing and sticking for preschoolers. It also works well for a summer food, picnic, or pretend lemonade stand theme.

Materials Needed:

1. White cardstock
2. Yellow tissue paper
3. Colored paper for straws
4. Yellow construction paper
5. Glue stick
6. Child-safe scissors
7. Marker

Steps To Make:

1. Cut a simple cup shape from white cardstock.
2. Tear yellow tissue paper into small pieces.
3. Help preschoolers glue the tissue pieces onto the cup.
4. Cut a paper straw and glue it to the side.
5. Add a small yellow lemon circle.
6. Draw ice cubes or bubbles with a marker.
7. Let the craft dry before displaying.

9. Handprint Crab Craft

This handprint crab is a fun keepsake and a great summer beach craft. The handprints make the crab shape easy, while the eyes and background details bring it to life.

Materials Needed:

1. Tan or blue cardstock
2. Red washable paint
3. Paintbrush
4. Googly eyes
5. Glue
6. Blue construction paper
7. Wipes for cleanup

Steps To Make:

1. Paint both of the child’s hands with red washable paint.
2. Help them press their hands onto cardstock with palms overlapping slightly.
3. Let the handprints dry.
4. Glue googly eyes near the top.
5. Add blue paper waves or sand details around the crab.
6. Let preschoolers draw shells or bubbles.
7. Let the craft dry fully.

10. Paper Plate Camping Lantern

This camping lantern craft is a fun choice for summer camp themes, backyard nights, or pretend camping indoors. The yellow tissue paper makes the lantern look like it is glowing.

Materials Needed:

1. Paper plates
2. Dark blue washable paint
3. Yellow tissue paper
4. Black construction paper
5. Star stickers
6. Glue
7. Paintbrush
8. Child-safe scissors

Steps To Make:

1. Paint the paper plate dark blue and let it dry.
2. Tear yellow tissue paper into small pieces.
3. Glue the tissue paper in the center of the plate as the lantern light.
4. Cut a handle shape from black paper.
5. Glue the handle to the top of the plate.
6. Add star stickers around the lantern.
7. Let it dry before hanging.

11. Butterfly Coffee Filter Craft

Coffee filter butterflies are simple and always look pretty because the colors blend together beautifully. Preschoolers can color freely, then watch the colors spread when water is added.

Materials Needed:

1. Coffee filters
2. Washable markers
3. Pipe cleaners
4. Spray bottle with water
5. Paper towels
6. Clothespins, optional

Steps To Make:

1. Flatten a coffee filter on paper towels.
2. Let preschoolers color it with washable markers.
3. Lightly spray the filter with water.
4. Let the colors spread and blend.
5. Allow the filter to dry.
6. Pinch the middle together.
7. Wrap a pipe cleaner around the center to make the butterfly body and antennae.

12. Summer Sticker Scene

A sticker scene is one of the easiest summer crafts for preschoolers, but it still feels creative. It gives them freedom to build a picture while practicing peeling, placing, and storytelling.

Materials Needed:

1. Cardstock
2. Summer-themed stickers
3. Crayons
4. Markers
5. Glue stick, optional
6. Paper scraps, optional

Steps To Make:

1. Give each child a sheet of cardstock.
2. Help them draw a simple background, such as a beach, park, garden, or picnic.
3. Let them add summer stickers around the page.
4. Use crayons to add grass, water, clouds, or sunshine.
5. Add paper scraps if they want more texture.
6. Ask them to describe their summer scene.
7. Display the finished art in a classroom or playroom.