3 Simple Summer Crafts

It’s summertime! The weather is warm, school is out, and you and your little ones are probably spending more time together than ever. Between trips to the park, summer camps, and beach trips, your host kids (and you!) will appreciate some time to relax. Kid-friendly crafts are a great way to share your creativity, bond with your host children, and get out of the summer heat! Here are three summer craft ideas to make sure the fun never ends.

Light Up Fireflies

Do you have fireflies (also called lightning bugs) in your area of the US? Even if you don’t, you can light up the summer nights with these easy DIY light up fireflies!

✂ You'll need electric tea lights, plastic Easter eggs, round white stickers, pipe cleaners, silver duct tape, scissors, a thumbtack, and markers.

Step 1: Place the tea light in one side of the Easter egg.

Step 2: Poke holes through the other half of the egg with a thumbtack to insert the pipe cleaners. Close the egg.

Step 3: Draw the eyes onto the white stickers, then stick them below the pipe cleaners. Step 4: Cut the duct tape into a wing shape and attach!

Pom Pom Bees

These soft bees are so easy and fun to make that soon your home will be buzzing with them! Be sure to reassure your host children that they don’t sting!

✂ You’ll need small black pom poms, large yellow pom poms, black pipe cleaners, paper, and glue.

Step 1: Glue a black pom pom to a yellow pom pom.

Step 2: Cut two short pieces of pipe cleaner and wrap them around the yellow pom pom. Glue the ends in place.

Step 3: Fold a piece of paper in half and cut a wing shape out. Glue the center of the wings to the bee’s body!

Coffee Filter Butterflies

These butterflies can be made in any color or pattern—the possibilities are endless!

✂ You’ll need coffee filters, watercolor paints, pipe cleaners, small googly eyes, clothespins, and glue. Optional: magnets.

Step 1: Paint the coffee filters however you want. Let it dry, then fold it in half.

Step 2: Pinch the middle of the folded coffee filter, then place the clothespin in the center. Be careful not to pinch your fingers!

Step 3: Wrap the pipe cleaners around the opposite side of the clothespin and glue googly eyes below.

Step 4: Optional. Glue a magnet onto the back of the clothespin. You can then use them to hang artwork on the fridge or decorate any other magnetic surface!

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