With school out for the summer, you will probably be looking for enjoyable ways to keep your family entertained. There are many cool projects that you can do with your kids at home this season that are crafty, innovative, and educational. In addition, do-it-yourself activities are engaging and affordable ways for your family to become artists, bakers, gardeners, and more!
Check out our recommendations for DIY projects to do with your kids this summer that will inspire some fun for your creative minds.
Get Crafty with Painting
Release your inner artist while your kids realize theirs with a fun family painting project. There are so many ways to start painting! You can stick to the basics with a simple finger painting project or try something more complex like bubble printing or spin art painting. With bubble printing, your kids will use a straw to blow bubbles into different colors of paint mixtures. Once you lay paper on top of the bubbles, they pop and create unique and colorful art pieces. Spin art painting is a fun DIY project that can be done with a salad spinner by dripping different colors of paint onto a piece of paper on a salad spinner basket and then spinning it to distribute all the colors of your masterpieces.
Make a Bird Feeder
Crafting a bird feeder is a great DIY summer project. It is also a cool way to educate your kids about local wildlife. Take a look around the house and in your recycling bin for items that can be repurposed for this project to make it extra eco-friendly. Tin cans, plastic water jugs, and cardboard egg cartons are all great materials that can gain a second life with this project. If your family is feeling extra crafty, you can also make your bird feeder out of popsicle sticks. A little bit of paint and glue will go a long way in creating a distinctive bird feeder for your yard. Just make sure to have some twine and bird feed handy when you are ready to hang your creations.
Baking a Delicious Treat
Baking is a tasty way to get creative in the kitchen with your kids. They will love a recipe that enables them to add their own spin to it. A simple but delicious sugar cookie recipe is an excellent place to start. Create a DIY station with different cookie toppings like chocolate chips, M&Ms, nuts, and your kids’ favorite candies. Once you scoop your cookie dough onto a baking sheet, your family can go crazy making building the perfect cookies. After the cookies are assembled, all you have to do is bake them and serve them with your choice of milk for a delicious, inspired summer snack.
Start a Garden
Another entertaining DIY summer project is to start a garden with your kids. You don’t need a lot of space or materials to get started. In fact, you can create planters using materials you already have at home, such as aluminum cans or cardboard egg cartons. Egg cartons are a great place to start seedlings because there is no need to replant them when your seeds grow. The material will decompose in soil over time. To get started, choose some seeds that are easy to care for and will thrive in your region during the summer, and get some soil. Follow instructions included on your seed packets regarding planting, watering, and sunlight required. You and your kids will get to watch your plants grow over the season with this hands-on project that can continue to grow for years to come.
Make Tie-Dye T-Shirts
Making tie-dye t-shirts is a classic DIY craft that allows for a lot of creativity and a project that you can wear! For this one, you can start by purchasing white t-shirts and a tie-dye kit that includes all your family’s favorite colors. Next, look up cool styles and techniques to further individualize your shirts, like crumples, spirals, and bullseye methods. Then, you will want to tie your shirts according to your chosen styles and get to dyeing! Pro tip: after you have dyed and rinsed your shirts, soak them for half an hour in a white vinegar and water solution to keep your vibrant colors from fading.
Create Homemade Slime
Creating homemade slime is an engaging craft and activity to enjoy this summer with your kids. There are tons of easy DIY slime recipes online that are simple and easy to assemble using everyday household products like glue and baking soda. Include a creative spin with your slime by adding food coloring and glitter. Have fun with the kids by experimenting with different color combinations and batches of slime. Once you have created your slime, your kids will be thrilled and entertained for hours! To preserve it, store slime in an airtight container.
